Tag: Nature

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Jesus Turns to Nature

JULY 31

MATTHEW 6:26_Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns…

Jesus turns to nature. Consider birds, their work habits. 

I love to watch birds. I keep my feeders full, and water in the bird bath. It is a joy to watch the birds flock to the feeders. Don’t get me started on squirrels and my feeders (don’t want to discuss demons at this time).

During the season, I make nectar and keep my hummingbird feeders full. 

The birds did not plant the black oil sunflower seed I pour into the feeder. Neither did they harvest the seed, nor separate the seed from the hull. The hummers did not plant and grow the cane, nor go through the process of pressing, extracting, etc., to produce the sugar I use to make nectar. 

It is true that all the birds in my yard will eat well without my feeders, and without me. Genesis 1 (KJV), “11 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.”

God had provision on His mind before He created who would need it.   

PRAYER

God Who is the First and the Last, Thank You that You know my needs before I need them. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ provides—I receive!

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Balance in Life

NOVEMBER 18

MATTHEW 7:19_that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down…

Do you agree that trees which are not producing good fruit should be cut down? Every living thing has a purpose. It needs to perform that purpose to keep balance in life. Does that mean if your fig tree is having a bad year you need to cut it down? No. Jesus’ heart of compassion gives everything and everyone ample opportunity for life—including eternal life. 

Jesus tells us a parable in Luke 13:6-9 (KJV), “He spake also this parable; ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’ 8 And he answering said unto him [owner], ‘Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung [fertilize] it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.’”

This tree was taking up space and nutrients, yet not producing. The owner was correct that it was serving no purpose. The vine dresser, who spent his time in the garden, saw a slight hope that if this tree were carefully nurtured it might begin to produce. 

Jesus sees that potential in all of us.   

PRAYER

True God, You give me what I need to produce good fruit. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.    

Christ gives everyone an opportunity for eternal life!

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Till the Cows Come Home

NOVEMBER 7

MATTHEW 7:16_or figs of thistles?

Jesus teaches the same simple gardening plan for figs. If you go to pick your figs—you won’t pick them from thistles. There is obviously a point Jesus is making – must be about a way to freedom!

Thistles are a type of weed. They produce purple flowers which are kind of feathery looking. Some of the flowers have more of a pom-pom look. The stem of the thistle is prickly and full of briars. They really are attractive, but if they grow in your pasture you want to get rid of them. Your livestock would appreciate it. Thistles produce an abundance of seeds and can take over your pasture, greatly reducing your livestock’s grass supply.

If you have thistles growing you can look on them from now to this time next year and won’t find any figs.

Figs grow on trees—thistles don’t. So what is this all about? And how will it help with our freedom search?  If you want grapes—go to grapevine. If you want figs—go to the fig tree. If you want truth—go to the words of the Christ.

This is the correct path to freedom. 

False teachers lead to false paths. You can follow those paths up and down, left and right, from now till the cows come home—you won’t find any freedom.   

PRAYER

Holy Savior, Help me know I can only find truth in You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

Christ leads me to the path of truth—I find freedom!

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The Great Gardener

NOVEMBER 6

MATTHEW 7:16_Do men gather grapes of thorns…

Since Jesus is the Creator that also makes Him The Great Gardener. And just in case you know nada about gardening, He teaches a simple little lesson. 

If you go to your vineyard to pick some grapes—you’re not going to pick them from thorn bushes!  Everything about the vine is about the grape. The vine is specifically created to produce grapes, nothing else.  Everything in creation has its purpose. 

This lesson is according to the Christian’s relationship with Jesus. John 15:1-5 (KJV), “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman [gardener]. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he [God] taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth [chastens, corrects] it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

There it is in plain words.

In order to recognize lies, cling to Jesus and His Words as a grape clings to its vine. If you release yourself from the vine you can do nothing—you are powerless.

PRAYER

True Vine, I am grateful to be a branch of Your vine.  I praise You!  In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                      

Christ is the True Vine for all Christians—I abide in Him!

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Doubts

AUGUST 16

MATTHEW 6:30_shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

The basic purpose of Bible study is to get to know God, to learn how He thinks, to learn His heart. The last part of verse 30 teaches something about God. Another part of the I AM. The words much more describe God’s heart perfectly.

A heart which not only sends grass what it needs to survive, but dresses it up as well. Wouldn’t that heart care much more for a human – created in His own image? This is a heart you feel safe to trust. A heart that makes you feel more than just loved, but special.

You can gain understanding of God’s love and provision for His creation right from the get-go – in the very beginning. Genesis 1:28 (KJV), “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

God loved all of His creation and considered it good, but He set people above anything else. Just like with the animals, God had already created what people would need to live and enjoy the earth. 

Life brings confusing days of doubts. Doubts come from the devil. Don’t listen, don’t be of little faith. 

PRAYER

Omnipresent God, Thank You that if You care for nature, You care more for me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ gave people dominion on earth—He cares for me!