9 - Pruning

I saw Jesus holding a plant in soil.

The Lord said He wanted to teach me about pruning today.

He asked, 'Do you know what pruning means?'

I replied, 'To remove unnecessary shoots to give better fruit?'

He said the answer is close. Then I look up to dictionary:

• Pruning means to selectively remove branches from a tree.

• The goal of pruning is to remove unwanted branches, improve the tree’s structure, and direct new, healthy growth. [1]

The Lord added,

'To make sure all of My plants are healthy, I look at each individual plant with care and I do pruning - to ensure they can grow healthily and enhance fruit formation. Sometimes unwanted branches grow out so I cut them off. This may become a little wound of the plant but it will quickly recover as what it will become is much better than before.'

'The plant itself, as it grows, may not know which branch is unwanted or wasted. Only I, the Gardener, can look at them thoroughly and know what they are going through - what stages they are in, their health condition, and their seasons of flowering and fruiting. I have different treatments for each plant as the growth of each plant is different.'

John 15:1-4 (NIV)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Hebrews 12:6 (AMP)

For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves,

And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].

'Pruning is a healthy process to improve the overall health of the plant.'

'Expect pruning in different seasons. This is a normal process'

This is Day 9.

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Read more:

[1] What is pruning? The importance, benefits and methods of pruning (Link)