Daily Devotional: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
SCRIPTURE READING
Scripture: John 15:2b (KJV)
and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
How do you purge a branch? Purge means prune. You prune a branch by cutting part of it off.
Jesus is teaching us that God cuts off branches that do not bear fruit and He prunes branches that do bear fruit. What God does not do is leave branches attached to His Son alone. Some get cut off and taken away and the rest get pruned.
If you were a branch, would you want to get pruned? Would you want part of you to get clipped off?
Of course not! Who wants to get clipped? Who wants to get rebuked? Who wants to get disciplined? This is what Jesus means by getting purged or pruned. He means God tests and disciplines us.
Do you want God to test and discipline you?
But what if His discipline helped you to give Him even more fruit—then would you want Him to test and discipline, to prune you?
But what if His discipline not only helped you bear more fruit but it also showed you He is paying attention to you and loves you—then would you want Him to prune you?
Here is a picture of my all-time favorite tool. It’s called a Felco Number 2. It’s a hand pruner. I’ve used my Felco Number 2 for thirty-five years. I’ve used them so much that I’ve had to replace the blades. Sometimes I let Mrs. Bayly use my Felco Number 2s. I hope she doesn’t lose them or leave them out in the rain.
Sometimes nature prunes plants with snow and wind and fire. Sometimes men do it with Felco Number 2s. Sometimes God does it.
Scripture: John 15:2b and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
QUESTIONS
- How does God prune us?
- Why does God prune us?
- Does it feel good to be pruned?
SONG OF THE WEEK
Abide With Me
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless,
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Our Heavenly Father, we thank You that You know what is best for us and that You accomplish Your will even when we think we know better. Teach us to trust You, even as You prune us, so that we would grow healthy branches and bear good fruit. Amen.
OTHER PRAYER NEEDS
- That God would cause us all to grow in godliness
- That we would make the most of the time and not be lazy
- For cheerful hearts
SCRIPTURE MEMORY THIS WEEK
John 15:1-2 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 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.
