Fruitful or Failing

Luke 13: 1 – 9 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 1 . I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 3 . Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to 7 look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 6 . “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize 9 it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” 8 Dead religion leaves people dead! John 15 15 “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 so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 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. 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. 4 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. 6 Pruned off or Pruned back! Fruitfulness is part of our faithfulness to God! Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry, and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross, to save me. You did for me what I could not do for I come to you now and I surrender control of my life to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you in a way I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend eternity with you. Amen.