In today’s Bible verse, Jesus speaks of how God prunes us by cutting away things that are blocking Him from producing fruit in your life. Ask Him for the insight to see what needs to be plucked from your life—habits, bad thoughts, actions—so that You can follow His plan for your life.

In The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence wrote about the need for meeting Christ daily. God’s Word will prepare you for life’s challenges and when you make love of God the aim of your actions, the most difficult situations are transformed by His presence.

When you feel overwhelmed with too much to do, ask God to help you prioritize the day’s tasks. Trust He will order your steps (Proverbs 16:9). Praise Him for His guidance and encouragement.

Have you ever asked yourself, how can I best serve the Lord so I can one day hear Jesus say, Well done? Today, take a moment, set your mind on God and ask Him to help you have the heart of a servant in all you do. Resolve to use your life as a training ground for His kingdom.

One of the greatest prayers is “Thank You!” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Let your prayer consist of all the wonderful things that have happened to you. Name them, thank God for them and make that your whole prayer. You will soon find that these prayers of thanksgiving grow longer and longer, and you will have more and more things for which to thank God.”

God is essential to healthy living. When you make time to be with Him, you become stronger, and are able to handle life’s challenges. God protects you from danger and moves mountains in your life. When you need guidance, pray the above verse and trust His answer.

When God seems silent and you feel as if your prayers are going unanswered, change is happening behind the scenes. Even if you don’t feel it, you’re developing a deeper faith and a greater knowing. Wait patiently for His perfect timing.