Praise God for Pruning!

[Read:  John 15-16]


 I've seen how trees are PRUNED...sharp tree trimmers cut off dead (or living) limbs (branches).   I know the REASON why--pruning is "a necessary act"  required for more growth.  But, oh--when the Lord decides to "trim" ME....I know He's about to move me into a new SEASON...things are about to CHANGE (and this could be painful for a while, as "growing pains" hurt)!    

As we enter a new season of growth, we are challenged to change.  It could be a physical change, a location change, a lifestyle change, etc.  We often don't understand why, so change frightens us; therefore we resist it.  Example:  When the mother eagle knows it's time for the baby eaglettes to leave the nest, she starts to remove the cushy lining of the nest (the soft rabbit fur, feathers, etc.).  Then she gently pushes them out of the nest.

Sometimes we RESIST what God is doing rather than SUBMIT to His nudging!  We can't understand why He's doing this to us.  But every time I willingly yield to His nudgings, or accept His chastening (pruning), I am transformed into more of the person He designed me to be.

SEASONS bring change, and change can be painful.  A job loss (downsizing) may lead me to a better job; graduation from high school to college is necessary for me to be trained for a specific career; unhealthy relationships may have to be removed and replaced, etc.  We didn't CHOOSE for any of these prunings to take place.  However, God knows what is best for us.  

John 15:2  says that "...every branch that bears fruit He PRUNES that it may bear more fruit."

He prunes away the past--that season of growth has ended and a new budding has to come forth in its place.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that there is "a season and a time for every purpose under heaven" such as "a time to plant, and a time to pluck what was planted," etc.

Let go of the past and move forward in faith to what awaits you.  Don't die "in the valley"--move on with Him to greener pastures.  Keep growing in your relationship with Christ.  Get to KNOW Him more intimately, so you can GROW and mature in your faith...then you can GO to places you never knew you could reach.  THE SKY'S THE LIMIT!  (We're heaven bound!)







 

LOVE ONE ANOTHER...

[Read:  John 13-14]

Jesus made it so simple!  He summed it up  in one sentence:  "...love one another AS I have loved you...".  [John 13:35]  Simple to say....hard to do!!!  However, He commanded us to do it.  No longer do we have to adhere to "The Law" (The 10 Commandments)--along with the some 800 additions the religious leaders have attached to them....no, just this ONE commandment!  So what does this ONE commandment really mean...what is it saying...how do we do it?

Love is not only a noun ("The Lord" is a personal noun)--it's also a verb; and, a verb requires action!  Jesus demonstrated love every day of His life!  That's the answer, folks....we're to love one another daily in our actions and in our words.

Okay, you argue--"I can't perform miracles!"  Maybe not BIG ones; however, little acts of kindness can miraculously heal the wounds and pain that we all experience.  Examples:  Lonliness, neglect, hunger, abandonment....we can affirm others, accept others, listen to the hearts of others, just show-up at a shut-in's home or a nursing home; sit by the bedside of the sick, go to the side of an abused woman, resue a lost soul, embrace a sick child, share a cup of coffee with a neighbor or co-worker, etc.  The ways are endless!!!

By a kind word, a small deed,  or a warm touch, you can express His kind-of-love towards someone who needs it today.

Jesus expanded on this idea of loving one another as He loved us in 2 parts:  First--love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and body; and secondly, your neighbor as yourself!  So, who is your neighbor?  Those you run across today--at home, at work, in the mall, the neighbor next door--or whomsoever!!!

Remember.....GOD IS LOVE---LOVE IS A VERB--A VERB REQUIRES ACTION!

(Have a blessed day today by blessing someone!)

In His Time!

[Read:  John 11-12]

Jesus' closest friends (besides a few of the 12 disciples) were Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  He so enjoyed visiting them in their home in Bethany.  This was the closest place He could call "home" here on earth.  This was where He could relax and "chill-out"--here He could escape the demands of the day, and even take a break from His 12 traveling companions.

While Jesus was out-of-town, Lazarus became very ill.  The sisters sent word to Jesus, but Jesus never arrived until 4 days after their brother's death.  This really upset them!  Jesus hadn't "dragged His feet" --He simply "waited" for the Lord to release Him to go.  His Heavenly Father had a better itinerary for Jesus to follow.

When He was on the outskirts of Bethany, Martha came to Him and confronted Him..."Lord, IF You had been there, my brother would not have died!"  She was reacting out of her hurt and anger!  Then Mary shows up and says the same thing.  She was weeping, as were those who had accompanied her.  Then JESUS WEPT!  Jesus wept out of compassion for them (and maybe because they doubted His loyalty, concern, and love for Lazarus).

Jesus was about to resurrect Lazarus from the dead--for He was the "I AM--the resurrection and the life!"  Then He ordered the people to "take away the stone."  Back in vs. 33 the people heard Him GROAN and again in vs. 38, for He was troubled in His spirit.  (Groaning here was used to express anger--acting with deep feeling, and/or stern admonishment).  Jesus had feelings, too!  Next, He collected Himself and prayed to His Father (out loud), so the people could hear.  He then called Lazarus to "Come forth!"  Lazarus heard THE WORD,  and he arose from the dead!  

Jesus truly was THE WORD IN DEMONSTRATION!!!  He was not only "a hearer of THE WORD" that His Heavenly Father had spoken to Him, but He truly was The Son of God, The Resurrection, and the giver of  (eternal) life!

[See:  John 1-44]