John 15:1-2 NIV
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. {2} 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.
Let’s say you’re a tree out in your yard. You’re sitting around…being a tree when all of a sudden someone comes along and lops one of your branches off. “OW!” You might say to yourself (if trees could talk to themselves). “What was that all about?! What did I do to deserve that?”
Christians often wonder the same thing when they experience pain and loss in their lives. God is pruning you. For what? For production. God knows what you’re capable of and He’s moving you toward that level of production. His goal is that you be a big ol’ tree of faith producing the fruit of love, compassion, and kindness so that others will be drawn to the love of God that they see in you.
Endure the pain. What God prunes away will be replaced with new growth and fresh fruit. Through baptism and the gift of faith you are connected to Jesus Christ, the true vine. He lives forever. You’ll live forever.
In the Vine with you!
Pastor Prigge
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION DURING BIBLE STUDY HOUR THIS SUNDAY!
This Sunday at Victory
8 and 10:45 a.m. Worship – “Pruning: Productive Pain”
9:30 a.m. Bible study
Ronny Thom and Joey Scholz will share their experiences bearing fruit in Honduras.With our remaining time we’ll process this weeks Small Group Bible study. Please plan to attend.
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