FAITH MAINTENANCE
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Scripture Reading: Psalm 131; John 15:1-8
Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
John 15:2
Every spring, calm, law-abiding citizens grab sharp objects that can cut, slash, and lop. It’s pruning time. Pruning is often misunderstood. It can look like horrible mutilation to people who have no experience with it.
I live on a fifth of an acre, a modest lot on which we once had eleven fruit trees. After our first growing season an experienced gardener volunteered to help me with my first pruning. I loved those trees like family members: small, vulnerable relatives needing tender treatment. I wanted to leave as much growth as I could, hoping for fruit to come soon!
He knew better. He lopped and cut and snipped and sheared, and when he was done, half of my beloved fruit trees lay on the ground. He left nothing but a skeleton!
So the next year I didn’t invite him back. I pruned my own trees. You should have seen how many peaches we had that year! But a week before harvest two main branches broke under the weight of the fruit. That year and the next, my beloved tree was broken.
Eugene Peterson calls Psalm 131 the pruning psalm. This small psalm lops off “unruly ambition,” our tendency to act as if we are totally independent. It also cuts away “apron strings” that we no longer need as we mature. If we are not careful, doing things our way might break us in half. Thank God for being our gardener.
Prayer
Lord, help us to calm ourselves and to quiet our ambitions. Help us also to mature and grow, moving from basic to deeper faith. Prune us as you see fit, in Jesus’ name. Amen
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GET TODAY
When we are live in rich or peace, no bad things happen in our life. Easily, we take it for granted. As soon as we will forget God presently. Our faith become our own works and good behavior, but not by grace. Surely, we need remain in Christ and be a good disciples for Christ. So that, our faith will grow and walk in sanctification. Amen.
As God prunes me of all the unwanted branches and needless friut in my life I pray that the only growth left to do is in JESUS. I ask you LORD keep me near the cross that YOUR WILL BE DONE in my life. Break, melt, mold, shape me after THINE OWN WILL LORD that all I’ll serve is you and honestly with a passion to share you with others. In JESUS NAME AMEN!