Faith Words: The Master's Touch
Do you know what dead-heading is? It's the process of removing the spent blooms from a plant to encourage more blooms. If the old blooms are left in place till they fall off on their own, the next wave of blooms will be less showy and may not even happen.
When we do good works for the Lord, He lets those beautiful offerings show off His glory for a time, but then He expects us to set those aside and do more good works. He doesn't want us to bask in the works of the past. Instead, He gently prunes us to make us ready for more good works, for bigger glories.
Like a master gardener, His focus is always on making His hot house beauties ready for the flowerbed of life where we can really reflect His glory. Then, once in the field, He prunes us as needed us to strengthen us and help us grow into healthy, vibrant creatures of His design.
So, don't dread being pruned, if the Lord God is your master. You're going to thrive!
Submitting to His care,
Patrice
John 15:2 (NIV)
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.
Comments
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation
on the rock.
Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.