Day 149 "Pruning Our Hearts With Love"

My mother-in-law has a River Birch tree near the end of her driveway with two good-sized limbs that need to be cut off the tree: one because it has branches hanging downward over the driveway that actually touch cars coming in and out of the driveway; the other, to improve the symmetrical look of the tree which would increase the overall appearance her yard as a whole. Despite having to work in the heat of early summer, I immediately sought out the use of a chain saw to remedy this situation. But my mother-in-law wanted to wait til the Fall to do the cutting. Undaunted by her lack of enthusiasm to have the work done now, I Googled when the best time to do pruning work on birches. Surely, using pruning spray to spray the freshly cut areas would allow me to safely cut the branches now. But, I found, sure enough, the best time to cut the birch tree was in the Fall. And so we wait in the shadow of my mother-in-law's wisdom. There is, indeed, a proper time to trim and prune bushes and trees for their health and well-being.

But when it comes to our hearts, pruning is best done on a continual basis. God's word says that our hearts are deceitful and wicked.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand

it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no

fear of God before their eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much

to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful, he has

ceased to be wise and to do good." Psalms 36:1-3

"In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Psalm 10:4

Therefore, we need to hear a voice that is distinct and unaffected by our own deceitfulness and wickedness, a voice that can provide a light to penetrate through the shadows of our own selfishness and self-centeredness, a voice that can reach to the marrow of our souls and drown out the numerous voices of the world competing for our attention and allegiance. Such a voice comes from God's word, the Bible.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for

every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

As you allow God's word to begin transforming and reshaping your heart, what you will discover in your metamorphosis is that God's ultimate desire and destination for your life is to wind up at the port of call called love, the discovery by which will purify the thoughts and activities of your heart and by itself will be fully capable to navigate you through the rest of your journey here on Earth. In his love, God desires to prune away those things in your life that will hinder your journey and prevents you from becoming all that he designed you to be.

"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

The purpose of continuously being mindful of God's ways is to provide discipline to our undisciplined hearts so that such discipline will lead to habit which will lead to godly character. Our lives here on Earth is merely a journey on our way home to our ultimate destination- a relationship with God in his kingdom forever.

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"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

May you discover the joys and freedom found in the heart of God's love.

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)