Another Chance

Reading from Jan. 13, 2009
Gen. 31-33; Luke 13

TOPIC: Fruitfulness

SCRIPTURE: "And Jesus 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. 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?'
And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but it not, cut it down.' " (Luke 13:6-9)


OBSERVATION: I read these observations about this parable in my Life Application Study Bible. In the Old Testament, a fruitful tree was often used as a symbol of godly living (see, for example, Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8). Jesus pointed out what would happen to the other kind of tree-the kind that took valuable time and space and still produced nothing
for the patient gardener. By this illustration Jesus warned his listeners that God would not tolerate forever their lack of productivity. (Luke 3:9 records John the Baptist's version of the same message: It reads, "Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does NOT produce good fruit will be chopped down...")


APPLICATION: As you look back over the last three years of your life
Your Family relationships
Your Job
Your Hobbies
Your ________ (You Fill-N-Blank)

What does Jesus have to say about your "Fig Tree"?

Fruitful? Yes or No

If yes

Good Fruit? Yes or No

If yes

Can you prove it? Yes or No

If yes

Do those closest to you concur? Yes or No

If yes

Can they prove it? Yes or No

If no to any or all of these questions

KNOW THIS

You have another chance ! ! !

2009 is here
Start now

Give the gardener (The Holy Spirit) your undivided attention
&
allow HIM to use HIS "fertilizer" on your unfruitful fig tree?

Let's See What HE Can Do This Year?


PRAYER: Father God, give as much attention to my roots as is needed and fertilize away!!!