2006-06-26 - Are You Hiding Your Green Thumb?

John 15:1-8

A gardener doesn't just snip and pull every green stem he sees. There's a method to which sprout or branch gets pulled or snipped. Pruning is good for a plant, for it gets rid of anything harmful or unnecessary. If something isn't helping the plant grow, the gardener gets it out of there.

A plant cannot function without outside resources. It needs to be planted, watered, weeded, and watched. Without proper water, sun, and attention, the plant withers and is lifeless. Likewise, people need to be nurtured and need to weed out things that hold them back. It's also important to be fed and watered on God's word, to protect us against Satan's attacks.

People have the ability and capacity to be self-reliant, but it is good to be planted around encouraging people, so we can return the favor to others in need. The key is letting God be in your life. Replace your fear with His pruning shears.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit, unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)

God, Reveal what is not productive in my life, and also show me how to decline any projects that will keep me from doing what is best for me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Lisa

lisa@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org