Pruned.

The Bible talks about being pruned; pruned in order to produce more fruit.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2 (NIV)

There is a tree at my family’s house, a few months ago it was pruned. It was pretty bare afterwards, but my family said it was needed. Pruning cuts away excess and dead things.

A few weeks ago, I saw that tree again, and it was in full bloom! The leaves were full and there were flowers on it. My family said that in the years they had been at that house, this was the first time the tree bloomed its flowers!

With that being said, in such a unique time in history, the Church is being pruned so it will produce more than it ever has before. It will look like it never has before!

We are ushering in a new move of God, the forerunners to Jesus’ return, as John the Baptist was to Jesus and His ministry.

This present time for believers is like when Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days and came out in power.

Jesus in the wilderness, submitted His will to the Father’s will. His flesh was disciplined, along with His emotions, and His strength. All of Him was submitted to the Father.

In disciplining Himself, He was loving God with all of His heart, mind, soul and strength. Humbling Himself under God the Father. He lived, depended on, and clung to the Words of God.

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

And the Bible says, after those 40 days, Jesus came out in power.

So for the Church, in a time of submission to God; in a time of disciplining our flesh to follow God; disciplining our mind to submit to His word no matter what the enemy brings to the fore front of our minds – we do not take the easy way out, but we submit to God’s will.

“though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

And just like Jesus, we will arise in power. Power to run with God! And as Jesus said, doing even greater things than He Himself did (John 14:12).

It was only one of Jesus. How much more can the multitude of believers do? So much! The glorious church! For the glory of Jesus Christ!