"Every branch in Me that does not bear
fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so
that it may bear more fruit.
Insights: In the mid to late 18th
century there were a growing number of people who openly expressed their belief
as deism. In some ways today we call
that mindset agnostic. Basically, the
belief was God was like a watch builder and the world was the watch. After He completed the making of the watch,
He wound it up, put it on a shelf and then let it go. From the agnostic perspective, we recognize
there had to be a watch Maker, but there is no way we can know Him. As a result, we don’t even try. This type of false theology or philosophy
flies squarely in opposition to today’s verse.
In today’s verse God is very much actively involved in the world. He has not just wound it up and let it go, He
is pruning branches that bear fruit and He is taking away branches that don’t. This truth ought to give us a great deal of
peace, joy and satisfaction in knowing this very real and personal God. As we have learned in Henry Blackaby’s
material Experiencing God, this
activity of God IS His invitation for us to join Him. The problem is we live in a world that is so
fast paced we often times don’t recognize God’s work. Beloved, I would encourage you to slow down
and be intentional about looking for God’s invitation to You. Take some time today and praise God for His
gracious work He is presently doing around you.
Ask Him to open your eyes to see the work. Ask Him to open your ears to hear His
voice. Ask Him for the courage to join
Him in His mission. Last night at the
revival at Mt. Pleasant BC, Jamie Pruett preached out of Isaiah 6:1-9. He concluded with this point: God is not just
giving an invitation to a select group of people. If we have worshipped Him, He is inviting us
to be sent by Him. At that point Jamie
took us to Ephesians 2:8-10 and emphasized verse 10 which states, “For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that
we would walk in them.” Beloved, recognize
God’s activity and join Him in His work, because you were created to do.
Questions:
- Have you thanked God lately for His gracious involvement
in the world?
- Do you slow down enough to recognize God’s activity?
Prayer: Lord, my life is so hectic and fast paced. In that speed Lord, I often times do not
recognize You or hear Your voice.
Forgive me please for this self-centered perspective of life. Turn my heart to You and open my eyes to see
Your work. Then, Lord, please give me the
courage to join You in Your activity. Amen.
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