Pruning To Be New Wine
Walking in the process of repair and restore has taught me a lot about how I need this right now as I pursue soul healing.
If you remember, I was given three steps Holy Spirit spoke to me after being wrecked by Amos 9:11.
The Lord told me to focus on verse 11 as a starting point to make the other verses (rebuild, harvest, new wine, growth) become a reality.
“In that day I will restore the fallen house of David.
I will repair its damaged walls.
From the ruins I will rebuild it
and restore its former glory.”
Amos 9:11 NLT
So I talked about surrender last week. Click here to read that post. Surrender is the greatest start to the repair and restore because it sets you up for the pruning which leads into the third step of abiding.
Let’s talk pruning.
Pruning is not punishment friend. It’s so you can be more fruitful in your life.
In the Vineyard, the Vinedressers prune meticulously. Let’s say a branch is growing and growing, but the movement of growth is in the wrong direction. Basically the branch is using all it’s energy growing in the wrong advancement pattern.
I chuckle. How many times do I spin my wheels thinking I need to go in a certain direction…. Like a doodle bug…
Can you relate? 
I asked God what pruning means. He said it might be:
A closed door.
A clip of an ambition.
A snip in your pride.
A change in season with removing of certain (toxic) friends.
No doubt it’s a process that the Lord looks over with tender love. He is not a tyrant taking things away. He always knows what is best for you.
I have learned not to be depressed about the process of being pruned for fruit, for harvest. Sometimes out of what seems the most devastating situation or worst betrayal, Holy Spirit moves in powerfully to speak to me.
This is my heart’s cry amidst this process of pruning: “Lord… I desire to be IN THE VINE… living life by design, not mine.”
I wrote this out a few years ago like this:
“Prune me to ruin me from lustful longings, from passing passions, and prideful pleasures. Break me to make me more like You.”
I think the Vinedresser says it best:
“If you feel the sharp cut from the pruning process, know that this is evidence that you are my delightful child. My Word cleanses the pruning wound with relief from My faithful love through this process. Welcome My gentle Hands as they handle you with care through correction.
“For just as a father corrects his son, so I will correct you. Take this pruning mark as your validation that you are My much loved son, My much loved daughter. My pruning is an invitation dear one to share in My holiness.
“The pain is relieved here in the warm garden with the oil of the Holy Spirit flowing over your tender places that hurt so badly. Look for the transformation child as the refining of your character brings you a harvest of righteousness, peace, and restoration…” (from Volume 1 Of Listen To The Vinedresser)
I pray you can understand how much God loves you and wants you to be His New Wine, healed and whole for others to drink from your life. It’s like this from Luke 5:
“And who pours new wine into an old wineskin? If someone did, the old wineskin would burst and the new wine would be lost. New wine must always be poured into new wineskins.” Luke 5:37-38 tpt
Your pruning moments are the beginning of your greatest breakthroughs. Endure the process in faith and joy.
And…may I suggest you find the song “New Wine” from Hillsong to soak your heart more concerning this pruning process.
When it’s all said and done…You are being restored and repaired to build again. You are His broken bread and poured out wine to bring good news. You are the champion of families comforting the brokenhearted as your transformed life brings good news to a world who needs it desperately. You are salt to a world who has lots its appetite for a loving meal at the Father’s Table.
I’m praying for you.
In The Vine,
Theresa
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