6.30- There are things that were in my life

 6.30-

On June the 22nd of the year 2013 I was given a lovely "retirement" party.  It was assumed then that I would actually continue on a reduced schedule most of the things I had been doing for the forty years of my ministry, teaching the love of God and thankfully I have been able to do that using various means including social media and Zoom meetings.  One of those teachings is that God's ways are not our ways.  His wisdom is higher than our wisdom.

There are things that were in my life at one time that were very good and very fruitful but later became unfruitful.  Jesus came up to one of these things and pruned it off.  I could feel at the time that there was something very major going on with me.  At first I think I was on a stage of shock as there was this end of something very special in my life.  My lower leg would not move.  It required surgery and months of rehab which continues after eight years. It was a pruning that took a few months to get over.  It was a change of my physical body, my job, house, my city, my circle of friends and so quite a shock.  Change is difficult for most people especially if things have gone well where you have been, but that doesn't mean changes are not needed at times.

John 15.

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already [b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, [c]and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit [d]of itself [e]but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [f]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so [g]prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.