Daily Devotions

Have you ever thought of God as the Great Gardener?
In John 15:2 & 4 it says, “Every branch that bears fruit,…He prunes it so that it
may bear more fruit…Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself.”
If you were to list all your afflictions, burdens, and challenges, it might seem overwhelming. You know that the Father has allowed it all for a good reason. But you may be frustrated with yourself for not being able to accomplish more or muster the energy for the next step.
Do not despair. The difficulties are not evidence of God’s displeasure, but of the wonderful potential He sees in you. Your Savior, Protector, and Provider is also your Great Gardener, and He knows exactly how to help you flourish. He trims areas that drain your energy, removes decaying parts, and harvests the fruit so more may grow. It’s all for good, even if it’s painful for a season.
So how do you take the next step today? By abiding in God and allowing His ability, energy, inspiration, and power to flow through you in His way and in His time. Remember, God is the Vine; you are the branches. Let Him do the sustaining.
Prayer thought: “Father, I trust You as my Great Gardener. Thank You for helping me grow. Help me bear good fruit for You, amen.”
Today’s focus: simply abide in God.