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.
One Lord
by Jim Strelan
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On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9b).
Read Zechariah 14:6–11
This is a difficult passage. And it’s the kind of passage that some Christians use to justify every action of Israel in the current Middle East tragedy. Texts like this confirm their belief that Jerusalem will stand whatever is thrown against it. It must stand. And everyone will acknowledge God as the one and only ruler of all. The ‘day of the Lord’ will come, so Israel and her actions must be justified at all costs!
We are still in the post-Christmas period when we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, God’s chosen one, who came into the world to draw all people to God. His birth is a ‘day of the Lord’. As Jesus began his ministry – and throughout his ministry – he was rejected by many and welcomed by many. Some wanted him to be king, but Jesus rejected their notion of kingship. Instead, ‘he became obedient to death – even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8b). And then God raised him and gave him a seat of honour and gave him ‘a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Philippians 2:9,10).
Jerusalem was considered the ‘holy city’ – holy because it was where the temple was, and the temple is the dwelling place of God. But Jesus reminds us that a building made of stones can crumble – in fact, it did. But God dwells not in the confinement of a building, but with his people, wherever they are. In various places, Jesus refers to himself as the temple of God. Where Jesus is, there is his calling to come, to follow, and his promise is to be with us always.
The ‘day of the Lord’ is God’s day. He’s in charge. Whatever that means, whenever it refers to, the issue for you and me is this: Is there one Lord for you? Is there one name above all other names? And are others welcome to know that one Lord, one name?
Dear Jesus, help me to hold fast to the things I know and not be misled by what I don’t. I acknowledge you as Lord of all and my Lord. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
Absence of Darkness Epiphany (6th January) Read: Revelation 22:1-6 “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5 (NIV)
Every picture I have ever seen of angels shows them shining brightly, lighting a dark place. In the Bible God uses them as His messengers telling the news from Him to people on earth. They can’t be seen by people unless God chooses to reveal them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). However, there are times when angels take on a bodily form and appear to people. In the story of Jesus’ birth, we have many angels appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. And there are many other times throughout the Old and the New Testaments where God reveals His plan for us humans.
With the angels come the radiance of God. The light of God. This light emanates from His glory. In Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we are given another perspective of heaven. There will be no night, which means no darkness. Darkness has always been associated with evil and death – when Jesus died “…darkness covered the whole land” (Luke 23:44) and God also says that “He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5b) A human trait is to hide things whether physically or spiritually or emotionally and keep others in the dark. When Jesus comes back there will be nothing hidden and everything will be brought into God’s glorious light where all will be exposed and forgiven for those who repent. I am not sure what a world without any darkness, physically and spiritually will be like. I doubt we will even need dark glasses to block out the brightness.
We will want to be in His glory and live in His presence for eternity. As you enter this new year do not be frightened of when Jesus will return, rather be excited for all darkness to be overcome by God’s glory. There are so many still living in darkness so while there is time, work for God and bring more to His marvelous light. Shine out God’s glory for all to see!
Prayer: Most Holy God, angels shine out your glory and tell of your plans. Thank you for shining your light into my heart and life. Help me to live in this glory and tell others of your love. Amen
Eternal Light 5th January Read: Revelation 21:22-26 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:23 (NIV)
Last year, my husband and I travelled around Europe for 8 weeks driving about 7,000km. We stopped a couple nights in Helsingør, Denmark. Kronborg Castle was built in Helsingør and situated on the most northeastern tip, and you can see Sweden from it. Kronborg Castle was made famous in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet where it was referred to as Elsinore. This castle dates back to the 1420s where it was built by King Eric VII. What made this an incredible castle to walk through wasn’t the beautiful rooms and the unrestored tower that you could climb, but the incredible casemates (the tunnels and chambers in the walls/ramparts which housed prisoners and soldiers for many centuries).
Down in the tunnels is a statue of Ogier the Dane who sleeps there until he is needed to protect Denmark. We wandered through these tunnels lit only by oil lamps and arrows guided our way. The darkness was so intense at times, and you could picture prisoners and soldiers living only in the darkness. Compare this to the vision of John in Revelation 21:23. This is the New Jerusalem, which never has darkness and doesn’t need any lamps to light the way to guide through darkness because God’s glory is so bright. All the nations will be guided by this light and there is no need for castles, ramparts, casemates or places to hide or attack any enemies, for there will be no enemies. All nations will live in peace and light. What a glorious place to be.
God has prepared this place for us; a place of peace and joy where we will only experience the love of a loving God who shines His glory and presence over everything. There is no need for gates, for all have constant access, security and safety. John had this vision of heaven given by God – no darkness, no pain, no sorrow, no suffering, no war! Until we get into this eternal light and love, let us shine out our lives into a world that needs God’s light. Heaven will be something we can never imagine – it will be incredible!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving John the vision of an amazing place f illed only with your light that I can look forward to. You are the source of everything good. Amen