Godsfruitful
Encouraging others in Christ
Archive for the tag “God’s timing”
Hearing, RUNNING and finally OBEYING:))
While reading my Bible and sitting with a warm heating pad on my back and a bowl of peanut M & M’s by my side, the thought of relaxation and peacefulness came over me as the cool breeze was blowing in through the window.
What a blessing to just be still in the presence of the Lord and His Word!
Jonah would have found himself much better sitting quietly and listening to God, instead of running away and catching a ship!
The Book of Jonah shows that God can use a negative example to teach a positive lesson. The negative example is the prophet Jonah, whom God called to preach to the citizens of Nineveh. This great city was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Jews hated the Assyrians because they were sworn enemies who worshipped pagan gods. So Jonah tried to run away from God’s call. We know the story of how a violent storm strikes the ship, which led to Jonah admitting that he was running from God’s call. He advises the sailors to toss him overboard to appease the anger of the Lord.
We read that God saves Jonah by sending a great fish to swallow him, keeping him alive for three days in the stomach of the fish. Jonah prays for deliverance and the Lord hears and has him ejected from the fish unharmed and placed on the shore.
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Eventually, Jonah did travel to Nineveh and preach to the Ninevites, as God commanded him to do. But when they repented and turned to God, he sulked and pouted because the Lord refused to destroy them.
One positive thing we can say about Jonah is that he did dare to tell the truth about himself and his prejudice by writing the book that bears his name.
God reminded Jonah that He is merciful and a forgiving God, who loves all people, even the pagan Assyrians.
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION:God’s message is for everyone. Despite the wickedness of the Ninevite people, they were open to God’s message and repented immediately.
Let’s do our best today and every day to simply proclaim what we know of God, we may be surprised at how many people will listen.
Scoffers, READERS and HAPPY ROOTS:))))
Do you ever feel challenged or a little-disappointed when trying to share God’s Word with others? It can seem as though they think that you may be too excited about studying a boring history book of days long ago. I want to encourage you not to get discouraged for one moment:))))))) God is working in our heart and mind! I feel a real sadness for people who don’t show any concern or excitement about our God that they profess to ‘believe’ in for their eternal salvation.
PSALMS 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
God doesn’t judge people by race, sex, or national origin. He Judges them by their faith in Him and their response to His revealed Will.
Those who diligently try to obey God’s Will are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:5-8) And God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don’t obey God have meaningless lives that blow like dust.
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: As a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God’s Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God’s Word in our heart.
Let’s soak up God’s Word today and every day! Man-made sources are temporary…But salvation is FOREVER:)) We NEED the correct WATER SOURCE:)
We shall be like trees planted by a river NOT like an overflowed puddle that leaves our roots compromised
A PRIDEFUL chip on the shoulder causes death!!
The book of Esther is unique-God is not mentioned. The heroine of the story is even cautioned to keep her Jewish heritage a secret!
Nevertheless, God’s work is evident.
I didn’t realize that Haman had a thousand-year-old chip on his shoulder. His ancestors, the Amalekites, had attacked the people of Israel without provocation when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. The Amalekites lost the battle, and this feud was never entirely settled. More than ten centuries later Haman held the political power to destroy all Jews.
ESTHER 3:1, 2
1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Haman enjoyed the power and prestige of his position, and he was enraged when Mordecai did not respond with the expected reverential bow. Haman’s anger was not directed just toward Mordecai, but toward what Mordecai stood for- the Jews dedication to God as the only authority worthy of reverence. Haman’s attitude was prejudiced; he hated a group of people because of a difference in belief and culture.
Prejudice grows out of personal pride-considering oneself better than others. In the end, Haman was punished for his arrogant attitude.(7:9 10). God will harshly judge those who are prejudiced or whose pride causes them to look down on others.
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: It’s better to let go of issues in this life, rather than keep on harboring a time to ‘get even’ through selfish pride. Haman would’ve found himself a lot better off serving our ONE AND ONLY God instead of holding on to a one thousand- year old- grudge… Haman learned the hard way!!!
Let’s give unsettled accounts to God today and every day and let Him settled all debts for us! LET GO AND LET GOD!
Are you distressed with your thorn today? DON’T BE :))
Did you expect NOT to learn the hard way? As I look back over the past nine years since accepting Christ into my heart, I realize just how much I didn’t know when making my profession of faith. I understood and trusted that Christ died for my sins, forgave my sins once I repented, and my salvation was secure in Him. The Holy Spirit indwelled and filled me with a willingness and hunger that’s always been hard to explain, in fact, my family sometimes thought I may have been just a little over the top at times :))!!
I’ve recently begun to understand that it truly is trials in life that cause us to grow in our trust in Christ. I’m talking about situations that cause you to know what it means to say “I’m a sinner saved by GRACE.” 
It’s only after repeated attempts to get out of where we currently are trapped in our situations that we have no control over, That we are finally aware that He is entirely in control and will give us all that we stand in need of this day and every day.
2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sakes: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
We don’t know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was because he doesn’t tell us. Some have suggested that it was Malaria, epilepsy, or a disease of the eyes (Galatians 4:13-15). Whatever it was, it was a chronic and debilitating physical problem, which at times kept him from working.
This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, and he prayed for its removal, but God refused. Paul was a very self-sufficient person, so this thorn was difficult for him. It kept Paul humble, reminded him of his need for constant contact with God and benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life.
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: Although God did not remove Paul’s affliction, He promised to demonstrate His power in Paul. God’s power shows up in weak people and should give us courage.
Let us recognize our limitations, admit our weaknesses and affirm God’s strength today and every day!
**PLEASE READ**
Hello blogging family:)
I hope that you all are well and busy encouraging others in Christ!! You all are a blessing to me and encouraging as well:))
I want to tell you about ‘FRUIT BITES’ !!
A FRUIT BITE is a 2 minute video segment for encouragement. I hope to upload on M W F.
I hope it will encourage others. Sometimes it’s easier to watch than to read, so maybe on the days that you are running short on reading time, you can just listen to the 2 minute FRUIT BITE
and get a BIG BITE of encouragement to help you along in your day!
God Bless you ALL and please continue to keep up the GREAT EFFORTS that you all put forth with encouraging others in Christ!!
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone with creating FRUIT BITES. We must be fruitful for Him! 🙂
Sincerely,
Kim Mefford
Godsfruitful.net
Are you sitting still and a little bored?
Here comes the start of a new week, but do you somehow feel like there isn’t much “new” to the week?
Do you find yourself hopeful as to what this week will hold and bring about for you by Friday? OR…..
OH HUM DEE DO…ANOTHER NEW WEEK…I CAN HARDLY WAIT…NOT!!!
Do you feel like your just sitting still and little a bored?
Let’s NOT be like Negative Nellie and Doubting Doug…Let’s trust in the Lord for ALL things!
PROVERBS 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Nothing exciting happened last week…AND I DOUBT THAT IT DOES THIS WEEK!
This precious promise of divine guidance in one’s life choices is conditioned upon complete trust in God’s wisdom as revealed in His Word, along with unashamed acknowledgement of Him in all our dealings with others.
As Christians, we are aware of what God’s Word instructs us, SO let’s make this week a successful week in the Lord! Let’s do our BEST to adjust our attitudes!!! If you find yourself discouraged by your circumstances, I want to encourage you to lift your voice in song and sing to the Lord. I know that your probably thinking “That’s the last thing that I feel like doing.” PLEASE JUST TRY IT… The Spirit will comfort you and before you know it you will be feeling so much more positive in your day::)) Remember God is with us!
FRUITFUL OBSERVATION: We trust that God has the best plan for us as He directs our paths. Let’s come into His presence daily, and acknowledge Him as our Lord and Saviour.
Let’s be willing to sit quietly and trust in the Lord with ALL of our heart today and every day!
Godsfruitful 