Fruitful

January 11th – Ezekiel 36:26

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Ezekiel 36:26

This new year, one of my projects is turning a stony, weedy, patch of my yard into a flower garden where bees and butterflies can thrive. But before anything can grow, some hard work has to be done. Rocks need to be removed, weeds need to be pulled, and the ground needs to be tilled. All done to uncover the rich, nourishing soil beneath. It’s messy, tiring work. And at times it feels easier just to leave the ground the way it is. But without that preparation, nothing healthy will take root.

That’s the way it is when it comes to our hearts. God gently but faithfully works on the hardened places within us. He breaks up what is stubborn, rebellious, and unfruitful. God takes our hearts of stone, and begins to soften them in His hands. The result is a heart moldable and ready to reflect the likeness of Jesus. The work required to create a garden is hard, but the beauty makes every effort worthwhile. In the same way, producing a fruitful harvest for the Lord doesn’t happen without hard, sometimes uncomfortable work. Yet when our hearts are willing to be shaped, softened, and renewed by Him, the beauty that grows from it is truly remarkable.

Reflection Question:
What hardened or weedy areas of your heart might God be inviting you to surrender so He can soften, renew, and bring new life?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, take my heart and do the work only You can do. Remove what is hard, crowded, or unfruitful, and replace it with a heart that is soft, willing, and alive in You. Shape me so my life produces beauty and fruit that honors You.

January 11th – Ezekiel 36:26 Read More »

September 8th – Psalm 1:2-3

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Psalm 1:2-3

There’s something life-giving about opening God’s Word and letting it speak into the ordinary parts of our day. Scripture isn’t meant to be rushed through like a checklist. It’s meant to be savored, like cool water on a hot day or shade beneath a strong tree. When we root ourselves in God’s Word, we begin to flourish in ways we didn’t even realize we needed. Strength grows quietly, peace settles deeper, and joy springs up even in hard seasons. Just like a tree planted by streams of water, we become steady and fruitful. Not because life is easy, but because our roots go down into something unshakable. The world pulls us in a thousand directions, but God’s Word anchors us in truth. Spending time in it reshapes the way we think, the way we see, and the way we live. The fruit of love, patience, kindness, courage, and hope may not show up instantly, but in time, will surely grow. When we delight in His Word, we’re not just reading about life, we’re receiving it. Flourishing isn’t about what we can produce on our own, but about staying connected to the Source who never runs dry.

Reflection Question: How can I root myself more deeply in God’s Word so that my life reflects His strength and fruitfulness?

Prayer Prompt: “Lord, plant me by the streams of Your Word. Help me to delight in it daily, so my life may flourish and bear fruit that points others to You.”

September 8th – Psalm 1:2-3 Read More »

October 16th – Genesis 2:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Genesis 2:15

The garden of Eden was perfect. Beautiful, fruitful, and overflowing with abundance. Perfectly created by God, it provided everything man needed for life. Adam was tasked with the responsibility of looking after the garden. To be a good steward of the bountiful harvest the Lord so generously blessed him with. We too have been tasked to be stewards of the world around us. For we also have been generously blessed. And just as Adam was entrusted with the care of the garden, we are entrusted with the care of God’s creation. This involves cultivating and preserving not only the gardens of the physical world, but also the spiritual garden of our own hearts and minds. We should nurture the seeds of faith, kindness, and love. Keeping and tending our garden so our lives yield a spiritual harvest which reflects God’s abundant grace. Because like Adam, as stewards we play an integral role in maintaining the beauty and vitality of the Lord’s creation.

October 16th – Genesis 2:15 Read More »

August 21st – Colossians 2:7

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Colossians 2:7

“rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

One of my favorite trees is the mighty oak. Beautiful and strong, it outlasts almost every living thing on the earth. And no matter the strength of the storm, because it’s roots grow wide and deep, it’s branches can withstand the blowing winds. When we have roots that run wide and deep in Christ, we too can withstand anything Satan and his evil world can throw at us. To be rooted in Christ means to anchor our lives in His teachings, character, and love. It involves cultivating a strong and enduring relationship with Him by spending time in His presence, through prayer, and by studying  His Word. Just as a healthy tree bears fruit, being rooted in Christ leads to spiritual growth and transformation. And as we draw from His wisdom and grace, we become more resilient against the challenges of life and more fruitful in our actions and relationships. Our great encourager, Paul urges us to strive for a faith that is not superficial, but deeply grounded in the truths of Christ. Thereby allowing us to stand firm, and to flourish amidst the changing tides of the world.

August 21st – Colossians 2:7 Read More »

February 22nd – Luke 8:15

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 8:15

What exactly is good soil in Jesus’ parable found in Luke? It is a heart that is open, honest, and humble. A heart that is genuinely and sincerely  searching for the truth and longing to abide in Christ. Would this describe your heart? This type of heart is the first prerequisite to growing and producing fruit in our faith. Because fruitfulness is the natural result of a heart that is surrendered to God. One that not only studies God’s Word, but is careful to obey it. (Ezra 7:10)

So what is the key to bearing godly fruit? Jesus explained it in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Bearing fruit in the Christian life requires abiding in Jesus. He not only promises that those who abide will “bear fruit” (John. 15:2), but “bear much fruit” (v. 8), and “bear fruit…that will last.” (v.16). And don’t we all want that?

Each minute of each day we should walk a surrendered life. Inviting Jesus to come in and live His life through us in order for Him to love and serve others through you. And ultimately when that happens, not only will you be amazed at all HE can do through you, but Jesus will be glorified and you will be blessed!

Blessings!

Sue

February 22nd – Luke 8:15 Read More »

September 11th – Matthew 13:23

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 13:23

In the parable of the sower, or parable of the four soils, Jesus explains four different responses of people who hear the Gospel. The first is a hard soil, in which the seed, (the Word of God), does not penetrate the heart. And God’s seed becomes nothing more than food for the birds. The next is stony soil. It provides just enough for the seed to sprout, but doesn’t have the depth needed for the seed to take root. And at the first sign of trouble, the seed withers and dies, and God’s Word forgotten. The thorny soil, allows the seed to grow, but the love of the world takes over. It chokes out the good plants with weeds and produce no fruit. But the good soil is fertile and eager to receive the seed of God. It hears, understands, and obeys His Word, producing much fruit. It sprouts and blooms in glory to the Lord. The good soil provides a bountiful harvest for God to reap. So let me ask, which soil are you?

September 11th – Matthew 13:23 Read More »

May 15th – John 15:6

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

John 15:6

Sadly many people who receive Jesus as their Savior stay as superficial Christians. They are saved, but their relationship with Jesus stays at a surface level and their lives produce no good fruit.  Like a dry, withered branch of a vine, they produce nothing of worth for the kingdom of God. But when we abide in Jesus and let Him work in and through us, we develop a deep, intimate, relationship with Him. This allows us to productively work hand in hand with the Lord and become lush, bountiful, fruitful vines. And when we produce good fruit for the glory of God, we in turn receive the blessings and joy of a job well done!

May 15th – John 15:6 Read More »