How To Be Fruitful

HOW TO BE FRUITFUL

a prayer to open

Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

May your Kingdom come, may your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Yesterday we read about the fruit of the Spirit, but how do we actually cultivate that fruit? Do we just try really hard—wake up each morning and declare, “I will be joyful today”? We all know pure determination doesn’t work—or at least, doesn’t last. So how do we grow fruit? The words of Jesus in today’s passage tell us that we stay connected to him. It’s the only way. In fact, for most of us, if we looked back at the times we lashed out in anger, gave in to temptation, or acted in our own best interests instead of serving someone else over the last week, we likely could identify a feeling of disconnection from Christ during those times. When our intimacy with Christ increases, our fruitfulness increases.

• What stands out to you as you read the words of Jesus in today’s passage? What invitation do you sense he is extending to you through this Scripture?
• How is your connection with Jesus during this particular season of your life?
• What circumstances, relationships, and practices are getting in the way? What practices and relationships help you stay connected?

Father, thank you for the invitation to remain connected to you in and through Jesus. I long for that constant connection, in which I am aware of your presence, your love, and your power. Show me the ways I block my connection with you or try to do things in my own strength. Guide me into relationships that foster and encourage my ability to remain in you. Amen.