Tree Trimming

Here is one of the great keys to becoming more fruitful in Jesus.

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John 15:2 – Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

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Trees can be trimmed for any number of reasons; landscaping for simple appearance; to increase the fruitfulness of the plant; and in many housing communities, for reasons of safety and service.  In the community where I live there are many trees along the road.  Also, alongside the road are the electrical lines (for power), telephone lines (for communication), and cable lines (also for communication and information).  Often, the trees near those lines can present problems concerning those same lines.  The city controls a “right-of-way” along our streets and roads, and authorizes the utility companies, especially the electrical suppliers, to trim trees as necessary to insure normal utility operations within the community.    For instance, in the winter, tree limbs laden with ice and overhanging electrical lines could break, fall across and break service lines.  The outcome of that could be devastating for so many people and businesses.  So when you walk through my neighborhood, trees may have odd shapes due to the trimming away of potential hazards.  I share all this to ask a question.

How about your life?  Are there elements in your life that can prevent the flow of the power of God to you, or through you to those about you?  Are there elements in your life that could prevent or impede communication between you and the Lord, or fellow-believers, or those to whom you should be a witness?  If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then it is time for some pruning in your own life.

Read our Text for Today.  I am not writing so much about being fruitful as I am about the need for you to prepare yourself to become and remain fruitful.  Only Jesus knows you better than yourself.  Be honest with yourself today.  Be willing, or become willing, to place your life under the critical light of analysis called the Word of God.  If you need to grow, then work towards that goal.  If you need to branch out, then work towards that goal.  But if you need to do some pruning from your life of those things that hinder you and create potential problems for others around you, then work towards that goal.  It is a worthy one, and God will not only help you in the process, but will bless you with greater fruitfulness in those areas of your life in which you have served well.  Are you ready to trim the tree? 

Manna for Today – John 15:1-17; John 14:12-17; Proverbs 4:20-23; Isaiah 55:6-13; Hebrews 12:1-3; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Timothy 2:21

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