Full of Good Fruit
Painting by Brandi Ramirez
Matthew 6:25-34
As I begin another day of Thanksgiving, I can’t help but reflect on many of God’s provisions. He has looked after myself and my family these many years through His mercy and grace. The only thing stopping me from receiving all the Lord has for myself and family is unbelief; mistrust.
Unbelief & Mistrust
Adam and Eve lost it all because they allowed an accusation against God permeate their heart. How did that happen? Eve lusted after the one and only thing forbidden in Paradise, the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A loving parent will withhold from a child what will ultimately do harm, but at the same time provide what is necessary for their healthful growth. Although they disobeyed God and were unable to enter His rest, He was with them. When Eve gave birth to her first son, she exclaimed, “ I have brought forth a child with the help of the Lord.” God had not abandoned them, He was always there. (Genesis 3-4)
Whenever I’ve gone after things that would ultimately hurt me, the Lord would intervene with a warning and a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes I obeyed and sometimes I gave into the temptation and suffered the consequences. I’ve been disciplined by the Lord to keep me from ruining my testimony concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His loving discipline because it has produced good fruit in my life and at the same time prevented me from straying from His truth and again entangled in sin.
( John 14:6, John 8:32, 1 John 1:9)
God’s Provision for the Pilgrims
Almost 400 years ago people fled Europe because of religious persecution. Many came over from England. These people wanted to worship God as they believed the Word of God directed. They endured hardships we can not even imagine but had faith and trusted God for His provision. They dedicated themselves to Christ in a far away land.
The True Story of Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims
God’s Provision for the Israelites
When the Israelites had wandered in the desert and were approaching the Promise Land, they believed the report of 10 of the 12 men who told them the land was too difficult to overcome, and the people there were giants. Only two had the faith to believe God would fight their battles for them based on all of God’s previous provisions and faithfulness. Unfortunately, they rebelled and were afraid and could not enter God’s promise and provision. Forty years later, the ones who believed led the descendants into the promised land because of their faith.
Resource: Provision for the Israelites
Salvation is God’s Provision for Everyone
Jesus came to call all those who believe in His salvation to His Kingdom. It is not by any works we can enter this promised land, but faith in what Christ has accomplished on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. God loved us so much He sent His only begotten Son to take upon Himself the judgement of every single sin. This was His provision from the beginning; the moment Adam and Eve listened to another voice and mistrusted God’s Word. (Genesis 3:15, John 3:16)
“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have the Life.” 1 John 5: 11-12
Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior confessing the Truth of His testimony, testify that God is faithful to do exceedingly more than we can ever hope and imagine when we place our Trust in His only begotten Son.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8: 31-35
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 37-39
I am so thankful for God’s assurance of salvation, answered prayer, victory over temptations, His forgiveness, and His continued guidance.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise;
Give thanks to Him and praise His Name.” Psalm 100:4
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bible References: Biblehub:biblehub.com
