How To Multiply Your Harvest
Friend, God is your gardener.
And God wants to prune you.
How do I know?
Jesus said, 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 prunesso that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:1-2)
Why does God want to prune you?
If you want an adequate life, no need for pruning.
If you want an abundant life, then it comes with a price.
And that price is pruning.
If you’re content with a living a mediocre life, receiving a mediocre harvest, achieving mediocre dreams—go right ahead living the way you live…
Don’t submit to God’s pruning.
But if you want all that God wants for you, and if you want to fulfill the God-sized dreams for your life, I urge you today: Submit yourself to God’s pruning.
To have an abundant harvest in every area of your life, some things in your life will have to go.
From my experience, there are two ways God prunes you…
Two Ways Of Pruning
The first way is when God asks you to remove something from your life. The second way is when God removes something from your life without your permission.
1) When God Asks You To Remove Something
When I was a 13-year-old Preacher, I gave up TV.
I just felt inspired to do it. So while all my classmates were talking about the latest episode of Charlie’s Angels, I felt very out of place. (I wish I could tell you that my version of Charlie’s Angels consisted of Drew Barrymore, Lucy Lui, Cameron Diaz, but…)
Throughout my teenage life, I grew up without TV. Looking back, I now believe that was a huge blessing. Imagine freeing 3 hours a day to do other fantastic things. I read books, played instruments, composed songs, and most of all, served in ministry.
Here’s something to think about: If you live until 75 and watched 3 hours of TV a day, (and you removed normal sleeping time), you would have wasted 14 years of your life.
Would you give up 14 years of your life? But that’s what many people do by watching TV.
When I was 21-years old, I gave up my girlfriend. Reason: I felt I needed time to discern if I was called to celibacy or marriage. And for the next 10 years, I had no romantic relationship. (You can imagine how difficult that was, not only for me, but for all the girls around me who found me irresistible. J) Again, I believe those ten years were the liberating years I stretched my wings, expanded my world, and grew my horizons.
Ask yourself: Is God asking you to remove something from your life?
But there’s another kind of pruning…
2) When God Removes Something
Without Your Permission
My friend was working as an executive in a huge company. I used to tell him, “Brother, ask God if He’s calling you give up your job and serve Him in ministry.”
But he never resigned. His job was paying him well. He told me, “When I retire at 65, I’ll serve God.” But when he was only 53 years old, it happened: His company was bought by a larger company. And they eased out all their executives—including my friend. He was now without a job.
He could of course apply for another job. But he felt that this was God’s way of telling Him, “Serve me now in ministry.”
I have a similar story. Once upon a time, I owned a number of food stalls. I was selling hotdog, ice cream, and squid balls… And everyday, I prayed that they succeed. But one by one, they began to fail. I was losing a lot of money. I felt very sad when they all failed.
But today, I thank they failed.
Because if they didn’t fail, I wouldn’t have given them up—I’d still be chugging along. And I won’t be in my present businesses now—which are twenty times more profitable.
Sometimes, God allows failure, sickness, retrenchment, separation—so that there’ll be space in your life for new and better things.
Did your boyfriend dump you? Thank God. Someone better is coming your way.
Did your company retrench you? Thank God. A better job is coming your way.
Did your business fail? Thank God. A better business is coming your way.
Did you get sick? Thank God. You’ll learn how to live a healthier lifestyle, and better health is coming your way.
Did a thief steal from you? Did a partner cheat from you? Thank God. You’ll learn from this painful experience, and God will return double what you have lost.
Remember: God’s pruning isn’t God’s punishment. Yes, it feels like it. When bad things happen, you want to cry, “Lord, why? I’m a good person. Why are you doing this to me? Have I done something wrong to displease you?”
No, God isn’t mad at you. God is madly in love with you. He’s doing something wonderful in your life. At the end of your life, you’ll tell yourself, “Thank God He pruned me!”
Let me tell you what God removes or prunes from our life…
Two Things That God Prunes
Gardeners cut away diseased and pest-ridden branches, so that the disease and the pests won’t spread to the other parts of the tree…
1. What Destroys You
Gardeners cut away sick branches.
God is a gardener. And He does the same thing in your life.
God wants to cut away sin from your life. Lying. Greed. Selfishness. Bitterness. Lust. Etcetera.
God’s focus isn’t on removing but on adding.
He just doesn’t want to remove lust. He wants to add the joy of purity. He just doesn’t want to remove greed. He wants to add happy generosity. He just doesn’t want to remove the habit of lying. He wants to give you the freedom of honesty.
Let me give you an example.
As a single person, I wasn’t physically promiscuous. But I was mentally promiscuous. Because of porn, I was sexually active in my mind.
It took years, but I finally cut away that part of my life.
After pruning comes abundance. I’ve experienced it.
How? My married life is now so rich and deep and beautiful today. Because I’m mentally and emotionally monogamous. I’m faithful to my wife in my body and in my mind.
Yes, there is power in focus. What you focus on grows! My wife has grown lovelier in my eyes because I’ve decided to focus on her.
I’ve met married people who have fallen into emotional adultery. And then they complain why their marriages aren’t life-giving, why their spouses are terrible, and why they’ve fallen out of love.
These are diseased branches that must be cut if you want fantastic abundance in your life.
Are there things in your life that are destroying you?
Alcoholism? Gambling? Materialism? Lying? Theft? Greed?
Cut them away.
2. What Distracts You
Gardeners also cut away healthy branches, if this will make the tree bear more fruit.
Most of the time, they do it to increase light penetration. If the branches and leaves are crowded, very little light is able to enter the thick foliage. Thus, the pruning.
In the same way, your life can be so crowded with a lot of good things, you’re so busy, very little of God’s light enters your life.
Here’s a fact. Good things can steal away your attention from the great things that God wants you to do.
Ask yourself: What good things distract you from great things?
Let me give you an example from my ministry. Each year, a lot of parishes invite me to preach. I could fill 365 days of the year just preaching in parishes.
But most of the time, I turn down parish invitations. Reason? I feel God has called me to speak to the unchurched. To people who aren’t religious. (Now you know why we hold our Feasts, our weekly spiritual gatherings, in malls and theatres.) We bring God’s Love to the people who need it the most.
By the way, preaching in parishes is fun. There’s a homecourt advantage. Everyone is open. Everyone laughs at my jokes. Everyone is willing to sing, “Lululalulalulalulalei…” and “Ang Buhay ng Kristyano ay masayang tunay…”
But I can be so busy doing this fun thing, I won’t be able to do the great thing that God wants me to do—to reach out to those who are far from God. To those who don’t even know how to pray the Our Father without missing a few words.
First things first: Identify the great thing that God wants you to do. And then prune your activities. Remove distractions that will take your time, attention, and energy from this great thing.
This includes recreation.
For 2 Months, I Became Addicted To Games
Recreation is supposed to re-create. When you do your recreation, it’s so supposed to create a new you. It recreates within you a new perspective, a new passion, and new possibilities.
For many years, I never played computer games.
I just felt it was a waste of time.
People ask me, “Bo, how can you do so much—writing, speaking, publishing, leading…” I think one reason is that I don’t watch TV or play computer games.
I’d rather play with my kids, or write a book, or read a book, or prepare for my talk, or play the piano, or play the guitar, or making plans, or expand my business…
But something happened last year.
One day, my friend said, “I play with my sons a computer game called Plants vs. Zombies. It’s a strategy game and we have so much fun.”
I got intrigued. So I bought the game online. And I invited my two sons to play together. Soon, my wife joined us as well.
My friend was right. It was great fun. And having my youngest son on my lap, playing the game together, was wonderful.
But I had a problem. The game was addicting.
I noticed I was getting addicted. How did I know? I usually write after the kids are in bed. I write my articles or prepare for a talk. But at 10pm, I found myself opening my computer to zap zombies with pea shooters!
There were nights when I actually slept at midnight. Or even at 1am. I actually spent two to three hours zapping zombies!
I had to make a decision. The game had to go.
I had been playing Plants vs. Zombies for two months.
If I played 2 hours a day, that means I spent 60 hour playing that game. I could have written one book. I could have read 5 books. I could have created a business plan. Oh, I could have done so many things!
I decided to quit cold turkey.
Choose Real Re-Creation
Here’s a list of activities that nurture me:
- Prayer and Meditation
- Exercise
- Reading great books
- Listening to inspirational Talks
- Watching really great movies
- Being with people you love
- Playing a musical instrument
- Listening to uplifting music
- Hobbies
Here’s a list of activities that I believe don’t nurture but actually drain people. (This is my personal opinion; There may be rare individuals out there who get nurtured by these activities.):
- Watching mindless TV
- Playing video games for hours
- Reading non-consequential stuff (gossip and showbiz pages)
Note: There’s nothing wrong about watching mindless TV. There’s nothing sinful about playing Bejeweled and Farmville and AngryBirds. I’m not saying we can’t play games. I think we should! But we do so with moderation and discipline. But if you spend so much time doing them, they could be distractions, sapping your time and energy dedicated to fulfill God’s dreams for your life.
Focus On The Prize
No doubt about it. Pruning is painful.
Growth usually happens through pain. There is truth when your gym teacher says, “No pain, no gain.”
God’s Word says, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. (Hebrews 12:11)
But pruning doesn’t kill you; pruning heals you.
Here’s the challenge: While going through the pain of pruning, don’t focus on the pain; Focus on the prize!
St. Paul says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
My wife and I go to a Bikram Yoga class. (Note: No New Age stuff; Just exercise.) The class is done in a really hot room. And in that oven, we tryto do 26 postures that only Plasticman can do.
The key word is try; I end up splattered on the floor, wondering why I’m torturing myself to become a human pretzel.
Yoga is painful for me. I’m so inflexible, when I bend, I can’t even touch my toes.
But I don’t focus on the pain. I focus on the prize. One day, my body will become flexible, strong, and (ehem) sexy. To my wife!
Are you going through a pruning right now?
Don’t focus on your pain.
Focus on the prize that God has in store for you after the pruning process is over.
Let me end with a story…
Submit To His Pruning, Submit To His Purpose
One day, Bill’s wife died suddenly.
Bill was so distraught, he turned to heavy drinking. Everyday, he stayed home and tried to drown his sorrows away with alcohol. (Have you noticed? Sorrows are good swimmers.)
Bill’s Pastor heard about it and visited Bill in his house. Seeing the mess that his house was in, he did something totally unexpected. He volunteered to do the laundry for him.
Every week, this Pastor would visit Bill and do his laundry.
Curiously, Bill waited for his Pastor to castigate him for his drinking. But the Pastor would not speak one word about it. Instead, the Pastor would talk about the great dreams that God has for Bill and his family. “You’ll have a wonderful life. Your kids will grow up to be wonderful adults. You’ll be playing with your grandkids….”
One day, Bill just stopped drinking and regained his life. He was set free from alcoholism and depression because one man loved him.
God is like that Pastor.
God visits you, not to scold you, but to do your laundry. To wash your soul with His forgiveness.
And God wants to prune the things in your life that destroy you or distract you. But He won’t let you focus on the pruning. He’ll let you focus on the purpose behind the pruning.
Friend, focus on His purpose!
Focus on your magnificent dream.
Go to God now.
Submit to His pruning.
Submit to His purpose.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. My wife and I don’t send our kids to school. We teach them ourselves at home. It’s called homeschooling. Pretty crazy, right? If you’re a parent with small kids, and you want to know why we do it and how we do it, click here now.
PS2. Do you want to earn passive income through real estate? My real estate mentor Larry Gamboa is giving a seminar on creative real estate on August 27, 2011, from 8am to 6pm, at L/G Skyland Plaza Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati (near Makati Post Office). Learn how Larry buys foreclosed properties from banks or properties from motivated sellers, and sells them or turns them around as rental property. You’ll also have the unique experience playing Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow 101 Game. Learning investment is P3,950 only. To sign up, click here now.
Filed under: Blogs by bosanchez
I agree that God’s focus isn’t on removing but on adding, we just need to prepare one day at a time. I also like the list that you’ve mentioned here in your article. No wonder you’re being bless with a lot of thing.
- Prayer and Meditation
- Exercise (I need this too)
- Reading great books
- Listening to inspirational Talks
- Watching really great movies
- Being with people you love
- Playing a musical instrument
- Listening to uplifting music
- Hobbies
Thanks and God bless you more Bro. Bo!
Red @ Pinoy Virtual Business Matters
Another life changing article bro. bo! Thank you for always allowing God to use you so He can bless many people through you!
Thank you so much for this, Bo. You never fail to inspire me. My spirit is actually down right now due to the pain of losing a business just after two months of operation because we were robbed. It is a very painful experience indeed. I can still feel the pain. It is still very fresh. We’ve lost hundred of thousands because of it. The business was actually doing good before that happened. Now, we can barely make ends meets. Thank for so much for lifting my spirit, Bo. You always give timely advice that I feel that God is talking to me through you. With God’s help, I know that we can take back what we’ve lost a hundred times over. I feel so much better now. Now, I know that this is God’s way of pruning me.
Thank you so very much, bro Bo! This is another inspiring and enlightening piece. You’re truly a blessing.
God’s grace be with you and your loved ones always.
thank you for your inspirational piece. i have been in spiritual dryness for sometime now. i really needed some discernment and god have spoken through you. i am now enlightened..GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS bro Bo
thank you Bo for everyday inspiring us.. I believe God is using you through your words. Your articles, God whispers and the daily readings fill my daily spiritual need. I make it a habit to read your article before leaving for work because it guides me through my day’s journey… Thank you again ang God bless.
the last part really maid me cry…i realize again how God loves us…thanks bo!
thank you bro. bo for sharing your life story with us it is very inspiring..u have failed often times but here u are now teling us how hapi and sucesful u r in evry area of ur life.i wish i could be a beter person like u..i was very busy with my living sometimes i forgot God especially when good things hapen.tnk u for the reminder bro bo.GOD BLES US ALWYS!
Thank you for reminding us the love of Jesus to us. May his prunning come into my life.
God bless you and your ministry.
I caught my self crying while reading your blog, I felt something in me that I need to “Cut-off” of to “Give-up” in order for me to grow abundantly for myself and for my love ones.
I already identify it, and I will commit to change it little by little.
Thanks Bro Bo. Que Dios los bendiga siempre.
It’s been a long time seeing and hearing your talks, but never took the time to thank you.
Jesus indeed speaks to us in strange ways- He used you and answered my whining! He did it so well that all I did was stared at all of your words.
Thank you Jesus for sending Brod Bo to me this morning.!
So all these time He was trimming me without my permission.
Dear Bo,
I really want to say Thank you for this wonderful article of yours.
I can really relate to this! I was speechless after reading it coz God was really talking to me. Thank you.
Thanks Bro. Bo!
I have gone through several ‘pruning’ moments with God and looking back, I am more than happy He did it all for me. And there’s something I have learned along the way:
God always sees the greater picture…we sometimes get so fixated on what we’ve lost, on our failures or mishaps…But God intended it all for GOOD.
There was even a point in time that I know I was so ‘unlucky’ according to other people’s vocabulary but one thought strengthened me: that the God of the Universe is telling me to TRUST in Him, to turn to Him and love Him again- after all what I’ve lost were not entirely mine and what I’m now gaining are not what really matters: it’s my relationship with Him. Life is a journey: WITH HIM. -ISAIAH 41:10
Thank you bro. bo
God Bless!!!
Bro. you have enlightened me this day about pruning. I guess everyone must undergo pruning so that God will be able to make Himself the Lord of our lives. Yes I agree that at first pruning is painful in whatever situation we may have right now but the most important thing is the prize we will get out of this.
This is a good topic for discussion in our community prayer meeting.
Bro Bo you are a blessing to many.
God Bless you and your ministry
Thanks Bro. Bo! God sent you to speak to my heart on His behalf….
Bro. Bo, I was enlightened and enriched.
I am christian and a college student. Thank you for reminding me about this wonderful message of God through your blog. This blog enlightened me that I need to prune my branches that opposing upcoming great things to me. I prayed to God to teach me to change and become more excited in the presence of God. That’s it. He answered my prayer. I’m so bless this day with a message of God…
Thank you Mr. Sanchez because he uses you to post wonderful messages in this type of media…. and THE MOST IMPORTANT THANKS GOD for everything…..
Thanks BO for the wonderful message..God Bless…
Bro Bo,
Thank you so much for another inspiring article. Your timing or should I say God’s timing through you, is unquestionable. In my greatest pain I thought God was punishing me but yeah, you’re right he is pruning me.
Pray for me brother bo and pray for my family.
It was good to read your article with enlightenment. Heart lifting bo.
Thank you and may you continue to inspire more people with God’s blessings.
More power!
I hear you Bro Bo…life for me has been a constant struggle…one disappointment after another…I even don’t know the feeling of victory anymore,just defeat…I can’t figure it out as I try to follow what is right…I’m not saying I am a good man….it is not for me to say…but deep inside I know I am…I just pray that I be given enough strength to face and conquer all obstacles.
thanks, brother bo, you keep me inspired everyday, I was just wondering, since i found Jesus and wanted to follow his footsteps, joining bible study and prayer meetings, reading the bible, practice tithing ang giving, and thinking positively, my sales went down, and my debts goes even higher, please pray for me that i will defeat any negative thoughts to continue what i am doing now, to serve , praise and give thanks to Jesus always.
Very amazing and very timely as well thanks for the reminder as well as the inspiration bro.Bo, God bless you always!
Thank you Bo.
Just what I needed today. This could very well be God’s reminder to me, “Submit to His pruning, submit to His purpose”. Remove the very thing that makes me sick in my soul so I can follow Him completely, and without any reservation.
Praise God He used you to bring the message to me.
Quote: You can imagine how difficult that was, not only for me, but for all the girls around me who found me irresistible.
Thanks for the dose of humor brother Bo
I love your writings, it really touches my heart.
Brother Bo is a blessing to all of us.
Continue your passion.
God Bless..
Thanx again Bro. Bo, you are right n i believe the pains im experiencing now is just Gods pruning, n i hav to learn from ds so i will grow and be healed, PRAISE GOD, more power to u and god bls.
i found this article spot on!!! As if God was speaking to me. Bo, I am at that time whose post is up for redundancy. I have a choice to get it or apply for another post. Then 2 weeks before this, a friend in similar situation brought up an social enterprise plan which I have long been thinking of doing. I’ve been in this org for three years and almost each year my post is being made redundant. Is this God’s way of pruning me? I have a lot at stake should I leave a regular paying job… Pray that I have the courage to make the decision and that I choose well what God has for me.
-MBB
Bro. Bo,
I am looking forward watching in blue jeans everyday as my everyday dose of spiritually. But why is Saturday and Sunday not included ? I know alot of your avid fan has been yearning for this too.
Bro Bo,
Joining the truly rich club is one of the best thing that happened to me. I believe its Gods way of pruning my life. thank you>..
weng: http://bosanchezmembers.com/amember/go.php?r=6990
Dear Bro. Bo,
Thank you again for another inspiring article! You are a blessing to us! God bless you more!
love&prayers,
Hutch
Dear Bo,
Your blog talked straight to my heart. My husband’s sudden death still doesn’t make any sense to me. But I am surrendering to my faith in God that He allowed this to happen because of a greater purpose that I need to do. May my heart be open to see what is it in order to give glory to God and make sense why I have to be separated from the one I love at this moment. Intercede for me Bo as the pain of losing him wont ease.
Yours truly,
Avic
Hi Bo,
Thanks for the concrete steps for finding a more fruitful re-creational activities. I’ve been a great fan of the Secrets of the Vine (John 15) - Bear fruit, bear more fruits then bear much fruits. I’ve recently focused on the scolding God and have been forgetting the laundry-GOD. Thanks for the reminder!
-Bubot
thank u so much bro. bo…may GOd continue bless you now and forever…MOre power…!!
Thanks again Br. Bo for this wonderful article. May you
continue to inspire all of us.
More power & God bless!!!!!
Hi, Bo! You have no idea how great a help you are during times of loneliness and hopelessness. You are such a blessing. I hope you continue what you’re doing and inspire more people. You’re a saint!
Dear Bro. Bo,
I’ve been bless right now. Reminding me all over again how great is God’s Love for us. I was inspired of what I read. I know that God is always there for us esp when you are at most down of your life. How I wish that during this time of my life there is someone out there that will always remind me. Please pray for me and my family always.
grace
Thank you Bro Bo. for another inspiring Article of yours…God will always be there to strengthen and guide us to live and experience the magic of Life. “Life is a magnificent trip”….God Bless Us All.
I have always believe that the other name of God is Love, therefore, there can be no powerful greater than Love in this world and beyond. I’ve been blessed to experience such failures in life, because I know that God never leaves me, He’s always there looking at me, guiding and loving me. For many years of my existence I have come to know Him but through your words Bo, i could say that, I’d like to know Him more and more and more. Please continue to inspire us, you are such a good person, I am hoping that someday we’ll have a chance to meet each other. Hope I could join the Feast… I’d love to be a part of it.
Thanks for the great story… I’m on the stage of pruning i may say, coz by the end of the month i’ll be jobless… i’m about to question why is it happening to me but i want to ignore what will going to happen, and the topic just inspired me to become positive to all what’s happening to me, thank you Bro Bo… for continuing an instrument of inspiration and Love of God…. Thank You…
Thank you so much for this great message. It really speaks to my heart.kindly pray for me..
Thank you so much for this wonderful message!.. I have loved a person, whom I think just used me. This happened 3 years ago, but up to now, I can still feel the pain, and its just too painful for me. Even though I believe I have forgiven the person who hurt, but I just dont know why the pain is constantly haunting me.. I just cant move on completely…. Well, this article really enlightened me… Now, I believe I have to accept that that experience is part my God’s prunning… He is pruning me to become a better and stronger person. Now I am thinking of all the things in me that do not nurture me and yes, your right… I have to cut all the things in me that do not bear fruits, which I can share to others. My heart is really joyful now. Thank you for sharing to us the fruits that God has given to you.
God bless you and your family!
Bro Bo,
Thank’s for being a blessing to each and everyone of your
reader. You’re really blessed with so much love from God.
Thank you for nurturing our hearts and sharing thoughts of
you.
God bless you always and your family!
muli salamat bo sa artikulo. isang bagay lang ang medyo hindi umakma sa pananaw ko, at ito ‘yun: tinanggihan mo ang mga imbitasyon na magsalita sa mga parokya dahil mas narararapat ka sa mga non-parochial places para sa mga unchurched. tama ba iyon?
kaedad mo ako bo at labinlimang taon na akong naglilingkod sa simbahan. pananaw ko lang: dapat mong subukang magsalita sa mga paro-parokya dahil 1. itinayo ang mga parokya upang pagkaisahin ang mga katoliko sa mga lugar na iyon at bunga nito ay maranasan na nasa lugar na iyon ang kanilang tahanan bilang mga katoliko, naroon ang kanilang “simbahan’. lalo na kapag araw ng Linggo. kung kailan natatapat ang inyong feast. natatandaan mo ang problema o isyu ng “transparochial charismatic communities”? may mga hindi na nagiging aktibo sa parokya at nagiging aktibo na sa “community” na kinabibilangan nila. magandang pagnilay-nilayan ito at pagdasalan. ganumpaman, paumanhin kung ako ay mali. 2. palagay ko, dahil sa paminsan-minsang maling pamamahala at hindi kaaya-ayang mga homiliya ng mga pastol ng parokya, ang mga “unchurched” ay, ironically, nasa mga parokya. halos lahat ng mga “aral”, religiously literate at spiritually mature catholics ay nasa inyong the feasts (o atleast may kamulatan at paghahangad na lumalim ang pananampalataya). kaming nasa parokya ay nangangailangan din ng paglilingkod mo bo. muli, maaaring maakusahan ako ng hasty generalization, ng pagiging negative ukol sa katatayuan ng mga parokya. kung sakali, mea culpa. paumanhin. Godbless bo!
HI BRO. BO,
Thank you so much for the wonderful message. It was very uplifting since the message i just read was timely and fitting for the situation im in now. Im ready to be pruned. God bless us!
Lord, help me to recognize your presence and your call, and help me to submit myself to your pruning.
Cheers Bro Bo,
Thanks for this wonderfull and meaningfull messages.I need it where i am going.I also thought of serving God when I retire from working abroad but I choose to do it now simply because there onboard the ship where i work is where God need me to spread his words and help
to save some soul like what you did to me.i sent you an email asking to guide and teach me how and where to start to organize God’s work onboard the ship.
Thank you again and God bless!!!
thanks bro. bo for your blog on pruning. it hit me, need pruning on my habit of watching and reading gossips about celebs, movie stars, etc. at the same time reading your mags and books, conflict diba? at napupuyat din ako sa panunuod ng telenovela, hay, now i will submit to God’spruning my habits and sacrifice and disciplining myself. May the Holy Spirit remind me always and enkindle my heart with God’s love thanks bro. bo.
I think it was God’s leading this morning upon waking up and after breathing some fresh air, I pruned a garden plant, removing dead leaves as well as crowded leaves that I thought prevents the sun from reaching the inner ones.
Then in the office, I felt the need to read this message which was left unread the last time I opened my email yesterday.
I thank God for sending you as his messenger to touch people’s lives and draw us even closer to Him. I accept and allow God’s pruning me, be it painful or not.
Struggling to be steadfast though, please pray for me and my family. God bless you, Bro. Bo!
Thanks bro.Bo. It is very great article. it helps to get my difficult days through. I am so sad but this article inspires me to be thankful to God everyday. Sometimes i forgot to do so. I always focus to my own plans not allowing God to work it for me. You are a real bleasing for us. Thanks God we have you. More blessings and more power to serve the people.
Bo, Thank you for not ever tiring in sending me these messages. I am now 59 years old, but it’s like I’m just starting to build a career because all my life, I had to raise my family. I tried to do business, but I failed. Now, I’m still groping, cause my husband is already retired with no job. The retirement package is getting depleted. I hope I can still support your ministries, inspite of financial crisis we are falling onto.
Please pray for me.
Thank you!
wow. Bro Bo.. thank you so much for this wonderful blog. My spirit is lifting up. Your humorous teachings made me smile. Thank you so much. I will share this for everyone
Thank you for this another inspiring blog. Thank you God for Bro. Bo!
Thank you for the message. It’s a wake up message for me. I’m being pruned right now and it’s too painful. it’s difficult to focus on the prize behind this but i’ll try harder this time. Pls do pray for me to have peace of mind.
Thank you Bo. You are such a blessing to me from
God. Dear Lord, I submit to Your pruning.. Prune the little cheekeen… Thanks again!!!
Hi brother bo and all the people who read my comment here.
I am humble asking for your help.. everytime I’m consume and possess by anger, I tend to read brother bo’s blog to calm myself. this reminds me of how good our Lord is.
My situation is so hard: knowing that i am surrounded by worse people than me (at work). I tried to hold on but it still drives me to be angry and think unlikely about them.
My life is in the middle of nowhere and i dont know the direction i must take. it is easy to say to follow God. but when you’re confused and distracted by unplesant surroundings, that seems to be a test for me.
I used to go to church every Sunday, I even joined an organization in our village.
but know, it turns out the opposite.. I dont know if you find me bad or something. I’m humble begging you to pray for me.
Thank you so much.. i these hard times,, i badly need an advise to change my life 100%..
Thank you so much Brother Bo. May God continue to rule your life and give you a constant energy to lead other people..
For my brothers and sisters out there, I wish you all good health andm ore blessings from God..
Again, thank you..
i am so inspired! Halfway through reading this article I stopped to take out the TV that has been plaguing me for years! It hurts cause I’m so used to watching TV late at night!
Very Inspired article Bo. your blessings to all of us Godbless you:-)
Thank you so much,
this article would help me so much in my life, and help me more understandableeverytime I meet trials in life, this would also lead my family, for my son struggle in his job at present, I would surely share this article to him, and praying that the Holy Spirit would enlighten his mind.
Once again THANK YOU
and MORE POWER
thanks so much brother BO…
I TRULY NEEDED THAT! i, too, am an addict to video games. it eats up my prayer time. thank you for the reminder!
mabuhay po kayo!!!
thnx bo,
we should focus on the prize and not on the pruning=)
Hi, Bo.
I’m really glad to have read this. It has reminded me that God is always there for me and I don’t have to worry about anything else. I only have to focus on Him and everything will be all right.
Thank you for the verbalized guidance that you have unselfishly listed down to maximize the little time we have on earth. You are truly a blessing!
excellent! very well said. very inspiring messages
jonathan
Dear Bother Bo,
i still don’t understand why God took my 6 year very lovely niece from us. she died of brain herniation last april 23, this year, it was black saturday. i can’t believe God can hurt us this much. we, who are God fearing people, we don’t deserve this pruning. the pain is too much to bear. i don’t know what to do to move on, it is hard to forgive myself, that wala akong nagawa. di dininig ni God ang pakiusap ko, ibalik niya ang baby when she was declared dead. please, Bro. Bo, pray for us so we can move on. God, please just make us okey….
Well said. I should multiply my harvest now!
You’re amazing Bro. Bo.
Thank God for pruning me in the past years. Thank you for the lessons.
May your goodness spread and be fruitful with all endeavors.
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