Bearing Fruit
Today’s Scripture:
“But the worker answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:8-9 NET)
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is just one of many parables that Jesus taught his followers. He shares this one at a time when he was teaching about the importance of repentance. In the parable, a man (or God) plants a fig tree (or us) in his vineyard (the world), after three years it bears no figs, the man tells his gardener (or Jesus) to cut it down, but he (the gardener) asks for one more year to prepare the tree to bear fruit. This comparison really hit home. Jesus is constantly interceding with God on our behalf, his desire for us is that we ‘bear fruit’ and He gave everything so we could. Today, think of a way you can be a ‘fig bearing tree.’
Today’s Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for being the gardener of our heart and for taking the time to prepare us so that we may ‘bear fruit’ as you desire, Teach us daily how we can ‘bear good fruit’ in our lives. Amen.
Branching Out
Today’s Scripture:
“It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” (Luke 13:19 NIV)
The parable of the mustard seed is a powerful meditation. It reminds me of a song that has been sung by many children. “Faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains, moves mountains….Believe what Jesus said was true...wait and see what God will do as you pray, as you pray.” It's amazing to think that faith as small as a mustard seed can do such powerful things. In this version of the parable though, Jesus compares the mustard seed’s growth into a tree to the kingdom of God. It reminds us that the kingdom of God is always growing and ‘branching out’ for all those willing to accept it. Today, ‘branch out’ in your faith and trust that God will be there as you do so.
Today’s Prayer:
Jesus, today we want to ‘branch out’ in our faith and move mountains just as you have. Show us how our faith can play a role in doing this for your glory. Thank you for always encouraging us in our faith. Amen
Believing More
Today’s Scripture:
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many , I tell you, will enter and not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’” Luke 13:24-25 (NIV)
It is God's desire that all of his children join him at the banquet table one day. In this parable, Jesus encourages his followers to ‘make every effort to enter through the narrow door.’ He encourages them, and us, to keep our eyes on the right path. He reminds us that if we do not live as we should when that day comes, we may be the one standing outside the gates of heaven knocking and pleading. It is up to us to put forth the effort to trust him more with each day we are given. Doing this teaches us to ‘branch out’ in our faith and to ‘bear fruit’ as we should. Take a moment to ask yourself “am I walking through the ‘narrow door’ in my faith?”
Today’s Prayer:
Jesus, each day you teach us something new about our faith. Give us the opportunity today to put our faith fully in you. Show us what it will take to enter the narrow door with each day that passes by. Amen.
This Post is Property of TheGospelDaily.com
