Devotionals about Pruning

Both of todays devotionals was about pruning ....Joyce Meyer Devotional "NECESSARY PRUNING" and  31 Days Of Hope "LOVE YOUR GARDENER"

Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves?

March 31 My Upmost For His Highest.

Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves?

 “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.” 1 John 5:16

 If we are not heedful and pay no attention to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other people are failing, and then we take our discernment and turn it into comments of ridicule and criticism, instead of turning it into intercession on their behalf. God reveals this truth about others to us not through the sharpness of our minds but through the direct penetration of His Spirit. If we are not attentive, we will be completely unaware of the source of the discernment God has given us, becoming critical of others and forgetting that God says, “he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.” Be careful that you don’t become a hypocrite by spending all your time trying to get others right with God before you worship Him yourself. 

One of the most subtle and illusive burdens God ever places on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning others. He gives us discernment so that we may accept the responsibility for those souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them (see Philippians 2:5). 

We should intercede in accordance with what God says He will give us, namely, “life for those who commit sin not leading to death.” It is not that we are able to bring God into contact with our minds, but that we awaken ourselves to the point where God is able to convey His mind to us regarding the people for whom we intercede. 

Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with Him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.

I google "Heedfulness or Hypocrisy in Ourselves?" And found this link which explained it ....

Digging for Treasure in the Bible John Bevere

Digging for Treasure in the Bible

John Bevere

The Bible contains treasure. You might ask, "What kind of treasure?" I'm talking about the treasures of wisdom, understanding, revelation, insight, and godly fear. These treasures are of far greater value than precious stones or metals.

Proverbs 2:1-5 (The Message)

encourages us to search for wisdom and understanding like a prospector panning for gold or embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt. Just think about that imagery! The same diligence and excitement we'd bring to uncovering hidden riches should be applied to our daily Bible study.

But here's the key: the greatest reward of exploring the Bible isn't just knowledge-it's encountering God. As Jesus said in John 5:39-40, "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" The Pharisees knew the Word of God, but they missed the God of the Word standing right before them.

A.W. Tozer put it beautifully: "The Bible was never meant to replace God; it was meant to lead us into the heart of God." Too often, we stop with the text and miss the presence of the One it reveals. The Bible is not just a book to study; it's a treasure map leading to the ultimate treasure-God Himself.

So today, I encourage you: approach God's Word like a prospector digging for gold. Read it with curiosity, passion, and the expectation of encountering the Lord of the Word. Don't just seek information; seek transformation by meeting with God.

Start digging and discover the treasures waiting for you!

Let God Decide For You

MARCH 28 

BE DECISIVE A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. —PROVERBS 16:9 AMPC 

Some people struggle to make decisions. They let the fear of making a wrong choice paralyze them, and they end up wasting a great deal of time in indecision. But we can be confident that God will direct our steps if we learn to listen to Him. Having a plan is not wrong, but be sure to keep your plans before God, and be willing to change them if He indicates that you should. Pray about the decisions you need to make, and then do what you feel peace about doing. I believe God guides us by His Word, His peace, and His wisdom. As we trust Him, He can cause our thoughts to become agreeable to His will (Proverbs 16:3). 

God knows your heart, and if you truly want His will, He will guide you to the right place, even if you take a few wrong turns on the way to where you need to be.

 “Father, I want Your will more than anything else. As I take steps of faith, please guide me. If I am going in the wrong direction, I trust You to redirect my steps. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

This was me this morning. I have made plans to go up and see Mary but then the doubt comes in. And all the reasons why I shouldn't go. But I prayed on it and I'm leaving it up to God. I've asked Him to send the Holy Spirit for the right words to say. 

Then I went into my prayer room after reading Dave's Desk and I opened the Bible at Mark and this is what stood out. Just show Mary what God has done in my life. Let Mary see Gods glory shine not mines.  Be a fisher of men .......

It Is Finished "Tetelestai"

          MARCH 28 Daily Hope Devotional

 It Is Finished  

After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” . . . When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died. JOHN 19:28, 30 (NCV) 

During his earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly said that he came to do the work God gave him to do. And the Bible says this about when he was dying on the cross: “After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ . . . When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and died” (John 19:28, 30, NCV).

 When Jesus said, “It is finished,” it was a shout of victory. The phrase is a single word in the original Greek: tetelestai. It was a common word in ancient Greek society, with many meanings, and Jesus embodied each of them: 

It was used by servants and employees who returned to their master with news they had finished the task. Jesus had finished the task God had given him. 

It was a legal word judges used to announce that a prisoner had completely served his prison time. Jesus made sure that justice had been served for our sin. 

It was a word used in accounting to indicate a debt had been paid in full. Jesus completely paid our sin debt. 

Artists used the word when painting a picture to denote their final stroke. Jesus’ sacrifice finished God’s great masterpiece, making it possible for us to be redeemed from our sin. 

Priests used the word when they offered a sacrifice to God to declare, “The sacrifice has been made.” Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice for our sin.

 That one single word—tetelestai—separates Christianity from every other religion. All other religions are about what you need to do to be right with God. Christianity is about what God has already done on your behalf. 

Jesus said, “It is finished.” You don’t need to do anything to have access to God. He’s done everything!

https://youtu.be/WoAC3lhEUM4?si=HEQBR46Ajtex8mks