Fig Tree

Question: "Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?"

Answer: The account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree is found in two different Gospel accounts. First it is seen in Matthew 21:18-22, and then also in Mark 11:12-14. While there are slight differences between the two accounts, they are easily reconciled by studying the passages. Like all Scripture, the key to understanding this passage comes from understanding the context in which it happened. In order to properly understand this passage, we must first look at the chronological and geographical setting. For example when did this occur, what was the setting, and where did it happen? Also, in order to fully understand this passage, we need to have an understanding of the importance of the fig tree as it relates to the nation of Israel, and understand how the fig tree is often used in the Scriptures to symbolically represent Israel. Finally, we must have a basic understanding of the fig tree itself, its growing seasons, etc.

First, in looking at the general chronological setting of the passage, we see that it happened during the week before His crucifixion. Jesus had entered Jerusalem a day earlier amidst the praise and worship of the Jewish people who were looking to Him as the King/Messiah who was going to deliver them from Roman occupation (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11). Now, the next day, Jesus is again on His way to Jerusalem from where He was staying in Bethany. On His way, both Matthew and Mark record that He was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance that had leaves on it (Mark 11:13). Upon coming to the tree expecting to find something to eat Jesus instead discovered that the fig tree had no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:14). Matthew records the cursing and the withering of the fig tree all in one account and includes it after the account of Jesus cleansing the Temple of the moneychangers. Mark explains that it actually took place over two days with Jesus cursing the fig tree the first day on the way to cleanse the Temple, and the disciples seeing the tree withered on the second day when they were again going to Jerusalem from Bethany (Mark 11:12-14 and Mark 11:19-20). Of course upon seeing the tree “withered from the roots up,” the disciples were amazed as that would have normally taken several weeks.

Having reviewed the general chronological setting of the story, we can begin to answer some of many questions that are often asked of it. First of all is the question: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree if it was not the right season for figs? The answer to this question can be determined by studying the characteristics of fig trees. By doing that we learn that the fruit of the fig tree generally appears before the leaves and because the fruit is green it sort of blends in with the leaves right up until it is almost ripe. Therefore, when Jesus and His disciples saw from a distance that the tree had leaves, they would have expected it to also have fruit on it even though it was earlier in the season than what would be normal for a fig tree to be bearing fruit. Also, from studying about the way fig trees grow in Israel we learn that each tree would often produce two to three crops of figs each season. There would be an early crop in the spring followed by one or two later crops. In some parts of the area, depending on climate and conditions, it was also possible that a tree might produce fruit ten out of twelve months. This also explains why Jesus and His disciples would be looking for fruit on the fig tree even if it was not in the main growing season. The fact that the tree already had leaves on it even though it was at a higher elevation around Jerusalem, and therefore would have been outside of the normal season for figs, would have seemed to be a good indication that there would also be fruit on it.

As to what the significance of this passage is and what it means, the answer to that is again found in the chronological setting and in understanding how a fig tree is often used symbolically to represent Israel in the Scriptures. First of all, chronologically, Jesus had just arrived at Jerusalem amidst great fanfare and great expectations, but then proceeds to cleanse the Temple and curse the barren fig tree. Both had important significance as to the spiritual condition of Israel. With His cleansing of the Temple and His criticism of the worship that was going on there (Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17), Jesus was effectively denouncing Israel’s worship of God. With the cursing of the fig tree He was symbolically denouncing Israel as a nation and in a sense even denouncing unfruitful “Christians.” (That is people who profess to be Christian but have no evidence of a relationship with Christ).

The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins. By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance is not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidence in the life of the person. James would later echo this truth when he wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8).

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Website: www.GotQuestions.org

Devotional

Psalm 113

Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

Why should we praise the Lord, no matter what? Well, first because He’s working everything together for our good (Romans 8:28). Paul also told us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) He was writing to the Philippians, who were suffering terrible persecution. And James said, “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2) They knew God’s character and his ways.

Second, there seems to be a law of reciprocity at work between us and the Lord. If we don’t judge we won’t be judged. If we don’t condemn we won’t be condemned. If we forgive we’ll be forgiven. If we give generously, the Lord will be generous toward us. (Luke 6:37-38) And if we praise the Lord, He’ll make sure we have something to praise Him for. He makes our world mirror the attitude of our heart and reflect it back to us.

He said that He came so we could have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10) but unless we’re sincerely grateful for what we’ve already received, and have learned to be content in our current situation, we’re unlikely to receive more. This is why the so-called prosperity gospel is flawed. Rather than promote an attitude of gratitude based on what we’ve already been given, it creates an attitude of greed, based on the expectation of more.

Now and then people write to me complaining that they’ve already done everything they’re supposed to do, prayer, fasting, Bible study, tithing, etc, but God is not doing His part. Invariably one thing is lacking. They’re not thankful for what they already have. In some cases they’re actually a little bit angry with God for not giving them more. They don’t realize that God didn’t have to give us anything, and therefore our ingratitude for the blessings He’s showered down upon us anyway is tragic.

If you’re thinking that God hasn’t done enough for you lately, start today to change your attitude. Make a list of all the blessings you can remember receiving and then praise Him for them. As He brings more to your mind, praise Him for then too, and keep going until it becomes a habit. And don’t be stingy about it. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. ( Deut. 8:17-18)

Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Good Friday

Question: "What is Good Friday?"

Answer: Good Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is celebrated traditionally as the day on which Jesus was crucified. If you are interested in a study of the issue, please see our article that discusses the various views on which day Jesus was crucified. Assuming that Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday, should Christians remember Jesus' death by celebrating Good Friday?

The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember Christ’s death by honoring a certain day. The Bible does give us freedom in these matters, however. Romans 14:5 tells us, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Rather than remembering Christ's death on a certain day, once a year, the Bible instructs us to remember Christ’s death by observing the Lord’s Supper. First Corinthians 11:24-26 declares, “...do this in remembrance of me...for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”


Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”? What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27). However, the results of Christ’s death are very good! Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” First Peter 3:18 tells us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service, usually in the evening, in which Christ’s death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on Christ suffering for our sakes, and observance of the Lord's Supper. Whether or not Christians choose to “celebrate” Good Friday, the events of that day should be ever on our minds because the death of Christ on the cross is the paramount event of the Christian faith.

If you would like to learn more about why Jesus' death on the cross was so “good,” please read the following article: What does it mean to accept Jesus as your personal Savior?


Website: www.gotquestions.org

Wisdom

Robert Ricciardelli:

"Lacking Wisdom? Just Ask!"

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."
James 1:5

There was a young man, who, once long ago, grew up in a wealthy household. He had all the luxuries of wealth. He also grew up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. He was not ensnared by many of the trappings of wealth as he was taught from a very young age, the virtues of God. As the young man grew, he finally replaced his father David on the throne of the family kingdom. Because he was taught well and knew the God of His father David, he began to talk to God often as a new king. The Lord loved his heart and his communication and wanted to bless him with any desire of his choosing.

This new king could have asked for endless wealth or long life, but instead he asked for wisdom. He asked the Lord for help in ruling the people with godly wisdom and understanding.

Are We Asking for His Wisdom?

As I look at myself and other leaders around the globe, who are stewarding resources and our very lives for Father God, the great question is: Are we asking the Father for the right and most proper thing a leader can lead with, His wisdom?

The reality is—how can we not ask of this if we truly want to be ambassadors and lead well for the glory of God? Leading without His wisdom, His understanding, is absolutely fruitless. We face many choices daily. When we choose with His leading, His wisdom and understanding, it goes well with us.

When we are lacking in His wisdom and discernment, it often is disastrous. It's disastrous because lives are being led in a wrongful focus or direction. It's disastrous because Father's provision and resources, that are meant to build His Kingdom Church, are being squandered in self-glorifying ways. It's disastrous because those who do not know the Father are watching the foolish lead in ways that do not promote the King or His Kingdom justly.

Here are some directives we must WILLINGLY pursue if we want His Wisdom activated in our lives:

• Value Wisdom beyond perceived needs and wants.

• Allow His ways and wisdom to overwhelm our ways and mans wisdom.

• Learn from our mistakes.

• Learn ways to impart wisdom to others.

• Check our own heart first for wisdom before the hearts of others.

• Build relationships with those who operate in wisdom.

• Meditate on the Word of God regarding the wisdom He has for you through His Spirit, and ask the Father to remove barriers to operating in His wisdom for your life.

Some Things to Remember:

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place." Psalm 51:6

"God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." 1 Kings 4:29

"Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

"She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly." Proverbs 3:13-18

"The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and skill, [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of their Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever." Psalm 111:10

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over Him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding, the Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God. Fear-of-God will be all His joy and delight.

"He won't judge by appearances, won't decide on the basis of hearsay. He'll judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice. "His words will bring everyone to awed attention. A mere breath from His lips will topple the wicked. Each morning He'll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots, and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land." Isaiah 11:2-5

Robert and Joyce Ricciardelli
Visionary Advancement Strategies
Email: Robert@vision2advance.com
Website: www.vision2advance.com

Thoughts of Strongholds

Chuck Pierce:

"Tear Down Strongholds and Grab Hold of Your Portion!"

Changing our mind and realigning our thoughts is a process we go through! The Lord is doing so much with all of us during this season. I believe that His main goal is to have us understand His mind as we enter the next level of promise in the land that He has given each of us to possess. You have an inheritance. This is the portion that is linked with your destiny and promise.

Unlock the Creative Genius Hidden in You!

I loved this month's Issachar Course on "Unlocking Your Creative Power in Time and Space!" I think we have not understood the word genius. Therefore, we limit this category to those with an exceptionally high I.Q. Intelligence is not just linked with a person who has a high I.Q. Our environment and genes play an important part of what makes us think and act. Generational iniquity can rob a person of their ability to think and act efficiently and effectively. Intelligence is developed in someone who is willing to overcome the spirit of fear and insecurity and break new ground.

This type of adventurist will produce an uncovering of what has been hidden. This results in discoveries, witty inventions, and magnificent and new artistic displays. This type of creativity changes the way people view the world, field, or sphere where they are working. Someone with genius capacity will use their intelligence in a productive or impressive way. Their brain is functioning and agile. They do not overlook information or stimuli that others consider irrelevant.

In "NEW THINKING FOR A NEW SEASON!", Sharon King,
NP-C (Nurse Practitioner - Certified), writes the following:

"The brain is the machinery of the mind and these are clearly the days we need our brains regenerated to accommodate new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. We have a saying in Neurology, 'Cells that fire together, wire together.' This statement means that our experience literally wires our brain. If two neurons (brain cells) are connected and are electrically active at the same time, the connection between them gets stronger. But if they are not electrically active together, then those connection points called synapses are pruned or lost. To think in a new way, we need to have new electrical pathways formed in our brains; old ones cannot be remolded! This is the new wine in an old wineskin scenario that Jesus talks about in Matthew 9. We need to activate new firing to get new wiring in our brain connections!" -end quote

The Stronghold

Religious strongholds form and have authority to work within our thinking processes when we refuse to connect our thoughts properly. Jesus told us that you cannot patch an old quilt with new material and you cannot pour new revelation into an old structure. In approaching the "new" we must dismantle the old. Our old thought processes must be dismantled very precisely, and new ways of thinking must be built. New connecting ideas of time, season, action, and methods must align in our thinking process. This entails the tearing down of strongholds that resist our sphere and field from coming into and producing a new crop. I write about this in The Future War of the Church and Interpreting the Times.

When a new thought has a hard time connecting with your existing stored thought structure and then creatively developing a new way of doing things, you most likely have a stronghold. A stronghold is a thought process that is resistant to the will of God. This thought process gets impregnated by a demonic force and causes you to resist aligning your mind with the mind of Christ.

We all process what we see and feel from using our senses, but we do not all process information or revelation the same way. If you are not careful, you can reject someone because they see things from a different perspective than you. Cultures and races process information differently. Your environment influences your thoughts. Genders can process what they see and how they perceive something very differently; a man and a woman can look at the same object or seascape or mountain and describe what they see totally differently.

However, "IN HIM" we should all come up with the ultimate will of the One who created us and know Him when we see Him. How we process and grab hold of the perfect, acceptable will of God in the midst of a world filled with distractions is key to our success. How we "filter" out the distractions and choose the best is key to being successful in the future. Distractions can cloud your decision making and discernment. As we interact we can begin to tear down strongholds and develop our identity for the future.

Every Question Demands a Response

This Prayer Focus is designed for you to interact—"Doing reinforces hearing!" Let's move by faith these next 7 days and tear down old mindsets that will hinder us in the future. This may take you longer than 7 days. Take your time. I am giving a week to rethink things between focuses. Think differently. Watch your prayer life change as you dialogue with the Lord in a new and different way each day.

When we examine the teachings and ministry of Jesus, isn't it interesting that He, having all knowledge as the Son of God, chose to ask questions rather than just supply all the answers? The Lord asks us questions to cause us to think differently and critically. He stirs our minds and prompts us so that we will seek His way.

Our hearts and minds are being stirred to ask a question similar to what was echoed in Matthew 16: "Who do you say that I AM?" God is still demanding a response today to each question He asks and each thought we have that exalts our way of thinking above His. This is what makes God so real. The Lord has never ceased interacting with His people. What He desires is a people who are willing to gather His thoughts, assess His ways, and then align with His strategies. That is the essence of critical thinking for the astute Believer: aligning with God's thoughts.

To dismantle a stronghold we must go through the process of realigning the way we think. There are steps each of us can take. Following are a few keys to sharpen your mind, develop critical thinking skills and capture your thoughts:

1. Define your problem and clarify your real concern. What is your bottom line issue?

2. Evaluate all information you have about how you got into the mode of thinking that seems to have captured your freedom. Get some help to pinpoint the missing pieces that keep you from thinking in full complete thoughts. You can notice this from your communication if you half way complete sentences or you do not fully think through a problem.

3. Define your traps. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal your biases.

4. Clarify your position and authority.

5. Identify root causes of the problem you are addressing.

6. Determine what point of view you are using in your analysis.

7. Be willing to shift your perspective at any time.

8. Ask yourself, "Am I limiting my thought processes to only what I know?" Limited thought processes are synonymous with self-righteousness.

9. Identify anything that you are taking for granted in your analysis. Do not allow your assumptions to cause you to look foolish.

10. Check to make sure you are not making intellectual judgments based upon partial truths.

11. Ask yourself, "Have I simplified things to the point that I'm missing out on a major component?"

12. Avoid being biased or prejudiced in the way you receive, perceive and release information.

13. Be willing to repent and change your mind.

14. Ask forgiveness where appropriate. Be cleansed. Receive grace and ask for your mind to healed.

Next 7-Day Prayer Focus:
Includes Prophetic Word of the Lord

Day 1: Read and memorize 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. "For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way, because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God's power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah. And when you have become completely obedient, then we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience." (Complete Jewish Bible)

Ask this question: Am I exalting my thoughts in an area above the Word of God? Am I being arrogant in an area? Are my prideful insecurities keeping me from gaining the revelation and counsel I need for a new dimension of freedom?

Day 2: Embrace and war with prophetic words! Memorize 1 Timothy 1:18-19. "Here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord's battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (New Living Translation. Also read Exodus 23.)

Prophetic revelation is used to produce a "now" thinking process in God's children. Prophetic revelation and illumination will never contradict the principles of the canonized Word. But revelation from God's heart, spoken today, gives us the ability to defeat the enemies of this world in this age.

While you are reading the prophetic word below, ask yourself the following questions: "How does this word apply to my situation? How am I being deprived? Are my hands prospering? Am I addressing my enemy? Do I recognize the angelic assistance around me?"

Word of the Lord: "Do not lean on your own understanding concerning the promise that you are contending for and the conflict that rages around you. I am producing the law of the spoil within you that will cause you to govern the field that I've given you. Watch with Me! I have put many treasures in your safe keeping for this next season. You will have to learn to watch in a new way to secure those treasures. Allow Me to reorder your prayers that will reorder your steps that will form a new path for you to walk on. There are treasures on this path that will fill your treasure box for seasons to come.

"This is a time for you to say, 'I will govern the spoil that God has given me!' Stretch out your hands before Me and I will show you what I would have your hands grasp. Many resources are around you that you are not seeing. I will show you how to put your hand on the resource that will multiply and cause you to secure your future. For some of you, this will be like a knob. For others it will be levers. For others it will be a pin. For others it will be a key. Watch until you see the point and moment to grasp what I have for you.

"In this shaking season, I will cause you to shake so the unbelief that has entered you will shake loose and you will be detoxed. This will be a divine detoxing season. Many of you will find your diet rearranged. Many of you will find your thoughts have actually agreed with the enemy's plan. I will detox you from critical, murmuring spirits of unbelief.

"I am giving you angelic assistance. I am sending those that you have not known to walk with you. I am sending you help, to help you; to keep you moving; to cause you to be reordered; to cause you to recover; to cause you to come in. This is the beginning of the divine reordering and recovery.

"Watch! Watch! For the enemy has planned to overtake you, but I am trumping his hand. Watch, watch, watch with Me. This is the time that you will take your new stand. I will show you! For the season changes today. I will cause My people to get past the blockades that have been in their way. So watch, watch with Me and you will see where to take your stand in this season ahead. Watch, for angels are coming in to cause you to have the strength to rise up and say, 'Give me that field! It is what God has assigned to me!'"

Day 3: Read Romans 6 and memorize verse 14. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (New King James Version)

Is there an area in your life that has dominion or rulership over you? This is how you detect a stronghold. The thought process linked with this stronghold must be detected and dismantled. Be aware that this may be an emotion that has been wounded and what you are doing or "acting out" is an attempt to mask the real emotional hurt. Ask the Lord for the grace to overcome! Now read Romans 7.

Day 4: Read Romans 8. Know that you can triumph over the condemning cycle of thought that tries to overrule your victory. Memorize verses 6-8. "For to be carnally minded is death! But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (New King James Version)

Day 5: You will start today with a simple thought. Capture that thought. Meditate on Isaiah 55:8. Read Psalm 94. Memorize Luke 21:19, "By your patience possess your souls" (New King James Version). "By standing firm you will gain life" (New International Version). Read Matthew 14.

The Lord will teach you how to multiply in new ways! Hear Him saying, "This is your time to rise up and possess your soul. If you will possess your own soul, then I will have you possess the field. You will walk in and say, 'This is mine. Restore it all!' Possess that one thought and then I will rearrange and reorder everything you are doing. You have grown complex in the midst of entering in to take what I have given you. Simplify! Start with one thought and then move forward.

"I will speed you into the spoil! You will find yourself picking up the spoil of the enemy. Twelve baskets later, you will say, 'I'm taking back what has been taken! I am learning to multiply!' Take your field first. There are gifts that you have never allowed Me to rise up and multiply."

Sound produces movement. Know that God can give you the ability to retake ground that you lost.

Day 6: Read Matthew 9:27-31. Answer the question in verse 28. Hear Jesus saying to you: "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28, New International Version). Read Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 12.

Because of your insecurities you have said, "The gift within me is not that which it is and should be. Therefore, I will rely upon others." Ask the Lord to show you how gifted you really are. Take a gift inventory! Be willing to pray for someone in a new way. Know that He is able to develop the gifting in you!

Day 7: Read Joshua 5-7. Stop and allow your heart to be circumcised. Reread these chapters several times. Hear the Spirit of God giving you a strategy over how to proceed into this new season ahead. Wait. Do not talk. Listen. Walk forward. Face the stronghold that would stop you from taking your promise. Circle that which belongs to you. Circle your field and circle it again. Circle it seven times.

Hear the Lord saying to you: "I have given you unprecedented access to your future. You will circle your portion. You will circle that which has looked invincible and watch it fall. I will reorder your restorative plan of recovery. I will cause you to circle where the enemy's hand has come in to reign."

Understand the concept of Ai (mentioned in Joshua). Do not try to hold on to anything that is old. Let go of what God puts His finger on! Give your victory to HIM! Jericho was a firstfruits offering. Give a firstfruits offering and label the offering "UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS!" Go forward learning to be patient, waiting for your strategies, and with a joy in your heart that you will secure the portion God has given you!

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion Ministries

Website : www.glory-of-zion.org

Father's Love

The Love of The Father

Wendy Pope

"For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes."

Hebrew 12:6 (AMP)

Devotion:

"This hurts me more than it hurts you." These were the exact words my mother and father used before they disciplined me. Have you ever heard these words? Have you ever said these words?

As a child it was hard to understand how my parent's correction and discipline could hurt them more than it hurt me. After all, I was the one on the receiving end of the pain and suffering! I had many mental conversations with myself on this very subject. How can they say that when I am the one confined to my room for the week?

Growing up I thought I would only use positive reinforcement as disciplinary tools to raise my children into civilized, well-behaved members of society. My plan worked perfectly until I actually had children. Then I begin to re-think my mindset and seek the counsel of the Word as my guide for disciplining my children, as well as for receiving my own discipline from the Lord.

As a young mother correcting her children, my heart began to understand the Father's correction. It helped that I had already made the decision to allow God to be the Lord of my life. I was surrendered to His leadership in my life. Surrender meant accepting and submitting. Accepting His unconditional love and undeserved grace for my sin and submitting to His correction and discipline in my life. Trusting Him to use His Word to shape me into the person He wanted me to be. I was and I am today the object of His great love.

The Lord's correction and discipline is given to everyone He loves, accepts, and cherishes in His heart. According to Ephesians 1:5, through Jesus Christ we are adopted as sons of God. Therefore, as His children we are entitled to His great love and His loving hand of discipline.

Admittedly, it took me some time to willingly submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord. At times, the process was painful and difficult, asking me to give up things I took pleasure in. When I obeyed though, I always saw a positive result. Two truths came to life: discipline is good, and discipline is necessary to help me become like Christ.

I felt His great love as God would tell me, "No honey, don't watch that show anymore" or "Wendy, that relationship is not really beneficial to you. It would be in your best interest to break away from it." When I submitted to the discipline, I could see that He really loved me and wanted what was best for me.

As a young mother, I began to understand how giving the discipline really does hurt more than receiving the discipline. How? Because of the love. The giver loves so deep and in a way the receiver cannot understand until the discipline is accepted and applied, and the receiver matures. Eventually, the one receiving the discipline and correction realizes that discipline brings what he or she has always longed for: security, comfort, and peace.

The next time you need to accept discipline, remember the love of the Father who uses correction to shape you into the person He has designed you to be.

Dear Lord, help me to accept and apply Your loving discipline to my life. Thank You for loving me enough not to overlook my faults. You want me to be all that You have planned. Forgive me when I stubbornly stand in the way of the work of Your great love. It warms my heart to know that You accept and cherish me in Your heart, even enough to discipline me when I need it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio

Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper

Out of the Mouths of Babes by Wendy Pope

Visit Wendy Pope's blog

Application Steps:

Read Hebrews 12:1-12. Look for and write down all the benefits of God's discipline.

Reflections:

How do I typically respond to God's discipline?

Do I really believe that discipline means love? Why or why not?

How does discipline really provide security, comfort, and peace?

Power Verses:

Job 5:17, "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." (NIV)

Proverbs 10:17, "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." (NIV)

Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)

© 2009 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Faith

Footprints of Faith
Rev. Ernest V. George

Genesis 12:2,3 – “² I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.³ I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Dearly beloved in Christ,

One of the greatest examples of faith in the Word of God is Abraham – the friend of God and the father of faith. Abraham’s life was marked by his explicit trust in God. Let me first define belief and faith before moving into the message. Belief is the intellectual analysis of assimilated information and it has to do with the mind. However, faith has to do with the heart, an emotional dependency and trust in the information received. As Christians, we are called to follow in the steps of Abraham – to walk by faith and not by sight. The faith journey that Abraham ventured into can be divided into four phases.

1. Abraham was Called of God Genesis 12:1 – “Now the LORD had said to Abram:’ “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.”

Abraham was called out of his old life into a new way of living, in a new place. There are three aspects to this call a. Separation: He was called to be separated from his position into a future designed by God. Similarly we are called to be separated from the world into the will of God. We are His children and set apart to be holy [Leviticus 20:26] b. Service: God called Abraham into His service and we as His children are also called to serve Him no matter where we are placed – schools, colleges, companies, churches or even in our families. c. Security: God promised Abraham security! God was going to take care of him! We too can claim security and safety in God when we respond to the call of faith.

2. Abraham was Committed to God Genesis 12:4–5 – “⁴So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. ⁵Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.”

Without commitment, there is no accomplishment! Abraham was committed to God – when God asked him to move, he did. There are three areas in our lives that our affected when we venture out into our faith-walk. Our personality, our possessions and the people that we are associated with will be affected when we move forward with faith in God. Abram became Abraham, as he walked with commitment to God. There was a change in his personality as he left his past at the age of 75 to walk by faith in God into a future of great blessing! All of our possessions belong to God; we acknowledge this by our tithes that we give of our blessings. Sarah, his wife and Lot, his nephew too were affected by Abraham’s decision to follow God, not knowing where this was taking them. Your faith-walk bears consequences to those around you.

3. Abraham was Confused by circumstances Genesis 12:7-10 – “⁷The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. ⁸From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. ⁹Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. ¹⁰Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

Abraham reached a stage in his faith-walk, where everything seemed to go wrong. He had reached the land that God had directed him to, but then famine came on the land! How many times have we felt ‘led by God’ only to face adverse situations? However, the altar-builder, Abraham did not consult God before making his move to Egypt. This further complicated matters that changed the face of the earth forever! It was here that the Bible says that Abraham became afraid, he lied about his relationship with Sarah fearing the Egyptians, hired an Egyptian maid Hagar [through whom Abraham begat Ishmael] and both Sarah and Abraham experienced much pain. Two things that we must do when we are confused by our circumstances: 1. Worship God 2. Wait on God. If only Abraham had waited for God to direct him, I am sure God would have made provision for him right through the famine!

4. Abraham Completed his faith-walk Genesis 22:12 – “¹² And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

In this chapter, we see that God finally tested Abraham’s love for Him by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. And this time Abraham did not fail HIM! His trust in God was constant and his obedience to God was consistent! That is what we must do too in order to complete our faith-walk with God.

God’s love for us is so intense that He demands our complete allegiance to Him. If God is not LORD of all in your life, He is not LORD at all! Trust Him and walk in obedience and see your life transformed by His mighty power!

Because of He lives!

Website: www.gardencityag.org

Be Intentional

Cindy McGill:

"We Must Be Intentional About the Things of God"

There seems to be some things God is directing us to pay close attention to. As times and seasons shift, we have a tendency to be anxious in our efforts to find clear direction. There are many things that would capture our attention and take us off on rabbit trails, going down paths that seem good, but we lose sight of the real focus which is Jesus. Our foundation must be steadfast on the solid Rock and Chief Cornerstone, and when that is secure, we will act and not react when shifting circumstances occur in our lives.

"This is what the Almighty LORD says: I am going to lay a rock in Zion, a rock that has been tested, a precious cornerstone, a solid foundation. Whoever believes [in Him] will not worry." Isaiah 28:16

We Must Be Intentional About Our Love

Our first heart tug is to love the Lord with all of our heart. This is elementary. If we first love the Lord, then other things won't capture our attention and uproot our anchor. From this place, every other thing flows. We cannot love others if we do not know how to love God. As we are intentional about learning to love God and spend time with Him, He instructs us and transforms our hearts to beat with His.

Many things are revealed to us when our focus on Him is first. Things become very clear and defined. When we submit to God, we can then resist the devil and he will run away from us (see James 4:7). The plans of the devil will not work out when our lives are submitted to God who is love and we are clearly handed the victory.

Secondly, we are to be intentional about our love for each other. When we purpose to love each other, it reflects the love of God to a world who is watching. It is the very DNA of the Kingdom of God.

We Must Be Intentional About Our Walk

We must be determined to walk the walk of faith. It is a most certain path that is ordered, bringing us into the very plan of God. We must train our eyes to see what God sees, our mouths to say what God says, our actions to do what God does and live a determined life of honor and preferring someone over ourselves.

Galatians 5:16 tells us that if we walk in the Spirit, we won't carry out the desire of the flesh. When things come up in our lives, we can learn to get God's view on the situation. We can ask God what He thinks and what His plan is for the very thing we are dealing with. We learn to live by the Spirit and not by the things we see. A focused, determined walk will give us open doors, increased anointing, favor, clear direction and make us visible lights in a dark world.

We Must Be Intentional About Our Prayers

Declarations have power. When we pray, believing what we pray with expectancy, God honors our prayers and He answers. Faith-filled prayers that line up with God's Word and plan can bring radical change to situations. God actually looks for these kind of prayers.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."

The authority Jesus gave us, when used in prayer, is unmatched in its transformational power. Spoken, declarative, faith-filled words have creative power. Power to heal, deliver, resurrect, loose, bind, create, prophesy and provide avenues for God's will to be done here on earth like in Heaven. Glory and heavenly manifestations accompany such prayers.

We Must Be Intentional About Our Unity

We must choose to gather ourselves together in unity to pray, eat together, share truths, worship and live our lives. The early Church did this very thing in Acts 2:41-47, and God did mighty signs and wonders in their midst and added to the Church daily those who were being saved.

"So then, those who had received His word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

"And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:41-47

It is refreshing when we can all live together in unity of heart and spirit. When we can let down the walls, drop offenses, and choose a heart of gladness and simplicity. The whole atmosphere changes when tensions cease and we choose to love each other. The fact is, none of us know it all. Only God knows it all, and when we humble ourselves and come together in unity, it creates an atmosphere where God will command His blessing (see Psalm 133).

We Must Be Intentional About Our Worship

We are created to worship. Our spirits cry out to worship the One who is so worthy to be worshipped. As we enter a worship time, if we will prepare our hearts to fully surrender to the Lord in worship, our lives are transformed with revelation light. Our worship is breath to God and it is where He chooses to make His address (see Psalm 22).

When we worship God with all of our hearts, it is revolutionary. Divine exchanges take place and our hearts are softened and healed. Anger, bitterness, hurt, depression and the like have to leave when we are in a place of true worship. Deep calls unto deep and our spirits connect with the Holy Spirit. We discover more clearly what we are designed for and our love for Him increases as He pours His love back on us.

Worship is essential for growth in God and our spiritual walk. To the degree we fully abandon ourselves to worship God, we find true freedom from all kinds of heaviness and bondages that try and keep us imprisoned. Someone once said, "We become like the thing we worship." Let's worship God and become like Him.

We Must Be Intentional To Live in the Peace of God

The God of peace crushes satan beneath our feet (see Romans 16:20). Peace will lead us and guide us safely. The only real peace we have is our assurance that God is in complete control. God said He would keep us in perfect peace when our minds are fixed on Him (see Isaiah 26:3). Peace is a major weapon of our warfare. Being anxious for nothing, we can fully trust that God who started a work in us is certainly able to complete it (see Philippians 1:6).

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

These may be uncertain times, but God is with us and on our side. There are more with us than those who are against us. If God is for us and fights our battles, then we don't need to fight the torment of fear. Staying in peace and trust delivers a great relief and allows us to keep our focus.

There is much to do in the days ahead. It's truly the Church's finest hour. People are searching for answers and we possess the ANSWER, Jesus. Prodigals returning, people coming to know the Lord, healings, signs, wonders, fresh revelation, mysteries being revealed, new visitations from Heaven are all a part of the coming days.

Let's remain INTENTIONAL in purpose as these new days approach.

Bless ya,

Cindy McGill
Hope for the Harvest Ministries

Email: dreaminslc@hotmail.com

Website: www.hopefortheharvest.com