Bearing Fruit

[Speaking of "bearing," please bear with me as I work to try to find out what is causing the "wide screen" version of part of this blog. I knew I ate too much on the cruise, but I really didn't become that wide in only a week! So far I cannot figure out what happened, but I'm working at it.]

So on to Bearing Fruit...It is near the end of growing season for our garden, though we still have okra, tomatoes, lettuce, beans and half a dozen watermelons growing on the vine. I am starting the preparation for planting for a fall garden.

As I was picking tomatoes today, I began to think about how the plants grow fruit, but the fruit is really of no benefit to the plant. The plants don't eat their fruit. Yet that is their purpose - to bear fruit. If the fruit is not picked and does not become nourishment to someone, what good is it? It just rots on the vine. The purpose of fruit is not for being admired or to simply "look good." The fruit is intended to bring strength and nourishment to those who partake of it.

So, what about our lives? Why do we seek to bear Godly fruit? What purpose does that have? Godly fruit is not for building our pride or drawing admiration. It is not simply for display, to make us look good. Certainly, we do experience benefit from the spiritual fruit in our lives. Who wants to live without joy, peace and the other fruit of the Spirit? We, unlike our plants, do draw from the fruit and are blessed as our character (fruit) is more like the character of God.

Fruit comes on the vine because that is what our garden plants are created to do - bear fruit. If the plant does not bear fruit (John 15:1-6), then the plant is useless. This year and last, we planted squash which boomed profusely, but never bore fruit. The plants were pretty, but were useless because they were fruitless. We are told that we are the branches, attached to the vine. We were created to bear Godly fruit. That is our purpose.

However, consider that even our fruit is not only for the one who bears it. It is for others to draw from. It is to be given away. We must give away love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22). If we keep the fruit to ourselves, then it does not accomplish its purpose.

We are called to be givers, not "keepers." First we receive. We receive new life - salvation and the Spirit of God that comes to live inside of us. We receive forgiveness. We receive His promises. We receive His blessings. We receive freedom as we come to know Truth. We receive far more than we can even list or imagine... many things that we see and understand, and many things that we don't see. We receive His protection and perhaps even angels are sent to surround us, but we don't often, if ever, see them. We are told that God does not withhold any good thing from us (Romans 8:32).

But the scriptures also tell us that what we freely receive, we are to freely give (Matthew 10:8). We don't receive from God so we can look good, but so that we can pass all He gives us on to other people and they, too, can partake of His goodness.

The Jordan River in Israel is full of life. It flows from the northern part of the nation toward the South. Charlie and I visited Caesarea Philippi and saw one of the "mouths" of the Jordan River. Much of the water that flows in the Jordan comes from snow that melts on Mount Herman (Psalm 133:3). However, it eventually flows into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet. There is no life in the Dead Sea because the water flows into it but does not flow out of it.

If there is an area in your life where you feel that you have little, then take what you have and give it away. All we have is given to us from God. He alone sustains our lives. If you have a lack, maybe it is because God invested something in your life and you kept it for yourself. Try giving to others and becoming a River of Life, a conduit for God to use to pass His blessings on to others. If you need encouragement, then find some you can encourage. If you need a friend, then become a friend. If you need prayer, then begin by praying for others. If you need to receive love and acceptance, then reach out in love to others and give them unconditional acceptance. Do not become the Dead Sea, where all His blessings flow into your life and do not flow out.

May this week you be aware of the fruit in your life and give it to others who need it. When someone frustrates you, return patience. When someone yells or is brash, return gentleness. When you are with someone who is walking in strife and anxiety, speak words of peace and assurance. Don't keep the fruit to yourself, but reach out and let others partake of the Spirit and its benefits through you. The more you and I give away, the more God will pour of Himself into our lives.

Easily spotted

Charlie and I returned late last night from a week in Alaska. The weather was beautiful as was the scenery. There is something about being surrounded by nature that brings rest to my life. The sound of the water (we were on a cruise ship), the majestic mountains and glaciers, fish, animals and birds...all created by God...touch my heart in ways that the sights and sounds created by man do not. And I often see things in God's creation that speak to me about God in ways in which I can relate.

Mendenhall Glacier, near Juneau, Alaska

One day we took a jet boat down the Chilkat River through a Bald Eagle preserve.

It was one of the most memorable things I have done in many years. We saw several dozen eagles, their huge nests, and even saw some "trumpet swans." We were told that the beautiful trumpet swans are the largest migratory bird in North America.

Eagles are truly amazing creatures. Their wing span is 7'-8' wide. They can see for several miles and can focus on small details from that distance. And they are very regal looking birds...except when they walk, and then they resemble a chicken.

We were told that when eagles mate, they are together for life. The life span of a Bald Eagle is about 30 years. They lay 2-3 eggs at a time and 1-2 of those hatch. The mother and father take turns keeping the eggs warm until the babies are hatched.

See the young eagle on the left "fluffing" its wings. An adult eagle is on the right.

The young eagles are actually larger than the adults because their feathers are "fluffier." Their brown and black feathers blend in with the tree trunks and with their very large nests so they are not easily detected.

When an eagle becomes an adult, however, they grow new head and tail feathers which are white.

Because of the white feathers, the adult eagles can be much more easily seen. As we rode down the river, we could spot the white head or white tail of an eagle at a distance.

I wondered if this is a picture of God's intent for His children. As new young Christians, we need to be "hidden" while we are taught and discipled. That "hiddenness" often protects us. We are born as spiritual babies and have to grow. We learn as we watch and are guided by more spiritual believers. We mature as we read the Word of God, pray and spend time with the Lord, and as we walk in obedience to what we learn. We are kept "close to the nest" as we begin to understand how to live the Christian life. The age of a Christian is not representative of whether or not we are an "adult." I know some older people who are baby Christians, and youth who are spiritually mature. But as we mature, we look more and more like Jesus.

As adult Christians, we should be easily identified from far away (Matthew 5:14-16). Our fruit - our character - should be seen; we should stand out. The actions of our lives are to bring glory to our Father.

One of the most beautiful things about eagles is how they soar. They rise to a place far up in the sky and then seem to ride on the wind with their wings spread.

Years ago I was told that "walking in the Spirit" is as easy as breathing. That made me angry because I was working so hard to try to "walk in the Spirit." It was taking lots of "self effort." I was constantly "flapping my wings"...so to speak. I didn't seem to be getting off the ground and was stirring up lots of dust (you have to have imagination for this example!) But I have learned that soaring is the picture of walking in the Spirit. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD of Hosts (Zechariah 4:6). It is His Spirit that, like the wind, allows us to fly and soar. It is not by our own self effort.

At the same time, it takes our cooperating with God. Our seeking Him and partnering with His plan allows us to climb to those heights where we are sustained and kept by His Spirit. The eagle has to spread His wings. If he only sits in the tree and never tries to fly, he will not soar. But eagles are created to soar, and Christians are intended to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

There have been times when it seemed that I was "spiritually" uncovered. I was not ministering. I felt like I was not moving forward in my relationship with the Lord, and sometimes I even felt like I was going backwards spiritually. All I had done and been as a Christian seemed to be gone. I felt useless, powerless and without strength.

It was during one of these times that a friend told me that there are times when eagles go alone to a high place and loose all of their feathers. They look like a plucked chicken...totally stripped. Then they wait...and their feathers begin to grow back. As the feathers grow back, the eagle becomes stronger and stronger, and when the feathers are all grown in, he can fly higher than ever before.

If you feel like you are in a "hidden" place, it may be because God is doing a work of maturity in your life. He may want you to simply be in His presence or be mentored by another Christian.

Or you may feel like you have been growing, but are in a time of being stripped. Again, God may be doing a deep work in you that will allow you to move forward with strength that you have never had before.

Trust God. Wait on Him. He has a perfect plan and a perfect timing of that plan. He has created you to soar like an eagle...with His Spirit lifting you up. He has created you to be His witness and reveal His glory. He knows what it will take. Be at peace. Keep your heart focused on Him rather than your circumstances, and know that HE is GOD and He will continue the good work in you because He has promised that He will complete it (Philippians 1:6).

On the other hand, if you are an adult Christian, don't hide your light. Don't be afraid to be identified as a Christian. It is not your perfection that God wants others to see. It is His character in you that will speak loudly of Him and His power and strength to those around you, especially when you are walking through challenging situations. It is in those times that you are weak that He is strongest. And remember God's promise...

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

It amazes me that I actually missed writing last week. Thinking back to last year, when time moved oh so v e r y S L O W L Y, as I went through cancer treatment, it is amazing to be back to life that seems to >>>>>>zoom>>>>>> by. My daughters have assured me this is not due to "my age," but "the age," the times in which we live. I often wonder if there is also not a "spirit of busy-ness" that works to press us into a mode of constantly being on the go.

Last Sunday I prayed for a precious young Christian woman who said she realizes that she is not all she should be. This sister is amazing and has artistic and creative gifts and talents which she uses for the Lord...and yet, she had that sense of lack. (Have you noticed that our gifts and abilities do not always fulfill us?)

I have thought back to what she said, and even to my prayers for her, but I also considered how many times I have felt the same way. I can remember telling the Lord, "Don't You think that by know I should know this?" or "Shouldn't I have overcome this by now?" My inadequacies can loom huge before my eyes.

Yet, the Lord keeps coming to me and telling me to focus on Him rather than on myself. He knows my weaknesses; He knows I am human. And He continues to draw me near to Him. As I spend time in His presence, He convicts me of things I am doing wrong and He changes my heart to be more like His.

God was not interested in Adam preaching, teaching or ministering, but His desire for Adam was to BE in relationship with him. Adam's problems began when he trusted his own understanding, got his eyes on himself and what he could have and be, and acted independently of God. The result was that his relationship with God was severed.

In practical terms, how do we "keep our eyes on Jesus?" To me, that is done one thought at a time. That ties in with what I wrote last time about God's will being "this moment." When I recognize that my thoughts are on myself and my inadequacy, and I feel myself moving into something less than joy or peace, I turn my thoughts to God's truth... "But God YOU ARE the lover of my soul (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). You are my strength (Psalm 18:1-2). There is no condemnation for me" (Romans 8:1). My thoughts about myself and my weaknesses are replaced with words of truth about God and what He says. This is what God calls "renewing our minds" (Romans 12:2). When I begin having critical thoughts about someone else, I do the same thing. "God you love them. You did not send me to judge them (Matthew 7:1), but to love (John 13:34) and encourage them (Hebrews 3:13). I pray your blessings on them now and that your will be done in their lives." When I begin to worry about things going on in my life or in the world situations, I go back to His words and find comfort. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything...let your requests be known to God, and the peace of God, which passes understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ" (Philippians 4:6-7).

When I say "spend time with God" I am not saying that we have to go away for days or hours or even ritualistically have that "quiet time." Even "quiet time" can be unfruitful if it becomes a routine rather than a time of seeking relationships with Him and with an open heart. I personally have to have an appointed time each day. But different seasons of our lives direct our daily schedule. When I worked full time or had children at home, it was more difficult - and some days impossible to have that appointed time. So, at times I got up very early. Other times I stayed up later at night...when I had the energy. Other days, it was a 5-minute "mini vacation" when I went in the bathroom and locked the door and prayed with desperation. I discovered it is even okay to keep a Bible in the bathroom! Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night and read the scriptures and talked to the Lord.

In all these times, I found that no matter when I went to Him, He was always there. Never did He chastize me for not coming more often, or at a regular time. He was never "too busy" to receive me and listen to what was on my heart. That is still true. Not once did God speak angrily to me last year because I was too sick to spend time seeking Him. He simply waited for me to come to Him, and as I would go as far as I could, He would alwasy meet me.

And when we take those times alone with Him, no matter how long they are, He has the ability to "slow us down," give us strength and fill us with Himself in a moment of time, and with a word of encouragement or direction. He can work even in the busy-ness of our lives...because He is not bound by time or the urgency of the moment. He can even STOP TIME if necessary. I think He did that...as He made the sun stand still (Joshua 10:13). Let Him stop your world; enter into eternity for a few moments and have your spirit refreshed.

In fact, when we do stop, even for a second and invite Him into our daily situations, He will enter into what we are doing and show Himself to be mighty. He will bring answers beyond our ability. In 1979, the Lord gave a word of direction to me and Charlie that was to guide our lives through that year and years go come: "Wisdom is mine in '79," Charlie was working in personnel and was assigning military people to jobs. I watched as He learned to pray for wisdom each time the phone rang. He would come home at the end of the day and tell me about the miracles God worked. He would look for a job for someone in the morning and nothing would be there. As he prayed, there were times when new jobs were "created" during the day. He would have husbands and wives who were both in the military and who wanted to be assigned together, but there was no opening for one of them. As he prayed, he would discover a way to move the couple together. One time a man called who was supposed to be reassigned, but his wife said she was not going to move. This man said that if he moved, his marriage would be over. Charlie prayed for wisdom, and as he went into the system he found that a job had just opened - one that was not available even an hour before - in the same city where that man lived. God is faithful and wants to be involved in the daily-ness of our lives.

Sometimes when we focus on ourselves rather than on Him, we forget that it is not what we "do" for God that is important, but that we BE with Him. I was reminded of a time many years ago when I was struggling with that question, "can a person fall from grace?" I searched the scriptures and prayed. Our pastor taught on it, but I have always felt that I had to know what the Word of God said, and not rely on what others told me. One day my younger daughter - only in kindergarten at the time - gave me the answer...in the profound words of wisdom of a child. "Mom, if you just love God and obey Him each day, maybe you don't have to worry about whether or not you can lose your salvation!"

I pray for you and me today...that we will simply love and obey God this day. We can trust Him for answers for the moment. What we "should be" or "should have done" is left in His hands as we focus our attention on Him and receive His amazing love for us. As His love washes over our souls and brings peace and refreshing, we cannot help but respond to His love with obedience.

Today.

TODAY. What does today hold for you? What are you called to do this day, this moment? The "present" moment - is a gift to you from God. What will you do with it?

God is eternal; He does not have a past or a future. He has no beginning or end. He calls Himself the "I AM" (Exodus 3:14, 6:2). His nature does not change (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17); He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He does not have mood swings. He can be trusted because all that God is does not change. He is neither confined nor defined by time. He sees our past and our future at one time. He loves us despite what we do or don't do. He sees what we are becoming and knows our hearts.

Time is God's creation (Genesis 1:14-19); we live in its seasons and constraints. Today is the will of God. God's will is not found in our yesterdays. If we spend our time looking back, we often live with regrets and condemnation. If we focus our attention on the future, we are prone to have fears of the unknown. A constant focus on yesterday or tomorrow will keep us from receiving what God wants to do in us and through us now.

This does not mean we should ignore things of the past that God brings up for conviction, forgiveness and healing. And we should set goals. But being good stewards of all God has given to us is done in the present moment.

TODAY is all we have. Actually, this moment is all we have. It is in this moment that we are able to live in God's will. If you walk in God's will this moment, you will be equipped for whatever comes tomorrow. If you are obedient now, you will not have regrets tomorrow. If you do not procrastinate with what God calls you to, tonight when you go to sleep, you will have fulfillment and satisfaction in that completed work. If you seek God now and pray, tomorrow will be filled with His fruit, answers and blessings.

Many Christians refer to the middle 1970's as a "renewal." And by God's amazing grace, Charlie and I were right smack in the middle of it - not by our own doing. God did some amazing things in our lives and in the lives of our friends. Many people were accepting the Lord. We experienced miracles daily. It was exciting as we learned about the power of God. His work was visible; it was evident. We were not waiting for it. It was there, happening all around us. We felt it. We saw it. We gave and heard testimony of His work constantly. We delighted in the amazing and power-filled presence of God.

I often hear people talk about revival, miracles and the presence of God in terms of the future. "It's coming. It's going to happen. God is going to work." And my question for you is, "Are you looking ahead or are you living in God's will now, in the present?" God's presence is HERE, now! His will is this moment.

Use this moment to inquire of God and seek Him. Right now, rejoice no matter what your situation looks like. Praise Him and trust Him Use this PRESENT... the gift of this moment... to focus on Him and give Him glory. As you do that, those moments will add up and you will find your life filled with His presence. You will find fulfillment and peace in living in the present moment.