Bear Fruits of RighteousnessSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Do not bother about tribulations. They will last only for sometime. After that, God will fill you with His glory. Let your eyes be lifted up to the Lord who made heaven and earth. "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house." (Psalm 128:3)
The Bible says, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Only if you cling close to God in your youth, you can bear fruit later in your life. So my dear friend, cling close to God even while you are young. The Bible very clearly says what all characters should be in us if we should yield fruits. When we are filled with faith, virtue, knowledge, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, our lives will become fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).
"When that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1 Corinthians 13:10). When we are filled with God's presence, this fullness comes in us.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word Of God." (Romans 10:17)
As said in Psalm 1:2, do not forget to read the Word of God intently day and night. Do not be satisfied with just reading one chapter or a few verses as a matter of duty. Study it with care and seriousness, as you study your textbooks. After reading a little, do not enter into controversies, as if you know everything. Tell God in faith, "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears" even as Samuel told God. Your faith will then abound and overflow.
"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)
The Lord gives you control over the passions and desires of the flesh. Many women are devout, no doubt; but they lack self-control. But the Lord will give you grace to be clean and absolutely holy, even like Him. In our spiritual lives, when troubles arise, we become discouraged. The Bible says that it is through tribulation that we learn patience. Amidst all the troubles God gives us His comfort. He makes us to be a source of comfort to others who suffer.
"The Lord comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:4)
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71)
So, do not bother about tribulations. They will last only for sometime. After that God will fill you with His glory (1 Peter 1:6,7; 5:10). Today you may also be shedding tears thinking of your pains and tribulations. But do not worry. Do not be looking at them all the time. Let your eyes, like those of the Psalmist, be lifted up to the Lord who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1,2). From Him alone you can have joy. But be mindful of yielding fruits of the Spirit to the Lord. He will surely lead you, frail and feeble vessels that you may be, along the path which leads to eternal life.
Grieve not, my dear friend. Of course, we live in a world that abounds in sorrow and suffering. But how happy will we be on attaining eternal life! Our Lord Jesus even as He experienced the sufferings on the cross, with His eyes set above on God's throne in Heaven, received the strength to endure all His afflictions. Let us also, in anticipation of the eternal life which God has in store for us, run in patience, the race appointed for us towards the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
May the Lord Himself grant to everyone of us that exalted grace and bless us!
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be ever acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Help me to meditate Your Word everyday without fail. Forgive me all my sins and make me worthy of eternal life. Use me for Your glory and let my life bear good fruits for You. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen |