How to Be Connected to Jesus and Grow in Love
I’m not a gardener, but I know branches must be connected to the trunk to survive.
Jesus used that truth to share an analogy, telling His followers the importance of remaining connected to Him for life.
It’s a truth we still need today. You and I must be connected to Jesus.
Rev loved gardening. So, he did everything outside. I decorated and kept up with things inside.
After two years of my newbie gardening care, three overgrown Aborvitae trees had been destroyed by nesting squirrels, and two spreading Juniper bushes had been overtaken by invasive grasses. My yard needed help!
So, I mustered some courage and called a local Landscaper!
You didn’t think I would do it myself, did you? I tried that last year, and confirmed what I knew already: I am not a gardener.
Jesus said…
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:1–4
I’m sure I’ve heard or read these verses more than a hundred times, but it amazes me how much more they mean since the responsibility of maintaining a healthy garden has become important to me. It takes care and attention to keep a plant healthy.
For you and me, it takes Jesus for us to maintain spiritual health.
If we’re not connected to Jesus, we cannot get the nutrition necessary to thrive and bear fruit as He desires.
Paul defined spiritual fruit like this…
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22–23a
The Life Application Bible Notes adds…
If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to Jesus. We must know Him, love HIm, remember Him, and imitate Him.
God knows our hearts, and whether or not we are connected to Jesus, the Vine. He knows if we’re loving the way He commands. And because He is caring and attentive … He prunes, removing anything that keeps us from becoming more like Jesus.
Who added…
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
So, how do you and I remain connected to Jesus, the Vine?
We…
- Spend time in prayer.
- Study His Word.
- Cling to His promises.
- Live with gratitude for all He has done.
- Go outside and enjoy His creation.
- Go to church and connect with other believers.
- Cease striving and listen to KNOW Him better.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Be Connected to Jesus
and Grow in Love
Father God, thank you for blessing us with Your Spirit’s presence. Jesus promised the Spirit would be with and within everyone who KNOWS, LOVES, and TRUSTS in Him.
Lord, You make loving and trusting possible. We will not SEEK You on our own. However, when Your Spirit prompts our open hearts, we humbly receive Your gift of TRUTH through faith, hope, and love.
By Your grace, when we come to You with surrendered and seeking hearts, You connect us to Jesus the Vine.
Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
I need to be connected to Jesus, who also said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Now I know that what I want most is a growing faith and loving heart that is becoming more like Jesus.
I understand You answer that prayer through pruning. I know it will not always be pleasant, but it will be worth it. You have placed love in my heart. Please help me turn it into fruit that glorifies You. Graciously bless me with hope, and help me live with an eternal perspective.
Please give me the will and strength to trust and obey You, so that I can produce words and actions that honor You. In the name of my Lord, Jesus. Amen.
Andrew Murray wrote The True Vine. Here are a couple of helpful quotes…
“Abiding in the Vine then comes to be nothing more or less than the restful surrender of the soul to let Christ have all and work all,”
It is the wholehearted surrender in everything to do His will that gives access to a life in the abiding enjoyment of His love. Obey and abide. [. . .] The purpose is His, He will carry it out; the fruit is His, He will bring it forth; the abiding is His, He will maintain it.”
May we faithfully pray to remain fully attached to the nurturing vine, living fruitfully, sharing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control for God’s glory.
Those are prayers He loves to answer positively.
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I’ve always loved this imagery of Jesus being the true vine in whom we, as branches, cannot live without. My father was an avid gardener during his life, so this concept was always so meaningful to me, and still is as I know my Heavenly Father is pruning and caring for me every day. Blessings, Deb!
You sound like you love gardening, Martha! We need the Lord’s nurturing, care, and pruning consistently. What a blessing that He loves us so much! Blessings!
Thank you for the 7 things you listed in staying connected to Jesus, “The Vine!” I have copied them and will keep them on my desk as a daily reminder. A few months ago, I read “to striving and know that I am GOD!” That line came at a very good time for me.
The prayer you wrote is beautiful. It says so many things I think but have not been able to express.
Thank you! Have a blessed week. And thank you for the way you bless me with your wisdom.
I glad it blessed you, Sue. I often ask myself why it took me so many years to “let go and let God.” And honestly, I foolishly still try to “do” parts of life independently. I’m so very thankful for His gracious patience and willingness to call me back. Blessings!