“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 s0 that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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.”
John 15:1-4
Yesterday was a struggle. I was feeling the weight of bad decisions, decisions that had tremendous negative financial consequences for me and my family. I felt really down, and the only voice I honestly heard as I wallowed in self-pity was that of the one who specializes in accusing, demeaning and otherwise dragging us downwards-the devil himself. I questioned so many things, I played back so many crossroad moments where I made impulsive or bad choices.
I saw a quote this morning from Mike Bickle regarding deception: “The lifestyle to keep from deception: Keep talking to the Lord. Set your heart to obey. Stay in dialogue with the Lord about His Word.”
This morning I was directed to the rhema scripture; here is what I hear Jesus saying to me in John 15:
“Remain in Me, with Me, and near Me, even moreso during seasons of pruning and testing. Your testing produces your testimony which is vital for you and the other saints for overcoming. You are already clean-so don’t let the enemy tell you that you are filthy or worthless. Your fruitfulness is not of your own doing, and is empowered only by your faith, and faithfulness in Me alone, not in yourself. Beloved, remember Me and My word when you are in a valley of decision or season of pruning- greater fruitfulness is coming!!”