Hi Everyone,

As I was driving home, after a storm the other day, I noticed all the branches on the ground, some across the road, some just hanging on. One tree caught my attention. It looked undamaged, except for one branch that had snapped off and was lying there.

About a week later, as I again glanced over at that tree, the branch that had been snapped off and was previously green was no longer looking green and healthy, but it was brown, leaves shrivelled and very dead!

As I continued to drive, I noticed a truck collecting all the broken branches and turning them into mulch. This reminded me of John 15:4-8. Have a read.

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. That branch still looked green when it first broke off, but it was just a matter of time before it died - it started to die as soon as it snapped off.

Same with us, we might think we’re doing alright doing our own thing, but it’s just a matter of time. From the moment we are separated from Jesus, we begin to die.

Jesus said, ‘"a branch cannot bear fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me….. For apart from Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

He goes on to say that we are useless without Him and will be thrown away and burnt. This tree branch was once healthy and green.  Now it’s cut off and withered and destined to be mulched.

So don’t separate or drift away from Jesus.

Stay connected to the vine, don’t be a weak branch that breaks off quickly as soon as the wind and storm come, because life brings many storms, but if we keep our relationship with Jesus strong, we can withstand and overcome anything that comes our way. (1 John 5:4-5)

Our relationship with Him is not just for the stormy days, but it’s a lifestyle. We must continue to abide in Him every day and to abide means to live there, not just a visit now and then. Fruitfulness then is the outcome of a life abiding in full communion with Christ.

Don’t let the enemy (the devil) lie to you and think that you can do it on your own. He’s a liar, Jesus called him “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and comes only to "steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He wants to turn us into mulch. Don’t let that be you!

Jesus wants us to experience life, and life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows!

No matter what is happening around us! So, keep abiding in the True Vine, Jesus and stay green and fruitful!

God Bless You All!
Love Giovanna!