I have concluded that human independence is merely a mirage. Yesterday we experienced a storm which sent rain and hail hammering down as lightning flashed and thunder boomed. During one of the lighting strikes, all the devices drawing electrical current dimmed. The boys were both playing video games at the time and they simultaneously groaned, because they realised a power outage would end their gaming session. It occurred to me they were completely reliant upon a stable electrical current to play their games. To do anything we want to do, we have to rely upon something our someone to accomplish it.
It is always a sad day when an person can no longer drive because of health reasons or physical limitations. I have heard this referred to as "losing your independence." This is an ironic statement, seeing those who have a car are dependent upon their car to drive anywhere! To use a different example, this morning I mowed the lawn. I was completely dependent upon an operational lawn mower to perform the task. When I bake a cake by myself I still need to have the ingredients, a bowl to mix them, a pan to pour the mix in, and an oven which needs electricity. I am also dependent upon the proper function of my body to stand upright, maintain consciousness, and pay attention to what I am doing. Our bodies are dependent upon a multitude of things: oxygen, water, food, sleep, proper nutrition, and various systems of the body work together in harmony.
If I want to go to the shops, I rely upon something to transport me - whether it be a car, pushbike, my legs, public transport, or a ride from someone else. I am dependent on money to purchase the item I desire. I also depend on the shop to presently stock the item I seek to buy. Even in our most independent and "self-sufficient" stages in life, we are not independent nor are we self-sufficient. There is no one living who can claim true independence. There is a level of dependence inherent in life, and I believe God designed it in such a fashion. Our bodies are dependent on themselves as well as outside resources to do anything, and our survival depends on it.
Dependence is more than a mind set: for a Christian it is to be our way of life. All the resources and things of this world lure us to find our peace and security in them, when it is God in whom we are to depend. If we cannot accomplish a single physical task without depending on something, how could we possibly do anything for God's glory without relying upon His strength and wisdom? It is an interesting dynamic that everything concerning our lives is dependent upon God - whether we rely upon Him or not. We live, move, and breathe only by God's grace. Yet what a blessing it is when we willfully depend upon God, relying upon Him to guide, provide, protect, and save us! No one is truly independent, yet we can choose a life independent from God. Are you willing to admit your dependence on others or self? If "losing our independence" causes us to become more dependent upon God, have we lost anything? Sometimes what we perceive as loss God transforms into gain.
05 December 2014
04 December 2014
No "Plan B"
God responds with answers to those who rely upon Him. As long as we have a backup plan, the very existence of such a plan shows our faith is not in God. To paraphrase a quote from Transformational Discipleship (by Geiger, Kelley, Nation), our "Plan B" is an offense to God. God should not be at the top of our personal pecking order, but the One in whom we seek refuge. There is to be no other retreat for a believer. God is not to be our last resort, nor should we line up options should He not respond according to our demands or impatience.
There is a telling contrast in the Bible between two kings: King Saul and King Hezekiah. With impending war looming on the horizon, each of these kings responded quite differently. Despite their differences, both these kings share something in common: they both sought the LORD first. The condition of their hearts and the reality of their faith would be revealed to us, even as it was known by God before they approached Him! Let us begin with the example of Saul found in 1 Samuel 28:4-8: "Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." Saul was a man with a "Plan-B." He had forsaken God for decades, yet in a moment of desperation he did all in his power to seek God. He sought an answer from prophets, and even waited for God to speak to him in a dream! No answer came.
Since God did not respond to proud and unrepentant King Saul, he implemented his backup plan. He told his servants to find a medium so he could inquire of her. God didn't provide Saul an answer, so Saul sought the counsel of devils. Saul decided to resort to seeking advice of those he had been tasked to remove from the land because of their abominations. In his mind, he had no choice. He easily justified going to a medium when God did not answer, even as he "forced himself" to sacrifice unto the LORD when Samuel did not arrive as quickly as he hoped (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Saul's eyes were ever upon himself and others - and did not look to God in faith. He feared when the people began to scatter from him, and feared when enemies encamped against him. Saul's fears of defeat were fully realised the very next day when he was wounded on Mt. Gilboa and decided to end his life by falling on his own sword in battle.
Over the course of time, Hezekiah became king in Jerusalem. The King of Assyria sent a vast army on multiple occasions to intimidate and threaten Hezekiah and the people. 2 Kings 19:1-7 tells us what happened: "And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' " 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says the LORD: "Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." Hezekiah tore his clothes in grief, and immediately went into the house of the LORD. He sent word to Isaiah the prophet to pray for the people, for they were in great strife. Immediately an answer from God was sent. Hezekiah was commanded not to fear, for the LORD would send their enemies away. He would fight for them through a rumour to draw the army away from the doorstep of Jerusalem.
But the fight wasn't over. The Assyrians sent a letter to Hezekiah, telling him it was pointless to trust in God. Hezekiah followed the same pattern as previously. 2 Kings 19:14-19 reads, "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." Amazingly, the prophet Isaiah sent an answer of peace and promises (without Hezekiah even sending messengers this time) in 2 Kings 19:20: "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.'"
The King of Assyria had spoken high things against God, and Hezekiah sought refuge in God. He was not looking to Egypt, his weapons, army, or the Temple of the LORD: he looked to the LORD of the Temple! Without a backup plan Hezekiah spread out the letter before the LORD, and God answered. 2 Kings 19:32-37 says, "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 34 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' 35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 37 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place."
When we face conflict, we are given the choice to line up our options. These examples reveal the folly of trusting in self or resorting to a "Plan B" when God sits on the throne. If we have a "Plan B," God will not be our "Plan A!" God regards, defends, and fights for those who trust wholly in Him. Is He not able to supply all our needs? The God who created the ear, shall He not hear? The God who formed the eye, shall He not see? The God who created all things remains in total, complete control. Fear Him, seek Him, and your eyes will see the salvation of the LORD!
There is a telling contrast in the Bible between two kings: King Saul and King Hezekiah. With impending war looming on the horizon, each of these kings responded quite differently. Despite their differences, both these kings share something in common: they both sought the LORD first. The condition of their hearts and the reality of their faith would be revealed to us, even as it was known by God before they approached Him! Let us begin with the example of Saul found in 1 Samuel 28:4-8: "Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." Saul was a man with a "Plan-B." He had forsaken God for decades, yet in a moment of desperation he did all in his power to seek God. He sought an answer from prophets, and even waited for God to speak to him in a dream! No answer came.
Since God did not respond to proud and unrepentant King Saul, he implemented his backup plan. He told his servants to find a medium so he could inquire of her. God didn't provide Saul an answer, so Saul sought the counsel of devils. Saul decided to resort to seeking advice of those he had been tasked to remove from the land because of their abominations. In his mind, he had no choice. He easily justified going to a medium when God did not answer, even as he "forced himself" to sacrifice unto the LORD when Samuel did not arrive as quickly as he hoped (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Saul's eyes were ever upon himself and others - and did not look to God in faith. He feared when the people began to scatter from him, and feared when enemies encamped against him. Saul's fears of defeat were fully realised the very next day when he was wounded on Mt. Gilboa and decided to end his life by falling on his own sword in battle.
Over the course of time, Hezekiah became king in Jerusalem. The King of Assyria sent a vast army on multiple occasions to intimidate and threaten Hezekiah and the people. 2 Kings 19:1-7 tells us what happened: "And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' " 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says the LORD: "Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." Hezekiah tore his clothes in grief, and immediately went into the house of the LORD. He sent word to Isaiah the prophet to pray for the people, for they were in great strife. Immediately an answer from God was sent. Hezekiah was commanded not to fear, for the LORD would send their enemies away. He would fight for them through a rumour to draw the army away from the doorstep of Jerusalem.
But the fight wasn't over. The Assyrians sent a letter to Hezekiah, telling him it was pointless to trust in God. Hezekiah followed the same pattern as previously. 2 Kings 19:14-19 reads, "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." Amazingly, the prophet Isaiah sent an answer of peace and promises (without Hezekiah even sending messengers this time) in 2 Kings 19:20: "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.'"
The King of Assyria had spoken high things against God, and Hezekiah sought refuge in God. He was not looking to Egypt, his weapons, army, or the Temple of the LORD: he looked to the LORD of the Temple! Without a backup plan Hezekiah spread out the letter before the LORD, and God answered. 2 Kings 19:32-37 says, "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 34 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' 35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 37 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place."
When we face conflict, we are given the choice to line up our options. These examples reveal the folly of trusting in self or resorting to a "Plan B" when God sits on the throne. If we have a "Plan B," God will not be our "Plan A!" God regards, defends, and fights for those who trust wholly in Him. Is He not able to supply all our needs? The God who created the ear, shall He not hear? The God who formed the eye, shall He not see? The God who created all things remains in total, complete control. Fear Him, seek Him, and your eyes will see the salvation of the LORD!
03 December 2014
Gutter Maintenance
At the end of a sweltering summer day, Sydney was doused with a welcome shower. Wind whipped the trees and the cool rain bucketed down. During the cloudburst, I noticed a few areas where rain was spilling over the edge of the gutters. This morning after seeing the boys off to school, I pulled out a ladder and confirmed my suspicion. The large tree which provides lovely shade in our front yard also drops leaves in abundance, and the gutters needed to be cleaned. It only took a short time to remove the leaves, and hopefully the next rain will prove my effort of maintenance successful.
Since the gutters are elevated, it took a rainstorm for me to notice the flow of water was impeded by leaves and debris. Buckets of leaves had slowly accumulated out of my sight. Many had turned black due to the decomposition process. Because I do occasionally clean the gutters, it was not a big chore to clear them this morning. It made me think about the spiritual maintenance required for our lives to remain pure, so the Living Water of the Holy Spirit may flow unabated through our lives. Often the temptation must come in a deluge, a storm kicks up that unsettles us, or we experience a power outage and subsequent darkness which brings us to our senses that something is quite wrong. We may think we are doing very well spiritually until we have a great fall. It is only afterwards we realise the warning signs were there for quite a while. Sinful thoughts and selfish attitudes in our hearts had slowly been accumulating like leaves in the gutter. Clear skies and light breezes didn't alert us to our wayward hearts. But when the storm hit in the form of a fight when we used unkind words, exhibited uncontrolled anger, or sinful choices made clear our wretched condition. Slowly resolve against temptations eroded as our desire or curiosity intensified which resulted in additional sin. We can praise God for His grace to allow the gutter to overflow so we might see our desperate need for Him.
The gutter on our house was powerless to clear itself of the leaves. The massive volume of water packed leaves under stabilising brackets which cut off the flow, and strong winds added more leaves still. Even as Christians, we are absolutely powerless to cleanse ourselves from sin and restore ourselves to a close relationship with God when we choose sin. It is good when our sin brings us to a place of desperation for God's intervention in our lives. If our need for cleansing and deliverance from sin does not overwhelm us, it may be we have not looked into the recesses in our hearts. If our mind and heart is like a gutter packed with refuse, God supplies the only salvation and deliverance through repentance and faith in Christ. When our eyes are opened to our powerlessness and Christ's sufficiency, we can make the contemplation of David in Psalm 142 our prayer: "I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. 4 Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me."
The gutters on our house could not clear themselves, but it was easy for me to do. No matter what your struggle, no matter how long those leaves have been accumulating, cleansing you of sin is no problem for Jesus. How would you like to have a new start? How would you like to be delivered from the prison of sin you find yourself stuck in? Seek refuge in the LORD, trusting only in Him. Repent, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. Keep an eye on the condition of your heart and mind, performing regular checks and soul maintenance. Then when the stormy temptation hits, the cleansing, refreshing power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit will flow freely through you.
Since the gutters are elevated, it took a rainstorm for me to notice the flow of water was impeded by leaves and debris. Buckets of leaves had slowly accumulated out of my sight. Many had turned black due to the decomposition process. Because I do occasionally clean the gutters, it was not a big chore to clear them this morning. It made me think about the spiritual maintenance required for our lives to remain pure, so the Living Water of the Holy Spirit may flow unabated through our lives. Often the temptation must come in a deluge, a storm kicks up that unsettles us, or we experience a power outage and subsequent darkness which brings us to our senses that something is quite wrong. We may think we are doing very well spiritually until we have a great fall. It is only afterwards we realise the warning signs were there for quite a while. Sinful thoughts and selfish attitudes in our hearts had slowly been accumulating like leaves in the gutter. Clear skies and light breezes didn't alert us to our wayward hearts. But when the storm hit in the form of a fight when we used unkind words, exhibited uncontrolled anger, or sinful choices made clear our wretched condition. Slowly resolve against temptations eroded as our desire or curiosity intensified which resulted in additional sin. We can praise God for His grace to allow the gutter to overflow so we might see our desperate need for Him.
The gutter on our house was powerless to clear itself of the leaves. The massive volume of water packed leaves under stabilising brackets which cut off the flow, and strong winds added more leaves still. Even as Christians, we are absolutely powerless to cleanse ourselves from sin and restore ourselves to a close relationship with God when we choose sin. It is good when our sin brings us to a place of desperation for God's intervention in our lives. If our need for cleansing and deliverance from sin does not overwhelm us, it may be we have not looked into the recesses in our hearts. If our mind and heart is like a gutter packed with refuse, God supplies the only salvation and deliverance through repentance and faith in Christ. When our eyes are opened to our powerlessness and Christ's sufficiency, we can make the contemplation of David in Psalm 142 our prayer: "I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. 4 Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me."
The gutters on our house could not clear themselves, but it was easy for me to do. No matter what your struggle, no matter how long those leaves have been accumulating, cleansing you of sin is no problem for Jesus. How would you like to have a new start? How would you like to be delivered from the prison of sin you find yourself stuck in? Seek refuge in the LORD, trusting only in Him. Repent, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. Keep an eye on the condition of your heart and mind, performing regular checks and soul maintenance. Then when the stormy temptation hits, the cleansing, refreshing power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit will flow freely through you.
01 December 2014
Waiting for Mangoes to Fall
Today I heard an interesting story from a man who recently visited an island located in the South Pacific Ocean. As he was driving to a meeting in the morning, he noticed a woman sitting with a small child under a mango tree. Several hours later, he passed by the same woman - who was still sitting under the same tree. He asked his guide, "So what is that woman doing under that tree? Is she waiting for a bus?" "Oh no," the guide responded. "She is waiting for a mango to fall. When a mango falls, she will eat it." The guide went on to explain when children are older, they become skilled at climbing trees and develop the skill of accurately throwing rocks to cause targeted mangos to fall. Though her child was not yet able to speed up the process, the woman was content to wait for a mango to fall.
There is a lesson in the waiting woman for those who are in a hurry for fruitfulness. Mangos fall when they are ripe and ready to eat, and the woman knew this well. Impatiently throwing rocks could also damage the tree and unripe fruit, not to mention the possibility of inflicting injuries on others. The development of ripe fruit, like the growth and fruitfulness of a tree itself, is not to be rushed. In a society saturated with self and entitlement concerning immediate results, this is a lesson difficult to learn. The value of such a lesson may even be questioned because it seems unnecessary. Patiently waiting hours for a mango to fall would just about kill some people! Whilst there is something to be said for industry and labour, the lesson of the mango-woman is usefully applied to our walk with Jesus Christ.
The woman may seem lazy to you, but actually she was intentional in rising early and staking her claim under a tree. Perhaps the day before she had passed by the tree and recognised it would not be long before sweet mangoes began to drop. She could work with her hands weaving and feeding her youngster under the tree as easily as at home. So she patiently waited in the right spot. Why? Because there was delicious fruit in the tree she desired and valued. She was willing to wait to obtain her desire. Let me ask you, dear believer: do you value the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you place yourself in a position to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit to others? Are you willing to share with others what you have waited on the LORD for? Are you willing to slowly work your way through the scriptures, seeking God's direction for your life? When you are confused or without understanding are you willing to stop, sit down, and drop everything else to seek God's wisdom and guidance? Are you willing to pray and continue to pray according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even if you do not see immediate results from your efforts? Or do your prayers resemble the efforts of a little child who throws a wayward rock or two at the mangoes dangling far overhead, and then run off distracted by the lure of beckoning waves?
The hard texture and sour flavour in unripe fruit slowly changes over time. The rays of sunlight, the moisture from water, and the nutrients from the earth combine to cause fruit to grow and ripen in season. Ripe fruit is ready for eating. After fruit is matured it has an appealing fragrance, sweetness and softness of flesh. Sometimes we can be impatient with Christians who do not seem to be maturing. We can be frustrated over our own lack of progress. Bitterness can grow in our hearts over a church that seems not to be fruitful as it could or should be. The one thing we should not do is throw stones! Instead, let us take heed to ourselves, that we are resting in the shadow of the Almighty. Let us be patient and nurture one another, recalling how Jesus has been faithful and longsuffering for our sakes. Jesus said in John 15:1-5, "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, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Without Jesus, no one can be fruitful. Abiding in Christ is not passive, but intentionally done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus alone makes your life fruitful, and He is the only one capable of causing fruitfulness in others.
Since Jesus has provided us the Bible which is compared to good seed, it is clear God has designed His Word to grow. This process does not happen overnight. Are you willing to be faithful and patient for God to bring growth and ripeness in your own life and others? Jesus said in John 15:16-17, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another." Love is the primary fruit of the Spirit we ought to seek to cultivate. If we will abide in Christ, all the fruit of the Spirit will be produced. Take time to ask God to produce His fruit in your life, and cause it to ripen and fall so others can be nourished and sustained. He will do it if we will expectantly wait on Him!
There is a lesson in the waiting woman for those who are in a hurry for fruitfulness. Mangos fall when they are ripe and ready to eat, and the woman knew this well. Impatiently throwing rocks could also damage the tree and unripe fruit, not to mention the possibility of inflicting injuries on others. The development of ripe fruit, like the growth and fruitfulness of a tree itself, is not to be rushed. In a society saturated with self and entitlement concerning immediate results, this is a lesson difficult to learn. The value of such a lesson may even be questioned because it seems unnecessary. Patiently waiting hours for a mango to fall would just about kill some people! Whilst there is something to be said for industry and labour, the lesson of the mango-woman is usefully applied to our walk with Jesus Christ.
The woman may seem lazy to you, but actually she was intentional in rising early and staking her claim under a tree. Perhaps the day before she had passed by the tree and recognised it would not be long before sweet mangoes began to drop. She could work with her hands weaving and feeding her youngster under the tree as easily as at home. So she patiently waited in the right spot. Why? Because there was delicious fruit in the tree she desired and valued. She was willing to wait to obtain her desire. Let me ask you, dear believer: do you value the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you place yourself in a position to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit to others? Are you willing to share with others what you have waited on the LORD for? Are you willing to slowly work your way through the scriptures, seeking God's direction for your life? When you are confused or without understanding are you willing to stop, sit down, and drop everything else to seek God's wisdom and guidance? Are you willing to pray and continue to pray according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even if you do not see immediate results from your efforts? Or do your prayers resemble the efforts of a little child who throws a wayward rock or two at the mangoes dangling far overhead, and then run off distracted by the lure of beckoning waves?
The hard texture and sour flavour in unripe fruit slowly changes over time. The rays of sunlight, the moisture from water, and the nutrients from the earth combine to cause fruit to grow and ripen in season. Ripe fruit is ready for eating. After fruit is matured it has an appealing fragrance, sweetness and softness of flesh. Sometimes we can be impatient with Christians who do not seem to be maturing. We can be frustrated over our own lack of progress. Bitterness can grow in our hearts over a church that seems not to be fruitful as it could or should be. The one thing we should not do is throw stones! Instead, let us take heed to ourselves, that we are resting in the shadow of the Almighty. Let us be patient and nurture one another, recalling how Jesus has been faithful and longsuffering for our sakes. Jesus said in John 15:1-5, "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, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Without Jesus, no one can be fruitful. Abiding in Christ is not passive, but intentionally done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus alone makes your life fruitful, and He is the only one capable of causing fruitfulness in others.
Since Jesus has provided us the Bible which is compared to good seed, it is clear God has designed His Word to grow. This process does not happen overnight. Are you willing to be faithful and patient for God to bring growth and ripeness in your own life and others? Jesus said in John 15:16-17, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another." Love is the primary fruit of the Spirit we ought to seek to cultivate. If we will abide in Christ, all the fruit of the Spirit will be produced. Take time to ask God to produce His fruit in your life, and cause it to ripen and fall so others can be nourished and sustained. He will do it if we will expectantly wait on Him!
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