It’s Mid-Week already Beloved!  Happy Hump Day!  I pray you are full of Joy in the Lord this morning!  Let’s get ready to hear from God on Day 3,  the last Wednesday of the year!

We are all set and in POSITION humbled and bowed before our God, ready to receive the wisdom and understanding to look back and close out 2021 in preparation for setting up 2022! 

Today, we focus on the PRUNING we need to do in order to grow:

SCRIPTURE

John 15:1-5 AMPC

15 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you] 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.  5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

REVIEW AND MEDITATION

Well Beloved, Ouch!  The scripture tells us that we are Pruned either way!   PRUNING is required for Growth! Looking at verse 2 it’s definitely more painful when we are not producing fruit as the process entails “cutting away” as opposed to “cleanses and repeatedly pruned” when we continue to bear fruit! The latter is less pain periodically for the purpose of richer and more excellent fruit!  Let’s take the latter and keep producing fruit by living and staying connected to Jesus our Vine!  As this scripture is referenced spiritually, we can also apply it practically and ask the twofold question. Where I am producing fruit and where am I not producing fruit in both the person that I am and the activity and people that I engage in and with?  Let’s Go to God and find out! 

PRAYER

All wise and gracious God, we bless your Name !  Lord we thank you for your love even when experienced as part of the painful process of pruning!  Father forgive us when we knowingly or unknowingly disconnect from Jesus! Have your way Lord as you conform us to the image of Christ and advance your kingdom through us! Father as we review and reflect on 2021, we ask that you show us which activities, habits and relationships to cut out of our lives and out of our calendars that is preventing our growth and getting in the way of our relationship with you! Lord reveal to us what has been fruitless distractions in our routines that we need to lop off!  Father help us to identify our lessons learned and make the proper pruning adjustments in areas where we are bearing fruit so we can bear richer and more excellent fruit! Lord keep us focused on the purpose and plan that you have for us individually and collectively as we conduct this exercise! Teach us how to live staying ever connected to our vital Vine the Lord Jesus Christ so that according to John 15:5 we can bear much abundant fruit and thrive!  In Jesus Name we thank you and Pray Amen!

REFLECTION

1. Reflecting on John 15:5  “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing”
   1. What steps do you take to ensure that you Live and stay connected to the vine?
   2. How do you know when you are cut off from vital union with Jesus?
   3. When you are disconnected from Jesus, what steps do you take to reconnect?

I hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday Beloved! We are in the home stretch now! I pray you are on track with your Year in Review with God and if not, no worries, you still have three days to catch up! I am praying and fasting for us each day through Friday asking God to guide us, prepare us, equip us and open our hearts to hear him clearly as we plan for our Best Year in God in 2022! I will meet you here on tomorrow, Be Blessed!

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