God's Pruning fork

Pruning forks are used for pruning vines and branches. Vines and branches, from what I was made to understand, need to be cut back in order for the tree to produce more fruit and much fruit.

God uses this process with His children. He insists that they grow spiritually and mature with every trial and triumph. Yes, I mentioned 'Triumph' because it's in those times of blessing and joy that are hearts grow fonder and closer to God or should. This too adds to our growth.

It's in times of trial and sorrow that are the hardest for us, at least for me anyway. Sometimes the Lord hurts us in order to heal us, He allows painful circumstances so that we may come full circle with whatever the issue is in our lives. The very thing that we prayed to not happen, sometimes is the very thing God allows. He is pruning us at this time. He feels that we need that situation for chastening purposes. It isn't necessarily that we did anything wrong or even sinned. He uses His chastening hand to perfect us spiritually, making us to be more like Him.

John 15:2 says, "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." It's an ongoing process for the believers who are obedient and faithfully following Him. I know this doesn't sound inviting, but you and I will only measure up to what God wants us to be when we allow Him to prune us.

May the Lord God help us to gain a right perspective on trials and may we come to agree with His process of maturing us and making us more like Christ. May we produce fruit, more fruit and much fruit for His glory. Amen!