Ten years ago, I wrote this from the readings of John 15:2, 4b and Jer. 13:17, "He trims clean every branch that produces fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit...You cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me...If you are too proud to listen I will weep alone."
"One, we cannot produce "fruit" if we are not closely joined to Jesus Christ.
"Two, the Holy Spirit strips away what is not "good" for the production of fruit and trims the branches that did produce fruit so that the branch will bear more fruit.
"Three, if I am proud--too proud to listen to my inner spirit to hear what the Holy Spirit wants stripped away, I will cause harm and dishonor to God and His people who will then have cause to weep and be ashamed because of me; I will be separated from God and His people.
"Lord, help me to listen to your Holy Spirit and to rejoice at the stripping away of those things that dishonor you and your people. Yet, let me love and forgive myself. I pray that all might be freed of that which is the selfish "self." Amen."
I still say the same prayer today and encourage others to say it as well. Won't you join me?
Jo INMN
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