Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson – session summary (1 to 6)

God has chosen and appointed us to do good works, which He has prepared in advanced for us to do (Eph 2:10). God desires us to do a lot of good works / fruit. We can bear fruit by our giving, praying, and serving others in the family, in the community, and in the church. God has given each of us unique abilities and family /situational background where He can use us to be effective for a specific endeavor.

God’s discipline versus pruning feels the same, it is painful to us. The difference lies in His purpose – discipline seeks to restore and cleanse us from our sinful lifestyle causing us to bear no fruit; while pruning cuts back things we don’t need and it prepare us for more responsibility and greater tasks to be accomplished in the future. His example is in the life of Joseph, being groomed to be the future leader of a nation.

In pruning, God can use anything to accomplish His purpose whether people, position, possession, physical, plan… Romans 8:28 tells us that “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Pruning often takes place when we are doing the right thing, which is discouraging and we end up grumbling and asking God questions like, “Why is this happening to me? Lord, when will this ever end? How long, oh Lord?” This is the season when we need to cling to who He is, claim His promises, strengthen our faith and trust in God, believing that He knows what is best for us and He knows what He is doing. A lot of Christians stumble and backslide during this trial stage, that is why the apostles reminds us to endure, to preserve, to finish strong… Because when we fail and go back to sinning, we end up being disciplined rather than pruned.

God desires that we bear MUCH fruit, so pruning cuts back things we don’t need so the sap will go to the fruit rather than to the branch or to the leaves. Again, trust God and know that He loves you very much. He is there with you, coaching you, guiding you. Cease struggling and know that He is God. Surrender to Him and be rested in your soul, then you will rise up with wings like eagle, soaring to greater heights, achieving His purpose, bearing much fruit as He so desired. To God be all the glory.