2010 November 24 - Morning Manna

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples (John 15:1-8).

Today's Morsel: Well, Fall is here and Winter is coming on.  And that means, pruning time for the fruit growers is at hand.  It's time to cut back the limbs and branches that produced fruit this past year, and also those that didn't so they may produce more next year.  The reason the branches that produce fruit have to be pruned or cut back, is because the limb will break from the tree or vine once the large quantities of fruit comes next year.  The closer the limb is to the tree, the stronger it becomes and the more weight it can handle.  Jesus is the tree and we are the branches.  As we produce fruit, He prunes us to keep us closer and closer to Him that we may produce more fruit, and also able to handle the weight.  He also prunes us to keep us close to Him so that we will remain strong in Him.  The pruning process sometimes hurts.  But Jesus knows that if He doesn't cut us back, we can break away from the tree, through the weight of pride, self-conceit, and self-elevation.  Therefore, we should say as the apostle Paul "Yet not I, but Christ, that liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20).  It is He that does the work.  If you stay close to Jesus, you will always be fruitful and fit for the Master's use.

Sing:  Jesus, keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain. Free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary's mountain.  In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.