Tag: fruit

Take A Break!

Ecclesiastes 3:22, 5:18-20

3:22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

You have worked hard for your money. You’ve endured the ups and downs of following the orders of unfit bosses and supervisors. You’ve kept your peace, when lazy coworkers talked more than they worked, causing you to pull more weight. You’ve endured, and kept your chin up, while grinding throughout each work day. Now, it’s time for you to take a break. That’s right! Take time to enjoy the fruit of your consistent hard labor. While your superiors may not give you the recognition you deserve for your hard work, give yourself a pat on the back, and use a portion of your earnings for yourself. You definitely deserve it!

Just A Touch 2

Matthew 14:34-36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was constantly on the move, traveling from place to place, doing the works of His Father. His purpose was to reach and teach as many as He could, during the time He would spend on the earth.

After revealing another dimension of His power by way of walking on water, and being acknowledged a second time as the Son of God, Jesus and those who followed Him, went to a land called Gennesaret. This fertile land was north of the shore of Galilee, and was known for producing both temperate and tropical fruits. This particular area was also brimming with people who suffered sickness and disease. So, when the men of the land recognized the man among them was Jesus, they quickly spread word to all the country, to bring all who were diseased to Jesus.

The most interesting point in this story seems to relate to the woman who had the issue of blood. I’m not 100 percent certain there’s a relation with the woman and the people of Gennesaret, but all who came to Jesus, sought only to touch the hem of His garment for their healing, so word of the woman’s story may have spread to this land as well. These sick folk had enough faith to believe, only a touch of Jesus’ clothes, would bring their healing. Mercifully, their faith was in the right place, for all who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment were made perfectly whole. Jesus didn’t perform half healings, but His manifestations were total and permanent.

Jesus healed according to the faith of those who came to Him, so all who desired healing, sought total deliverance and restoration. When you come to God, do you seek partial deliverance, or do you want God to give you a total and complete manifestation of those things your heart desires? Reach out in faith, and touch Jesus, so He can make you whole again.

Pruning Season

John 15:1-3

Is it possible for someone to be connected to God, the source of life, and still be dead? I can answer that question with an experience I had during my early years in college. One of the stores closest to the University of Central Florida was, Walmart Supercenter, so I would usually do my shopping there for school supplies, groceries, and personal items. One of the most important items on my shopping list when I went off to college was, a clothing iron. Walking around that huge campus in wrinkly clothes would have been embarrassing, so I knew to keep a good iron on hand, in order to have my clothes pressed to impress.

While ironing a shirt one morning, I accidentally tripped over the power cord, causing the iron to fall on the floor. I quickly picked up the iron, so it wouldn’t burn the carpet, then placed it back on the ironing board. After the plug was yanked from the wall, I reinserted it and waited for the iron to heat up again. Unfortunately, after it hit the floor, the iron became good for nothing except the garbage can. Even though the plug was connected to a live power source, the iron itself was dead.

Our text tells us, all who are in God, but aren’t producing fruit, will be taken away, but those who bring forth fruit, will be purged, so they can continue producing. God is the only one who can remove a person from His hand, and no man can pluck anyone from Him. It’s sad to be in God, yet spiritually dead, because in God we have all the necessary resources required to bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

Even when we fall, and feel disconnected from the source, forgiveness is readily available upon our request. God is merciful, and gives grace to the humble, so all who are in Him must seek only to use His power for good, and not evil. Connect to God’s source of power, so you can be equipped to produce good fruit, but remain faithful to God’s commands, so that your spirit may live, and you’ll never be plucked from the true vine.

“It’s easier to deliver the Gospel of Christ to others when your life pleases God.” – Ell

Righteous Fruit

Isaiah 5:1-7

What do you do, when you deposit seed from a fruitful source, into a fruitful place, provide ample rain, yet the seed fails to produce properly? Under normal conditions, seeds usually produce bountifully in ideal situations such as these, but there must be outside forces that would cause them not to bring forth, as they are expected to. In our text, God removed all things that protected His vineyard, and provided the necessary elements to keep it nurtured, because it wasn’t producing the right fruit. God created man from a fruitful source, placed them in a very fruitful place, but they failed to bring forth fruit meet for repentance. So, God removed His protection from man, and allowed other influences to consume them, because of their corruption. Our lesson’s text is in reference to the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, who instead of producing righteousness and judgment, brought forth oppression and tears. So, God removed His hand of protection from them, so that judgment could conform them back in shape.

Many today of the house of God, aren’t producing as they should, and may require a bit of chastisement to get them back in shape. We serve a bountiful God who is full of grace and mercy, yet we often cling to other things that are unfruitful, while turning away from the source of all power. Set your roots in the Word of God, and allow Him to nurture and cultivate your life, so that you can begin to produce good fruit on a consistent basis.

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell

Let God Lead

Psalm 43

🎵🎶 When I am afraid, I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
In God I trust, when I am afraid.
In God I trust, in God whose word I praise
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
I TRUST YOU LORD I REALLY DO 🎶🎵
-Song by Steve Green

Journeying through life will present moments when finding our way will appear dark and dim, but the only way to see the path of righteousness during times of darkness is, by trusting in God’s light, and His truth. The Word of God is the only way to safely navigate and traverse through these troubled times, so never lean to your own understanding. Instead, let God lead you in the way you should go.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Fruitful In The Famine

Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, bad things happen to everyone, but it seems, at times, that the good suffer unnecessarily, simply for doing what’s right. Many have lost their lives in the past, for standing for truth, and although they were unable to live full lives, their message still resonates in our current time. In Scripture, Stephen was stoned to death, for doing great wonders and miracles among the people, and teaching the truths of Jesus. Many who strive to do good, suffer unfortunate hardships, but God sees all, and can use those hardships to promote those who endure them.

Our text summarizes the theme of Joseph’s life. Although he didn’t suffer death from all his negative occurrences, God proved to him that those who remain obedient to His Word, can and will be rewarded in the earth. Aside from being blessed during the famine, Joseph’s obedience to God caused him to become ruler of Egypt. Pharoah said to Joseph, “only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (vs. 40b).  Wow, what an honor! Allow this lesson to encourage you to continue fighting the good fight. Bad things will happen to good people, but God will use those bad experiences, to elevate them to greater levels in Himself, and among men.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Peacemakers

James 3:13-18; 5:7-12

In the same way trees are known by their fruit, the character of men can be made known by the works they perform. According to Scripture, the church should only be known for producing righteous fruit, and such fruit is only made possible by the corresponding seed sown from their lives.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). Many in the earth consider themselves to be wise, but their wisdom is based on corrupt seed. Our text teaches, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (vs. 16). That’s extremely profound, knowing that every evil work can be produced from sowing seeds of strife and envy. The preceding verse also mentions, harboring bitter envying and strife in the heart, causes one to lie against the truth. It’s impossible for a man to say he has committed himself to God, and His will, while holding evil and wicked motives in His heart. When a man is motivated by evil thoughts, his actions will mirror what’s hidden in his heart. Conversely, when a man’s heart is full of the love of God, he’ll sow seeds of peace, that will inevitably bring forth the fruit of righteousness.

In essence, the fruit of righteousness include all the works that represent holiness, by which God receives glory through them all. The world promotes all things contrary to godliness, including hate, envying, strife, confusion, and a host of other unholy behaviors, but when a man promotes peace, God will consider him wise, and fill him with heavenly wisdom, as he faithfully brings forth righteous fruit.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

The Untamed Member

James 3:1-12

When God created man, He made him with very unique attributes and abilities, no other created being has. Of those unique abilities, man has been able to tame every kind of beast, bird, serpent, and things in the deep blue sea. Consider how great and massive some of the animals are on land, and in the oceans, and how incredible it is for man, in his stature, to tame something more massive than himself.

Man in his wisdom, has the ability to manipulate and control animals, and even influence them to do as he commands, but with all his wisdom, knowledge, and power of influence over birds and beasts, man lacks the ability to tame his own tongue. Yes, that little “pink tornado”, is capable of stirring up all manner of trouble. Lions, tigers, bears, and whales are all more massive than man, yet he is able to tame them, but that little member, nestled in his mouth, boasts great things, kindles fires, and is a world of iniquity.

Those who bear the name of Christ, have the responsibility of using the tongue to bless God, and hold only good conversations. The words that proceed from the mouths of the Saints, should only offer strength, encouragement, and edification to all who would hear them. God shuns those who maintain improper use of the tongue, while defiling themselves with ungodly conversations. There are some who seemingly bless God one minute, then curse their brother twenty minutes later. This ought not be the case among those who are born-again believers. Can you find apples hanging from an orange tree, or pick grapes from a tomato vine? I highly doubt you will, and you should not hear ungodly speech coming from the mouths of godly people. On human strength alone, the tongue cannot be tamed, but when a vessel is under the influence of the Holy Ghost, the tongue will be restricted to speak those things that are pleasing to the Father.

If you ever find yourself holding conversations that aren’t true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, check to see whether or not you’ve strayed away from the Spirit. Only in God, do we have the power to overcome our flesh, and walk after the Spirit. The tongue indeed, is little member, but if left uncontrolled, it can set the whole world on fire!

Why does the living man complain?

Ell