Living Close to the Vine – Jane Young
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2 NASB)
If you have grapevines that aren’t pruned back each year, the grapes will be smaller and less plentiful. The branches have to be close to the vine to get what they need in order to produce good results. This is done by cutting the branches back so they don’t grow out too far from the vine.
That’s what Jesus is telling us we need as well — to stay close to Him in order to get the spiritual nourishment we need. Only then can we grow Christ-like values to share with others so we’ll have a productive life.
Have there been times when you felt convicted about what you were doing or thinking? Maybe those times are proof God was pruning you— letting you know you were getting too far from Him. Embrace those ‘pruning’ times as a blessing.
The more of our time we give to worldly pursuits, the further we get from godly ones. Our branches [our lives] have to be lived close to the vine [Jesus] to be what God wants us to be. Jesus told his disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NASB)
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay close to you and bear fruit to help others in their daily lives.
Jane lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. Her goal in life is to be a light for God in all she does. Contact
