Pruned For Purpose

PRUNED FOR PURPOSE 

What happens when you’re not choosing to prune things from your life but God is?

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.   John 15:1 - 2 (NIV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21 - 23 (NKJV)

GOD’S INTENT FOR OUR LIVES IS TO PROGRESS FROM BARRENNESS TO FRUITFULNESS. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”    John 15:5 (NIV)

PRUNING IS NOT PUNISHMENT, PRUNING IS PREPARATION. 

GOD’S PRUNING IN OUR LIVES, CONFUSED WITH GOD’S DISCIPLINE IN OUR LIVES.  

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.    Genesis 37:3 (NLT)

But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.   Genesis 50:15 (NLT)

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  

Genesis 50:19 - 20 (NLT)

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO LEARN FROM PRUNING? 

TO DEPEND ON HIM MORE

TO HELP ME LEARN TO ABIDE IN HIM 

TO HELP ME GLORIFY HIM MORE  

TO HELP ME PRODUCE MORE FRUIT