John 15:2…and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Thought:Pruning is never pleasant, but it is always purposeful. The Father, the wise Husbandman, cuts away what hinders fruitfulness. In a vineyard, “suckers” and extra shoots may look like growth, but they only produce leaves, not grapes. They block light, steal nutrients, and weaken the harvest.In ou...

John 15:4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.Thought:There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and abiding in Jesus. The word “abide” means to remain, stay, continue, and not depart. It is a settled, ongoing connection. Like a branch that never detaches from the vine.We often try to “produc...

John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.Thought:In the Old Testament, Israel was often pictured as God’s vineyard, which was rescued from Egypt, planted in the Promised Land, and blessed with God’s presence and promises. Yet, Israel was never the “true vine” itself; it was the vineyard God tended. The true vine was always pointing forward to Jesus Christ.When Jesus says, “I am...

2 Corinthians 6:14-1814 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I w...

1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.Thought:God calls us to simple obedience rather than grand gestures. This means that He delights not in elaborate displays of devotion or in achievements designed to impress others, but in...