I AMSample

I AM the true vine.

Do you feel like you should be able to do everything for yourself? That seems like what the world is trying to get us to do.

But let’s face it, we need help!

In our time of need we often find help in our friends, our family, our teachers, our coaches, the list goes on.

We find help in the places where we are connected. We seek most from the people in our lives who we feel our closest connections with.

But what if I told you that what we really need is to tend to our connection with Jesus?

When we are strongly connected with Jesus, who in this passage of Scripture, describes Himself as a vine and us as the branches.

When we are connected to the vine, the branches grow fruit.

What does that look like to grow spiritual fruit?

It can be obeying God’s commands with joy. It doesn’t feel like following rules, but that we’ve embraced a better way of living.

It can be feeling love and compassion for others. We aren’t self-centered, but focusing on what’s happening around you and how you can make a difference for good in the life of someone else.

But some branches are being pruned. What does that mean? It means some pieces of the branch are purposely cut off to produce more fruit in the coming season.

That can look like a lot of things.

Pruning can be:

• Questioning your faith
• Experiencing doubts
• Suffering consequences of your sin

But whatever it looks like, I have good news! Pruning leads to growth.

It’s natural to go through times where we doubt. But God chose YOU to produce long lasting fruit that is unique to you. He can pull you out of ANYTHING and use anything you go through for a purpose.

Stay close to Him!