03.28.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Last week, we talked about the Vine. How Jesus is the vine and the impact of that on our lives...even today.

This week, we'll look into the next part of John 15:1-3-
"I [Jesus] am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you."

That's not the Father there below pruning...just Larry. He's doing the work of pruning. It's not pretty...it's actually cutting off parts of the branch so they will produce even more. It's a work the Father--the master Creator and Gardener--is doing in our lives. The tools He uses are many but are primarily related to "the message of Jesus". The message of Jesus corrects, cuts and changes us.

He causes pain...not because He likes to see you hurt, but because He wants to see you be fruitful. Ouch that looks painful in the picture...and it is painful in our life.


The flip side to the pain is the meticulous care God gives to the pruning work. He knows the exact spots where you need trimmed, for your benefit. He knows you intimately. He is carefully and precisely involved with you!

So, I'd ask you to reflect on the places where God is pruning you with the message of Jesus right now. Press into the work that He is accomplishing in you...don't run from the pain.

We love those plump, juicy grapes at the end of the season...and that's the fruit He wants in your life!

Press in,
Mike

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