John 15: 1-8

 

During the early days of "Work from home", I used to look out the window as a way to disconnect from the work, abeit temporarily. 

My neighbor's small garden was always a beauty to watch!

 

 

One day I looked out and saw my neighbor chopping up my favorite of her plants - one we both had. My first thought was that she didn't know what she was doing! 

 

 

Obviously, I didn't know Gardening 101. To my ignorant eye, my neighbour was killing the plant; but to the knowing eye, she knew that a plant's life actually increases with pruning.

 

 

Purpose of Pruning

 

1. To enable (spiritual) growth, drawing strength from God, the true vine. 

 

2. To set apart for a lifestyle of bearing fruit. 

 

 

A wise vinedresser doesn’t let his fruit grow wildly on its own. In order to produce the best fruit, he must follow the established rules of pruning by cutting away dead or overgrown branches to encourage growth. Before the grapes can be made into wine, pruning must occur.

 

 

Our trials are times to trust God to use our pain to make us more like Christ

 

 

With this perspective we can say that trials are a gift. James even calls them a joy! James 1:2–4

 

 

We can fight for joy in our trials because God is working on our hearts, pruning us more into the image of Christ.

 

Prayer Points

 

1.  Father, draw me closer to You. Teach me to rely fully on You as my source of life and vitality.

 

 

2. Father, set me apart for a life that bears abundant fruit.  Help me to live a life that glorifies You 

 

 

3. Father, prune away the parts of my life that hinder my growth. Use my trials and challenges to refine me and make me more like Jesus Christ. 

 

 

4. Father, help me to see my trials as opportunities for growth and transformation. Fill my heart with joy even in the midst of suffering, knowing that You are working all things for my good