Daily Affirmations - Day 5 - Heavenly Gardener - Inward Harmony

Day 5: Inward Harmony

You, O God, have refined us as silver is refined

“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the gardener. 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 15:1-2).

Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2 – KJV).

Almighty God,

You are the Protector

of all who hope in You.

Without Your grace,

no one can do anything,

or merit anything before You.

Let Your mercy be with us richly,

so that as You dwell in us,

we think what is right

and by Your work in us,

we do what is right;

for the sake of Jesus Christ,

Your Son, our Lord.

Amen.

~ Martin Luther

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Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:2 – KJV).

This purging is a process quite contrary to nature, for the term signifies an inward cleansing... What a glorious change: the old nature is entirely gone, and the sweet soul-rest which the purged branch now enjoys is beyond the power of mortal to express; it can now repose itself so sweetly in the holy vine in its perfectly consecrated life...

It can now bring forth more fruit, for every energy from the root is sent direct into the fruit-buds of the branch, and the result is glorious. This purging [pruning] is just what perfects the inward harmony of the branch with the vine.

Truly we have much reason to praise God for His wonderful grace in which He brings man, His fallen creature, into such a position that he may become a son of God, then made pure from all the depraved dispositions of his fallen nature.

~ Jacob W. Byers

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