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Diamonds and Pearls – Scott Chaney

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I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

I’ll say here at the start that if you’ve never been through hard times and you aren’t experiencing any trouble now, this devotion is not for you. Still here? I thought you might be. I’ve got some encouraging news for you.

Have you ever pruned anything? If so, you know why it’s necessary. Jesus says, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

I’ve faced my share of trials… actually my share and your share too. But like James, I’m counting it all joy. I finally see that trials help us mature in Christ. I’ve got to be pruned to bear more fruit. And I want to be fruity! God once spoke to me in the hardest season of my life and said, “I care more about your character than I do your comfort.” And while that wasn’t very comforting, it was. I knew He loved me enough to want to make something out of me.

I’ve lost a few jobs. Maybe you know what that’s like. On one of those occasions, God spoke two words to me… “Diamonds and pearls.” Instantly I knew what He was saying. Diamonds are created when a lump of coal undergoes thousands of years of intense heat and pressure. Pearls are formed as an oyster secretes a fluid when an irritant gets into its shell. (That’s all for our physical science lesson.) The point is, remember when you’re extremely irritated or going through an insanely long season of intense heat and pressure–rejoice!

I don’t pretend to understand the ways of God, but He’s saying to be effective for Him, we have to go through some pruning. Imagine yourself as a branch that just got snipped by the Gardener’s shears. In the middle of the pain and loss, remember this. The Gardener is never closer to you than when He’s pruning or picking fruit.

By the same token, God’s making you shiny like a diamond or pearl, and the fruit you bear will bring Him glory. While it stinks at the time, keep God’s faithfulness in mind and count it all joy.

Scott Chaney is the author of the book “Christian Warriors.” He and his wife Janet have three children and make their home in Franklin, TN. Read Scott’s devotions

Bride…In the Name of Love – Scott Chaney

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“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church…” Ephesians 5:25-29

Husband, does your wife feel like the bride of Frankenstein? If so, for Pete’s sake, read on. Wife, please don’t print this article out and leave it on the counter for your husband to “find.” Just pray for him and leave him in God’s hands. Ephesians 5 is powerful.

After my wedding, I thought I’d become the captain of my little ship. It was my responsibility to be in charge and steer us to a life of victory on the high seas of life. What a dufus! At a men’s conference three month’s into marriage, I learned that Jesus showed us how to lead. Great, I thought. There’s never been a ship captain like Jesus.

I quickly realized Jesus came to serve. He loved us so much that He gave His life for us. The way to “steer” is to humble myself, wash dishes, fold laundry, and encourage my wife when I feel like she should be encouraging me. That ship I thought I should lead—now I know only God can navigate our course. I’m now a very happy first mate.

You might think, “But if I start washing, waxing, and waiting on her, she’ll take advantage of me and I’ll be destined to a life of marital slavery.” It couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your wife will actually respond to your efforts and appreciate you like never before. She’ll stop feeling like the Bride of Frankenstein and begin to feel more like the Bride of Frank, or whatever your name is. Love is not a feeling. It’s a verb. It’s something you commit to doing.

Being a U2 fan, I couldn’t resist naming this article after “Pride in the Name of Love.” But pride and love don’t belong in the same sentence. If you want the ship to sail smoothly, resort to the compass Christ has given. Husbands love your wives and wives, love your husbands. This is what we are commanded to do.

Scott Chaney is the author of the book “Christian Warriors.” He and his wife Janet have three children and make their home in Franklin, TN. Read Scott’s devotions

It Hurts So Good – Scott Chaney

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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.“  John 15:1-2

I’ll say here at the start that if you’ve never been through hard times and you aren’t experiencing any trouble now, this article is not for you. Still here?  I thought you might be. I’ve got some encouraging news for you.

Have you ever pruned anything? If so, you know why it’s necessary. Jesus says, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

I don’t pretend to understand the ways of God, but He’s saying here that to be effective for Him, we have to go through some pruning. Imagine yourself as a branch that just got snipped by the Gardener’s shears. In the middle of the pain and loss, remember this. The Gardener is never closer to you than when He’s pruning or picking fruit.

I’ve faced my share of trials… actually my share and your share, too. But like James, I’m counting it all joy. I finally see that trials help us mature in Christ. I’ve got to be pruned to bear more fruit. And I want to be fruity! God once spoke to me in the hardest season of my life and said,” I care more about your character than I do your comfort.” And while that wasn’t very comforting, I knew He loved me enough to want to make something out of me.

I’ve lost a few jobs. Maybe you know what that’s like. On one occasion, God spoke two words to me…“Diamonds and pearls.” Instantly I knew what He was saying. Diamonds are created when a lump of coal undergoes thousands of years of intense heat and pressure. Pearls are formed when an oyster secretes a fluid after an irritant gets into its shell. (That’s all for our physical science lesson.) The point is, remember when you’re extremely irritated or going through an insanely long season of intense heat and pressure, rejoice! God’s making you shiny like a diamond or pearl, and the fruit you bear will bring Him glory. While it stinks at the time, keep God’s faithfulness in mind and count it all joy.

Do you need to be shaped up? Reach for the pruning shears of His word.

Scott Chaney is the author of the book “Christian Warriors.” He and his wife Janet have three children and make their home in Franklin, TN. Read Scott’s devotions