Day 6: The Vineyard Keeper #21 Day Purity Challenge

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

The vineyard keeper is our Lord, and we are His workmanship that he prunes, refines, and cultivates to see His investment bear fruit.

Isaiah 27: 3 says, “I the LORD keep it, I will water it every moment: lest anyone harms it, I will keep it night and day.”

God understands what is hindering our spiritual growth and production of the fruit of the spirit so He prunes every dead thing off of His people or anything that is unfruitful so that we can continue growing. To stay healthy and strong this must be done. God may ask us to change certain attitudes, thoughts, appetites, or desires so that we don’t sabotage our growth.

Has God been dealing with you in any particular area? How have you responded?

God doesn’t forget His purpose and plan, just because we aren’t cooperating. He will tug and tug at our hearts and if there is no response we will feel His resistance to our pride. While today is today, seek Him while He may be found and don’t harden your heart even when what He asks feels unbearable. It all is working for you to see new life come into you. If you are disciplined by God, rejoice, you are a true child of God.

Apart of this cultivation and pruning, involves watering as well. Plants are 80-95% water. Water is vital to transport nutrients to the plant from the roots, convert sunlight into energy, and provide cooling.

John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The watering of God is vital. The water of the word cleanses us, sets us apart from the world, and satisfies our thirst. Whatever our soul is longing for, his water will provide.

Journal Prompt: Identify things in your life that are hindering your growth or your advancement in the Kingdom. Allow God to prune these areas so that you can continue sprouting up into a strong tree for our Lord.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

or set foot on the path of sinners,

or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD,

and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

yielding its fruit in season,

whose leaf does not wither,

and who prospers in all he does.