The Pruning Knife

Good morning sisters, how glad I am that we get to journey through this devotional together. I have hope that I indeed can live the abundant life He has called us to, not because of my own effort, but because He is the one who keeps and holds me. I pray this hope grows within you as well. Today’s reading is entitled The Pruning Knife, is from John 15:3, and can be found on pages 6-7 of the link below. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John 15:3 Here are some highlights: What is the pruning knife of this heavenly Husbandman? // It si the Word of God that is the knife, sharper than any two edged sword, that pierces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and tis quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. // Not even Paul’s thorn in the flesh could become a blessing until Christ’s Word – “My strength is made perfect in weakness” had made him see the danger of self exaltation, and made him willing to rejoice in infirmities. From the opening of His ministry in the Sermon on the Mount to His words of warning in the last night, His Word had tried and cleansed them. He had discovered and condemned all there was of self; they were now emptied and cleansed, ready for the incoming of the Holy Spirit. It is as the soul gives up its own thoughts, and men’s thoughts of what is religion, and yields itself heartily, humbly, patiently, to the teaching fo the Word by the Spirit, that the Father will do His blessed work of pruning and cleansing away all of nature and self that mixes with our work and hinders His Spirit. All ye who are branches of the true Vine, each time you read or hear the Word, wait first of all on Him to use it for His cleansing of the branch. Set your heart upon His desire for more fruit. Yield yourselves in simple childlike surrender to the cleansing work of His Word and Spirit, and you may count upon it that His purpose will be fulfilled in you. Father, I pray Thee, cleanse me through Thy Word. Let it search out and bring ot light all that is of self and the flesh in my religion.  Let it cut away every root of self-confidence, that the Vine may find me wholly free to receive His life and Spirit. O my holy Husbandman, I trust Thee to care for the branch as much as for the Vine. Thou art my only hope. Prayer for us Abba, we confess this can be hard to receive. We want to be free to love You fully and to know the joy of sensing Your presence, and yet what hinders us in experiencing Your fullness is ourselves.  We fear exposure through Your Word. We do not want to admit the struggles we have, originate with us – yet Your Word comes and finds us out- it cuts to the heart- our heart – and we are left bare and exposed.  At that moment, O open our ears to hear Your promise: “Daughter, you do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with your weakness, but you have One who has been tempted in every way, yet without sin.” Invite us again to Your throne of grace where we might find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.  O give us the courage to believe that in exposing our sin, our failures, our unforgiveness, our lack of faith, that we will find healing, we will find HOPE.  O Abba, again draw each of us near to Your Word through Your Spirit, speak to our hearts, prune SELF and then, bear more fruit through us. This You promise glorifies You! And O! Our hearts are full when You are glorified, Your Name and renown are the desire of our souls.  The True Vine