Devotionals for September 12, 2024
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READ
Luke 6:43-45
"A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
"A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
REFLECT
We started the week considering our creative working God, his image and example for us, and his call to produce good work that builds up, unifies, and enhances the world. Today we are reminded that God is more than just a creative force that set the universe in motion and now expects us to imitate his ancient examples. He is actually a heart doctor who heals dead, broken hearts.
This is critical to note because we can’t just “try hard” to produce good and fruitful work. As people who are sinful and separated from God by our spiritual heritage and by our own choices, we have evil hearts without God’s intervention. The only way to produce good fruit is to first come to God and ask him to give us a new heart, a heart declared good by the perfect life of Jesus and made holy by the Spirit of God working within us.
This is critical to note because we can’t just “try hard” to produce good and fruitful work. As people who are sinful and separated from God by our spiritual heritage and by our own choices, we have evil hearts without God’s intervention. The only way to produce good fruit is to first come to God and ask him to give us a new heart, a heart declared good by the perfect life of Jesus and made holy by the Spirit of God working within us.
APPLY
Q: Can a bad tree produce good fruit?
Q: Have you come to God by faith in Christ, asking him to give you a new heart? If not, why not do it today?
Q: Is there someone in your life that is trying to “paint good fruit on a bad tree?” If so, pray that He will soften their heart and then ask them where they stand with God. You might be surprised by what you hear in response.
Q: Have you come to God by faith in Christ, asking him to give you a new heart? If not, why not do it today?
Q: Is there someone in your life that is trying to “paint good fruit on a bad tree?” If so, pray that He will soften their heart and then ask them where they stand with God. You might be surprised by what you hear in response.
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, look on your handiwork and build a house so you may dwell in me. Your work was done with nothing but wood and nails, but it is enough. Show me how to work and praise, trusting that I am Your instrument.
Lord, look on your handiwork and build a house so you may dwell in me. Your work was done with nothing but wood and nails, but it is enough. Show me how to work and praise, trusting that I am Your instrument.