When God looks for fruit in your life and finds none

God expects us to grow in Him and bear good fruit. When we do not bear any good fruit God takes notice. It is a serious matter to Him as this passage from Luke testifies. 

Luke 13:6-9

6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

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Rejoicing in work or being burdened by work

Have you ever seen youths that have seemingly endless energy. And that energy abounds when their bodies are working on what they want to do. But if you ask them to rake the yard then all their energy drains right out of them. It not that their bodies lack energy. Its a mental burden to them because they selfishly don't see any good in the work and their selfish mindset wearies them. 

But God teaches us that we should rejoice in our work and see the good in it. In Genesis chapter 1 we find that God created the heavens and earth. And during those 6 days God frequently looked at His work and told Himself that it was good. God showed us how He rejoiced in His work so that we too would rejoice by telling ourselves that our labor is good. God has kind intentions towards us. And as a result He teaches us about joyful paths. Another passage that strongly promotes rejoicing in our work is Ecclesiastes 2:24.

24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.

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Several uses of the tongue are an abomination to God.

Proverbs 6:16-19 tells about seven things that are an abomination to God. Three of these seven things concern the use of our tongue. If we love the Lord we will not want to displease Him. Let's use our tongues in a way that will bless both God and people.

Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

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Speaking with wicked lips or even listening to them - Both can be sin

Proverbs 17:4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

We all know that using our lips in a wicked or destructive way is sin. But this verse shows that listening and/or paying attention to those who use their lips sinfully can be sin on the part of the hearer. It reveals sinful character flaws when a person wants to hear wrong usage of the tongue. 

We should prayerfully examine ourselves and see if there is any area of our life where we actually incline our ear to someone who uses their tongue sinfully.


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Have you shown kindness to your neighbor lately?

Do we get so focused on serving God in this way or that way that we neglect to show kindness to our neighbors? If showing kindness to our neighbors is off the radar and not in our thoughts then we are missing the broad side of the barn. This is a major teaching in the Bible and setting it aside is neglecting His will for us.

If you have let this teaching slip through the cracks then why not make a plan today to correct it.  Think about an idea as to how you will bring your neighbor good in the near future. And then do it. And in bringing them good do it with pure motives.  Bring them good without any expectation of receiving something  in return. Not only will you bless your neighbor but you will cause God to smile as well.

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Small ability level or great, both can please God equally

As you read the passage from Matthew 25: below take notice of the following. In verse 15 we see that those entrusted with the talents did not all have the same ability level. They were given responsibilities base on their own individual ability. God knowing their ability level did not expect them to accomplish equally. Instead of equal accomplishments God was looking for equal faithfulness.

Perhaps this is not the best example but lets pretend you are on the same basketball team as Michael Jordan. You can give your team a 100% and Michael can give his team a 100%. At the end of the game, in-spite of equal effort, Michael scores twice as many points as you. You were not equally productive but you both gave your best effort. 

In this world the one with greater ability may be favored more. But not so with God. In verses 19-23 carefully compare, word for word, the praise that the master gave to the one who gained 5 talents to the one that gained 2 talents. The praise is the same. Word for word the praise is the same. God was equally pleased with both. Why? God was not equally pleased because of equal accomplishments but because they both were faithful. 

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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Eve's temptation

Take a look at these Old and New Testament verses and see if you think there are any parallels to the temptation of Eve in the garden.

1 John 2:15-16
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Genesis 3

5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate

Compare the wording between the 1 John and Genesis.

Lust of the flesh / saw that the tree was good for food

Lust of the eyes / it was a delight to the eyes

Boastful pride of life / the tree was desirable to make one wise (tempted that she would be like God, knowing good and evil)


Based on this comparison do you think the three things mentioned in 1 John are the same worldly temptations that led Eve into sin?

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Anxious about the United States fiscal cliff, the European debt crisis or even Wall Street?

No matter what happens in the economy or how much gasoline cost, God is still able to provide for His children. He created the moon and the stars and hung the earth on nothing. He made the land and the seas and all that swims in it. He causes the eagle to soar and gave it skill to hunt from on high. 

God power is great. God ability to provide for His children is not limited by what happens on earth. Make it your first priority to seek after His righteousness and His kingdom and your needs will be met. (if you want to become God's child right now go to this link. http://nasb-audio-bible-in-a-year.blogspot.com/p/salvation-how-can-i-be-saved-and-go-to.html )

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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David - Gaining hope when alone and afraid

In 1 Samuel 21 David had such a time. David was alone.  He was alone  and fleeing from King Saul with no one to help him. He was at his wits end. He must have been desperate since he fled to Gath. David in the past had killed Goliath. And Gath was the town where Goliath had lived. He ran the risk of being recognized by the Philistines in Gath as a great warrior. And someone did recognize him. 

1 Samuel 21

10 Then David arose and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of this one as they danced, saying,

‘Saul has slain his thousands,

And David his ten thousands’?”

12 David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.

Great fear gripped David. He was alone. He had no brother or sister in the Lord to encourage and strengthen him. But David encouraged himself. David speaks about at least two things he did to encourage himself in this situation. David mentions this time in his life in Psalm 56. 

Psalm 56

When I am afraid,

I will put my trust in You.

4 In God, whose word I praise,

In God I have put my trust;

I shall not be afraid.

What can mere man do to me?

One thing David did to encourage himself was to put his trust in God. Another was to remind himself how excellent and trustworthy is the word of God. At the beginning of verse 4 he starts out fearful. He then puts his trust in God and His excellent word and gains confidence.

There are several ways for us to deal with fear. In this devotion we only addressed trusting God and trusting His word. But look at how powerful they can be. They are two dynamic resources for changing our mind from fear to confidence.

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Man's love can be fickle and even treacherous

David learned on many occasions that man's love is unreliable. In fact he found that the compassion of some became so deadened that they even sought his life.

One key in dealing with these painful realizations is to never place your hope in the unreliable love of man but rather to fix your hope on the consistent love of God. The Lords love is unfailing. He never forsakes His own. No one loves us like the Lord.

Since these things are true don't set your hope in man to meet your need for love. You will be disappointed time and time again. Set your hope in God's unfailing love. He won't hurt or disappoint you. Keep Him first in your life. 

Below are a few examples in the life of David where the love of people / family failed him. But God was faithful to him through all of these things.

David serves Kings Saul but Saul turns against him and wants him dead
Beginning at 1 Samuel 18

David's own men want to stone him - 1 Samuel 30

David puts trust in God above mother and father - Psalm 27:10

David pursued by his own son Absalom - Starting at about 2 Samuel 15

David is betrayed by a close companion - Psalm 55:12-14
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Some thoughts from Proverbs 10

Things to think about from Proverbs 10

Our conduct can bring gladness or grief to God and our family

1 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

God faithfully provides for the righteous

3 The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger,
But He will reject the craving of the wicked.

Poverty and provision can be directly related to laziness and diligence

4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

The tongue of the upright is a blessing to others

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 

21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.

Carefully screen someone you appoint or hire or you will suffer for it
(there may be other points that can be taken from this verse)

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.


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Don't let past sin hinder you today

Don't let yesterday's failure hinder you today. Repent, confess it to God, trust that He has forgiven you, forgive yourself and don't dwell on it, move forward and do what is right today. 

Philippians 3:12-14

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Feelings of inferiority and superiority within the Church

Within the body of Christ there are some people with feelings of inferiority. And there are also some people with feelings of superiority. Some feel inferior like they are not even part of the body, or that they are less significant than other members. There are others who feel superior and don't think they even need other members who seem to be weaker.

One passage of scripture that addresses this issue is 1 Corinthians 12. We can clearly see feelings of inferiority being addresses in verses 14-20. And feelings of superiority is addressed immediately after those verses starting with verse 21. I've put a space in between these verses so it is easier to see.

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

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Psalm 22 - The Crucifixion as told by Jesus Himself

Psalm 22 was written about 1000(?) years before the Cross. And part of Psalm 22 seems to be told from a different perspective. It is not told from the viewpoint of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Rather it appears to be told from the viewpoint of Jesus Himself. Read through Psalm 22 and see if any part of the Psalm seems to be told from Christ's standpoint. 

Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?

Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer;

And by night, but I have no rest.

3 Yet You are holy,

O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

4 In You our fathers trusted;

They trusted and You delivered them.

5 To You they cried out and were delivered;

In You they trusted and were not disappointed.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

A reproach of men and despised by the people.

7 All who see me sneer at me;

They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,

8 “Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him;

Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”

9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;

You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts.

10 Upon You I was cast from birth;

You have been my God from my mother’s womb.

11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near;

For there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have surrounded me;

Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.

13 They open wide their mouth at me,

As a ravening and a roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

And all my bones are out of joint;

My heart is like wax;

It is melted within me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;

And You lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded me;

A band of evildoers has encompassed me;

They pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones.

They look, they stare at me;

18 They divide my garments among them,

And for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But You, O Lord, be not far off;

O You my help, hasten to my assistance.

20 Deliver my soul from the sword,

My only life from the power of the dog.

21 Save me from the lion’s mouth;

From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.

22 I will tell of Your name to my brethren;

In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him;

All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,

And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.

24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;

Nor has He hidden His face from him;

But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.

25 From You comes my praise in the great assembly;

I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.

26 The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;

Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.

Let your heart live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,

And all the families of the nations will worship before You.

28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s

And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,

All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,

Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.

30 Posterity will serve Him;

It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.

31 They will come and will declare His righteousness

To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.

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Ever want quick, fast food style, answers to prayer?

Do you want to pull up to prayer window number 1 and by the time you get to window 2 you have your answer? It doesn't always work that way. David shared in Psalm 40 that the help that God sent him took time but it proved to be a blessing both for David and for those who saw it. 

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”
9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see;
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,
And my heart has failed me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
Make haste, O Lord, to help me.
14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together
Who seek my life to destroy it;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
17 Since I am afflicted and needy,
Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.

Do you like the Psalms? At you own pace you can listen to the entire Book of Psalms at the link below. Click on the link. Then click on "Psalms". Then click on the chapters. God bless

http://nasb-audio-bible-in-a-year.blogspot.com/p/audio-by-each-book.html

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Wonderful teachings in Luke 14-16

Jesus healing on the Sabbath
Don't pick out a place of honor for yourself
Allowing other things to be more important than a relationship with God
Seeking a sheep that is lost
The Prodigal son
A shrewd but unrighteous steward

All of these wonderful passages are found in today's audio Bible clip of Luke 14-16. It's easy listen to those chapters right now by do the following:

1. Click on the link below
2. Then click on the link titled "Luke" 
3. Then click on "Luke 14-16"

http://nasb-audio-bible-in-a-year.blogspot.com/p/audio-by-each-book.html

Do you want to be used by God?

Here are two character qualities that make you useful in His service. The first is having a genuine love for the Body of Christ as Timothy did. And the second is having a genuine love for God as Peter did. One reason Paul put Timothy into service was because of his love of people. And one reason Jesus put Peter into service was for his love of God.( I am using the verses below to make a point. Timothy also loved God and Peter also loved people.)  

Philippians 2:19-21

19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

John 21:16-18
16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

To sum up Love God and love people and you too may be given something to do for God. 

Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org )

When guilt hinders me from returning to God

Some things I remind myself of when guilt hinders me from returning to God.

If I drift away from God I can feel like I can't return after sinning against Him. Here are some things I think about that encourages me to return.
1. God is slow to anger - Psalm 103:8
2. God stands ready to forgive - Psalm 86:5, 1 John 1:9
3. At the same time that God is speaking against me, His heart can be remembering me, and even yearning for me - Jeremiah 31:18-20
4. When I return to God, confessing my sins, He will meet me with forgiveness, a happy and loving embrace, and I will be treated as His son - Luke 15:11-32 (the Prodigal Son).
5. God may have planned to bring trouble into my life due to my sin. But if I repent, God may change His mind and not send the trouble - Jonah 3:10
6. Not only will confessing my sins result in forgiveness, but He may actually give me a blessing too - Joel 2:13-15
7. In Jeremiah chapters 2-3 God spoke to His faithless people. And one thing He spoke was an offer to returned to Him and that He would not look upon them with anger.


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Obedience and sin impacts our mental state

Practicing obedience leads to a positive mental state. When we practice what is right our conscience is at peace and even feels good about pleasing the Lord and blessing others. When we practice sin our conscience disturbs us and we are not settled mentally. Our mental state drops lower and we can feel bad the we havehurt the Lord and have done harm to our fellow man.

The lifestyle we practice also effects our expectations. When we practice obedience we develop a positive expectation of God being with us, blessings pursuing us here on earth and an eager confidence that we will be with God forever after we die (Psalm 23). When we practice sin we can begin to doubt that God is with us. Instead of having an expectation of blessings we grow concerned that painful discipline will head our way. We can begin to doubt that we are saved and that Heaven will be our future home.

The knowledge that our mental state can be raised due to obedience or lowered due to disobedience gives us yet one more good reason to walk in God's ways.
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