Episode 7: He Prunes and Heals

Join us for our final episode in our seven-week series, Encountering Jesus Personally. In this week's episode, Lisa and Laura dive into the Gospel of John, focusing on the famous I AM statement, “I am the true vine.” Each time we find Jesus saying, “I am,” He is giving us a glimpse into what He’s like. He’s revealing something about His character. Do you want to attach yourself to Jesus, but struggle with self-reliance? Do you long for Him to heal your wounds, but only under the condition that it won’t hurt? Oh, sister, have we got a show for you! Grab your coffee, open your Bible, and join Lisa and Laura as they unpack today’s Scripture and apply it to our daily lives.

Open your Heart to our key Scripture.
John 15:1: I am the true vine.

Open your Bible to other Scriptures referenced in this episode.
John 15:1-5: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Psalm 80:8-19: Thou didst bring a vine out of Egypt; thou didst drive out the nations and plant it. Thou didst clear the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River. Why then hast thou broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.
Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock which thy right hand planted. They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance! But let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, the son of man whom thou hast made strong for thyself! Then we will never turn back from thee; give us life, and we will call on thy name!
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let thy face shine, that we may be saved!
Isaiah 5:1-2: Let me sing for my beloved a love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He digged it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
Jeremiah 2:21: I planted you in the land like a special vine of the very best stock. Why in the world have you turned into something like a wild vine that produces rotten, foul-smelling grapes? (NET)
Ephesians 4:1: Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, or joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him, no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Since then have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
John 15:3: You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you.
Ephesians 5:26: That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
1 Peter 5:10: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

Invite Him in with this episode’s questions for reflection.
Have you experienced God’s Word moving in your life, revealing motives, thoughts, and hurts? How have you responded?
What difference would it make if you truly believed the words of Saint Julian of Norwich: “When God sees sin, He sees pain in us”?

Show mentions.
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Touching the Divine
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Grounded in Hope
Ronald Knox translation, The Holy Bible
Brant Pitre, The Augustine Institute
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Let’s stay connected.
Don’t miss an episode. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. 

Want to keep the conversation going? Join our private Facebook community.

Stay in the know. Connect with us today. 

We are committed to creating content that is free and easily accessible to every woman—especially the one looking for answers but unsure of where to go. If you've enjoyed this podcast, prayerfully consider making a donation to support it and other WWP outreach programs that bring women closer to Christ.

Learn more about WWP on our website.
Our Shop. 
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.