2 Samuel 9-11, John 15, Psalms 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3
What God said to me – Pruning fruit bearing plants is not just helpful, it is essential. Pruning regulates growth, it increases yield, it maintains the health of the plant, and it increases the size and flavor of the fruit. An unpruned plant often expends more energy growing tall and wide rather than producing fruit. “I AM” the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. You who I have chosen to be Mine and are the branches that are to bear fruit. My Father as the vinedresser prunes each branch so it will bear more and more fruit. The tool He uses to prune the branches is the Word. I told My disciples they were already pruned because of the word which I spoke to them. In order to grow fruit, you must be in the word – it is not optional. The word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness and to equip you for every good work. When you find yourself floundering spiritually and you are not experiencing love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control which is the fruit of the Spirit, stop and check how much time you are spending in My word so you can be pruned and you can bear much fruit. Quit expending so much energy on useless things and put your focus where it counts – on My word.