A couple of Sunday’s ago Our Lord and Savior gave me a word. As I gave this word the Lord was creating an image. It started out with the picture of a fountain in a field. It was flowing freely. Then He went on to talk about trees being planted near the fountain. This all makes sense since the trees need water to grow. Our Lord then said that he walks among the trees and prunes them. He said these trees bare fruit in their season and the leaves are large enough for shade. Afterward the Lord asked if we are a tree near the fountain. What a great picture this is. Our Lord walks by the trees in the field as they are watered by the fountain. The Fountain is also a symbol of our Lord. For in the Gospel of John Ch. 4:7-14 Jesus talks about being the living water. We are to be drinking of this water daily. Not just when it is convenient or when we are really thirsty, but always drinking of the water. Thats why we see the fountain flowing. Its living, flowing freely to the trees that are thirsty and drinking of it. Can you imagine the fountain filled with water that was not flowing? Water just sitting there getting scummy and stuff sitting or growing on it. I’ve seen ponds like that and its pretty nasty. Jesus is not that way though. He’s constantly moving and flowing. Going about His people and giving them all that they need.

Although the main focus was Jesus and the fountain. We also heard of Him walking and pruning the trees. Pruning the dead parts or even the unwanted parts off the tree. This shows the importance of spending time on our knees in prayer and repentance. Asking for forgiveness of our sins and the strength not to do them again. So, when we do this with an open heart and truly wanting forgiveness. Jesus will forgive us and give us what we need to not go there again. This pruning will only make us stronger. Stronger to stand up to the enemy and tell him “NO, I won’t go there.” In James 4:7 it says “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The key here is to submit to God. When we do that, He will be standing next to you in the situation. Showing the devil that you aren’t alone.

In  psalm 1 we read about man himself. How blessed a man is if he does certain things and isn’t blessed if he does that. Down in verse 3 it says, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields  its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” When I was giving this word of the Lord, I did not even think about what it said in Psalm 1. This was pointed out by the children’s pastor right after it was given. Showing us that prophecy will go along with God’s written word. It won’t go against it.

Now the question remains, are you a tree by the fountain getting pruned or not? Are you reading and praying so as to get even closer to God? Even if you are, nothing says that you can’t do more to get even closer to Him. Making Him all and everything in your life. Pruning only hurts for a short time. Then we will feel better. God will be that much stronger in you. Guiding you in the path of your life with Him. Get into His presence and enjoy it. Its all part of being equipped to do His will and ready for whatever comes your way.

Be blessed, Ken