Why is this happening? Why is this happening? Great thoughts on discerning the difference between discipline and pruning in our Christian lives from the Master Gardener. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 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. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 How can I tell the difference between discipline and pruning? From Secrets Of the Vine / Bruce Wilkinson | Discerning The Difference Between Discipline And Pruning | | | Issue | Disciplining | Pruning | | How do you know its happening? | Pain | Pain | | Why is it happening? | You're Doing Something Wrong | Your Doing Something Right | | What is your level of fruitfulness? | No Fruit | Fruit | | What is the "Gardener's" desire? | Fruit | More Fruit | | What needs to go? | Sin | Self | | How should you feel? | Guilty, Sad | Relief, Trust | | What is the right response? | Repentance (Stop Sinning) | Release (Give God Permission) | | When does it stop? | When We Stop Sinning | When God Is Finished | | | What should I do if I suspect I am being pruned? From Secrets Of the Vine / Bruce Wilkinson - Acknowledge that God is trying to get your attention.
- Trust that he wants you to know whether you are being disciplined or pruned (as any good parent would).
- Ask God to reveal any major sin in your life that may be the cause of his discipline.
- If he does not reveal any major sin to you - take by faith that he is "pruning" you.
- If he does reveal that you are being disciplined - the reason is sin - and just turn away from the sin.
- If he does reveal that you are being pruned - ask God to show you what he wants you to let go of - and trust him enough to release it completely to him.
11:51:38 AM 
|
