John 15

John 15:1-11  "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

For the past couple of months, there has been a plant on the kitchen table.  I’m not even really sure where it came from or how it ended up there, but there is sits.  In the beginning, it was pretty sad.  It only had a few branches and a handful of leaves.  Honestly, it looked half-dead.  Well, I took it on as a project.  I’ve been watering it and pruning the dead leaves and branches.  Some days I don’t really pay too much attention, but as I look at it now, it is much fuller and greener.  I didn’t really notice it growing, but it definitely is now healthier compared to when it first appeared.  A little TLC and a little time and the plant has come back to life and even grown!

Our spiritual journey is very similar to this plant.  Sometimes we start to feel like we aren’t growing or making any progress.  Sometimes we have neglected our spiritual life and we begin to wither and die on the vine.  Be encouraged, no matter where you are, with a little TLC and a little time, you will come back to life and begin to grow again!

Abide in our Lord daily, start again today if necessary, and you will bear much fruit!

I’m praying for you!

Pastor Amy