Passion Week: Fruitful Prayer is Blessed

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Mark 11:24




The 3rd day of Christ's last week before His death and resurrection.  We find our Savior back in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple for the last time, sharing numerous parables with His followers and disciples.

This scripture has always represented such an open statement of truth, but so often misunderstood.  Does this mean I pray to win the lottery every week for the rest of my life and it will be mine?  Of course not.  Christ and his disciples were entering Jerusalem and had just walked past the fig tree that He had cursed the day before.  Within 24 hours, the fig tree was withered and dead.  Why had Christ cursed the tree?

The fig tree was known to have fully blossomed fruit by the time the leaves were in full foliage. In the case of this tree, the leaves were full and not a single fig had grown yet. This tree was deceptive in it's life.  Leading one to believe that it was full of fruit (based on the full leaves) yet upon a closer perspective no fruit exists.  This was indicative of those that would be condemning Him in the next few days.  Portraying themselves as filled with fruit of the Lord in their appearance, yet Christ knew what was inside of these people.  The living parable He shares with His disciples is a warning to be filled with the fruit of the spirit and the Lord will be with them in all that they do.

The fig tree was created by God to bear fruit for others enjoyment.  Likewise, as Christians we are created to bear fruit of self less service of mercy and love towards others.  When we are in the spirit of the Lord, He promises that He will grant all of our prayers to come to fruition.  The key is being in His will and serving His purpose.  Nothing is beyond His reach when His children seek His ways.  Be blessed my friends.

Prayer:
Loving Father,
We are amazed at Your awesome power and the miracles of Your word.  We come before You, humble in our spirit and open for You to work in our lives.  We long to bear fruit for You in season and out of season.  Fruit that can flourish in the eyes of Your children.  Help us to realize the gifts You have placed in our hearts so we may in turn live for You and draw others to Your kingdom.  In Your name we pray - Amen.

  





© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Be Fruitful

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” – John 15:5

Whether it is asking for directions or asking for help to meet this month’s overwhelming bills, the human spirit by nature is a prideful one.  I’ve always struggled with this problem and I’m sure many of you do as well.  Why is it that we are willing to bend over backward and help those around us, but most times unwilling to accept help when we are in need?  Pride, embarrassment, and arrogance continue to drive a wedge between receiving God’s ultimate love and salvation and continuing to struggle in life’s daily challenges.

I remember once when we were on vacation, and decided to go for a hike along a river in Tennessee.  An hour into the 3-hour hike, up a 200-foot rocky pathway, Emma, then 3 years old would not give up.  It seemed as though every step she took on the worn path over the smooth stones her foot would slip and she would slide back.  Multiple times Lisa offered to carry her, but consistently the answer was the same, “I can do it myself”.  Her little fingers would grip the stone crevice and her little feet search for something to stand on, as the rest of us easily maneuvered over the rocky terrain.  Eventually, Emma and Lisa made it to the top where the rest of us had been resting and taking in the view from the highest point along the river’s edge.  They were able to get a sip of water and take a quick look over the edge before we had to begin the trek back down again.

Very much like Emma, at age 3, we all have so much confidence in our own ability and are unwilling to truly allow ourselves to rely on another, namely God, to see us through.  In doing so, we miss the wonderful views He has prepared for us.  Oh sure, we may get to the same destination that God had planned for us, but along the way, we will experience struggles, cuts, scrapes and many episodes of back-sliding.  God is not going to force Himself upon you though.  What you can do, is simply ask Him to help you, and then trust that He will.  Giving it to God and accepting the help that He is trying to give us makes the journey so much more worthwhile and spectacular.  There is no promise that it will be easy because there are moments of strengthening and growth that come from living a life for the Lord, but it will be more fruitful in His kingdom when you are done.

We are 5 weeks into the New Year.  How ripe is your fruit this year?  Remember, Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.  If we stay close to Him, our fruit will grow naturally.  It’s when we try to force something outside of our strengths and gifts that we struggle.  Now is a great time to focus on where God is leading you, what fruit should you bear.  Search your heart, break down the walls that you have built to keep God out and allow Him into those dark corners.  Then let His presence and wisdom flow through you to help you get the most from your life.  Remain confident and strong knowing that through God all things are possible and yet nothing of God is possible without His presence.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are an awesome God and we lift our hands to celebrate Your love for us.  Through Your grace and mercy, You have provided a path of salvation for each of us.  You have given us Your Holy Spirit to walk with us in every decision we make throughout the day if we would only ask for His help.  Help us to bury our selfish pride and arrogance and be willing to reach out to You for help in our life.  In Your name we pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Where is the Joy?

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you believe in him; and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” - 1 Peter 1:8

  During times of worry and discontent, I have often heard it say “remain fast, for the joy comes in the morning”.  What do you do when you wake up in the morning and joy is once again absent?  Hmmm…can you imagine; have you been there; are you there right now?  The world is revolving, people come and people go; walking past you as if you don’t even exist.  Life at times seems monotonous and more of a ritual than an adventure, and you feel stuck.  Where is the joy in that situation?  Bah humbug.  Face it there are times when you are more of a Scrooge than a Bob Cratchit (“A Christmas Carol”, Charles Dickens, 1843). 

It’s amazing to me how quick we are to focus on the negatives in life and skip right passed the daily blessings that we are given.  Many are looking for instantaneous pleasure and happiness.  The problem is that these are often fleeting and difficult to hold on to, leaving the person feeling at loss after a short period.  There is no doubt that life in the 21st century has it’s challenges and complexities.  When we dwell upon them our joy is stolen right out from under us.  So, the questions remain, how can we find the fruit of the Spirit for joy in a world so wrapped up in evil?

Ultimate joy in life can only come from one source, and it is not the lottery, nor the refrigerator, nor the beach or the mountains.  These all create an emotional response of happiness and joy, but lack the infinite quality of timelessness.  Relaxing at the Cruise Bar on the Quay in Sydney, Australia, watching the ships at dusk with the Opera House in the background and then taking in the unbelievable sights around the city, one could say, “ahh…now that’s joy.”  They would be correct.  It’s beautiful, it fills the mind with happiness, contentment and peace.  Then nightfall comes, and then the next morning.  A jog along that same path reveals the trash along the side of the road, the homeless sleeping in the alleys and a fog hanging over the harbor.  Hmmm, not quite the same joyful experience. 

The answer is obvious and you’ve gotten there before I could even give it to you.  Of course, I’m referring to the love of the Lord and taking a Godly perspective on life.  Consistent and true joy can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ and focusing on the blessings He has given you each and every day.  There will never come a day, in this life, when all of your troubles are gone.  If you are waiting for that miraculous event to take place, I’m afraid the rapture will be your miracle.  That is where true joy stems from.  For though we are suffering with pains and struggles today, a focus on eternity and God’s love will quickly help you to re-prioritize your thinking.  As Christ tells us in John 16:22, “…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”  A promise from the Savior of the world, is a promise you can take to the bank.  Right it on your heart, paste it to your bathroom mirror and remind yourself every time you sense depression coming, that Christ died for your sins and you are destined for eternity with Him one day.  Don’t allow this world to steal your joy, for you are a child of God.  Live like it.

PRAYER:

Precious Father,

  We seek the joy of Your Son in our life. Grant us the peace of knowledge and confidence to see through the daily struggles of each day. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit to calm our anxieties and consistently ground us in Your light. For it is only through You that we can find true joy in life. Amen
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Rich is on vacation, so today enjoy a repost of one of the favorites from days gone  by.

“For His loving kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting”    - Psalm 117:2

 Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." Mother Teresa

  The action of being kind to another has the opportunity to make an impression not only on that person but generations beyond that person and those associated to that individual.  Consider the true motivation behind kindness is charity and behind charity is love.  Kindness is a manner by which we are able to share love with another, but even the atheists and the unrighteous are kind to others.  Kindness in and of itself is a characteristic that requires a compassionate heart and willing mind. As Christians we are led by the existence of love and compassion in its most true and complete form; stemming from God Almighty.
 
   Through the Holy Spirit we receive the gift of kindness. Unlike simply being kind to someone, the kindness gifted by the Holy Spirit brings with it the eternal impact of grace. There is no better example of kindness than God. His love, mercy and grace for all mankind set a perfect example for us to live up to. This is what differentiates those living by the fruit of the spirit of kindness from those just being kind for the sake of being nice. Being kind regardless of the circumstance and parties involved represents an unconditional perspective to kindness. Stranger, friend, family or foe it doesn’t matter. The love and kindness of the Savior needs to be evident.

  Consider the grace of God. It is available to all mankind, even though we don’t deserve it. We cannot buy it because it is given away for free. There are no works that a person can do to earn it. It is equally available to all, regardless of their status, wealth, or works. It simply takes an act of accepting that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. This saving grace becomes the foundation of mercy, love and kindness to all humanity, and the guidelines for our exercise of kindness to all others in Jesus name.

PRAYER:
Almighty Father,
  You have given us a heart of compassion, a desire to reach out to the hurting and the suffering and bring them the love and kindness of the Savior. Fill us with a presence Lord to be filled with kindness in all of our engagements and interactions, that others might see Your love through us and in turn experience Your grace. Holy Spirit come upon us and bless us with the Spirit of Kindness that we may be ambassadors for Your truth and justice in this world. Help us to put aside our vanity, and self-promotion in these acts and point only to Your grace and love. In Your name we pray - Amen.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2010
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com