Wednesday, August 12, 2026

New Testament Reading Plan: Leviticus 19-21 | 1 Corinthians 7

A few years ago, I bought a small lemon tree. In Northwest Ohio, citrus trees need to be kept in the house and protected for half of the year. However, lemon trees were never meant to live inside. Every year, toward the end of winter, my tree protests its unnatural environment by dropping most of its leaves. 

Initially, I was alarmed. Now I know that with proper care, pruning, and fertilizer, it will grow more leaves, flowers, and even produce fruit. As the gardener, I must inspect the entire tree, evaluate the leafless branches, and prune away what’s dead or unproductive. 

Life in Christ is surprisingly similar to managing a fruit tree. When we accept Christ, we are attached to him - our true vine. As growing Christians, we will go through periods when we are very fruitful, or outwardly showing our inner spiritual growth. Other times, we struggle to produce at all, or even begin to look a bit dead. It’s in those times when God, our master gardener, begins pruning away. This process can be painful, but ultimately, it promotes growth and larger fruit. 

Pruning is God’s job; our job is to remain connected with Christ throughout the process. As parts of ourselves are pruned away, we must keep firmly attached to our source of life. If we decide that the pruning is too painful and choose to separate from Christ, we lose the life-giving connection that sustains us. 

What does it look like to remain connected to the vine? John wrote to first century Christians that it looks a lot like obedience. 

1 John 3:24
Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

Remaining in God involves reading and studying his Word, gathering with other followers, and praying. During those times, the Holy Spirit will reveal areas of our lives that do not conform to Christ’s image and transform us. Our thoughts, priorities, and relationships will change. Things we have struggled with will become less powerful. 

If you haven’t been feeling fruitful, maybe it’s time to reconnect to the only, true life-giving vine and willingly open your heart to pruning. 

Questions: 
What areas in your life need to be pruned away?

What are you doing to remain connected to Christ?

Next Steps: 
Make plans to join a Group this fall semester. Be intentional about making connections with other Christ followers who will help strengthen your connection to him.

21 Days of Prayer | Today’s Focus: For My Nation 

Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, thank you for our nation. Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy and for the people who have sacrificed so much for them. Today we humble ourselves before you. We know our greatest hope isn't in politics or government. Our hope is in you. Forgive us for the ways we've wandered from you. Help us seek you first. Change our hearts before we ask you to change our nation. We pray for our leaders. Give them wisdom, humility, and courage. We pray for our communities, our churches, and our families. Bring healing where there is hurt, peace where there is division, and hope where people are discouraged. Help us live like Jesus every day. Use us to love others well and point people to you. May your Kingdom come and your will be done in our nation. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:

John 13:35
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Written by Julie Mabus, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.