“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8 NIV84)

Remain in Jesus. Bear good fruit. Not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

As we prepare to enter our 3rd Friday of fasting together this Lent, let us be reminded that all we do is for God’s glory. We bring him honor as we submit to his will. He is glorified when we create conversations around our weekly fast. We bear fruit for the kingdom when his love is displayed through our lives.

As we near the halfway point of our Lenten journey, God has been reminding me to stay centered in him…to abide in the vine and to be fully present in each moment.

“Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water.” Ezekiel 19:10