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2011--May we go forward for God!


I love trees--particularly oak trees!  They're so strong looking.  Do you know that God likens us to trees, in at least two places in scripture.  I believe I mentioned this before when I discussed fruit.  Let me reiterate!  Because this is a new year upon us, we should be thinking how we can make this year different--how we can improve upon the things of the past.  I thank God, our God is a God of new beginnings!  He is most gracious and merciful…how awesome a God we serve!  But He's a God of new beginnings because He desires for us to go forward, to reach higher heights for Him. 

Let's discuss that topic again: producing fruit.  What is fruit?  I believe fruit is everything in our lives--as born-again Christians--that points others to Christ.  That can mean everything from the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace...), to our witness and testimony for Christ, to even the character (or God-like qualities) that God and His Holy Spirit is producing in us. 

Fruit refers to evidence of what is within
We will see a harvest of fruit as we yield to God and allow His Spirit to work in and through us
The fruit of the Spirit should be evident--ever growing
Psalm 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Jeremiah 17:7-8  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
  1. vibrant
  2. productive
  3. fruitful
  1. strong
  2. stable
  3. dependent
  4. sturdy
  5. confident
  6. abiding
  7. rooted in Him
  8. focused
  9. persevering
  10. ever-growing
  11. reaching forward

  1. "rivers" is referring to the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is often likened to water
  2. It is the Holy Spirit that keeps us alive, vital, vibrant--growing and productive
  3. rivers don't stand still--they're always moving--so we should always be growing, going forward for God
  1. the tree is a picture of strength because it is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that make us strong--sturdy and stable
  2. just as a tree's roots dig down deep into the soil, so we should dig deep into God's Word to keep us strong and sturdy
  3. make sure you're feeding the right kind of root system
  4. something to note:  a tree does not produce fruit without roots

In the year 2011, may we go forward for God, producing fruit for His kingdom!


         That we might produce
          fruit for His kingdom!
              Merle
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