Fruit

Consider the fruit trees the Lord gave us.

Do you see them strain to fill out the fruits on their branches?

No.

Fruit is what they produce naturally. There is no straining or worrying that they might not. We have to simply be patient for the right seasons to come around for that particular fruit. Not all fruit is borne and tasted of at the same time. The Lord does not wish us to strive and labour to produce fruit. If it is not given the right time and conditions, the fruit will lack sweetness or satisfaction to the one that tastes it.

Do you ever see a tree eat of its own fruit?

No.

The fruit the Lord grows into and out of our character is not for ourselves. The Lord uses that in and through us to bless others with a sweetness and satisfaction. The body of Christ (not just in the church one goes to, but the whole body) is there to edify one another. The greatest sweetness we could give another is love. To love another is to become available. In all circumstances. Available for the one that has broken a limb, to help them in practical ways. Available to pray with when another is going through a hard time. Available to impart wisdom when another is needing guidance. Available to listen when another needs someone to be with, not necessarily speak to. To offer love is life's greatest gift. To offer it freely, without expectation, is a supernatural trait.

Praise You In This Storm

I just love these lyrics and can very closely relate to them.


Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Leeland - Carried to the table

I have had this song in my head for weeks, and I love it. It gives me hope that my God is with me, and carrying me through every trial. He gives me the strength to carry on when I feel as though I can't.


Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master's courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don't belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don't see my brokenness anymore
When I'm seated at the table of the Lord
I'm carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I'm healed and unashamed
You carried me, my God You carried me

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness".
2 Corinthians 12:9

The more we read the Word of God, the more He reveals Himself to us. That's obvious. On the other side of that, it means we are drawing closer to the light, making our shortcomings and filth that much more obvious to ourselves. We realise God sees them so much more clearly than we ever can. He could already see how deeply wretched we are before we even realised. We realise that He loves us in spite of that.

I have a tendency to shy away from God once something has been shown to me, knowing God can see it. The Lord reminds me that He already knew that about me, and there is a lot more where that came from. The hard part is giving it up to God, so He can clean it up or remove it completely.

Weakness is not something the worldly man would ever aspire to. It is seen as very negative and dehumanising in ways. The one who lives for Christ takes joy in their weakness, knowing that God is the one who will get satisfaction from using the weakness as a vessel to show His strength and power, ultimately giving Him glory.

The Lord speaks to me in images and pictures. Take this as a for instance. You have a table you need to move. It's too heavy to move by yourself, you need help. It's the difference of asking your friend, who is more than capable of moving the table by himself 'Can you help me move this table please?' and asking 'Can you move this table please?' By taking yourself out of the situation completely and allowing your friend to move the table by himself, you are allowing him to take all the credit. If you were do to it together, people would be asking why you are there, when you don't need to be. Your friend probably knows this to, but allows you to 'help' because he doesn't want to stamp on your pride which you seem insistent on pursuing.

Allow God to move your tables. Allow Him to move all your heart's furniture around and throw things out. Let Him clean. Don't try to help Him, He knows what He's doing. He knows where all the 'secret' passages are that link the cabins of your heart's chambers. His order is right. You may not see why He does things in the order that He does. It's not always our business to find out. We can trust Him to do these things for us. He can reach places we can't. The cleaning process of our heart's is a lifetime's work. Never expect Him to be done. He will reveal crevices full of filth we didn't know existed!

Stay Blessed!

Psalm 61:1-8

After an emotioally draining weekend, a sweet sister sent me this, this very monday morning: I love it. The first 2 verses powerfully spoke to me.

Psalm 61

To the Chief Musician. On a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For You have been a shelter for me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;

You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

6 You will prolong the king’s life,

His years as many generations.

7 He shall abide before God forever.

Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever,

That I may daily perform my vows.

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

This was Hosea's heart. I love how it is as relevant today as it was then!

I love how he would desire acknowledgement of God instead of Burnt offerings. God doesn't want our hands without our heart attached.

Hebrews 12:2

I love this verse. It's what I try to do, fail to do enough and aspire to continually do.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebews 12:2