Cut It Down

Click Here: Read Luke 13

“And he spoke this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down…”  – Luke 13:6-7

The other night we were out looking for a Christmas tree.  As we wandered up and down the rows and rows of trees, looking for that perfect tree, we saw many that had seen better days.  Charlie Brown’s tree had more needles if you know what I mean.  I actually thought of this verse as I was looking upon a particularly bare tree standing right next to a tree that was full, firm and had a wonderful shape. 

As a Christian, I am called to bear fruit in His image.  We all are.  Being in the word, we learn, we grow, we are fed and nurtured as we mature.  From these learnings and experiences, we are then to show that fruit in our daily walk, in our actions, words and decisions.  The fruit, much like the figs on the fig tree, demonstrate life in abundance and are proof of our roots.  A lemon tree will not produce peaches, nor an apple tree produce cherries, or an orange tree produce pineapples.  Each tree produces the fruit from it’s original seed, it’s root. 

So, if a fruit tree is not producing fruit, Jesus says it should be cut down.  The Christmas tree that I saw when we were out the other night, dropped needles every time it was touched,  Evidenced that the root was dead, that there was no nutrients being fed to the branches.  This tree had one destination and that is the burn pile at the end of the season.  A tree without fruit has one destination according to scripture.  The eternal, inextinguishable fire for eternity.

So it is with our faith, and our walk with Christ.  It is one thing to say you are a Christian, but a completely different thing to actually walk the walk and demonstrate it in your actions and deeds.  Could the passerby look upon your words, your actions and your decisions and know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, or has your branches, your fruit been dried up?  It’s time to feed the vine, and bear fruit once again.  Be in the word, prayer and quiet yourself to hear the Lord this Christmas.  Renew that spirit once again and let His light shine through your actions.  You are not a tree to be cut down and left for the burn pile.  You are a strong tree, full of rich seeds, waiting to be fed.  Let those around you see the fruit of the Saviour through you.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2018
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Don't be Deceived

Selfishness is inherent in each of us.  Just read the news this week and you’ll see it everywhere you turn.  People are doing everything they can to make it “all about me”, yet at the same time praise God in the very next breath.  Seriously?  I’m intentionally not being detailed about the “who” in this reference, because it’s easy enough to find several examples today alone where we are bringing the attention to our-self rather than pushing all the glory to God above. 

Politicians, Televangelists, Music artists, actors/actresses, Sport heros, your kids, my kids, your friends at work just to name a few.  It’s endearing to hear a celebrity stand on a stage and praise God for their success, and give Him the appropriate glory He deserves.  But, follow this same celebrity when they walk out of the spotlight and they are living 100% for themselves and all that they can achieve.  It has become obvious that many are using a faith in God as a marketing tool to expand their customer base into the religious circles of the world.  Preying on the gullibility of the Christian population, to enhance their exposure and image, and thereby expand their wallet by doing so.

How do you know someone is a Christian?  Is it because they claim to believe?  Is it because they go to church?  Is it because they say they will pray for you?  Is it because the “Thank God”?  The scriptures tell us “15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”  (Matthew 7:15-17 NASB)  A Christian is continuously a work in progress to become more like Christ.  Their works represent that of Jesus Christ, as our representation of God in the flesh.

He wears a Cross, He points to heaven when something good happens, He lowers his eyes and demonstrates praying when people are watching.  Yet, he stands on stage in sagging pants, underwear near his genitals, no shirt, tats of skulls, naked women and profanities adorn his chest, arms and back; sunglasses, spiked bracelets and sings out words of disgust and vileness about sexual perversion, killing policeman, doing drugs and living without abandon.  I ask you, not to be the judge for there is only one judge and that is Jesus Christ, if this man falls off the stage and breaks his neck tonight, is he going to heaven?

Authentic salvation changes your heart, your outlook and your intentions.  Every moment is spent living for the Lord and His Kingdom.  Actions (fruit) will demonstrate the existence of Christ in your life.  Your words are uplifting, loving, righteous and bring glory to God.  Your hands are busy helping others, serving, expanding His Kingdom.  Embracing His purpose, His presence and His love; and then sharing it with everyone.  The scripture in Matthew 7:22-23 continues: “22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

God’s not playing games folks.  You are going to die and stand before Him one day. He cannot be fooled by our actions or words.  He knows your heart and the truth that lies within.  Do not focus on yourself, but focus on others and how God can use you to help them.  Then, you will truly begin to see just who Jesus really is and how very much He loves you.

(c) Sondove Enterprises, 2015