Faith's Checkbook (By: C.H. Spurgen)

                                                        Pruning for Fruitfulness
 "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."
                                                                                                                                    ~ John 15:2

   "This is a precious promise to one who lives for fruitfulness. But must the fruitful bough be pruned? Yes, for much of our Lord's purging work is done bymeans of afflictions of one kind or another. It is not the evil but the good who have the promise of tribulation in this life. But then, the end makes more than full amends for the painful nature of the means. If we may bring forth more fruit for our Lord, we will not mind the pruning and the loss of leafage.
  The Lord, who has made us fruit bearing, will operate upon us till we reach a far higher degree of fertility. Is not this a great joy? Truly there is more comfort in a promise of fruitfulness than if we had been warranted riches, or health, or honor.

  Lord, fulfill Your gracious word to me and cause me to abound in fruit!" (Charles H. Spurgeon ~ One Minute Devotions)