#fruit

By: Deborah Ard

It’s spring time! Birds are chirping. The temperature is rising. Farmers are planting crops. This time of year the outside world is full of energy, excitement and growth. Meanwhile, I am on the inside, trudging along on my daily routines, longing to be outside among new life. Often times I muddle through the tasks at hand without focusing on the here and now because I am looking ahead at a future goal or focusing on getting through circumstances. Perhaps God has a message for me in my current circumstances.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

Whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

That sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

Its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

WAIT A MINUTE!!!

Did that just say, “never fails to bear fruit?” Isn’t that the real purpose of our circumstances? We are called to bear fruit.

So even when I feel like an issue is unfair, I should bear fruit. Even when I feel like a situation is hopeless, I should bear fruit. Even when a person treats me unkind, I should bear fruit.

So what about you? Where has God planted you? Are you dealing with an unfair issue? Does your situation seem hopeless? Has someone treated you unfairly?

Trust in the Lord.

Do not fear when heat comes.

And never fail to bear fruit.

The real question is “What kind of fruit will you bear?”

#Prayer #Endurance

By: Julie Wicker

Father,

My worries, riches, and pleasures of this life are like thorny weeds keeping me from producing fruit. Help me to weed out my garden that I may hear your teachings and apply them Luke 8:14. Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure, affliction, and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance develops our maturity of character which will produce a joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or shames us for your love has been poured in our hearts by your Holy Spirit Rom 5:3-5. Blessed is the one who trusts in you, blessed is the one whose confidence is in you. As your children we are the blessed one, planted and rooted in your amazing love. When heat comes our way we will not fear, we will not worry, and in times of waiting we will efficaciously bear fruit Je 17: 7-8.

In the name of Jesus

Amen