Pruned Trees

Every Saturday morning, Richard awakens at the crack of dawn to begin doing yard work. Richard loves working in his yard and tending to his Garden. His yard is one of the most beautiful in all of his community; however, it was not always beautiful.

When Richard first bought his house, his yard needed major work. Richard was more into the house itself than he was the outside landscape. After buying the house, Richard’s ex-wife agreed to allow his son Tyler to spend every other weekend with him.

While growing up, Richard’s father was an excellent landscaper, and he taught Richard the ends and outs of creating and maintaining a beautiful yard. Being that Tyler had recently turned 10 years-old, Richard believed that this gave him an excellent opportunity to pass along his father’s lessons to Tyler.

When Tyler learned of his father’s plans, he was excited to learn about yard work. One of the things that Richard taught Tyler first was how to prune small trees and flower bushes. Richard gave Tyler a list of things to fetch from the garage to begin the lesson.

When Tyler returned to his Richard with all the equipment, Tyler noticed that a lot of the equipment was made to cut or remove. Tyler asked his father, “Dad, you’re not gonna cut these trees down are ya?” Richard replied, “No son. But there are parts of the tree that I will cut off and remove.” “Why would you do that dad? Wouldn’t that hurt the trees?” Richard smiled at Tyler. “Son, I know this probably won’t make a lot of sense to you now, but I’m gonna try and explain this to ya.”

“Tyler when trees grow, they do not always grow flawlessly. They sometimes need assistance for proper growth. Though I may cut a limb or branch here and there, it is necessary. Though it may hurt the tree temporarily, it helps the tree in the long run. For instance, look at this little tree here. It’s growing a lot more limbs on the left side than it is the right. Naturally, the tree has started to lean left and grow in that direction instead of up. To correct it, we’ll trim some of those limbs to help it grow straight up.”

As a couple years had gone by, Tyler had learned so much from his dad. The yard that was once an eye sore was now the best yard in the area. The trees and flower bushes that had been pruned by Tyler and his dad were now flourishing. The trees had grown a few feet, and the flowers were thriving with radiance and color. Tyler understood now why pruning was necessary for maintaining a healthy garden.

Brothers and sisters, we are like trees and flowers unto our Heavenly Father. We are born into a world of sin and imperfection. We do not always grow properly. There may be a situation, a job, friend, relative, intimate partner, or spouse, that serves as the excess limbs that causes erroneous growth to the left or right. Because GOD loves us, he will lend us a hand by cutting and removing those limbs that are of no use to our designed growth. Though it may hurt us temporarily, His plan is always designed to suit our best interests.

It never feels good to have things removed from our lives. As stated in previous writings, we lack the divine foresight of our Heavenly Father. When His plan for our lives comes full circle, He removes the darkness from our paths and reveals to us why His actions were necessary. Yes, He cut away those limbs, and yes it hurt. When it is all said and done, shout a Holy Praise, knowing that it was all worth it! Hallelujah today O’ GOD! These are the moments we truly learn to trust in Him as the almighty… Praise GOD for your pruning today! The hindering limbs and branches that have prevented your rightful elevation have been cut away.

Today’s Beacon of Light Scriptures:

1.       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 it so that it may bear more fruit (John 15:1-2).

Today’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we do not always understand why you do things in our lives, but we trust and believe You to be our loving and just Father. We know that you act on our behalf when we grieve the loss of negativity and loved ones. May your will be done in our lives forevermore O’ Lord. In the name of Jesus, Amen…

Retained

In a small town called Greenville, Florida, there lived a little 8 year-old girl by the name of Annie Rozier. Lil’ Annie came from a poor family that struggled to get by. Annie was a sweet little girl, but she struggled in her school studies.

Lil’ Annie was not popular at school and was often treated poorly by her fellow peers. She dressed poorly and was not known for being a pretty girl. Children cried when they were forced to sit next to her. They cried when they had to hold her hand. The treatment that Annie received tore her apart on the inside. She would often cry when she returned home from school.

Annie did not get a lot of help from home. Her parents were not raised to value school as much as they should have, which resulted in both parents being illiterate. This made things even more difficult for her. Every day of second grade was a miserable experience for Lil’ Annie. She dreaded attendance and was often distracted by the deliberate torture that she received from the other students.

As time had gone by, the final week of school had now come. This was the only time Annie had been happy about school; that was of course because school was coming to an end for the year. Nothing mattered to Annie at this point. All she could think of is no school, which meant no teasing, no name calling, and no days ending in tears.

On the last day of school, Annie’s teacher passed out report cards to all of the students. This meant nothing to Annie; After all, Annie was just happy to be out of school. When Annie opened her report card, she received news that she had not anticipated. Annie had failed 2^nd grade and was doomed to repeat the worst experience of her life. Her heart began to beat in anguish. Her lips began to quiver uncontrollably. In that moment, her world had crumbled. Without any warning, tears filled the wells of her eyes. Gravity pulled her tears to the ground along with any happiness that Annie had conjured up about school’s end. She couldn’t understand why such a devastating thing could happen to her.

Mrs. Johnson, Annie’s teacher, explained Annie’s situation to her thoroughly. “Annie” she said, “I am truly sorry that you did not pass the 2nd grade. I know that you have had a difficult time, and my heart goes out to you. You were not successful because you allowed your peers to distract you from a better outcome on this day. It was not your assigned task to be liked and treated well. It was not your responsibility to do and behave in a manner that was favorable to those who mistreated you. You were responsible for adhering to my directions, my assigned tasks, and the other rules for this classroom. When you focused on elements around you and what was being done to you, there was no focus on class assignments or home work. I cannot promote you to the 3^rd grade because you have not demonstrated a convincing competency for addition and subtraction. In the 3^rd grade, you will be responsible for learning multiplication and division. You will not be successful in these disciplines if you do not know addition and subtraction. For these reasons, you will be retained in the 2^nd grade so that we may build the appropriate bridge to the 3^rd grade. As your teacher, I would only be setting you up for failure later down the road if I did it any other way.”

Mrs. Johnson offered Lil’ Annie a tissue as she blotted her eyes. In this moment, Annie knew that Mrs. Johnson was spot on and fair. From that day on, Annie made up her mind that she would never allow the mistreatment by her peers to discourage her focus on the teacher’s directives. She no longer sought to satisfy her peers, and she used their malicious antics to fuel her motivations to become successful. When Annie took this approach, she relished in the moment of hearing her teacher say, “Annie, you have been promoted. Well done Annie, well done!”

Brothers and sisters, some of us are a lot like Lil’ Annie. We focus on all of the distractions of the enemy, thus detracting our attention from the source of all promotions. In order to elevate or crossover, we must first adhere to the directions that instruct us to climb the ladder or build a bridge. If we are not obedient to the instructions of our teacher in Jesus Christ, there can be no promotion. That is, if we are focused on life’s ‘commotion’, we consciously subject our lives to ‘demotion.’ We cannot submit a failing body of work to our teacher and expect a passing grade.

How many times have we complained about going through the same things over and over? Why is it that we experience the same hurt, the same trials, the same wages, the same living conditions, at the same levels of the totem pole? I will answer this question by asking a question. Have you mastered GOD’s arithmetic? Do you know that sin + sin= 0 reward? Did you know obedience + faith= eternal life and increase? If you do not know this arithmetic, GOD has retained you to the 2^nd grade until you understand these numerical concepts. Rest in knowing that you have not yet failed if you’re reading this, but you have failed to acknowledge the concept. Focus on the Heavenly Father’s teachings and master His arithmetic. Seek to hear our Heavenly Father say, “Well done child, well done!”

Today’s Bible Verses:

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Today’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father we are subjected to pain and ridicule every day. Lord allow our focus to remain on You and Your commands so that we may one day hear You say, “Congratulations my child. You have been promoted to eternity with your Heavenly Father!” The world we live in is not an easy place to navigate, but we rely on Your Holy Spirit as a compass and a “Beacon of Light!” Thank you for your instructions and guidance. In the name of Jesus, Amen…

Invested In the Temporary

Vincenzo (Vinny) Mancini is the son of Italian immigrants who entered the United States in the mid-1940s. His family did not have much when they arrived, but his parents were seeking a peaceful place to raise their only son after leaving war behind in Italy.

Vinny’s father worked hard and eventually opened a restaurant that became popular in the Italian community of New York City, which attracted locals from the other boroughs of the city. The popularity of his father’s restaurant materialized into a few locations around the city, which allowed Vinny a privileged education.

Vinny was already a street-smart kid, but his private education catapulted his prospects of getting into Harvard University. With his hard work and the sacrifice of his loyal parents, Vinny fulfilled the aspirations and dreams of his parents when they arrive in America.

In 1967, Vinny graduated from Harvard among the top of his class, receiving both a bachelor and master’s degree in International Business. After such a huge accomplishment, he quickly became a hot commodity on Wall Street. 

Vinny wasn’t just an academically inclined rookie in the business world, he understood people at the street level because of his humble beginnings as a poor, immigrant Italian kid. This not only motivated Vinny to be the best, but it gave him a competitive edge over the new applicants who were always afforded the advantage of social capital that few are gifted with as they grow into young adults. Vinny stood out and landed a job with the biggest investment bank on Wall Street.

After working on Wall Street for ten years, Vinny felt he had learned enough about investing to venture out on his own to make his own money. Because of his proven track record as a gifted investor, Vinny was able to take a few huge accounts with him as he started his smaller business.

Vinny made millions over the years, but became a bitter person after his parents had passed away. Although he was a smart guy, it was always Vinny’s deeply religious parents that kept him grounded. He was now in the world without any direction, tons of wealth, and immeasurable power. He was one of the most successful and sought after businessmen in America.

Shortly after Vinny’s 61^st birthday, he learned that he had advanced colon cancer. As to be expected, he was devastated by the diagnosis. After being driven to his $25 million Park Avenue home, he sat in utter dismay as he gazed out over the city. He felt empty and lacking. After one moment of vulnerability, his ego stepped in and whispered to him, “My elite doctors will save me!”

Two weeks later, Vinny was checked into the hospital to begin his treatment. When he learned that the hospital was full and that he would have to share a room, he was beside himself. Vinny had donated millions to the hospital over the years and felt that he was above rooming with anyone. His assistant assured him that no other accommodations were available.

Vinny roomed with a veteran by the name of David Johnson. David was a country boy from Greenville South Carolina. After hours of silence between the two, Vinny asked David, “What are you reading?” David replied, “O’ I’m just reading a little of the ‘Good Book’ before I go lights out.” Vinny immediately checked out of the conversation by turning over and turning out the lamp next to his bed.

The following morning, David’s family came in to have breakfast with him. The moment felt awkward for Vinny being that he had no family there. They offered him food, but he looked at it as though it repulsed him, saying “I think I’ll be okay,” sarcastically.

After David’s family left, Vinny looked to him and said, “So what the hell are you dying of?” Surprised by Vinny’s inconsiderate approach, David shook his head and picked up his Bible. Vinny asked David, do you know who I am?” David replied, “You’re that rich guy who has invested in all of New York.” “That’s right, you should be more respectful when I ask you a question,” Vinny replied.

Without getting upset or losing his cool, David began asking Vinny questions.

“Mr. Mancini, can I ask you for investment advice?” This pleased Vinny that David would consult him for his investing expertise. “Sure go ahead!”

David asks, “It you know that one investment will pay slowly over time and would eventually add up to everything you wanted, while another investment will pay big for a while and sink you in the end, which one would you choose?” Vinny looked at David as though he were a leper, “Of course you take the one which sustains you slowly!”

David asks, “Mr. Mancini, can I ask you another question?” “Last one. I’m getting bored,” Vinny replies.

“What happens to all the wealth that you’ve accrued over the years when you die?” Vinny was perturbed by David’s question because the thought of death had not been allowed to enter his thought process. Vinny responded in an aggravated tone, “I don’t have to worry about that anytime soon, but you on the other hand,” as he chuckled to himself.

David responded to Vinny with a smile on his face, “Sir I don’t have much time on this earth, so I want to make something painfully clear to you.”

“Earlier you said that you would invest in things that slowly pays over time and that will pay big in the end. That Sir would make your whole life a lie! You are one of the richest men in America yet you have only things to show for it. Those things have no feelings nor can they hug you and say I love you as my family did earlier. You see I’m rich as well. My inheritance is of greater significance than yours because it is eternal and transcends the sting of death. My wealth extends to me eternal life outside of this ailing body. You can’t take your wealth with you when you die, but where I’m going there are streets of gold with a mansion with my name on it. You are rich in things that have no meaningful value, and you are as spiritually bankrupt as I am monetarily in the flesh.”

David continued, “Last night I prayed for you Mr. Mancini. I prayed that GOD grants you extended life on this earth so that you may prove your worthiness to enter into the gates of Heaven. I also prayed that you rekindle your relationships with your children so that you do not die alone as you would have had GOD not granted my prayer. You being placed in this room was no accident Mr. Mancini. It’s an opportunity for GOD to speak to you through me so that you may be instructed on how to invest in things that are eternal instead of those that are temporary. Your current wealth will perish with the earth, but your soul can be invested in Heaven’s real estate. Because my investment lies with Christ, I will be wealthy beyond death. If you adhere to GOD’s instructions today, you too will be wealthy beyond death Mr. Mancini…”

Bible Verses for Today:

19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:19-21, 24, 33).

Today’s Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, the hard times or merely keeping up with those around us have made us lustful for things that bare no fruit. We seek to anchor and invest in You, because we know that our willingness to do so will yield maximum dividends in the form of eternal life with you O Lord. Thank you for the little that we have and bless our journeys with the increase that You deem fit for our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

By: C.D. McCloud

Starved

Jenny is an accomplished anchor woman at a metropolitan news station in Atlanta, Georgia. She has overcome her humble beginnings of being raised in a local project. As she watched her parents settle into their surroundings, she promised herself that she would never be like her parents and those who lived around her.

Jenny excelled in high school, using her current living conditions as her motivation to be better than her peers. She abhorred her housing project and everything in it. She did not have friends where she lived. She associated the people of her housing project with her troubled environment and wanted no affiliation with them.

During Jenny’s senior year of high school, she learned that she had been awarded a full scholarship to the University of Missouri at Columbia by the university’s journalism school. Jenny had made this her goal because Missouri was ranked number one in the country for its journalism school.  She couldn’t help but think to herself, “I made it out the projects!”

As Jenny blazed through college, she disassociated herself with those back home after acquiring friendships with people who had completely different upbringings. She wanted to forget her struggles and everything that reminded her of it. Her new life, made possible through her successes in college, had become her foundation and the center of her universe. The poor little girl from an Atlanta housing project now lived in a luxury, downtown Atlanta condo.

A few years went by and Jenny was not happy. She had a luxurious lifestyle, a great job and no cares in the world. She could not figure out why she was so unhappy or why she felt so alone. She began going out to clubs, but that only comforted her temporarily. She felt as though something within her was slowly dying, which caused pain that was unfamiliar to her.

One day, Jenny went to have a cup of coffee at the Starbucks located across the street from her condo building. As Jenny sat, a woman approached her and asked if she could sit with her. Without looking up, Jenny stretched her hand out, as to gesture “please do.”

When Jenny saw the woman, she realized that the woman had a familiar face. The woman smiled and said, “Hi Jenny, its Tonya! We grew up in the same housing project.” Any other time, this would have not made Jenny feel comfortable, but she found Tonya’s presence soothing.

As the two began to catch up, Jenny began to open up about her sadness that she had been experiencing. She told Tonya about her many accomplishments and her great job. She told Tonya about the privileged men she’s dated and her foreign travels with them. Tonya waited patiently as Jenny went on about her great life. After Jenny paused, Tonya interjected.

Before Tonya began talking, she took Jenny’s hands into her own. Tonya smiled, looking Jenny directly in the eyes as she said to her, “Clothes your eyes Jenny…”

Tonya began praying, asking that GOD guide her words as she speak His words to Jenny. As Tonya went on praying, Jenny felt her body warming up. As she was listening to Tonya’s prayer, she began thinking of the many times that she walked past Tonya in the projects without acknowledging her; she thought of the mother and father that she no longer communicated with; she thought of little girls in the projects that could have benefited from her mentorship and encouragement after returning from college; in that moment, tears poured from her eyes. GOD had opened Jenny’s eyes and released her pain through a steady stream of tears. Jenny was now ready to receive GOD’s words through Tonya.

Tonya told Jenny that the enemy had used her upbringing as a motivation to achieve things that gave no glory to GOD. "The enemy prepared a table before you, knowing that you would indulge in it due to your lack of privilege as a little girl; as the enemy anticipated, you ate from Satan’s table. After partaking of his feast, you became full of the world, thus nurturing everything that is not of GOD. You in the flesh became robust while simultaneously starving GOD’s spirit within you."

Tonya went on saying, “You see Jenny, when we fail to nourish GOD’s Holy Spirit within us, it begins to starve like our flesh without bread. As our flesh becomes weak without bread, so too does our inner spirit without the implementation of the Word of GOD into our spiritual diets.”

Brethren, we must nourish our spirit daily with the Word of GOD, lest our spirit wither in weakness. We are not equipped to battle the enemy if our spirit suffers from malnutrition. GOD has prepared a table before us; may all of our cups runneth over! Let’s eat brothers and sisters.

Bible verses for today:

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 

² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 

³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:1-4).’

Today’s prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, provide for us an endless feast of Your words and wisdom, that we may be forever strengthened in our battles with the enemy. Satan tempts us with the world, things that our flesh deeply desires. Strengthen our spirits O Lord, that we overcome our fleshly urges. In the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen…

By: C.D. McCloud 

Glass House

As Christians, we have been given a perfect role model, example and teacher by our Heavenly Father in the form of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus walked the earth, he spoke prophetic messages, gave encouraging words and preached to the masses about eternal salvation with GOD our Father in Heaven. Jesus’ words were not focused upon destruction, but instead the construction of man.

Jesus’ purpose on earth was to erase our sin and teach his followers to be fishers of man. Surely Jesus did not change the world by speaking hastily to His would-be followers; instead he was revered for His humility, meekness, kindness, and soft words of encouragement. Jesus was then and is today, The Son of GOD. That being said, Jesus could have chosen to become a man of arrogance under his privileged circumstances, yet He chose to be obedient and demonstrate what GOD expects from all of His children.

Jesus was perfect, but was so by example. Subsequent to becoming a Christian, we too should be Christ-like by example.

In order to become an effective fisher of man, we must take on the characteristics of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Humility, meekness, kindness, and the utilization of encouragement are all characteristics that are needed; however, it is of the utmost importance that we exclude negative judgement and superiority from our Christian lives. After all, we can catch more bees with honey.

Judgement has become one of the biggest turnoffs to Christianity. Those who seek a walk with Christ are discouraged from church attendance because of the whispers throughout the pews. They are afraid to seek the counsel of those in Christ, fearing the imminent suffocation of ridicule. Today, Christianity is thought of as harsh, judgmental, and hateful. Truth be told, we are obligated to change this growing perception.

Man can be held accountable for his or her sin without being judged and scrutinized by Christian brethren. We all have faults and past skeletons in our closets. Why casts stones when we all live in glass houses? It certainly was not the way of Jesus. Jesus did not waste his words by magnifying the faults in man. He chose to shed light on the prospects of what a man can become by following His lead. Should that not be the focus of all GOD’s fisherman?

Christians do not aim to devalue the character of their fellow brethren. Christians will not speak ill of their brethren in private circles. Christians would not discourage the participation of assembly for those who live in sin. Christians would not maliciously threaten the depths of hell to those who have strayed from a Godly path. Christians would not judge man in a way that Jesus did not.

The world is an evil place and Christians should be a shining example of the love Jesus has for us. When we meet our brethren in the street, focus not on his or her faults; instead, we should see our own transgressions in them prior to our walk with Christ. Not only will this place restraint on our quickness to come to judgement, it will also allow our brethren to receive us in a proper, Christian light. 

Do not illuminate the faults of your brethren; speak on what it is you know best. That is, speak to your brethren about how Christ delivered you from all of your sins and made you whole again. Speak of redemption in a life with Christ. This bodes much better results than the traditional speeches of hellfire.

No matter what a person does or has done in his or her personal life, Christ is forgiveness! He died on the cross for our sins and loves us all deeply. This does not mean that we are not held accountable for our sins on the day of judgement. It means that our focus should be placed upon offering a hand to our brethren who is lost in the world. Be a Beacon of Light to those in darkness today and forever more. Most importantly, remember that we all live in Glass Houses and he that is without sin, cast the first stone (John 8:7).

Bible Scriptures for Today:

1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 

² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Today’s Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in a world that has become so dark, we are quick to see only the darkness in others. Lord help us to revert to the examples of Your son Jesus by demonstrating kindness and speaking words of encouragement and construction. Place it in our hearts to be loving toward one another and rid us of our judgmental spirits. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen…

By: C.D. McCloud