June 9 - Pruned

 

“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.”

(John 15:2 NIV)

 

Ouch! God never promised His pruning would be painless. I watch as He cuts off the dead wood and disease branches of my heart. I cringe as He yanks away the vines of selfish desires out of my mind. I feel new life flowing through my veins to give nourishing fruit to my thoughts. I will humbly submit to His pruning. I hope you will, too!  

June 8 - Perfect Peace

 

“You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.”

(Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

 

Try as I might, I cannot make peace or keep it. Perfect peace comes only from my heavenly Father. I might not be able to make sense of all that is going on around me, but He can. Nothing can touch me apart from His perfect will and loving hand. I can breathe and accept His will in what may come today, because my mind is steadfast. I will be an instrument of His peace. I hope you will, too!