Gracious Father, to know Christ Jesus is the true vine and you are the gardener is extraordinary. What incredible security and assurance we possess knowing it is you who passionately looks after us in every way. From the initial wooing of your Spirit that led to our salvation experience until we are completed in Christ, you are the lover of our souls and the author and perfecter of our life-giving relationship. To you alone be the glory!
Oh Father, we celebrate that we are redeemed and presented clean in your sight through the justifying work of Christ and your imputed righteousness. You have broken down all previous barriers and opened the door to intimate and life-giving relational dependence. What joy to remain in Christ as he remains in us! Who can describe the privilege and satisfaction found in living with Christ being our ever-present Savior and Lord; the love, hope, security, peace, power, joy, and purpose experienced through this intimate relationship is indescribable! We crave this abiding relationship that yields closeness of heart and wondrous oneness. Only supernatural union found in Christ with our Father through the power of Your Spirit satisfies. And that is the promise!
Lord Jesus, one way you demonstrate your love for us is by turning our hearts away from lifeless fleshly remedies to dependence upon Christ. It is He who delivers true satisfaction and abundance. You cut off every fleshly branch in our lives that bears no fruit while meticulously pruning every Christ dependent branch so it will bear even greater fruit. We know that apart from you we can do nothing. Nothing of eternal value can originate or be propelled forward in our own strength. Thank you for your commitment to always turn our hearts toward Christ. We implore you Lord to hold us tightly in the grasp of your intimate arms. We are fickle and apt to chase out after any mirage of fleshly hope. Bless us with hearts of faith to hold tightly to one thing only, to know Christ and the power of the resurrection. For you have promised that, as we remain in you and experience an alignment with your perfect will, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for our blessing and your glory. Father, this brings glory to you, that we bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be Christ’s disciples.
In Christ,
Blessings!
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Philippians 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.