We made it through the Beatitudes! I have learned so much over these past few weeks as I have prepared to share God's word. Like you, I have heard of and known the Beatitudes most of my life. And perhaps like you, I thought I understood their meaning. Yet, the more I studied, the more I realized that I didn't know. That is the beauty of God's Word! We may be lifelong students of the Word, but the Holy Spirit reveals to us more and more as we seek Him. When you need guidance, peace, and comfort, turn to the Word. When you need to be encouraged, look to the Bible. The Word is living, active, and powerful. It can pierce through the thoughts and intentions of our heart. I pray that we continue to fall in love with God's Word!

Read John 15:1–4

A vinedresser is not just a typical farmer who plants crops and harvests. He must know all there is to know about grapes and how to nurture them. When Jesus spoke of the relationship between the vinedresser and the vine, we see the attitude of our Father in heaven towards us, His children. He takes care of us, knows us, and nurtures us.

When the vinedresser nurtures the vine and branches, he prunes and removes things that hinder the branches from bearing fruit. In the same way, when God prunes us, He also removes things from our lives that hinder our growth and fruitfulness. God prunes us with His Word. John 15:3 assures us that God has cleansed us with His Word. His Word shows us what Christlikeness is and which aspects of our lives need to change for us to be more like Christ.

In response to God’s desire to have a loving and nurturing relationship with Him, we abide in Christ. This means having a relationship of dependence, trust, and submission. Being pruned can be painful and challenging, but our continuing and enduring relationship with the Father through His Son gives us hope and enables us to be transformed.

Before we ever reached out to God, He reached out to us first. Yes, we abide in Him, but He abides in us more importantly.

As we pray and fast this week, reflect on God’s Word through our devotional, and participate in our church’s prayer meetings, we will look at different images that show us the power and beauty of God’s Word. We will see how God’s Word prunes and transforms us. Pruning can look different for all of us—God works in different areas of our lives and at different times. Some pruning is immediate, but some take more time.

Together, let us be open to God’s pruning so that we would become more like Christ every day.

• What area of your life needs pruning from God? How will you respond to what He is doing in your life today?
• What adjustments do you want to make in your relationship with God for the rest of the year? Why is this important to you?
• Who are you standing with during this week of prayer and fasting? Spend a few minutes talking about how you can encourage one another this week.

Heavenly Father, thank You for initiating this loving relationship with You. May You reveal areas in my life that need pruning, and as You do so, I pray for the humility to receive and obey Your word. Teach me to abide in Your truth and walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.