A Message of Inspiration From the Author of Living Loved, April 20, 2025
Hey friends!! Read with me!
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:2-8 NLT)
As I was driving around one day to several different destinations I saw many tree branches laying around, many trees with large branches that fell during the storm. Each of these branches had leaves on them, many of them were still green but many were also half green and half with withered leaves. The trees they fell from where still very much alive and thriving. This made me think of the scriptures below and my own life; how many times through storms God will “prune” me and some of my “branches” are removed. Sometimes it’s pretty difficult to lose those branches as they had become so much a part of me and my life but when I remain with my eyes on the Father He continues to grow me! If we remain in Him we can produce much fruit! I noticed absolutely no trees grieving the loss of its branch; it was not grabbing the fallen branch and trying to reattach it. So often we try to hang onto what God is trying to “prune” from our lives and we are so busy focusing on the loss that we don’t keep our eyes on the one who will continue to grow us. A tree continues to grow new limbs; replacing the old with the new; allowing for new growth. Let’s remain in Him who prunes us and knows what needs to be removed and stop focusing on everything that we no longer have. Thank you lord for pruning me and helping me grow to be all you have called me to be; and remind me when I begin grieving that you will never let anything leave without a reason and a plan! Live loved friends!
About the author
Tracy Kelley is a follower of Jesus, mother, grandmother, author and speaker, living in Sulphur Springs, TX. She is the author of the book Living Loved, Learning to Live in the Fullness of Gods Love, where she shares encouragement from her daily journey and how God has shown His love to her through various trials. You can buy her book, find events, book her for your event, and follow her by going to her Facebook page, where you will always be greeted as friend! You can purchase her book at Good News Book Store in Sulphur Springs, TX; online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most other major retailers.
