Hi this is a very good friend of mine,
Jennifer Kimmons.
We met in 2008 while working together to pull off our churches first large women’s event! I loved her heart and transparency from our first interactions. Her hunger for more was evident and all-inspiring! I have seen her grow and transform from the inside out. She is raising her beautiful girls with the Word and grace of God. He is evident in their precious children and their strong marriage (that they intentionally fight for!). Jenny and Joe fight for the purity of our youth in this nation, as well as in our men! They stand for a strong family – a Better Family.
I hope you love her as much as I do!
The Pruning Season
Have you ever been in a season of pruning? Have you ever felt unfruitful? Do you feel like you have lost your joy, peace, gentleness, or self control? (Ahem…be honest.)
I know in my life I have felt unfruitful at times. Those times when my kids are running wild and I lose my temper, the house is a disaster and I lose my joy, and times when my schedule doesn’t go as planned and I lose my gentleness. A time when a Prayer wasn’t answered on my time and stated to doubt my faith. There have been seasons where I wonder if I’m even making a difference in the world. I wonder if my words are useful. I wonder if my branches even have fruit.
John 15 reads “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)
So does this mean I’ve lost my fruit or that I’m just in a pruning season. God says
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:2, 5 NIV)
As long as we are remaining and abiding in him, We will bear much fruit. There may be seasons where we don’t see the fruit with our physical eyes but those are times he is pruning us from the inside making us even more fruitful.
Our fruit is multiplied when we lay the foundation of growth and surrender allowing God to prepare the branch for fruit. You see we don’t have to be a producer of fruit we just have to remain in him. The fruit will come when we are abiding in him, in his word, in his revelation.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:2, 5, 16 NIV)
He has chosen YOU and appointed YOU to bear much fruit. That’s a great calling and anointing. Don’t waste the days on wondering if you are bearing fruit…spend your time living in his grace knowing he is at work in you.
Pray and ask God today what areas in your life where you just need to “REMAIN” in him.
Love,
Jenny
sheriyates.com 