Title: You Are Being Pruned II
Memorize: It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Nkjv)
[16] Rejoice always,
[17] pray without ceasing,
[18] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Message:
God can use any situation in your life to help you grow if you will I just have the right attitude.
For instance, He can use frustration, failure, sudden sickness, et cetera, to get your attention.
You say, “But it hurts so much!” Yes, pruning can be painful. Sometimes, a gardener will prune a tree until it looks like a totem pole or a giant toothpick.
It is not a pretty sight, but the pruning process births a big and fruitful tree. Therefore, if this is your condition presently, God is not mad at you. He does not punish His genuine children.
God’s pruning can also make a fellow produce the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control, et cetera (Galatians 5:22-23).
How does it work? God allows you to face situations and people with the exact opposite of the quality He wants you to possess.
For instance, He teaches you to love by putting around you difficult people. He teaches you patience through situations or people that will frustrate you.
How can you say you are patient if you have not lived with someone who will teach you perseverance?
Can God’s pruning not yield a positive result? Yes! If you don’t cooperate. Therefore, I implore you to rejoice evermore while in the pruning stage.
Reflection:
What is your attitude to pruning?
HYMN 4 – CHRIST IS OUR CORNER-STONE
1. Christ is our Comer-stone;
On Him alone we build;
With His true Saints alone
The courts of Heaven are filled;
On His great Love
Our hopes we place
Of present grace,
And joys above.
2. Oh, then with hymns of praise
These hallow’d courts shall ring:
Our voices we will raise,
The Three in One to sing;
And thus proclaim
In joyful song,
Both loud and long,
That glorious Name.
3. Here, gracious God, do Thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower
On all who pray,
Each holy day,
Thy blessings pour.
4 Here may we gain from Heaven,
The grace which we implore,
And may that grace, once given
Be with us evermore;
Until that day,
When all the blest,
To endless rest
Are call’d away.
Bible In One Year: Numbers 32:1-33:39 Luke 4:31-5:11
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE