A home we owned years ago that had a beautiful screened in porch. When we purchased it the porch was covered with a massive vine with branches that had completely overtaken every inch of it. When the season was right for yard work, our attention immediately went to this vine. Interestingly, as we took a closer look at our humongous, quick growing climber, we noticed a great deal of dead, and non-producing branches mixed in with the new growth. Looking at it with a critical eye, it actually looked quite hideous.
Having had very little gardening experience up until this point, it just seemed obvious we had to cut the dead branches off. In doing so, I clearly heard the Lord speak to my heart saying, “Everything that is dead within your life, I’m going to cut it off so you can start to grow.” Ouch! Just the thought of that hurt because at the time I had no idea what God was getting ready to do, but we knew we were going to personally face some painful situations as God started his cutting and pruning process.
“Now no chastening for the present seemed to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” – Heb. 12:11
One of the first things the Lord did at this time, was to cut back some of my friendships and relationships. People that were an intricate part of my life seemed to just disappear and be cut off. There weren’t any big blowouts, or disagreements and yet the deep-rooted connections were simply, gone. There were those who I talked with every day. Then the day came when the communication lines were greatly diminished or stopped altogether.
In some instances, this pruning process hurt more than others. Having been forewarned by God in advance, it did make it somewhat easier to understand the process. It was something that I could look forward to.
Like the dead vine branches we had eliminated from our porch, there was an expectation that some good would come from this cutting away. The natural porch vine started to grow after the pruning. The new branches that begin to grow that summer produced beautiful flowers.
In our personal lives, God added new acquaintances that were of a spiritual benefit. They were those who encouraged us to reach new levels of growth and maturity.
For each of us to grow spiritually, and to fulfill the purpose’s God has for us, we must maintain a healthy relationship with Christ. We must be willing to cut the bad influences and distractions out of our lives. We must be willing to move away from our former carnal ways of thinking and doing and pursue the things of Christ. The things of the kingdom without a doubt need to be our number one priority.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.“ -Mat 6:33 KJV
As we put God as the center of our lives, we will begin to walk in the fullness he has desired for each of us.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17.
As the Holy Spirit endeavors to cause us to grow, let’s endeavor to remain connected to our Lord and Savior throughout life’s twists and turns. Let us stay connected with the desire to produce mature and ripe fruit for others to enjoy as well.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
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.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” – Joh 15:1 -10
Remember..
Stay connected, endure the pruning and enjoy the fruit!
May God’s Grace Abundantly Reign In Your Life!
– Prophetess Kathy Steele
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Doors & Chambers Book and Training Manuals
An Apostolic and Prophetic View of God’s Process for Personal Growth and Ministry
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
According to the Scripture, Romans 8:28 says- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” The questions is, how do all these things work out to our benefit? God is a “God that declares “The End” from “The Beginning”. However, we must understand that He is also a God of process. There is a process that takes from the beginning unto the end.
By Dr. Ric Steele
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