| Challenge Yourself |
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Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)
…: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
…: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
Just as a person expects growth and fruitfulness when they plant a tree, you and I should expect growth and fruitfulness from ourselves from time to time. By refusing to grow and bear fruit as we should, we deprive ourselves of the greater things that God has in store for us. In Hebrews 5:11-14, the writer was lamenting, as there were certain aspects about Christ that he wanted to communicate to some believers. However, they were unable to comprehend them because they were not growing. Because they had not been applying the things they had been taught, they were still learning what they should have been teaching others.Are you putting in the amount of effort and commitment that you need to put in for you to grow as you should? Are you doing what you know you should be doing or are you waiting for someone to push and motivate you first? When will you wake up and challenge yourself? Are you listening, meditating upon, understanding and praying about and practicing all that you have been taught? Are you learning from God's Word as you should be? Don't fool yourself into believing you have all the time in the world. Number your days and apply your heart to wisdom, Psa.90:12. To whom much is given, much is expected, Luke 12:48. Acknowledge God's abundant grace upon your life and put it to work. Do not become proud and discouraged whenever you are challenged to grow and be more fruitful. Humbly accept the challenge and God will strengthen and lift you up.
CONFESSION: I challenge myself today to take my growth and fruitfulness more seriously in every area where I have been negligent.
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