@LisaCarter27

Are you feeling pruned today? By co-workers, family members, or critique partners? By life?

I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit . . . As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me . . . he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1-2, 4-5

The Word reminds me that I am a branch grafted into the true vine of Jesus. I cannot bear any fruit unless I remain attached to the life-giving source of the root. But as I stay connected to the true vine—as I abide in Jesus—I will bear much fruit. As a believer, as a parent, as a spouse, as a friend and as a writer.

Often I shy away from pruning, but a pruned branch is a healthy branch. Some things need to be deadheaded in my life to allow a place for something beautiful to flower and bear fruit.As a believer and writer, I’ll admit I struggle daily to maintain this perspective—when hard times come, when rejections arrive, when life takes an unexpected turn. Pruning, like editing, makes my work better and me more useful to the kingdom of God. But, oh, how it hurts sometimes. Yet, it is a necessary hurt.

Likewise, if you want your writing to be better, learn to welcome the times of pruning. And what does it mean to abide? Abide is to remain, to tarry, to stay close, to wait for, to not depart.

What is this fruit Jesus encourages us to bear? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .

It is beautiful thing that you don’t have to manufacture anything in your own flesh. Jesus produces these fruits in you as you abide close to Him. Flesh-produced fruit easily spoils, but the fruit of the Spirit produces a harvest of righteousness. Just as a lamp will not give forth light unless it is connected to a power source, your power source for all your needs, today and tomorrow, is Jesus.

To stay connected: 

1. Spend time in the Word. Let it penetrate deep into the soil of your heart.
2. Devote yourself to prayer. Be still and hear His voice.
3. Don’t neglect worship with other believers.
4. Practice as a habit of life the presence of Christ in every moment of your day.

The longer you abide—the more you will begin to resemble Him, the more you will treat others like Him, the more you will speak like Him, and the more your words will glorify Him.

What is He pruning away in this season of your life? What is the Lord doing in your life to mold you into the “write” person He desires for you to become?

Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tidereleased in June 2018. The Strongholdwon a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Skywon the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trailwas a 4½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.

Join the adventure at http://www.lisacarterauthor.com.

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