Feel Cool or Be Full
A couple of weeks ago we were able to visit with one of our sons on the occasion of his son’s K5 graduation, as well as our son’s birthday. While visiting we were treated to a day of fun at Disneyland! We were not exactly prepared for that type of day trip so we did not have the right kind of shoes for a day of walking. We tried as best we could to rush to the store and get what we needed so that we could be on our way.
On our way out of town we stopped to get gas for the 1.5 hour drive. We waited in the car while my husband was filling the tank. After a couple of moments he opened the door of the car to grab a Gospel tract, and then a minute later he grabbed another – this did not surprise me as my husband is an avid soulwinner:) Several moments later we watched as my husband lead the woman at the gas station to bow her head and heart in prayer asking the Lord to save her soul – Praise the Lord!
When my husband got back in the car we discussed the transaction that was made and he said that the woman told him she had heard of salvation, and wanted to know how to be saved, but that no one had taken the time to tell her. She had visited churches and had been “hungry” for the truth – and yet never satisfied:(
Today in my Bible reading I read Matthew 21:18 which says, “Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” After reading that I thought of the woman at the gas station and realized that perhaps she had gone to many “fig trees” due to hunger and kept finding “nothing but leaves.” All too often we get too busy going about our own business and forget to consider those that are hungry and needy. We make sure we look good, and may even work at making people feel cool about themselves, but in fact that offers nothing that truly satisfies.
As I pondered that idea I decided to look up some facts about fig trees to see what would make the difference between a fig tree that produces fruit and one that has nothing but leaves; I can’t say I found a definitive answer or solution, but I did find one snippet of information that is very interesting.
“Figs are well suited to containers, which restrict their root growth and, in turn, make them more fruitful. In containers, figs will experience less vegetative growth and have more energy for the production of fruit. They will need to be watered more often though.”
So, what does that teach me? I’m glad you asked:)
1. Figs will produce more fruit when they are grown in an atmosphere with boundaries. To me this translates to mean that if we want to produce fruit we should live a holy, consecrated life.
2. These boundaries will restrict root growth (the root is a part of the body of a plant that develops, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture). Growth in a controlled environment hinders the outward (worldly) growth and secures what nutrients and moisture are being absorbed to anchor the plant. As Christians we do better when we are absorbing the nutrients within a holy and consecrated environment.
3. When the vegetative growth is hindered there is more energy to produce fruit. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
4. Growing to produce fruit in a controlled environment requires more frequent watering. As Christians we should be “watered” with the Word of God daily so that we will be holy. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26
Sure having leaves may provide shade, (make people feel cool) but bearing fruit sustains life (be full)! Ladies, today why not make sure that you are keeping yourself in an environment that gives you more energy to produce fruit - you might just meet someone that is hungry today!
Have a wonderful day!
On our way out of town we stopped to get gas for the 1.5 hour drive. We waited in the car while my husband was filling the tank. After a couple of moments he opened the door of the car to grab a Gospel tract, and then a minute later he grabbed another – this did not surprise me as my husband is an avid soulwinner:) Several moments later we watched as my husband lead the woman at the gas station to bow her head and heart in prayer asking the Lord to save her soul – Praise the Lord!
When my husband got back in the car we discussed the transaction that was made and he said that the woman told him she had heard of salvation, and wanted to know how to be saved, but that no one had taken the time to tell her. She had visited churches and had been “hungry” for the truth – and yet never satisfied:(
Today in my Bible reading I read Matthew 21:18 which says, “Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” After reading that I thought of the woman at the gas station and realized that perhaps she had gone to many “fig trees” due to hunger and kept finding “nothing but leaves.” All too often we get too busy going about our own business and forget to consider those that are hungry and needy. We make sure we look good, and may even work at making people feel cool about themselves, but in fact that offers nothing that truly satisfies.
As I pondered that idea I decided to look up some facts about fig trees to see what would make the difference between a fig tree that produces fruit and one that has nothing but leaves; I can’t say I found a definitive answer or solution, but I did find one snippet of information that is very interesting.
“Figs are well suited to containers, which restrict their root growth and, in turn, make them more fruitful. In containers, figs will experience less vegetative growth and have more energy for the production of fruit. They will need to be watered more often though.”
So, what does that teach me? I’m glad you asked:)
1. Figs will produce more fruit when they are grown in an atmosphere with boundaries. To me this translates to mean that if we want to produce fruit we should live a holy, consecrated life.
2. These boundaries will restrict root growth (the root is a part of the body of a plant that develops, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture). Growth in a controlled environment hinders the outward (worldly) growth and secures what nutrients and moisture are being absorbed to anchor the plant. As Christians we do better when we are absorbing the nutrients within a holy and consecrated environment.
3. When the vegetative growth is hindered there is more energy to produce fruit. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
4. Growing to produce fruit in a controlled environment requires more frequent watering. As Christians we should be “watered” with the Word of God daily so that we will be holy. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26
Sure having leaves may provide shade, (make people feel cool) but bearing fruit sustains life (be full)! Ladies, today why not make sure that you are keeping yourself in an environment that gives you more energy to produce fruit - you might just meet someone that is hungry today!
Have a wonderful day!
Thank YOU!
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