I was trimming and pruning some bushes and shrubs along this long fence a few weeks ago because they continue to grow more and become stronger each time they are cut every year. One year in Florida while on break in the summer I pruned the branches of an orchard of orange trees. It was very hot and humid and usually had to take water breaks often due to heat exhaustion. The prior winter had a bad orange freeze.
In John 15 Jesus illustrates how being pruned actually produces more fruit. He speaks of (“the fruit of the Holy Spirit”) . “Christ is the vine, we are the branches, and God the Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit and prunes the branches that produce fruit so they will produce even more fruit”.
Walking with God is a lifetime journey on a daily basis, not just a one time confession of faith, to expect life will be just one big roller coaster ride.
Being pruned by God is not fun because there are things in our life that have to be cut out that are not pleasing to Him or even others such as attitudes and actions toward others. There are times we can be rude, disrespectful, angry, or even nasty toward others and even family members occasionally. Yes, we are human and have emotions, but it doesn’t give us the right to take advantage of others , put others down, or belittle them even if we have been offended! “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control” Galatians 5:22-23.
Too often we can be tempted to rely upon our own strength (the flesh) and not trust God and rely upon the Holy Spirit that lives with us as Jesus said, “Remain in Me and I will remain in you for a branch cannot bear fruit fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain (abide) in Me. Yes I am the Vine (Jesus) you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing,” John 15:4-5.
When we stop bearing fruit, the problem always starts with the roots.
Enjoy your day whether at work or vacation. Please be careful with this heat wave over the weekend and drink plenty of water and liquids. Enjoy the summer and eat some fruit 🍉🍓🍒🍋🍊🫐🍌🍇
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Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the South Shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son and I discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own. Simply by accepting Him by faith and believing.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with people that I know or do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life. To live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more.
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and in so many more ways.
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
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