Today’s Scripture:

John 15:1-8

”I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Food For Thought:

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus talks about pruning bushes but the metaphor is about followers of Christ. As followers of Christ there should be fruits of our labor—good things that we do because we are Christians. One of my favorite songs is They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love. Our love for one another should be apparent in the way in which we live our lives. Think about a person or a group of people who need love. Can you extend that love to them today?

Prayer:

Risen and ascended Christ,
 you surround us with witnesses
 and send us the Counselor 
who opens our minds to understand your teaching. 
Bless us with such grace 
that our lives may become a blessing for the world
 now, and in the age to come. Amen.