Our Father, The Gardener (July 2)

Our Father, The Gardener

"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.   One of the hardest things for me is at the end of the summer to cut back my beautiful flowering bushes in preparation for the winter. I keep thinking, what if they do not grow again?  Our Father, the gardener, has no doubt in His mind that it is for our good that He cuts back certain things in our lives in order to redirect our energies and to help us with the right priorities.   Like a newly pruned flowering plant we will not look our best during pruning time and this might cause criticism and misunderstanding remarks from others.  During these times our confession needs to be with faith and consistency:  "My God is my gardener and I will bloom again."  He may cut off relationships, close wrong doors, take us through a time of pruning that we call 'losses', but remember that God, our Gardener, is skillful and will make us grow and bloom again in greater fruitfulness, productivity and significance.   Rest in His love and trust in Him as your skillful Gardener to cut back or cut off anything that could hinder your progress.  As you stay close to the true vine, Jesus Christ, and get your daily strength and sustenance from Him, you will begin a process of restoration and growth into the new and greater possibilities for His abundant  increase.  In everything and in every season give God thanks, speak faith, listen, and be ready to arise and shine as the Glory of the Lord rises upon you.   Kingdom Declaration: God is grooming me for greater influence in the kingdoms of this world @Dr.Pat Francis  @Chayil$