Recently I hired a new landscaping person to get my yard in shape. Wow! What a mess this past winter made. Debris everywhere, broken twigs scattered all over the lawn, branches hanging too low, piles of leaves and a half-dead tree. Thousands of annoying sweet gum balls everywhere just waiting to trip someone. And what about that fast-growing tree which to my amazement is now touching my neighbor’s roof?

And, Oh, I can’t forget to tell you about all the broken asphalt on my driveway. Daily it seems like new chunks are breaking away from the main part of the driveway. It looks like a bulldozer came in and tore up the driveway. Every night I have to be careful as I get out of the car not to trip on a newly broken section of asphalt. Whew! I keep raking up piles of asphalt but not sure where to dump them since they are an environmental hazard.

Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe you don’t have a yard to tend to, but, as long as you are here on earth you have a flesh and bone body and a spirit man residing inside of you. There’s no time like the present to do some pruning, not only outside, but also inside.

Most of us have unnecessary things in our life that need cleaning and pruning. This can include actions, attitudes, habits, speech, etc.

Our Lord Jesus declares He is the vine and we are the branches. So what do branches do? Well, you know, they branch out!! And, of course, fruit vines and trees develop their crop on the branches. So, if Jesus said we are the branches then my question is “Are you branching out?” “Are you feeding on God’s Word and bearing fruit?” “Are you growing and receiving daily nutrition and input from the Holy Spirit?”

Just as in the natural realm, if a vine or tree does not receive the proper moisture or nutrients from the earth they do not thrive. It is the same with us. Jesus set the example for us and He said that His “meat” (nutrition, source of strength, purpose, etc.) was to do the Father’s will.

John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

The more intimate you are in your relationship with the Lord the more you will be “tuned in” to God’s will. Your desire will increase to bring pleasure to the Lord by fulfilling His will in your daily life. He has specific directions for you to reach out to others. We cannot bear good fruit for God’s Kingdom without being connected to the vine!

John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

WOW! WHAT A PROMISE! If we stay connected to the vine (Jesus) who is the Word, then we will hear clearly from Him. We will be knowledgeable of God’s Word and whatever we request it will be done.

Now how can that be? What if I want something that is “off the wall”?

Well, first of all, if I am truly surrendered to God and His Word I won’t ask for anything that is against His written word.

That is the key – to always stay in agreement with God’s Word. Then, when it comes to specifics such as where to move, what house to buy, what job to take, etc. you will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading because His sheep hear His voice.

Jesus is the vine — we are the branches. Grape branches get their nourishment from the vine and the branches spread out and bear fruit.  The branches show up on the outside, but inside is the vine through which nutrients flow to the branches. We have to stay connected to the vine in order to properly branch out and bear fruit for God’s Kingdom. As you are connected to the vine, you will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So much of God’s will in our life is for others. He may guide you to go to a certain store or stop and talk with someone. I believe each day God has specific assignments for us to fulfill. It may be as simple as calling a friend, smiling to a stranger, writing a letter or texting someone that you care, etc.

And then there’s the pruning process.

Just as we have our trees and bushes trimmed and the yard manicured, we also at times need pruning so we can come back stronger than before. Holy Spirit is our Teacher and He also convicts us of weaknesses in our character that we still need to overcome. God promises to give us strength. Don’t draw back from the correction of the Lord. Allow God to pinpoint thoughts, attitudes and actions that are not pleasing to Him. He only intends it for your betterment.  Surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit regarding heart issues and you will begin to walk in victory. His discipline is always for a good purpose.

What is the purpose for this process? Well, you are being conformed more and more to the image of Jesus. Now that’s a good thing! Romans 8:29—“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” God meant for us to be like Jesus! Amazing!

Branch out and bear good fruit for God’s Kingdom. Let God do a deep work in you so your life reflects the love, patience, endurance and faithfulness of our Lord. Stay close to Jesus and spend time in His presence and His Word. Read the “red letters” in the New Testament – the spoken words of our Savior. Meditate on these passages and the Lord will reveal deeper truths to you.

Be willing to do new things for God – let Him stretch you. As we learned in John 15:8 God is glorified when we bear much fruit! God deserves all the glory and He has taught us that without Him we can do nothing.

People will be drawn to the Lord through your walk with God and your caring heart. You may be the very one to lead them to the Lord. That is good fruit! SO BRANCH OUT!!

P.S. In case you’re wondering – the tree was cut down, the yard is looking a lot better and I’m getting an estimate on repaving the driveway! PTL!