I enjoy reading Max Lucado books; however, I find that I cannot read a lot in one setting. This is because there is a lot to think about in each chapter. I have decided to incoporate a chapter a day into my devotions. Right now I am reaading though his book "A Gentle Thunder". Today's chapter was on John 15:1-3, which reads:
"I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit."

Now, you may have known this; but I didn't so I am going to share it.

I knew that God prunes us so that we will produce more fruit, like a gardener prunes back bushes and vines, so that they will grow healthier and produce more fruit. What I didn't know is this: Nowhere does God command US to bear fruit! Let me explain. It's like a branch; can a branch produce an apple by wanting to? No. It's the same with us. Have you ever heard anyone say (or maybe you've said something like this yourself), "I'm going to forgive that jerk if it kills me" or I'm going to be patient, and I'm going to do it right now"? You can't force things like that. That's why Jesus doesn't tell us in this passage to bear fruit. So what does He command us to do? Keep reading in John 15. At least 7 times in the next 7 verses He commands us to "remain in me...remain in the vine...remain in my love..." So, we are to stay close to the vine - Jesus, and we will be fruitful. Verse 5 says, "If any remain in me and I remain in them, they will produce fruit....apart from me you can do nothing." Is it an easy process? No, it hurts...but you will be healthier because of it. I don't know about you, but I'm glad He doesn't give up on us and cuts us down altogether and says that we are't worth the effort. No, if you are His child He loves you and thinks that you are salvagable by trimming off the stuff that is holding you back. He is making you a healthier child by doing this and in doing so He is causing us to be able to bear fruit.

So, dear Christian, stay close to the vine if you want to bear fruit, you can't do it by yourself!