Connected to Jesus - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2025

Bible in a Year : Psalms 51-53, Romans 2

Remain in me . . . No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
John 15:4

Today's Scripture & Insight : John 15:1-8

At the end of a wonderful rain-free week together on retreat in southern England, our group enjoyed the shade-giving canopy of a big tree for our final time of prayer and sharing. Yet we did receive a shower of sorts—of leaves! One of us observed, “When it’s so hot and dry, trees lose their leaves, even in early summer, as a way of conserving their energy. But notice how they aren’t shedding their seeds. They keep those so that they can propagate.”

Immediately I thought of Jesus’ ‘horticultural’ discussion with His friends before He died: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And those who do not remain in Him will wither away; they are “thrown into the fire and burned” (v. 6). So I asked how we all felt connected to Jesus the Vine, and also where God seemed to be pruning us. Where might God be allowing leaves to fall in our lives?

As you consider those questions, know that you can take heart in Jesus’ reassurance to His friends, that any pruning is not intended to cause unnecessary pain. Rather, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (v. 8). May we, like them, bear fruit that lasts.

By: Amy Boucher Pye

Reflect & Pray
What practices can you incorporate daily to stay connected to Jesus? When have periods of pruning in your life brought about fruitfulness? Why?

God the Vinedresser, thank You for loving me enough to use Your pruning shears, painful though that is. Help me to bear much fruit for Your glory.