Today's Scripture:

John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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. “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. 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. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Jesus calls His followers to remain in Him, just as a branch remains in the vine. Without Him, I can do nothing. Lent is a time to renew my commitment to staying connected to Christ through prayer, fasting, scripture, and acts of love. Jesus warns that branches that do not remain in Him wither and are thrown into the fire. Lent is an opportunity to repent and return to Christ, seeking His grace to avoid spiritual dryness. When I abide in Christ and His words abide in me, my prayers align with God’s will, and He answers them. Lent is a time to deeply immerse myself in God’s Word and trust in His promises.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
During my second semester of my sophomore year in college, I felt as if I was not fully pursuing God in everything I did. I would attend church on Sundays, but it often felt like I was just checking a box. Life seemed to lack purpose. Each day consisted of attending classes, fulfilling my Corps of Cadets requirements, and then going to sleep. I felt lukewarm in my faith. Fortunately, I found a group of friends who encouraged me to dedicate time each day to talking with God. After a couple of weeks, I started to feel more in control of my life. My academic performance improved significantly, my contributions to the Corps skyrocketed, and I began to notice God in the little things around me. Just as the passage says, the more I remained in God, the more I started to bear fruit. I was no longer living life solely for myself; I was living life devoted to God.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
During Lent, John 15:1-8 serves as a reminder to stay close to Jesus, allow God to shape me, and bear the fruits of faith. It calls me to let go of sin, embrace renewal, and deepen my relationship with Christ. I can achieve this by dedicating time to be with Him every day and continually seeking His glory.

About Andres Axtell:
Texas A&M University, Petroleum Engineer, Corps of Cadets
Attending Grace since Kindergarten. Served as Summer 2023 Intern.