Luke 13:6-9 –  ^“Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  ⁷ So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none.  Cut it down!  Why should it continue to deplete the soil?’ ⁸ But the worker answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it.  ⁹ Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of Luke held my attention as I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today.  As usual, the Holy Spirit addressed several areas for my consideration and development.  

One that challenged me deeply was Luke 13:6-9, the story of the unproductive fig tree.  The owner of the vineyard is God, but the fig tree has multiple possibilities.   It could be Israel.   It could be the church.   It could be us.   Three years could be a reference to the earthly ministry of Jesus or simply a reference to a time of normal development that was expected to result in fruitfulness.

The worker could easily be a reference to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus.  The thing that challenged me was that there is a limit to God’s patience in our being nonproductive for the kingdom.

We are here for a purpose larger than ourselves.   Our existence is not random.   Each of us has a call, a destiny, a purpose, and the gift(s) to fulfill that purpose.  We are God’s Fig Trees.   

Remember Jesus’ reaction to the fig tree that appeared to be fruitful but had no fruit?   We mistakenly equate fruitfulness with exploits and great works praised by men.   

We are members of the Body of Christ with specific functions to perform.   The hand, the eye, the knee, the foot, the heart, the ear, and even the armpit have a beneficial purpose and function.  God does not need, nor does He want us to all be an eye, etc.  He wants us to be what He created us to be and utilizes the abilities He has put in us for that purpose.

We are living stones.  That is wonderful, but terrible at the same time.  A natural stone stays where it is placed, never complains, and aspires for a more desirable position, visibility, and recognition.  Living Stones have a bad habit of aspiring for a position not designed for them.  They don’t stay where they are put.

The body cannot function at its peak performance and productivity unless each body part is in its proper place, performing its designed function.

We are God’s “Fig Trees,” and our assignment is to produce the “figs” He purposed us to produce.   No one may ever call your name publicly, but if you are producing the figs you were designed to produce, you will be praised in heaven.  “Well, done will be your recognition!”

Don’t allow old slew foot to bring condemnation, telling you that you should do or be something.  Ask God what body part you are and where your placement in His building is, and with contentment and confidence, Bloom where you are planted, and the fruit you are designed to produce will be realized.

Rather than fretting over, “What’s my gift?”   Seek Him; what you are designed to be will become clear as you see Him.  He will open your heart, mind, and eyes to realize what truly draws your heart and what you do well.

Do not predetermine what you think gifts are.    If it’s to smile and spread cheer, rejoice!  If it’s baking cookies, rejoice!   If it’s intercession, rejoice!  Be who you are and give that to Him.  He will produce the fruit in you.  Cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He prunes and fertilizes you.  You are one of God’s fig trees and have one job – fruit, the fruit He determined for you to produce.  Never compare yourself to someone else; just be!

May the fruit of your life be manifest for all to see and impact your environment and the Kingdom of God!

Luke 9:23 – – “Then He said to them all, If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, several thoughts permeated my consciousness: God’s call to salvation, God’s provision for living, and the visible manifestation of confidence through a relationship with God.

Luke 9:23 addresses the issue of discipleship, which involves dethroning self and enthroning Jesus.    It is to resign as Lord of our lives and receive Him as Lord. It is to take up his cross daily.   Each day requires consideration of what it means to follow Jesus fully.   It is to determine that we will give our whole self to Him today.

Luke 12:27 – “Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!”

The natural growth process of the flowers is contrasted with human effort.   The next verse solidifies the reality that if we trust God, He will provide for our needs.   If we try to do it ourselves, we experience the frustration, stress, and pressure of image and possessions. 

In verse 31, we have the answer, “Instead, pursue His Kingdom (Him), and all these things will be given to you as well.”   There is a place for labor, but at the end of the day, it is not our efforts but His grace that provides what we need and more.

In verse 35, He says, “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning…” In His care and provision, live daily in the confidence of His supply.

Then, we see the visible demonstration of confidence that flows out of our relationship with Jesus in Luke 9:16, “Then, He took the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven. He gave thanks and broke them.” How does that visibly demonstrate confidence?

The posture in prayer is revealing.   Do we bow our heads or look at our feet?   Jesus lifted His head and looked up to heaven.   He knew the Father was listening to him and had accepted him.   We tend to hope to be heard and accepted.   If we ask another human for something, do we look down and ask sheepishly or look them in the eye and ask boldly, hopefully, and confidently?   It all depends on our relationship and our security and confidence in that Relationship!

We are encouraged to come boldly before the throne because we are IN Him.   Let’s begin to live as children of the King and with the confidence He brings. We can trust Him. 

Be Bold Because God Loves You!   You are Redeemed and Transformed!

Luke 3:7-9 – “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  ⁹ 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.”

As I read, prayed, and considered the Word of God today, the condition of the heart, the evidence of faith, and transformation filled my consciousness.

John the Baptist in Luke 3 was baptizing large crowds, and some religious leaders came to be baptized.  John said something that today’s church would say was too harsh.   He called them snakes and said, “Therefore, produce fruit that proves your repentance…”   We know that it is not works that save us, but grace and faith, so that sounds contradictory.  However, if a person truly repents, a transformation occurs on the inside that is visible on the outside.

In Luke 5:36-39, we see this in a little different light.  New patches applied to old garments reveal what many try to achieve spiritually.  They take the new (gospel message) and try to add it to their old lifestyle—no change of heart.   

Then he spoke of the wineskins.   Again, some try to have God’s new wine operative in their unchanged lives.   In verse 39, we see the key: “No one after drinking the old wine wants the new, for he says, “The old is good enough.'”

Not only do we have to be transformed on the inside in salvation, but we also have to be flexible and pliable—moldable with a constant flow of God’s grace and Spirit.  Too many become satisfied with the status quo rather than seeking the continuous flow.  The transformation of our lives is reflected in our words.  What fills our hearts overflows in our words.  Words and actions are reflection pools.

What is in our hearts?  Do our lives reveal a changed heart?  What percentage of the time do we reflect a changed life?  Total transformation produces a continual overflow.

LORD, I pray that You will be manifested in us and represented by us.

Take the beatitudes of Luke 6 as your promise and measuring rod.  Make Luke 6:38 your daily activity.  Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 6:43-46.  What we are is reflected in the fruit we produce.  Fruit is not faked; it is produced.

Victory is our promise, and fruit is responsibility.  Fruit comes from the tree, and the tree is either a redeemed heart or a carnal mind. 
Be victorious!

May your day be filled with His Presence, and your Transformation be complete!

Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is purified; He is like a shield for those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and prove you a liar.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, something tugged at my heart that I felt was a call to action.   This flowed out of my reading of Proverbs 30.

I paused and pondered the thought of God’s Word being purified.    The Word of God is pure, so how could it be purified?    This appears to be a figure of speech (hypo-catastasis) comparing every Word of God to some precious metal that has been refined (purified).   The message, to me, was that God’s Word is trustworthy.  It has no defects, flaws, misinformation, mistakes, or falsehoods.   It is totally reliable.

The continuation reveals the purpose and power of God’s Word: a shield, covering, and protection.  Then, He gives a needed warning about human interpretation.

As I continued to read, in verses 11-14, I saw a description of today’s society.   The phrase, “There is a generation.”   This describes a group or class of people who exhibit the character traits listed: a lack of respect, arrogant contempt for others, greed, self-centeredness, and a willingness to devour others and eliminate them to satisfy their ideological agenda.

The very interesting discussions about contentment or satisfaction, awe-inspiring things, things that bring fear and destruction, how size and strength are not what defines success, but wisdom, the visibly impressive things.

Those are not my focus.   They pointed to God’s grace and awesomeness and led me to the call to action in Proverbs 31:8 – “Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.”

As believers, we are commanded to warn when danger is coming.  We are to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.  If we sit silent in this hour as evil grows, selfishness increases, and life other than one’s own becomes valueless, we will lose God’s favor.

As believers, we do not have the luxury of indifference.  We do not have the luxury of personal preference.  We do not have the luxury of silence in the face of evil.  We do not get to “live and let live,” straddling the fence on matters of life that endanger the defenseless.  We are commanded to warn.  I ask you to make your own list of those in our world who cannot speak for themselves, those who are weak, vulnerable, and unable to defend themselves.  Then, ask God, “What is my assignment?”

I’m crying in repentance and asking for directions.  My voice, prayers, finances, and vote are to be invested in defending those who cannot defend themselves and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Children, babies, the unborn, the elderly who are abandoned, and the blind (spiritually as well as naturally).

We must proclaim Jesus’ message and stand in the gap for those who cannot speak for themselves.   Silence is not an option.  

Have a fantastic Day basking in the Pure, Purified Word of God!

Mark 3:10 – “For He (Jesus) had healed many so that all who were afflicted with diseases pressed toward Him in order to touch Him.”

God is unchanging!   Jesus completely defeated the devil and purchased our redemption.  God loves us!  In the Word, we discover immutable things that inspire!

In Mark 3, they saw the miracles and healings.  They knew that there was something in Jesus that produced the healings.  They concluded that “if” they could touch that power (Him), they could be healed.   So, they sought to touch Him.   The woman with the issue of blood kept saying that very thing, “If I can touch Him.”   In Gennesaret, on His second visit, they asked to touch the hem of His garment.

The reality was that Jesus had the power to heal and deliver.   They desired to touch Him.   I had some questions that came into my heart that challenged me.   “How much do we want to touch Him?”    Another, “How desperate are we to touch Him?”   Then, “Why did they not simply want Him to touch them?”

The woman with the issue of blood was destitute and desperate.  She violated proper Jewish protocol by pressing through the crowd (hindrances) and TOUCHING HIM.

Jesus touching us requires nothing from us.  It requires no commitment, desperation, or effort, just reception of His touch.  We need that, but if we are going to press into His provisions, we have to TOUCH HIM!

We have to press through the things that separate us, get near enough to touch Him, and make a concerted and committed effort to get to Him.  Too often, we pray, “LORD, touch us when the need is for us to touch Him.”  We ask Him to take our part and do our part and His.  He will touch us when we touch Him.

My heart cries, “LORD, help me to become desperate enough to do whatever is needed to get close enough to TOUCH YOU!”   I know that he will TOUCH US when we get near enough to TOUCH HIM!   He longs for us to accept His invitation to “Come to Him.”

In His presence is peace, provision, and power.  Touching Jesus is my goal today!  Touching Him is all that matters!  We will be transformed as we cast off all that hinders us and press in close enough to touch Him.  In that condition, we will receive and gain power to pull down strongholds.

The goal today is to TOUCH JESUS and then be TOUCHED by JESUS!