John 15:1-16 (New International Version)

John 15:1-16 (New International Version)

I just want everyone to know that I may be typing one handed this morning as Braylee has decided to get up before I went to bed and when I get out of bed. LOL appearently she is more like her mother than I thought. She decided to eat a whole hot dog, macaraoni and cheese, and hawaiin delight, along with a bottle of formula for breakfast last night. I have to admit she gets her appetite honest.

John 15
The Vine and the Branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.


The grapevine is a prolific plant, a single vine will bear many grapes. Christ is the vine and the branches represent us. As long as we stay attached to the vine we will bear fruit.If we become unproductive such as turning back from following Christ, we will be seperated from the vine.This would make us as good as dead and we will be cut off and tossed aside.

Jesus mentions two types of pruning- 1. seperating 2. cutting back branches. Fruit bearing branches are cut back to promote growth. God must sometimes discipline us to make our faith(fruit) stronger. But branches that are non-productive are cut off at the trunk because they are worth nothing, and may even affect the rest of the tree. People who bear fruit for God or who try to block His efforts will be cut off from God's life giving power.

Fruit may include soul-winning, answered prayer, joy, and love. We must understand that Christ is God's son, we must recieve him as Savior and Lord, do what He says, continue to believe the Gospel, and relate in love to everyone. Even if you are a good, honest person who does what is right, you must still understand that Jesus is the only way to a truly good life and we must stay close to him. This is a special gift he offers to true believers. God is glorified when people come into a right relationship with him. True joy transcends whatever circumstances we may be facing. Joy comes from a constant relationship with Christ. He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into a crippling depression and he will allow us to manage prosperity without getting too "high". I don't just believe this, I know from experience. He will keep us level headed no matter our situation.

We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to die for us. That is definitely unconditinal love. We have many opportunities to practice all types of sacrificial love.Think of someone you know who could use this type of love today, and give them all you are capable of. Jesus callls us friends. Isn't it awesome that he considers us that way. We owe him our love and obedience. If we love him, then we will obey him. He died for us, then he invited us to live forever with him. Do you accept or reject his offer. If He hadn't offered it to us then we wouldn't even have a choice. Don't waste this opportunity. Even though we lose sight of Him, he will never lose sight of us. Remember that Christ knows your struggle and cares for you. Just having Jesus present will calm our fears. To recognize his presence is the antitdote for our fears.

Our Dear Heavenly Father, I bow down before your presence and humbly thank you for walking with me each step of the way. I thank you for all of the anwered prayers that you have granted. If we will only ask it in your name, then you will give it to us and I ask all my prayers in your name because I believe in your mercy, grace, and power. I pray for all of those out there who are hurting and need you. I pray for my Church family especially today as we will prepare with faith to worship you this evening. Lord thank you for providing me with such good people and blessing me in so many other ways. Their words of encouragement continue to lift me up through you. Please watch over Braylee and Dusty today as they set out on their journey for the next few hours. They are growing so fast and I pray that they will grow in their walk with you Lord. Lord I pray for those who may find out information from the doctor today. I pray that everything goes alright with these things. I thank you still for such a smooth financial transition through this process. You are so wonderful. You are so mighty. You are so omnipresent. I pray that you show me your ways, and teach me your will. I love you Lord and ask for your forgiveness in the areas where I don't meet expectations. I invite you to prune my branches as I try to grow. I so want to provide the best fruit for you. I am so fortunate to be growing in your vine. I thank you for inviting me into the fold and giving me joy and peace on a daily basis. I know that I can do all things through you which strengthen me. I love you Lord. In your precious name I pray.......amen