Galatians 2:20
Beyond Good Moral Fruit
Im sure you have heard the story of the fig tree. In Mark 11:12-18, Jesus walks over to the fig tree, and He sees that it doesn't have figs. As a result, He speaks to the tree to wither and no longer produce. After speaking to the tree, Jesus then goes to the temple only to find people selling things in it as if it is a market place. Jesus rises to the occasion and dramatically flips the tables because of them corrupting the church. Why do these events happen right after the other?
We as the church, including the youth, need to be producing fruit. This would also include the idea of not only producing "good moral fruit". Some think that is simply enough. We need to go beyond the limits and produce the fruit of God that feeds people grace.
Why would Jesus care for the Samaritan woman and give her grace in front of the Pharisees? They had no respect for her. Also, why would Jesus flip the tables in the temple because of sin? They were only selling things as a 'sacrifice' to God. Part of these answers are:
1. The hypocrisy and passivity to the Holy Spirit regarding the Pharisees. As with the fig tree, there was no real fruit. God hates hypocrisy!
2. In the temple Jesus shows his passion to bring purity, forgiveness, and for others to receive correction. People need to let Jesus turn over some ways of thinking and behavior in their personal lives, Jesus was not a hireling. He was true all the way through and He expects those who love and represent Him to be real.
God does not stand for luke warm Christians who practice in the church without conviction. God opens the church to the hypocrites, thieves, adulteress and more, because He wants change and wants us to continue to produce the fruit of Him. Don't become the fig tree that cannot produce and be connected to the life of God. Be a tree, rooted in the word, established in the love of God, and grounded in Jesus Christ. Be a tree that feeds people who want the things of God, when they want it. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit and He wants to dwell purely with each of us personally. Don't be someone who is short changing the temple of God!
Read: Mark 11: 12-18
with Nicole Mauck
What is the main feature of a rocking horse? Well, of course, it is to rock while remaining in one place. I think we can correlate this to our spiritual life. No one wants to keep rocking and remaining in the same place spiritually. In Romans 8:6, this scripture tells us that to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. According to this scripture, if we live by what the Word and what the Lord says, (walking in the Spirit), then we won't remain in one place. We will have not only life but peace. To be carnally minded keeps us rocking continuously in the same patterns that get us no where.
What does it mean to live by the spirit? it means to let the power of God that also dwelled in Jesus work in you. Let everything you do be done by the strength of the Holy Spirit, ( Romans 8:11). This means your faith must stand in the power of God and you must uphold the word of God as the upmost in your life. His word needs to be the way of life and the way you think.
In Romans 8:25, it says,"We hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance." What does perseverance mean? Some other terms for perseverance are: To be resolved, to remain, to stay the course and to remain focused on the goal.
Yes, you're right, you cannot do this on your own! If you try to do this on your own, you would only be striving. In other words, you would be rocking back and forth, ever moving, but never getting anywhere. You would be constantly disturbed. According to Romans 8:26, the Lord makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is here to strengthen us. Simply believe that you are joint heirs with Christ, that everything you put your hand to is blessed, and that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ and His calling and purpose for your life. Hold firm to the truth, trusting in Him.Keep focused and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. He will keep you steady and strengthened, making a difference in your every day walk.
Check out, Romans 8
Lately I've watched a lot of Christmas movies, and the pattern, like most movies, at the end, are always completely and totally satisfied what they had achieved in the natural. People finally have their friends, fun ,toys, and snow. Now, I'm not saying any of those things are wrong, what I'm saying is your hope and stableness should be found in Jesus.
The Lord wants you happy, peaceful and satisfied. All those things are found in Him. Why? Because Jesus came into the world to reach us. God sent his Son into the world to redeem it. We are redeemed and made right with the Creator of the world, and that is quite the Present. This Christmas know you are loved at all times, and you can find complete satisfaction in a relationship with the Father because He loves you and because He sent His Son to reach you. Celebrate Jesus this Christmas!
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
