Spiritual Gifts part 187: The Church Age is God's time for summing up all things in Christ.

Spiritual Gifts Part 187: The Church Age is God’s time for summing up all things in Christ.

What is discernment?

Mat 7:16
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”

Joh 15:2
“Every branch [believer] in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away [discipline]; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it [suffering for blessing] so that it may bear more fruit.”

dead branches = dead works, or the production of the flesh.
live branches = divine good, or the production of the Spirit.

It is the branch that BEARS FRUIT that He prunes!
There is a purpose behind this suffering: MORE FRUIT!

“After winter exposure, this dead wood can be easily recognized as dark, brittle, and sapless, and can be removed.”

If we respond positively to our Father’s dealings with us, we become more single minded in our devotion to Him and His Son.

Winter may be a time when your fellowship with God seems to have gone dark and icy and frozen.

A shoot can be a concept of Christ that is small and limited and still very far away from the heart of who He is.

He wants us to get on with this REAL LIFE we are supposed to be sharing with this Christ: this magnificent, alive Christ!

We are to keep proceeding on that journey home to Christ.

The Vinedresser is dedicated to the overall well-being of the Vine.

Our Heavenly Father is going about His business of glorifying His Son the Lord Jesus Christ – that is His focus!

Mat 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, " This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"