EVERWEST DEVOTIONAL #13 | Bearing Fruit

Scripture

“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… Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” - John 15:1–4 (NIV)

Reflection

When I first began diving deeply into God’s Word, I was experiencing a powerful internal transformation. The more I read Scripture, prayed, and sought Jesus, the more my heart changed. I felt peace. I felt rest for my soul. For the first time in 29 years of calling myself a Christian, I truly began to understand what it meant to walk in relationship with Christ.

But over time, I realized something was missing. I had been growing inwardly but hadn’t yet responded to Jesus’ call to live outwardly. In John chapter 15, Jesus reminds us that following Him means more than just believing, it means producing fruit. A call to follow Christ is a call to pick up your cross daily. And picking up your cross daily isn’t just about endurance or suffering; it’s about living the way Jesus asked us to live, loving others, serving others, and drawing others closer to Him.

As I reflected on my own walk, I asked myself: What fruit am I producing for God? I was learning, praying, and growing, but I wasn’t sharing. I wasn’t being bold about my faith. I wasn’t stepping into the uncomfortable places where faith takes root and grows strong.

Being transformed internally feels wonderful. It’s peaceful. It’s safe. But the outward transformation that Jesus calls us to, the one that bears fruit for His Kingdom, isn’t always comfortable. For me, that meant doing something that felt completely foreign: writing these devotionals.

Writing about my faith, my journey, and how God has shaped both my life and Everwest is one of the most vulnerable things my wife and I have ever done. We’re not people who like being the center of attention. We rarely post on social media, we don’t talk about ourselves easily, and we’ve never been the people that boldy profess our faith. Yet God kept putting it on my heart, this is how I want you to bear fruit.

These devotionals are me stepping out of comfort and into obedience. They’re one of the ways in which I pick up my cross daily, using what He’s given me, including Everwest, as a vessel to share His truth and goodness. It’s uncomfortable. It’s stretching. But I’m trusting Jesus that he will use it to produce good fruit.

Because our purpose isn’t to keep Jesus to ourselves. It’s to share Him. To spread His Word so that others can experience the same love, peace, and transformation that we have. When we remain in the Vine, when we stay connected to Him, the fruit that grows from our obedience will always bring glory to God.

That’s what I’m trying to do here. Not for recognition, not for numbers, but for Him. To bear fruit that lasts.

Application

• Have you been experiencing inward growth in Christ but hesitating to live it outwardly?
• What's one uncomfortable step God might be calling you to take to bear fruit for His Kingdom?
• How can you use your gifts, work, or influence to share Jesus’ truth with others this week?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for transforming our hearts and calling us to bear fruit that brings You glory. Help us to not keep Your goodness to ourselves but to boldly share it with others, even when it’s uncomfortable. Teach us to pick up our cross daily and to see every opportunity, big or small, as a chance to produce good fruit for Your Kingdom. May every part of our lives remain in You, the true Vine, so that all we do points back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If there’s someone in your life who might be encouraged by this, or future devotionals, please share it with them or subscribe them here. You can also find past devotionals here.

- Jake Bunz, Founder

PRODUCT LAUNCH COMING SOON 🤠