PRAYER: Bless Your Name, O God! Thank You for being my strong tower, in the Name of the LORD, I am safe. Thank You for allowing me to rely on Your strength in getting through this day. By Your mighty hand and filled with Your spirit I am more than a conqueror today and every day. I have the victory because I serve a God that will do EVERYTHING He said He would do. I won't give up on You LORD, because You will never give up on me-You're so ABLE. Thank You for Your mercy and grace in my life and those around me. Thank You for saving souls at the most perfect time. Thank You for Your guidance, through Your Holy Word. Thank You for Your constant forgiveness. Thank You that my learning and growth never ends, it is a continuous process intellectually, physically, spiritually, and in relationship with others. Show me how to forgive and love no matter the circumstances. Show me how to give and to let go of whatever I am gripping so tight in fear or selfishness. Let me speak honestly and with love with all those I come in conversation with. Show me where I can serve a specific need for someone else today. And let Your glory be recognized in all that I do. In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
THE FIG TREE WITHERS:
18 Early in the morning, as (Jesus) was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. The he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? This was not a thoughtless, angry act because Jesus was hungry but an acted-out parable. Jesus was showing His anger at religion without substance. Just as the fig tree looked good from a distance but was fruitless on close examination, so the Temple looked impressive at first glance, but its sacrifices and other activities were hollow because they were not done to worship God sincerely (see 21:43). This applies to us today. If you only appear to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the fig tree that withered and died because it bore no fruit. Genuine faith means bearing fruit for God's Kingdom.
What is bearing fruit for God's Kingdom? The possibilities are endless, because we serve a sovereign God. But it starts with a genuine relationship with God. It's not about rules and laws, it about prayer and digging deep into His Word to grow spiritually and become closer to God; getting to know Him and what He desires of you. It's about discipline and obedience in every area of your life, from finances to your health. It's about relationships with others. Not only showing but living-love, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, honesty, discernment and wisdom. It's about not hiding your love for God, but not forcing it into people's faces. When He's apart of You, it takes no extra effort for people to see Him in your life. It is about showing people who Christ is and what He can be in their lives. When you bear fruit, you grow and the people around you grow as well. You are not in the same position you were in a year ago, you don't have the same attitude and people are blessed by you and your testimony. When you don't bear fruit, you die on your own because you don't see any progress or change-you allow discouragement to break your spirit. You won't see any progress or change if you keep operating in the same way, if you keep depending on yourself. There is purpose in what God has placed on this earth and everything you do should be with purpose. Activate your faith, make bold decisions that God has called you to make, put fear underground, and trust God. The fruit will develop, grow and be used for God's Kingdom. And you will be blessed.
ARE YOU BEARING FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE?
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