The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 11:24,
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
This is a part of the response Jesus gave his disciples when they pointed to the withered fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before. Reading the account this morning has brought some thoughts to mind.
Jesus approached a fig tree to see if it had any fruit on it. Because it was not the season for figs it didn't have any fruit so Jesus cursed the tree. In a figurative sense we, likewise, are in danger when we bear no fruit. I am reminded of Jesus' comments about the vine and branches in John 15. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-2, 5-8.
It wasn't the season for figs and so the tree had no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree anyway speaking to me of an expectation that I bear fruit regardless of any season in my life. As sobering and discomforting this is to me I find great consolation and assurance in Jesus' response to his disciples, "ask… and it will be yours". Just as he told them in his comments about the vine and branches, "ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." I have access to his strength, I have access to his enablement to produce fruit in my life. I have access to the indwelling Holy Spirit that gifts us all to produce fruit in our lives. I am told that all I need to do is ask and what it is I need to produce fruit will be mine. I have access to all the provision of God I need to produce fruit in my life – in any season of my life.
One of the things I have learned of the Lord is he never asks for that from me which he doesn't enable or provide for. He is God My Provider!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
This is a part of the response Jesus gave his disciples when they pointed to the withered fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before. Reading the account this morning has brought some thoughts to mind.
Jesus approached a fig tree to see if it had any fruit on it. Because it was not the season for figs it didn't have any fruit so Jesus cursed the tree. In a figurative sense we, likewise, are in danger when we bear no fruit. I am reminded of Jesus' comments about the vine and branches in John 15. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-2, 5-8.
It wasn't the season for figs and so the tree had no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree anyway speaking to me of an expectation that I bear fruit regardless of any season in my life. As sobering and discomforting this is to me I find great consolation and assurance in Jesus' response to his disciples, "ask… and it will be yours". Just as he told them in his comments about the vine and branches, "ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." I have access to his strength, I have access to his enablement to produce fruit in my life. I have access to the indwelling Holy Spirit that gifts us all to produce fruit in our lives. I am told that all I need to do is ask and what it is I need to produce fruit will be mine. I have access to all the provision of God I need to produce fruit in my life – in any season of my life.
One of the things I have learned of the Lord is he never asks for that from me which he doesn't enable or provide for. He is God My Provider!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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