Open Heaven 19 June
MEMORISE: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” – (John 15:2)
BIBLE READING: Luke 13:6-7
6. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Jesus told a parable about an unproductive, but well-nurtured fig tree in today’s Bible reading. The reaction of the person tending this tree, in Luke 13:7, is our concern in today’s devotional. The farmer in this parable had been expecting pleasant fruits based on his efforts; unfortunately he got nothing. Like this farmer in Luke 3:9, John the Baptist told the Jewish religious leaders of his days:
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Beloved, according to (1 Corinthians 3:9), we are God’s husbandry. In other words, God is the husbandman, we are the lively trees, nurtured since the day of our birth and particularly since we gave our lives to Christ. There is no doubt that we have been nourished graciously by the Almighty through His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The fact that you are alive to see this day is a pointer to how we have received both physical and spiritual nourishment. The question now is: Are you bearing fruits?
The husbandman in our study today ordered that the unproductive fig tree be cut down. This is serious. May we not be cut down in Jesus’ name. The practical “Amen” to this prayer is to simply turn away from a life of fruitlessness. If you are yet to be born again, Matthew 3:8 says you must first bring forth fruits meet for repentance. If you are already God’s child by His grace, Jesus is saying to you in John 15:4: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
You must give yourself completely to the Lordship of Jesus. You must go the ‘extra mile’ for Him and you will surely get your reward. Apart from not being cut down and thrown into fire, Jesus promised in John 15:16 that the Father will grant all the requests you make in His name. Once you begin to bear fruit, the Lord will also continue to purge you from all impurities so that you may bear even more. Please meditate on Galatians 5:22-26.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please destroy the power of doubt and intimidation in my life, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 25-27
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Fruitlessness is Disastrous – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 19 June 2021
