Open Heavens Devotional June 19 2021 – Fruitlessness Is Disastrous

MEMORISE:

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2

READ: 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?

MESSAGE:

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 an 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 mediate on Galatians 5:22-26.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, guide me to do something that will provoke my fathers (biological and/or spiritual) to bless me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 28-31.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.

1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

o Refrain:

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see:

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!