| I've been pruning hickory trees in our yard-cutting and | | | | and more equipped to handle the cares of life. Don't be |
| cleansing for better growth and health. It reminded me | | | | concerned about your cut off branches; you will burst |
| of the uncomfortable and sometimes painful pruning | | | | forth with new shoots that will grow to bear the |
| we go through during sanctification. | | | | weight of the new fruit (Job 14:7-9). |
| Jesus said "I am the true vine, and my Father is the | | | | No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful." |
| gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears | | | | Heb 12:11 |
| no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he | | | | Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him. On |
| prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are | | | | the contrary, he was constantly telling his followers |
| already clean because of the word I have spoken to | | | | how hard it would be. Without Him, we can do nothing. |
| you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch | | | | We are cut from our life source. The branch will |
| can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. | | | | wither. But if we remain in Him steadfast through |
| Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." | | | | prayer, Bible study, and worship, we will bear fruit. Don't |
| God prunes us, to weed out ungodliness, refine us and | | | | be weary-we are promised to reap a harvest if we |
| shape us. We, like fruit trees, need pruning for the best | | | | remain in Him! |
| exposure to sunlight (Sonlight) and to produce high | | | | Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the |
| quality fruit. | | | | proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give |
| And after you have suffered a little while, the God of | | | | up. (Ga 6:9). |
| all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in | | | | Teaching Your Children |
| Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. | | | | Try this object lesson with your children. Bring a branch |
| (1 Pet 5:10) | | | | in from a tree in your yard and place it on your table |
| Did you know there is a direct relationship between the | | | | when you read John 15: 1-6, Luke 6:44, James 1:2-4; 5:7 |
| amount of pruning to the fruitfulness of the tree? | | | | and Hebrews 12:7-11. As the branch dies ask your |
| God cuts off the sinful deadwood in our lives to make | | | | children "Where is the fruit from this tree? Why isn't it |
| us healthier. It is not always pleasant, but essential for | | | | producing? |
| spiritual growth. After pruning we are stronger, wiser, | | | | |