Interesting Green: Reflection - M. R. DeHaan

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 12, "The Need Of Pruning", Page 16.
By M. R. DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author

PHOTO: Every branch that does bear fruit he prune so that it will be even more fruitful. - John 15:2
Read: John 15:1-14

I have several grapevines in my garden, and each year, I cut out loads of long, spindly vines. Unless I remove these, they will take all the strength that should go into the fruit. No vine can be fully fruitful without pruning.

Jesus said that His Father prunes His children. The richest, the fullest, the most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation. We have no right to believe that God will use us until He has cut away whatever hinders our growth. What we see as tragedies may be only blessing in disguise, and the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace.

Are you, my friend, being pruned today? Has the dearest in life being torn from you? Have all your dreams faded? Remember that if you could see the purpose of these problems from the standpoint of God's wisdom and of eternity, if you could interpret these trials in their relationship to life's blessings, you would be able to dry your tears and praise the Lord for them all.

God will not withhold any good thing "from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11). Even in your painful situation, you can trust Him to do what is best.

Christ, the Gardener, cuts away the dead wood to make us fruitful.
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Every branch that does bear fruit he prune so that it will be even more fruitful. - John 15:2
Read: John 15:1-14

PHOTO: Every branch that does bear fruit he prune so that it will be even more fruitful. - John 15:2
Picture posted by gogosale
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnr46cRjhZONLNhuBbXZlTDuCPhoGkGFvS61NJTxDLnI_A_dfkYhEWaZo3VMzP7d5aivrl_S9obfTUhRhANxhTe0ZMWQFpIP9e8QpdrqESUthgCw9brYQRdJ1v-TH2_f0rZabYH67G5dSs_kUL_5yQNkl5GvhX7FShQXnYykbd1xWyhTyRH3ihfun/s2000/compressedDepositphotos_11439955_l-2015.jpg
https://aboveandbeyondgardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/compressedDepositphotos_11439955_l-2015.jpg
https://gogosale.live/product_details/100905010.html

I have several grapevines in my garden, and each year, I cut out loads of long, spindly vines. Unless I remove these, they will take all the strength that should go into the fruit. No vine can be fully fruitful without pruning.

Each year grapevines have to cut out its long, spindly vines, so that all the strength go into the fruit. No vine can be fully fruitful without pruning.

PHOTO: Each year grapevines have to cut out its long, spindly vines, so that all the strength go into the fruit. No vine can be fully fruitful without pruning.
Picture posted by Mike Jeshurun on 25 October 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO47BL6x3NUHuXfd8WFw7C31zW6OXCX2mEzLTqpLV9V5yfBEHT4sUZCqXiPqtKfcZW2PMfXt5oYlvcXQ8o4wcHbl51fAbgFLd4ITeSk2eh011fEYudD6kPJpZKUz5M1OMg2QobU-RQofE1OzvFPcVoJGyhgFgNDLSSiPqPspM2rb_XR5JV-3Y1CbmX/s1024/fruitless-branches_1.png
https://michaeljeshurun.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/fruitless-branches.jpg
https://michaeljeshurun.wordpress.com/2020/10/25/the-fruitless-branches-of-john-15-are-not-gods-elect-but-professing-nominal-christians/

Jesus said that His Father prunes His children. The richest, the fullest, the most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation. We have no right to believe that God will use us until He has cut away whatever hinders our growth. What we see as tragedies may be only blessing in disguise, and the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace.

PHOTO: Jesus said that His Father prunes His children. The richest, the fullest, the most fruitful lives are those that have been strengthened through the painful process of tribulation. What we see as tragedies may be only blessing in disguise, and the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace.
Painting by Mark Missman, Path of Life
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291115563387729738/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2015/10/reflection-remember-jesus-christ.html

Are you, my friend, being pruned today? Has the dearest in life being torn from you? Have all your dreams faded? Remember that if you could see the purpose of these problems from the standpoint of God's wisdom and of eternity, if you could interpret these trials in their relationship to life's blessings, you would be able to dry your tears and praise the Lord for them all.

PHOTO: Are you, my friend, being pruned today? Has the dearest in life being torn from you? Have all your dreams faded? Remember that if you could see the purpose of these problems from the standpoint of God's wisdom and of eternity, if you could interpret these trials in their relationship to life's blessings, you would be able to dry your tears and praise the Lord for them all.
Picture posted by Art of it
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https://www.artofit.org/image-gallery/457256168427475578/chapter-21-faith-and-testimony/

God will not withhold any good thing "from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11). Even in your painful situation, you can trust Him to do what is best.

PHOTO: God will not withhold any good thing "from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11). Even in your painful situation, you can trust Him to do what is best.
Picture posted by Etsy - Jesus Saves
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Christ, the Gardener, cuts away the dead wood to make us fruitful.

PHOTO: Christ, the Gardener, cuts away the dead wood to make us fruitful.
Picture posted by Veseys - Canadice Seedless Grapes
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PHOTO: Reflect and Pray
Because our Father's heart is grieved
Each time we go astray,
He lifts His chastening hand to love
To guide us in His way. - D. Dehaan
Picture posted by Knowing Jesus
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Reflection - M. R. DeHaan - The Need Of Pruning
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 12, "The Need Of Pruning", Page 16.
By M. R. DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author

Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html

"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html

Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 12, "The Need Of Pruning", Page 16.

Links

Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html

John 15:1-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-14&version=NIV

John 15:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A2&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Psalm 84:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84%3A11&version=NIV