I was reading in Mark 9:14-15 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
As I read this familiar passage, where Jesus heals the boy that the disciples failed to heal, these verses caught my attention. Jesus comes on the scene to find his disciples arguing with the scribes. It is my understanding that the scribes were experts at the Law. So here are Jesus' students, disciples, followers whatever you want to call them - going head to head with the experts in the Law. It had to be heated with "A great multitude" surrounding them.
I am sure much of the argument was because of interpretation. I mean think about how much time has passed since the beginning of the law to now, and how much interpretation there is now - we have experts on everything. One person says sprinkle for baptism, the other says full submission, and there are many others in between. It appears they were arguing because the disciples lacked the miracle working that the crowd wanted that day - whatever it was they were in a heated debate over the technical part of it.
Then in walks Jesus. Didn't say anything, but we read the people caught glimpse of him and immediately were amazed and ran to him. He hadn't done anything, just arrived on the scene and people were amazed. They left the heated debate to run to him.
I thought about how this applies to our lives now. So many times we try to debate with people what the word of God says, what it means, and how it should be applied. I have seen things turn down right ugly as "Christians" try to prove they are right.
But really Jesus is the Word (John 1:14 - the Word became flesh). Just as Jesus came on the scene and people were amazed and ran to him, we should do the same. We need to present the Word, and let the Word stand. The Holy Spirit can bring the revelation to the person, and they will leave the argument and run to God. We don't need to argue it. "Here is what the word of God says......" Then we just need to live as Christ did. The rest of it is God's work.
You notice Jesus didn't join the debate. He simply arrived on the scene. The people were amazed before he did anything. But he still did what was right for him to do - healed the boy.
How many more people would be reach if we just gave them the Word and lived as the Word tells us and showed us to do.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Revelation on obedience and giving from an unusual story
I was reading in the word last night the story of the triumphant entry of Christ in Jerusalem, I have read the story a number of times before – Jesus sends his disciples to get a colt, they go get it. Jesus comes in, the people lay down the branches and sing “Hosanna and Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Last night as I read it, I had a new revelation about what really happened that day.
Mark 11:1- 11 tells the story as I read it last night. A couple of things caught my attention. The first was the disciples immediately went and did what Jesus told them to do, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
While I would like to think that I would be obedient, I know from experience that while I might eventually do it, it would likely not be obedient. I mean I know I would have questions run through my head, and maybe the disciples left that part out. I might feel God tell me to go talk to someone about Him and I am reluctant, I drag my feet wanting to know it is Him, wanting reassurance I will say the right thing. That is just to talk to them about Him, not to ask them to give me something for His use. I guess if I felt passionate about it, I probably would with much encouragement from those around me, but they were asking for a valuable piece of property from a stranger, so the Lord could ride into town. WOW!
The second thing that caught my attention was after the disciples did what Jesus told them to, the owner of the colt just “let them go.” I mean a colt is a piece of property. I am no farmer but I am sure colts do not come cheap. And here some guy is told by a group of men that the Lord wants it. And he gives it, just lets it go. That amazes me. I mean some would say it was divine will, and while that is true, God still gave us the power of choice.
Again I would like to think that I would say oh yes, the Lord wants to use my ……, here it is. But the reality is while I have no problem paying tithes, giving to charities, or using my time I am not sure where I would be if God said “Give me your car, I need it.” especially if He sent a group of guys to ask for it. I would probably look at them and think they were trying to steal my car and call the police or the psych ward that these “nuts” thought the Lord told them to “borrow my car.”
As the story goes on, as Jesus is riding into town, on this colt so freely given, people are taking their clothes and laying them on the ground for the colt to walk on! I mean there is not a Mall or Wal-Mart where they can just run out and buy more. Clothes, including the material were all handmade, no Hobby Lobby to run to to by material – they had to use the loom. There were no heavy duty washer and dryer to get them clothes clean, just a river to clean them in. They took what they had and used it to glorify God.
So out of this story, I found revelation that God wants us to be obedient – no questions asked, just do it, immediately. Second, what we have should be used in the labor of Christ – big or small, God gave it all. We don’t need to analyze or get a second opinion, be just need to give it all. I just pray that God will help me apply what has been revealed.
Mark 11:1- 11 tells the story as I read it last night. A couple of things caught my attention. The first was the disciples immediately went and did what Jesus told them to do, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
While I would like to think that I would be obedient, I know from experience that while I might eventually do it, it would likely not be obedient. I mean I know I would have questions run through my head, and maybe the disciples left that part out. I might feel God tell me to go talk to someone about Him and I am reluctant, I drag my feet wanting to know it is Him, wanting reassurance I will say the right thing. That is just to talk to them about Him, not to ask them to give me something for His use. I guess if I felt passionate about it, I probably would with much encouragement from those around me, but they were asking for a valuable piece of property from a stranger, so the Lord could ride into town. WOW!
The second thing that caught my attention was after the disciples did what Jesus told them to, the owner of the colt just “let them go.” I mean a colt is a piece of property. I am no farmer but I am sure colts do not come cheap. And here some guy is told by a group of men that the Lord wants it. And he gives it, just lets it go. That amazes me. I mean some would say it was divine will, and while that is true, God still gave us the power of choice.
Again I would like to think that I would say oh yes, the Lord wants to use my ……, here it is. But the reality is while I have no problem paying tithes, giving to charities, or using my time I am not sure where I would be if God said “Give me your car, I need it.” especially if He sent a group of guys to ask for it. I would probably look at them and think they were trying to steal my car and call the police or the psych ward that these “nuts” thought the Lord told them to “borrow my car.”
As the story goes on, as Jesus is riding into town, on this colt so freely given, people are taking their clothes and laying them on the ground for the colt to walk on! I mean there is not a Mall or Wal-Mart where they can just run out and buy more. Clothes, including the material were all handmade, no Hobby Lobby to run to to by material – they had to use the loom. There were no heavy duty washer and dryer to get them clothes clean, just a river to clean them in. They took what they had and used it to glorify God.
So out of this story, I found revelation that God wants us to be obedient – no questions asked, just do it, immediately. Second, what we have should be used in the labor of Christ – big or small, God gave it all. We don’t need to analyze or get a second opinion, be just need to give it all. I just pray that God will help me apply what has been revealed.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Overwhelmed - I know the answer
In today's society so many are overwhelmed by the circumstances engulfing their life, and I admit there are times that I get to feeling that way, but what overwhelms me consistently is the love of Christ. I am taken aback as I read His words. I have been trying to do a study of the life of Christ, not from a book, but from THE BOOK. I am a very literal person, so I believe that when Christ says his followers have the same power that He had and that we will do the miracles He did and even greater ones; that we are suppose to be using that power and authority. I want to know from His life how I should be living and what I should be doing.
It overwhelms me as I read the scriptures that say that He turned water into wine, walked on water, healed the sick, raised the dead, and feeding the multitudes. How can it be, that all that He spoke is true, yet I, and most other believers do not walk in this authority and power. WHY? I know the answer, I don't like it but I know the answer - lack of faith.
It overwhelms me to read of the compassion that Christ had. So many different examples of him being tired and worn out, wanting to get away and rest, and yet He would see the multitudes and have compassion and give more of Himself. If I am suppose to live as Christ did, where is my compassion? I mean I like to help people, but when I want rest, I don't have compassion. I am not even nice if I am tired. How is that Christ like? I know the answer - it is not, it is allowing my flesh not my spirit to control my life.
Tonight I am reading in Mark about how Jesus fed the multitudes, then sent his disciples to the other side of the body of water. Jesus comes walking out and gets into the boat. Walking on water got their attention. Taking fives loaves of bread and two fish and feeding a multitude didn't (Mark 6:52)??? I asked myself while reading, God how can they see that many lives touched and not be amazed, but one man walks on water and it gets their attention? I know the answer.
I was quickened in my spirit that there are many miracles that God has worked in the life of others around me, but the ones that speak loudest are the ones that I directly witness that impact my life. I want to see the starving children in Africa fed, but I am moved when I talked to a young child who has starved and wants to hide food so they will always know they have it available. Even typing those words moves me to tears. I have heard lots of stories about God healing people, even know people He has healed of cancer and other life threatening diseases, but I am amazed when I pray for a little ache and God heals it.
So I go back to being overwhelmed at how God can move in mighty ways, and yet it is the simple things that really add up and overwhelm me. I am overwhelmed when I think of the task before me, living for Christ. But then I know the answer - Read His Word, Believe His Word and Do His Word. It is overwhelming, but it really is that simple!
It overwhelms me as I read the scriptures that say that He turned water into wine, walked on water, healed the sick, raised the dead, and feeding the multitudes. How can it be, that all that He spoke is true, yet I, and most other believers do not walk in this authority and power. WHY? I know the answer, I don't like it but I know the answer - lack of faith.
It overwhelms me to read of the compassion that Christ had. So many different examples of him being tired and worn out, wanting to get away and rest, and yet He would see the multitudes and have compassion and give more of Himself. If I am suppose to live as Christ did, where is my compassion? I mean I like to help people, but when I want rest, I don't have compassion. I am not even nice if I am tired. How is that Christ like? I know the answer - it is not, it is allowing my flesh not my spirit to control my life.
Tonight I am reading in Mark about how Jesus fed the multitudes, then sent his disciples to the other side of the body of water. Jesus comes walking out and gets into the boat. Walking on water got their attention. Taking fives loaves of bread and two fish and feeding a multitude didn't (Mark 6:52)??? I asked myself while reading, God how can they see that many lives touched and not be amazed, but one man walks on water and it gets their attention? I know the answer.
I was quickened in my spirit that there are many miracles that God has worked in the life of others around me, but the ones that speak loudest are the ones that I directly witness that impact my life. I want to see the starving children in Africa fed, but I am moved when I talked to a young child who has starved and wants to hide food so they will always know they have it available. Even typing those words moves me to tears. I have heard lots of stories about God healing people, even know people He has healed of cancer and other life threatening diseases, but I am amazed when I pray for a little ache and God heals it.
So I go back to being overwhelmed at how God can move in mighty ways, and yet it is the simple things that really add up and overwhelm me. I am overwhelmed when I think of the task before me, living for Christ. But then I know the answer - Read His Word, Believe His Word and Do His Word. It is overwhelming, but it really is that simple!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Same Power
We have started singing a song at church, I think it is by Hillsong, but can't swear to it - but there is a line of it that spoke to me about something that I believe God has been trying to show His church. The line says "The same power that conquered the grave lives in me."
As I was standing there singing those words, it really dawned on me what that meant. It reminded me of a scripture I read with the kids just a few days before found in John.. 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
We walk in defeat not because we have to, but because we, the Church, have allowed satan to convince us that we are powerless. We have taken on the titles of this world to define who we are - I am a mother, a sister, a wife, a worker, I have ADD, I have SAD, I am.... just fill in the blank. Yet, we get our worth from our creator. Joel Osteen gives the example, if I "make" a $100 bill it is not worth anything because I have no authority or power to print it. A true $100 bill is given its worth from the treasury of the US as its creator - the Treasury has the authority and the power to print it.
My worth is found in God - He alone can say who I am, what I am worth, and give me power and authority.Well, Jesus said that if I believe in Him, I will do greater things than Him because He was going to the Father. Well Jesus had authority. He had power. He raised the dead and he rose from the dead. He gave sight to the blind, made the dumb talk, the deaf hear, and the lame walk. I am not sure what greater things there could be.
But even just looking at what Jesus did, - when was the last time that as a believer, I have done any of these things (Not through my own power, but the power of Christ that lives in me)? Only speaking for myself - NEVER!
And yet, the same power that conquered the grave lives in me! It is at my disposal because Christ gave me the power and authority to use it because I believe in Him. That is such a powerful statement that it overwhelms me even as I say it. Yet I know it is true because the Bible tells me so. It made me realize that I have the power, I just have to be willing to step out in faith, put Satan under my feet and use it for God’s glory and honor.
And maybe like the disciples, in Matthew 17, my faith will not be as big as the God I serve, but if I don’t take that step of faith, and claim that same power, then some day the grave will be full of people not reached because I, we, the Church, didn’t step out in faith and use the power that Christ died and gave us.
As I was standing there singing those words, it really dawned on me what that meant. It reminded me of a scripture I read with the kids just a few days before found in John.. 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
We walk in defeat not because we have to, but because we, the Church, have allowed satan to convince us that we are powerless. We have taken on the titles of this world to define who we are - I am a mother, a sister, a wife, a worker, I have ADD, I have SAD, I am.... just fill in the blank. Yet, we get our worth from our creator. Joel Osteen gives the example, if I "make" a $100 bill it is not worth anything because I have no authority or power to print it. A true $100 bill is given its worth from the treasury of the US as its creator - the Treasury has the authority and the power to print it.
My worth is found in God - He alone can say who I am, what I am worth, and give me power and authority.Well, Jesus said that if I believe in Him, I will do greater things than Him because He was going to the Father. Well Jesus had authority. He had power. He raised the dead and he rose from the dead. He gave sight to the blind, made the dumb talk, the deaf hear, and the lame walk. I am not sure what greater things there could be.
But even just looking at what Jesus did, - when was the last time that as a believer, I have done any of these things (Not through my own power, but the power of Christ that lives in me)? Only speaking for myself - NEVER!
And yet, the same power that conquered the grave lives in me! It is at my disposal because Christ gave me the power and authority to use it because I believe in Him. That is such a powerful statement that it overwhelms me even as I say it. Yet I know it is true because the Bible tells me so. It made me realize that I have the power, I just have to be willing to step out in faith, put Satan under my feet and use it for God’s glory and honor.
And maybe like the disciples, in Matthew 17, my faith will not be as big as the God I serve, but if I don’t take that step of faith, and claim that same power, then some day the grave will be full of people not reached because I, we, the Church, didn’t step out in faith and use the power that Christ died and gave us.
Faith vs. courage
Faith is defined as confidence or trust in a person or thing.
Having courage is to act in accordance with one's beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism.
Why is it that I can have faith but not the courage to act in accordance with what I believe?
Today I was talking with this person and he told me that he had been in the hospital all week. There is a spot on his heart and they are talking about putting in a pacemaker. He is not very old, but it seems that he and his family have been having one problem after another with their health.
As I left I said I will keep you in my prayers. I got in my car and prayed for healing to his heart. I have the faith that God can and will heal him. When I prayed I know God heard.I know the Bible says to speak to pay for the sick.
Why don't I have the courage to pray right then with the person, the prayer for healing with faith?
Having courage is to act in accordance with one's beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism.
Why is it that I can have faith but not the courage to act in accordance with what I believe?
Today I was talking with this person and he told me that he had been in the hospital all week. There is a spot on his heart and they are talking about putting in a pacemaker. He is not very old, but it seems that he and his family have been having one problem after another with their health.
As I left I said I will keep you in my prayers. I got in my car and prayed for healing to his heart. I have the faith that God can and will heal him. When I prayed I know God heard.I know the Bible says to speak to pay for the sick.
Why don't I have the courage to pray right then with the person, the prayer for healing with faith?
Rewards
Tonight at church we started watching the video series Honor Reward by ..John.. Bevere. It was an introductory to a twelve week series on honor, which sounds very inspiring. Well, a while in to the DVD, it messed up. The last part I heard him say was in reference to a verse II John 8, that talks about your FULL REWARD.
Then he said, through the scratched ..DVD - That means you could receive no reward, a partial reward, or your full reward.
Two thoughts came to my mind; the first is we are all in the same race. It is not that we are running to be #1; he stated it is a race of endurance. It is more like the Walk-a-thons for Relay for Life or other charities. It is not being #1, it is the effort that you put in to it, the attitude that you keep though the relay, which is to mirror the battle of a cancer survivor that makes the difference. It is in finishing and starting with the same passion, not about beating everyone else. We are all in a race and while we need to help others along the way that they too will finish, we don’t have to be first - we have to finish successfully.
The second thought was about the reward. Think about how little kids will bring home those fundraisers for school (Maybe it is just these little schools my kids go to) but they send home these catalogs full of stuff people don't need and along with it is a flyer with cheesy prize categories with the top thing being the latest gadget that every kids wants - a scooter, a video game system, cash - and it is theirs to EARN for the bargain price of selling 100 things.
The kid comes home super excited about this great gadget that they are getting. They are full of passion and on a mission to get it. And I am sure that there are kids (More likely their parents in great desperation to get their child what they want - but that ruins the point - so I will stick with the kid) who reach that goal.
They start out with a passion for getting the prize and they work hard to get their FULL REWARD. But then there are other kids who work hard at the start but get discouraged, distracted, bored, run out of time, whatever that maybe reach a higher level of reward, but don't quiet make it to that Full Reward, but they get a PARTIAL REWARD. Then there are those kids who will have their parent’s order something out of obligation, but that is about it. Usually they receive little or NO REWARD.
Whatever the reward, it is all tied to the level of effort that the child puts forth and the endurance with which they continue the effort. As Christians, we are the same as those little children. We can live our lives with endurance and stay focused and we will receive our FULL REWARD in Christ. Or we can do, as many Christians do, and serve God, not with focus and endurance, but allowing other things to be first in our lives, or when it is convenient, or with full force that we burn out before we finish. Those Christians will receive a PARTIAL REWARD in Heaven, but not the full reward that is available to them if they earn it. And then there are those Christians who will make a decision that will get them to Heaven, but will not make any effort to work for God's kingdom. While I can't say Heaven isn't a reward, they will have NO REWARD in the full reward God promised.
In the end, it is up to each of us to decide how much reward we want in Heaven. Do we want the ..FULL.. REWARD and are we willing to work for what we want, over the course of our life.
2 John 1:8 (New King James Version) Look to yourselves, that you do not lose those things you worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.
Then he said, through the scratched ..DVD - That means you could receive no reward, a partial reward, or your full reward.
Two thoughts came to my mind; the first is we are all in the same race. It is not that we are running to be #1; he stated it is a race of endurance. It is more like the Walk-a-thons for Relay for Life or other charities. It is not being #1, it is the effort that you put in to it, the attitude that you keep though the relay, which is to mirror the battle of a cancer survivor that makes the difference. It is in finishing and starting with the same passion, not about beating everyone else. We are all in a race and while we need to help others along the way that they too will finish, we don’t have to be first - we have to finish successfully.
The second thought was about the reward. Think about how little kids will bring home those fundraisers for school (Maybe it is just these little schools my kids go to) but they send home these catalogs full of stuff people don't need and along with it is a flyer with cheesy prize categories with the top thing being the latest gadget that every kids wants - a scooter, a video game system, cash - and it is theirs to EARN for the bargain price of selling 100 things.
The kid comes home super excited about this great gadget that they are getting. They are full of passion and on a mission to get it. And I am sure that there are kids (More likely their parents in great desperation to get their child what they want - but that ruins the point - so I will stick with the kid) who reach that goal.
They start out with a passion for getting the prize and they work hard to get their FULL REWARD. But then there are other kids who work hard at the start but get discouraged, distracted, bored, run out of time, whatever that maybe reach a higher level of reward, but don't quiet make it to that Full Reward, but they get a PARTIAL REWARD. Then there are those kids who will have their parent’s order something out of obligation, but that is about it. Usually they receive little or NO REWARD.
Whatever the reward, it is all tied to the level of effort that the child puts forth and the endurance with which they continue the effort. As Christians, we are the same as those little children. We can live our lives with endurance and stay focused and we will receive our FULL REWARD in Christ. Or we can do, as many Christians do, and serve God, not with focus and endurance, but allowing other things to be first in our lives, or when it is convenient, or with full force that we burn out before we finish. Those Christians will receive a PARTIAL REWARD in Heaven, but not the full reward that is available to them if they earn it. And then there are those Christians who will make a decision that will get them to Heaven, but will not make any effort to work for God's kingdom. While I can't say Heaven isn't a reward, they will have NO REWARD in the full reward God promised.
In the end, it is up to each of us to decide how much reward we want in Heaven. Do we want the ..FULL.. REWARD and are we willing to work for what we want, over the course of our life.
2 John 1:8 (New King James Version) Look to yourselves, that you do not lose those things you worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.
Fruits or Roots
There is a lot said in the Bible about fruit, over 197 references, and 21 references to roots in the bible according to a search on BibleGateway.com.
A few I found interesting were Ps: 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. and
Matthew 3:10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. and
John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. and
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
It is clear from these scriptures that fruit is an important part of our walk with God as Christians. But I think sometimes we get so focused on producing fruit that we forget about tending to the roots. It is easy to get caught up in efforts to produce fruit - showing love to others, being kind, being good, being faithful to service. But when we focus too much of our attention on bearing fruit we tend to neglect what helps us grow – the roots. We fail to realize that when we stay connected to the Spirit of God, the fruit comes naturally.
When you grow a tree that produces fruit, it takes time and effort. You don't just put apples up there and hope that they attach to your tree and that more come. The fruit comes from the Apple tree. They don’t come separately. I think sometimes that we try to live our Christian lives this way. We try to bear our own fruit. In our own effort we try to love others. We try to serve others. We get so busy in our efforts we get disconnected from the Spirit, of whose fruit we are trying to bear. We try to fake it until we make it - I am not saying that sometimes we don’t go through those spells where we keep doing what is right even though we are not seeing results – those times we are usually in the barren season of growth, but we are still connected.
However, we can not, we should not, have to live our lives trying to constantly bear fruit – when we are constantly TRYING, we get wore out because our role is to remain in Him. When we forget to stay firmly planted in the Word, when we forget about praying to God and seeking our Living Water, our roots don't grow. When the roots dry up below, the branches wither above (Job 18:16). Fruit doesn't stay good on a withered branch.
We start trying to make our own fruit. We start trying to be independent. Fruit doesn't grow without the vine and the branch. But the fruit - the fruit of the Spirit, that good fruit that God wants us to produce much of, that fruit that will help us prosper- it comes as a result of being firmly planted in God. It comes naturally as a result of being connected to the Vine.
John.. 15:5 states "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." We need the Roots of God to have the fruit we all desire to bear.
A few I found interesting were Ps: 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. and
Matthew 3:10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. and
John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. and
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
It is clear from these scriptures that fruit is an important part of our walk with God as Christians. But I think sometimes we get so focused on producing fruit that we forget about tending to the roots. It is easy to get caught up in efforts to produce fruit - showing love to others, being kind, being good, being faithful to service. But when we focus too much of our attention on bearing fruit we tend to neglect what helps us grow – the roots. We fail to realize that when we stay connected to the Spirit of God, the fruit comes naturally.
When you grow a tree that produces fruit, it takes time and effort. You don't just put apples up there and hope that they attach to your tree and that more come. The fruit comes from the Apple tree. They don’t come separately. I think sometimes that we try to live our Christian lives this way. We try to bear our own fruit. In our own effort we try to love others. We try to serve others. We get so busy in our efforts we get disconnected from the Spirit, of whose fruit we are trying to bear. We try to fake it until we make it - I am not saying that sometimes we don’t go through those spells where we keep doing what is right even though we are not seeing results – those times we are usually in the barren season of growth, but we are still connected.
However, we can not, we should not, have to live our lives trying to constantly bear fruit – when we are constantly TRYING, we get wore out because our role is to remain in Him. When we forget to stay firmly planted in the Word, when we forget about praying to God and seeking our Living Water, our roots don't grow. When the roots dry up below, the branches wither above (Job 18:16). Fruit doesn't stay good on a withered branch.
We start trying to make our own fruit. We start trying to be independent. Fruit doesn't grow without the vine and the branch. But the fruit - the fruit of the Spirit, that good fruit that God wants us to produce much of, that fruit that will help us prosper- it comes as a result of being firmly planted in God. It comes naturally as a result of being connected to the Vine.
John.. 15:5 states "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." We need the Roots of God to have the fruit we all desire to bear.
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