Old Vines & Good Wine
Soul Snack 234/13 ... Old Vines & Good Wine
Does a longing flow through your soul just to leave this earth behind?
Do the travails of the body, the troubles of the heart, or the unrest of the spirit hammer your peace?
Do you sense whispers of punishment, murmurs of guilt, or believe you are reaping the products of unwise sowing? BUT...
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. (Jn 15:3)
Pain does not mean you are not clean, or that you continue in Divine punishment.
The time arrives to also see your pain as your friend, as a divine gain.
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. (Jn 15:2)
The Father prunes those He already knows are fruit reproducers.
Pain can be an indicator of Divine care, and a director to greater purpose.
Pain drives you to cling to The Vine, and don't forget; pruned vines can still bear fruit in old age.
This is true - the more a vine is pruned, the greater the wine that is produced.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"Choose to sip Jesus' new wine for He always leaves the best to last."#
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#Michael Cartwright, GREAT MERCY ~ (Bloomington IN, WestBow Press, 2013), 46