Tag: The Heart

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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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I’m Saying It Again

NOVEMBER 16

MATTHEW 7:19_Every tree…

This life is hard—for everyone. Some people may appear to never have trouble, but you’re only seeing the surface. Everyone has struggles in this earthly life. 

I believe I’ve said that the Bible is about truth, and truth is about freedom. I’m saying it again.

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to live free. I’m saying it again. 

I believe I’ve said that Jesus wants you to be alert to the devil and his schemes, so you can escape the bondage into which he desires to snare you. I’m saying it again.

When Jesus ate His last Passover meal with His disciples He let them know that everyone will face hard times. John 14:26-27 (KJV), “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  

I really like that Jesus assures me the Holy Spirit will remind me of these creation principles.

Jesus’ peace conquers fear.     

PRAYER

Immanuel, Thank You for giving Your peace to me when I face trouble. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

Christ is peace over fear—He gives it to me!

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The Nail That Holds Together

NOVEMBER 14

MATTHEW 7:18_A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit…

This verse is the nail that holds together the principle which build this house. 

We are going a little deeper into the principle of a good tree brings forth good fruit. Jesus puts a bit of a spin on that— a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Get this into your heart and meditate on it. It isn’t just that good produces good. It’s that the good cannot produce evil.

Let’s think of it in terms of a good teacher. This is a teacher whose teachings line up with the truths of the Bible. A teacher whose love and concern for you is unconditional—although you may not see that in the beginning. It takes time and some maturity to understand all the aspects of unconditional love. For instance, this is the teacher who taught you the truth even when you rejected and rebelled against it. This is the teacher who, when you finally had enough of your own bondage, welcomed you back to the fold and led you to freedom. This is the teacher who stands by you when times are tough.

This teacher is Jesus. The source you can count on not to produce evil in your life.

You don’t have to worry about this One being a ravening wolf. A good tree is salt and light!            

PRAYER

Lamb of God, I need people in my life who are salt and light. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.     

 Christ cannot produce evil fruit—I can trust in Him!

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An Infected Heart

NOVEMBER 11

MATTHEW 7:17_but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

The word evil in this verse means bad or worthless. The source which brings forth worthless fruit is in itself weak or bad. Drug dealers bring evil fruits to keep their addicts in bondage. 

Addictions are evil fruits. One of the strongest addictions in the world is pornography. It is an extremely corrupt tree bringing forth extremely evil fruit. It is not something to take lightly, or think is not harmful. It goes far past the eyes and infects the heart. An infected heart will destroy the soul.

You were not created to be bad or worthless. Nor can the circumstances of life produce that kind of fruit in you—unless you submit to them as your source. If you think you’re not beautiful or handsome enough—what’s your source of beauty? Is it a friend? A celebrity? When God is your source, you understand things like: I Samuel 16:7 (KJV), “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”  

God sees true beauty—from the heart, not the face.

When you reach the place you believe God loves you unconditionally—it will be the most attractive thing you can do for yourself, and it will show in your face!   

PRAYER

Creator, I want my beauty to come from Your love for me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   

Christ is The Source of all beauty—He gives it to me!

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Every Time!

 NOVEMBER 8

MATTHEW 7:17_Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit…

Now the perfect combination! Grapes and thorns don’t combine, neither do figs and thistles. But good trees and good fruit combine every time! Here’s God’s creation design—good produces good. Be a good gardener, plant this principle in your heart.

Ask yourself a question. Do your eyes allow in good only? What your eyes allow in stays in … the heart … the mind. With time it takes root and grows. Depending upon how much you tend and nurture, what your eyes have taken in begins to bear fruit.

If you’ve taken in evil the fruit resembles thorns. Thorns can pierce the people in your life. Some people may even begin to avoid being too close to you for fear of the pain. The fruit that resembles thistles can appear attractive, but the briars on the stems pierce those who try to be close to you. This leads to a hot mess! You cannot find genuine relationships. Your life is grown up with thorns and weeds. This also applies to what you allow your ears to hear, your hands to touch, and where your feet go.

In your quest to become perfect, you can ask, seek, and knock for righteousness. Let the Holy Spirit guide in these areas, and let good produce good.        

PRAYER

Only God, I want to produce good fruit for Your kingdom. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                  

Christ is the good tree—In Him I produce good fruit!