Pruning Time

As I write this, the weather is beautiful! Cold at night and in the morning, but warming up wonderfully during the day! It’s really nice to be outside. I’ve also noticed many of the plants in our landscaping looking pretty dismal, not because it’s winter, but because some are overgrown and blocking sunlight that another one needs, some have gotten really “twiggy” and spindly looking, some of them have dead branches that need to be removed before they fall and hurt someone or they start decaying and cause some kind of sickness on the plant. Yes, it’s definitely time for pruning! Pruning is necessary for training the way plants will grow, to keep the plant healthy, to increase and improve the production of flowers or fruit, or to restrict the plants growth. If I don’t take time to do this, what a mess our yard will be in a couple of months!

Before you prune your plants, you should learn when the best time to prune each particular one is, and what the best method is for each. What makes one beautiful and abundantly fruitful might kill another one. Improper pruning can open a plant up to disease or insect attack, so you want to learn a little before you do it, especially if you are hoping for a harvest to sell!
In John 15:1-8, Jesus tells us that He is the true vine and His Father is the Farmer. We are the branches. Let’s read it from the Message Bible.

“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.”

We must abide in Him, just as a branch must remain connected to the root of a plant, to survive and be productive. Father is the Master Vinedresser. He knows and cares for each of His precious plants intimately. He knows the best time to prune and the best way to prune so that you and I will grow to be healthy, strong, beautiful, and fruitful. He desires that we produce much fruit. And what is that fruit? Well, let’s look at the next few verses:

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. But remember the root command: Love one another.”

The fruit He’s looking for is love. Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit of the Spirit and the first one is love. Love is the foundation. Love is the currency of the Kingdom. God is love. We love because He first loved us. And as we grow our love should also grow. It should become deeper and stronger, so that it becomes who we are and we show the world His love in our words, actions, and responses.

So what does He want to prune out of me? Maybe some dead tradition that makes His Word void in my life? Maybe some insecurity that warps and twists how I interact with others and how they see me? What about some idol that is taking up time and money and destroying my health, family, etc.? Is it an addiction, an attitude, an offense that you won’t let go? The list could go on.

Father loves me so much, He’s pruned me before. I’m sure it won’t be the last time! Sometimes, it’s such a small thing that I barely notice it. Sometimes it’s large, and it’s painful for a time. But He IS the Master Vinedresser, and He does know what I need. He is always faithful in pruning me just right to bear fruit, even though I don’t see how it will work!

Maybe your life is like my yard right now – a tangled mess that needs a loving hand. I’d be honored if you’d pray with me…

Father, here I am. You see things that I don’t see. Please trim and prune anything in my life that is out of order. Remove anything in me that’s dead so that I can grow and bloom like You intend me to. Cause me to bear good fruit for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you don’t know Jesus in a personal way, we can fix that right now, too. You see, we ALL have sinned and, because God is holy and just, sin must be punished. Sin also severed man’s relationship with God. But God loves us so much that He made the way for us to have relationship with Him. Jesus came as the sinless Son of God. He bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. He took our punishment, yours and mine, so we don’t have to. He was betrayed, beaten, died, and was buried. After three days, He rose again from the dead. He is now alive and well in Heaven, and longing to have relationship with you. If you’d like to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me….

Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Make Yourself real to me. Please forgive me of my sins. Thank You that You took all my sins on the cross. Wash me clean with Your blood and set me free from everything that is not of You. Thank You that You died for me. I believe that You are risen from the dead and You are coming back again. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and show me how to fulfill Your good plan for my life. Thank You, Lord, I’m saved; I’m born again; and I’m going to Heaven! In Jesus’ Name! Amen!

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