Abiding in Christ, the key to fruitfullness

Abiding in Christ, the key to fruitfulness
S - John 15:
² 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. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. ⁵ 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.⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 

O- It is this natural process of the vine and vinedresser that Jesus helps us understand our relationship with him and God the father.  He starts off describing branches that don't bear fruit and those that do bear fruit.  One is taken away and another pruned back to allow more growth and fruit bearing.   The key to being fruitful is to abide in Christ otherwise they will dry up.  

A -  This applies to me in this season as I evaluate whether I am drying up or being pruned for future fruit bearing.  I am reminded that I must abide in Christ, keeps his word in me and stay connected and focused on His spirit in me.  I must assess and evaluate the fruit I bear to ensure I am being fruitful in the Lord both as a sign of correction and a sign on connection to Christ.   In this season the fruit I am investing in is in my kids, my wife, the families in my small group.   There are fruitful opportunities at work in the students under my care, and fruitful opportunities with my family. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart, changing and shaping me as you see necessary for my future fruitfulness.  I pray Lord that you allow me to stay connected to you, and tha tyougive me courage in this season of pruning.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.