Have you ever toured a vineyard? There is constant attention given to the condition of each vine. The gardener takes particular care of each vine and its branches. Because he is interested in producing quality grapes, he prunes the wild shoots that produce leaves and no fruit.
God is the gardener of your life. He trims the troublesome shoots so that you will be productive and fruitful for Him. Often, pruning looks and feels painful, merciless, and wasteful. But with God there is no random cutting. He trims away what is harmful and bad for you.
Producing fruit is impossible without the pain of pruning.
When self-centeredness and selfishness grow in your heart, God reaches down and begins to prune. The nutrients of God's Word bring new life. As you allow God to work, you begin to live a new life of holiness and righteousness.
How do you abide and continue to abide in Christ? The answer is by spending adequate time studying, learning, and comprehending God's Word—but not merely as words, facts, or sentiments. God's Word must be the basis for all your actions so that you are nourished and fulfilled and can go out to nourish and fulfill others with the Truth.
It is easy to forget that producing fruit is impossible without the pain of pruning. Jesus said: "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" (John 15:1-2).
At the end of your days, will your life be a fruitless shell or a bountiful garden? Will you be able to look in Jesus' eyes on that final day and say, "Lord, I used my time, money, talents, and gifts for Your glory"? Make it your prayer today for God to prune you, that you may produce His fruit.
Prayer: Lord, please prune me so I may produce fruit for You. I pray when the pruning becomes painful, I will trust in Your plan for my good and Your glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings reward" (Proverbs 12:14).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon There Is an 'I' in the 'I am', Part 6: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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