John 15:2 - Divine Pruning and Sprouting Again.
John 15:2 (NIV) 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.
COMMENTARY PEARL
In every good story theres conflict,
which makes it interesting. Theres the good guy
and the adversary. Theres the conflict. Then
the good guy overcomes the conflict and prevails
in the end. We like stories with those
elements.
During His earthly life, Jesus was in the
middle of a story, and He knew how it would end. He
knew the resurrection ultimately would come. Then
the ascension would come followed by the
salvation of all of those who put their faith in Him.
Despite how awful it was in the middle of
His story, Jesus knew the greatest good would
come from the worst thing imaginable.
The death and resurrection of Jesus
brought eternal life to us. Jesus was cut down, and
through His death we have life.
Jesus said, I am the true vine, and My
Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that
does not bear fruit He takes away; and every
branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear
more fruit (John 15:1, 2 NKJV).
The process of pruning is cutting back so
there will be new growth. Its important.
In the same way, when were bearing
spiritual fruit as followers of Jesus Christ, God
might do some pruning in our lives so well bear
more fruit.
The Bible says, For there is hope for
a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that its tender shoots will not cease
(Job 14:7 NKJV). That branch, so to speak, even
though its cut down, even though it seems like
it will never grow, will sprout again.
The Laurie surname has the family motto
Repullulat, which means it buds afresh. But its
not just my family motto. It can be your family
motto too because its true of any follower of
Jesus Christ. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
When trials come to us, let us not dwell
upon the greatness of the difficulties and feel
that we cannot have joy in the Lord. It is true
we will have changes of feelings. There will
come to us times of discouragement and
depression. But shall we live by feeling or by faith?
When our brethren and friends speak unadvisedly,
and cause us grief, let us not be cast down. Let
us remember that we are in a world of trial and
grief, of sorrow and disappointment. When these
experiences come to us, they should drive us to Christ.
If they do not, we meet with loss.
When tempted to give up under
discouragement and difficulty, let us study the life and
experiences of Christ. He had to contend against the
powers of darkness that He might not be overcome.
We have the same battle to fight, the same
victories to win. God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life (John 3:16). It is our privilege to
lay hold on the strength of One who is able to
save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by
Him. He invites you to present your case at the
throne of grace, and cast your helpless soul on
Him.
The purging is not pleasant, but let us
remember that Christ came to our world and took
humanity that He might bear the afflictions that
humanity must bear and be an example of faithful
endurance under every form of trial. God wants us to
realize that we are a part of the great human
family, and that we must bear its tests.
Let your humanity lay hold of divinity.
Go to the footstool of Gods grace, and say,
Lord, I hang my helpless soul on Thee. Help me to
control my speech. Teach me to overcome. Christ
will give you a spirit of overcoming. They
overcame him, we read, by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony
(Revelation 12:11).
You may bear a testimony the opposite to
that which Satan would have you bear. You may
keep heart and mind sanctified by obedience to
the truth. Look to Him, at morning and at noon
and at night. Keep heart and mind fastened upon
Christ. This is your privilege. The suffering and
death of Christ has paid the price for your
redemption, and through faith in Him you may
overcome. Let the love of Christ dwell in your
hearts. We must graduate sensibly in this life if we
would be transferred to the higher school of the
courts above. UL252
ILLUSTRATION
Today I spent time outside pruning
grapes, wisteria, and hydrangea - and remembering my
parents. They were landscapers, and as they worked,
Id watch. The care and wisdom they displayed
when tending plants fascinated me. How could they
know when and how much to trim off? Wouldnt it
hurt the plant? Why were some bushes pruned so
hard?
They taught me by their actions. I
learned the proper techniques slowly, until they
seeped into my soul. Prune back to the joint to
keep visual integrity. Cut on a slant to speed
healing. Trim at the right time for that particular
bush or vine so it doesnt go into shock, and
will blossom or bear fruit next season.
Years later, as an adult, I keep these
tips tucked inside my mind like a treasure, ready
for referencing in my yard. When pruning, I
visualize my parents hands guiding my own and feel
their love.
Thanks to my mother and father, when
Jesus disciplines me, I see what Hes doing and
I understand. Has He removed a hidden
temptation from me, trimming way back to its source?
Did He cut me free from an unforgiven hurt,
allowing me to heal and blossom again for Him? Have I
reached a season where He wants me to address a
tough issue Ive ignored or avoided? All His
pruning is necessary, even if it first pains me.
Im learning to accept it with gratitude.
Im His blessed creation, one of His
flowers. With His love, wisdom, and care, I can
thrive and bloom to His glory. by Heidi Gaul
Faith Step: Next time you trim a plant,
consider the why and how behind your actions, and
apply that knowledge to your relationship with
Jesus. Are you currently being pruned? How can you
speed the process and bloom for Him? [Mornings
With Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
That unpruned branch may have looked good to
human eyes but the eye of One who never slumbers
nor sleeps leaves it not alone to die of
discouragement. The Husbandman pruneth it, that it may
produce fruit unto life eternal. TMK133
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
John 15:1-4: Pruning Brings Growth.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190925-1212.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
