You Are The Branches
Hi My Beautiful Friends,
Happy Monday, It's hope your weekend was amazing.
Have you ever read a scripture or a passage in the Bible, taken away one thing, and then come back later only to see it in a completely new light?
That’s exactly what’s been happening to me this week with John 15:1–17 (NIV). I’ve been sitting with this passage, reading and rereading it, and each time it speaks to me a little differently. God has been using it to show me layers of His truth.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
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.” John 15:1–2
When I first read this, my heart immediately went to the ways God has removed things from my life that were no longer serving His purpose. People I lost, jobs that didn’t work out, plans that fell through. At the time, I didn’t always understand why. But looking back, I now see that His pruning was protection. It was preparation. It was love.
He cuts away not to punish but to position us to grow.
He removes what holds us back so that we can become who He’s called us to be.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself
it must remain in the vine.” John 15:4
This verse struck me in a new way. I used to think of bearing fruit as simply doing good things, but now I see how much deeper it is.
To bear fruit means to live a life that produces evidence of God's presence character traits and actions that reflect Jesus. It’s about spiritual growth, heart transformation, and walking in step with God's will.
We can't produce fruit on our own.
Our connection to Jesus is the source of life, strength, and purpose.
“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers…” John 15:6
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8
This challenges me to examine my own life.
Am I remaining in Him daily?
Is my life producing fruit that reflects His values?
God’s values are clear in His Word. They are:
Love. Holiness. Truth. Justice. Grace. Mercy. Humility. Faithfulness. Peace. Servanthood. Forgiveness.
When I take time to reflect on these, I’m reminded how much the fruit I bear depends on the vine I stay connected to. The more time I spend with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and worship, the more these values start to show up in my words, choices, and relationships.
I’ve written about some of these values in past blog posts. If you feel called, I encourage you to go back and read those. You never know one word, one verse, one value might be the guiding light you need in the season you’re walking through.
Let God prune you.
Let Him shape you.
Let Him grow something beautiful through you
Have a very blessed Monday.
With Love,
Your friend,
Chelsey