Read Luke 13:1–9
The practice of digging around a tree is common when it is not growing well and, in turn, not producing the fruit it was planted for. When the soil around the tree is disturbed, the roots are damaged in the digging, and then the tree has to grow new roots, which, in turn, strengthen the tree to bear fruit for the next season.
Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that doesn’t bear fruit. The owner says, ‘Well cut it down’, but the man taking care of it says, ‘Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it’.
The tree doesn’t need to be destroyed but disturbed and fed instead.
We are like this tree. We were planted in the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus and given a purpose – to bear fruit. Yet it is easy to drift away from Jesus and begin to follow the way of the world and the way of ourselves. We find it easier to listen to the devil, tempting us with lies in the idea that ‘it is my life and my body; I can do what I like’.
But Jesus has chosen you as his own for his purpose. To bear fruit. The fruit of God’s love in action toward those around you. You are created to be a blessing to others. You are blessed to bless others with God’s love in action.
When the word of the Lord challenges you to live differently, it is like Jesus digging at your roots – the roots in self rather than in the word. You see, the word is the fertiliser of life, and the word of Jesus Christ will feed and sustain you in bearing the fruit of God’s love in action.
When Jesus digs at your roots, hear the word, and be ready for his word to guide, challenge, heal and restore you. Be prepared for his word to nourish your hungry soul, ready to go out into the world with new growth and fruit that blesses others.
Dear Jesus, dig into my roots of selfishness and worldly ways. Let me grow in you to bear fruit for others. Help me to be a blessing to everyone I meet today. Feed me, nourish me, and strengthen me daily in your holy word. Amen.
Pastor Mark lives with his two daughters aged 11 and 8 in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane. He currently serves as a pastor in the LCANZ and is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love with those around him. Pastor Mark loves to travel with his family to see the wonders of God’s creation and meet people who share their stories of what God has done for them.
Costly forgiveness
by Emma Strelan Werner
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them (Luke 17:4).
Read Luke 17:1–4
‘There is nothing particularly Christian about the practice of forgiveness. Whatever our religion, we must request and grant forgiveness almost every day of our lives’ (Douglas R A Hare).
If this quote is true, what makes Christian forgiveness unique?
Well, our sort of forgiveness, the kind that forgives the same person seven times (and more) in a day, is costly.
It is no small endeavour to forgive as Jesus instructs us to here. If someone wrongs you once? No worries! You can say, ‘It was a mistake, you’re forgiven, let’s move on!’ What if someone wrongs you a second time? Then you start to think, ‘Hmm, okay, that hurt again, but I want to keep this relationship with you, so I forgive you.’ But when the pattern goes on, and on and on, the pain and struggle to give up the anger gets harder and harder.
Forgiving someone who you know will probably hurt you again isn’t a small thing. But we do it for those who we truly love. We’re willing to accept that pain, because we know our Father in Heaven has forgiven us without limit.
When we understand the immensity of forgiveness offered to us by Jesus, what right do we have to withhold forgiveness from others even if they sin against us seven times in a day?
That kind of forgiveness is costly. It costs us our pride, our anger, our need for a certain type of justice. But it cost Jesus a whole lot more.
Dear Lord, when someone seeks forgiveness from me, remind me of your grace so that I can, without hesitation, offer them a restored relationship as you have given me. Amen.
Emma works part-time as a content producer at Lutheran Media, where she creates the Messages of Hope radio show and podcast. On her other days, she takes freelance video jobs, filming weddings and all manner of projects that come along. Having gotten married herself in May, she’s enjoying this new season of life with her husband, Tim.
Woe to the backyard brewers!
by Emma Strelan Werner
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
If anyone causes one of these little ones … to stumble, it would be better for them … to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6).
Read Matthew 18:6–10
Woe to those who brew backyard beer and lead children around corners!
We used to live in a house with one entrance from the street and one from the laneway around the back. One day, my brother, who was 18 months old, was playing in the front yard while my dad washed the family van on the lawn. After finishing the final polish, Dad jumped in the van to drive it around the block and park it in the backyard. Seeing my dad leave the driveway, my brother decided he would follow and toddled after him. Of course, his little legs meant that by the time my dad had turned the first corner, my brother was left in the dust, now seemingly completely alone, happily toddling through the neighbourhood in just his nappy.
All was well, as father and son were soon reunited. But I can certainly say the police were not too impressed when, after a call from an observant neighbour, they came to do a welfare check only to find my dad hanging out in a backyard littered with beer bottles (from his recent home-brew endeavours). It was not a good look for a pastor’s family, to say the least.
It’s a good thing for our society to care about the safety of our children. God takes our misleading those who are ‘little’ in faith (so, perhaps most of us!) seriously, too.
Whether we intend to mislead or not, maybe a question we should consider is: ‘If someone who looks up to me in my community was to follow what I’m doing, where would that take them?’ And ‘What could this behaviour look like from an outsider’s perspective, even if it is actually quite innocent?’
It’s a good thing we have a Heavenly Father whose eye never leaves us when we wander, and a bloke called Jesus who’s worth following more than even my dad.
Dear Lord, please show me if any of my actions have led someone into sin because I didn’t think enough about the implications. Please keep me from stumbling, and may I fix my eyes on you and your ways, especially when it matters most. Amen.
Emma works part-time as a content producer at Lutheran Media, where she creates the Messages of Hope radio show and podcast. On her other days, she takes freelance video jobs, filming weddings and all manner of projects that come along. Having gotten married herself in May, she’s enjoying this new season of life with her husband, Tim.
Are you happy to take instructions from God?
by Steve Liersch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it (Psalm 119:34,35).
Read Psalm 119:33–40
How often have you got excited about being told what to do? It seems to go against one of our basic instincts, as pride often leaves little room for someone else’s advice when we think we know best. It can be observed in a very young child (think learning to eat) right through to a very elderly person (think using a modern TV remote).
Sure, there are times when being given instructions can result in a new skill being learnt, some danger being avoided, or even making us look good in the eyes of others. Often, however, there is a hidden motivation just beneath the surface. It reflects a ‘What’s in it for me?’ attitude. Words and phrases like ‘impress’, ‘climb the social or corporate ladder’ and ‘outdo a rival’ quickly come to mind.
Our psalmist, however, is here praying for instruction in God’s will as he longs for the opportunity to joyfully follow God’s path for his life. Wow! Let that sink in for a minute. The first seven verses begin with a request – almost a demand – for God to intervene, instruct, teach and guide his way through life so that he can actively delight in living for and serving his God, our God, the God of the universe.
To have a heart that seeks to live for God is truly a work of the Holy Spirit, as our sinful nature is not this way inclined without truly divine intervention. The wonderful thing is that our God of love is more than willing to answer such a prayer request because he knows what a blessing it will prove to be in our lives.
Identify a time when you willingly asked for instructions to gain life skills. Were you happy with the basics, or did you constantly seek more help to refine that skill?
God of love and giver of all good things, you know what’s good for me. Change my heart so that it willingly asks for your word and Spirit to instruct me in life skills that will honour you and bless others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pastor Steve continues to enjoy his ministry in the beautiful southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Having announced his retirement date for May 2027, he will always be passionate about serving God, though it may look different in retirement.