Scripture for Today: John 15:2 “Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit He cuts away: and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.”
Our hydrangea flower bush is beautiful in the spring. The flowers are big and full; some pink some blue on the same bush. Of course, in this winter season it looks all brown and dead. But in fact, it is just dormant and it will come back as it does every spring.
These flowers will grow back much better if I get out there and prune away the dead growth. The fall was too busy and now the temperatures are too freezing to work outside. But soon, if I want good growth, I need to get out the pruning shears and cut it back before spring arrives.
Our verse today refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes. But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen. The one who does the pruning in my life is the Lord. He does not want me to be content with the fruit He has already produced. He wants me to cooperate with His pruning shears in order to produce more fruit that is richer and more excellent.
Pruning does not feel so good. It is a painful process. Just after pruning the plant does not look so good either. When the Lord allows the hard times to come, He has in mind to produce new growth in me. He has the end result in view, a beautiful and fruitful life.
Help me, Lord, not to question your pruning shears. Help me to trust what You are doing in my life.
Devotions By Jan 