Deadheading Part 2
Previously, I sought to encourage you to seek Holy Spirit and allow Him to reveal any hindrances in your life that need to be done away with so that you can move forward into the destiny God has in store for you. There are times when I'm deadheading my plants (especially petunias and calibrachoa!), that I think I've removed all the spent blooms... until I turn the plant around. Then I see the plant from a different angle and find there are several that I missed. I find the same to be true in my life. There have been times when I think I've yielded everything to God and allowed Him to deal with things that do not belong in my heart. Then I read something in the Word or hear someone say something that gives me a new perspective. A new perspective tends to reveal things I was totally unaware of before.
Thank God for Holy Spirit's continual work as He renews my mind with the washing of the water of His Word (Ephesians 5:26). Renewing the mind is simply changing the way we think (Romans 12:2). The Word of God will always give His perspective concerning our circumstances. When I see His perspective, it changes the way I think about my current situation. The key is to take the time to find out what God has to say before doing or saying something that I will most likely regret later.
I've also discovered that the pruning Jesus speaks of in John 15 does not have to be a painful experience. It is only when I want to hang on to something that is not beneficial that creates hindrances in my life.
Spiritually speaking, deadheading and pruning take place automatically as we receive God's Word and allow His intended process of changing our perspectives to take place. All that is required of us is to remain connected to the Vine and allow His Word to continually abide in our hearts. The Oxford Dictionary provides a simple definition of the verb abide. It is to "accept or act in accordance with." Be encouraged to allow God to change your perspective concerning your circumstances today through accepting and acting in accordance with what He reveals to you in His Word. It will be a rewarding, life-changing experience!
"I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I AM the Vine, you are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:1-8 NKJV
"As for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it." Genesis 9:7 NKJV
