Here in this Garden.

To be pruned by the tender hands of the Gardener is what my soul needs daily.

Each and every day, O Lord, would you search me and know me.

Teach me to examine the health of my soil, and help me, Father, to guard my heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

Search me and know me still; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

For to be pleasing in Thy sight is my heart’s burning desire; I purify myself, O Lord, even as you are Pure (1 John 3:2-3).

Rid me, of all that robs from the process of bearing fruit unto Your glory;

Prune me, of all that hinders me from greater fellowship with You, Jesus.

It is here, in this Garden of my Soul, that I meet with You.

Teach me, O Lord, to abide.

I in You, and You in me.

Here in this Garden.

 

John 15:1-9

¹⁵ “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”