Day 21- Lent 2026
EMBRACING RENEWAL AND GROWTH
1.“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “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. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
JOHN 15:1-8 NIV
Thought
In John 15-1-8, Jesus tells a story about a grapevine to explain how much we need Him to grow spiritually: Spiritual growth depends on us remaining connected to Jesus the source of life, while allowing God to renew our minds by pruning away distractions and sins. We must surrender and trust that God’s pruning is for our benefit.
Like a gardener God uses the process of pruning as a path toward growth and renewal. When God prunes the following happens:
Removes the Deadwood: God carefully trims away the “dead” parts of our lives that are preventing us from growing and glowing.
Strengthen the Core: Even though it might seem scary (painful) to lose some of our branches, it’s a way to renew the tree. Pruning makes us stronger and helps us grow even more fruit than before.
Pruning renews our minds and helps us get rid of "overgrowth" like bad habits or selfishness, and unforgiveness so we can have a fresh start and grow even stronger in His love.
Just like a real branch needs to stay " connected" to the vine to grow grapes, we also need to stay connected to Jesus to grow "spiritual fruit". This fruit isn't physical fruit like apples or oranges; but spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we stay close to God through prayer and scripture, His life flows through us, helping us grow into better, kinder, loving, people.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of this new day and the opportunity to be renewed and to grow in your world. Lord, I confess that I have often tried to grow in my own strength, knowing that apart from You, I can do nothing. Today, I ask for spiritual renewal.
I surrender to Your pruning process. Though it may be painful, I trust Your hands. Remove the the deadwood in my life—the habits, distractions, and worries that hinder my growth. Strengthen my core by the power of Your Word, so that I may be a healthy branch, capable of bearing even more fruit. Renew my mind and teach me what it truly means to be connected—to the vine. As I remain connected to you, let the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, and peace—grow abundantly in my life to bring others to your kingdom.
In Jesus name, Amen!
SUBMITTED BY DEACON CATHY BEASLEY