¹“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 youbear 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.

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.
3. Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

 ¹“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 youbear 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.

Meditation

1.        Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

2.        For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.

3.        Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?  

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.