A Taste of Things to Come...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. 

As usual, before I get in to my topic, I have a little business to take care of. Each month I give away a little treat (and every once in a while, a big treat!). This month, one of you who posts on my blog will win a $10.00 gift card to Caribou Coffee. Here's how you win: post on my blog and come back to visit. I'll announce the winner on the first Wednesday in September. It's important to note, if you're name is announced, you need to contact me in order to claim your prize. So pay attention and watch for your name!

Now on to my topic...

The other morning during my time of prayer, I lingered for a while on a passage from the Gospel of Mark, chapter eleven.

Jesus rode through town on a donkey. The people took off their jackets and laid them on the ground that the King of glory and His never-ridden donkey might walk over them. The crowds shouted at the tops of their lungs, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (See Mark 11:7-10)

What a humble picture of our Lord receiving praise from those who would later shout in favor of His execution. If we were on that donkey, we might have gotten quite a rise from being the object of the crowd's affection. Jesus had a clear perspective in good times and bad. In fact, several times in the New Testament it says that because Jesus knew what was in the heart of man, He entrusted Himself to no one.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and looked around. He assessed the state of things. 

The next day Jesus and His disciples were walking along and Jesus felt His stomach growl. He was hungry.

In the distance He noticed a fig tree with its leaves. Let's read the passage of Scripture:

"...He went to see if He could find anything on (the fig tree). When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He said to it, 'May no one eat fruit from you again.'" (Mark 11:13-14)

This passage troubled me.

If it wasn't the season for figs, how is that the tree was expected to bear fruit? 

Seems a little harsh, doesn't it?

Well I did a little investigating and I found a delicious little nugget in one of my commentaries.

Hang with me and read what I found in the "Believer's Bible Commentary"...

"Fig trees in Bible lands produced an early edible fruit before the leaves appeared. It was a harbinger of the regular crop, here described as the 'season for figs.' If no early figs appeared, it was a sign that there would be no regular crop later on...There was a promise without fulfillment, profession without reality...Although the primary interpretation of this passage relates to the nation of Israel, it has application to people of all ages who combine high talk with low walk." (p. 1350)

If there were leaves on the fig tree, there should also have been some edible fruit.

If we say we are Believers, it means there needs to be fruit, growth, increase, and nourishment going in and flowing out of us.

These are sobering times calling for real faith and tangible results. 

God has given good gifts to His children. He has planted seeds in our garden. 

Have we cultivated an atmosphere for growth?

Are people nourished by the fruit of our lives?

Traveling around as I do, I meet many Christians of all shapes and sizes. Some take seriously this walk of faith. Others, run to and fro, trying to keep up with their many commitments, thinking they'll nurture their relationship with Jesus...another day.

Over and over in Scripture, we are instructed to be ready; to have oil in our lamps and a watchful eye on the times. 

Read this verse from Matthew 13:12...

To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.

That verse haunts me when I pray for women on the go who have no time to pray.

We can't be luke-warm and survive. Jesus would much rather our yes be yes and our no be no. He'd prefer we be honest about the matters of our heart. 

If we truly are Believers, may our walk match our talk. May our lives shine His light. And may the fruit that comes from our relationship with Him, nourish many.

Father in Heaven, I pray for my fellow brothers an sisters right now. Help us to keep You first and foremost in our hearts. May our hearts beat in rhythm with Yours. Help us love what You love and do what You would do. May we make the most of the times, for Your Namesake. Amen.

I'll miss you next week. I'll be on a publicity tour but I'll post again the following week.

Peace to you~

Comments

[Rebecca]

Hi Susie! This post is so sobering for me! I have a devotional book by Oswald Chambers (my utmost for His highest) that I read everyday, and this was the same subject. John 1:48 It made me question am I doing all that I can to be ready? You just reiterated this question for me. Thank you!!

I pray your trip will be fruitful. Peace. ~Becca

[Helen Martin]

When a passage troubles me I often pass it by and say, "Oh well, I don't get it; I guess it's a mystery..."

That fig passage was just on my mind recently, and that's pretty much what I said to myself.

Thank you for enlightening me on the verse and reminding me that when I don't get it, someone else probably does. I need to take the time to find out, instead of "finishing the chapter" only to come back to that same passage next time and pass it by...

Have a sweet day.

[Rachel Smith]

Wow. You're speaking to my heart ...

Thank you.

[anna J]

Thanks, Susie! The fig passage has always trouble me as well, so I'm grateful for your thoughts. And convicted. Just this week, I was humbled by my impatience with prayer: in the middle of a prayer meeting I found my mind wandering and my sinful self being impatient when it went "overtime"! Lord have mercy on this weak-willed woman . . .

[Aimee]

Thank you for the insights on this verse, I have to admit I too have wondered about it and never taken the time to dig in and find out more. I really appreciate your blog - so many wonderful reminders.

[Helen Martin]

I pray for you today, that writing is as natural and necessary as exhaling...

[Sherrill]

Thank you Susie, this is what has been on my heart too. To love what God loves, so He will produce the fruit in us . I am so encouraged every time I read the words God has given you!

[Tina Greenland]

God bless you Susie Larson! You have an amazing gift that you are sharing with the world. I was encouraged and convicted by this blog about the fig tree. You see, I just started teaching a women's SS class at church today and I have titled the class "Becoming Uncommon Women." I hope you don't mind, but it so fits the vision of how I would like to see women in our church grow in Christ. I shared some of your book with them today and everyone was so receptive to learning more about what it means to fulfill our purpose by responding as uncommon women of faith. I hope this study will bear much fruit in the lives of these women and beyond. I pray too that I will be more obedient to getting into the word of God daily. I have such a hard time being consistent, but I am encouraged to stay at it and not get too down on myself. I know the enemy wants to tear me down, but I am encouraged today to know that the Lord does want to produce good things in my life and He is pleased when I am obedient to His call and respond in faith.

[Helen Martin]

Hey Susie!

Yes, I'm the Helen who called in today. Now I feel crumby that I'm getting a freebee book and I didn't add anything to the show. (Not that I'll turn down the book. I need some balance right about now!)

I actually got to listen to you live this time. It's my anniversary today, so the book is kind of like a present!

Rest well, my friend!

P.S. Can't wait for the retreat!!!!!!!!!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Becca,Thanks for your post. I just love your heart for righteousness. Whenever I wonder if I'm 'doing' enough, I go back to the truth from the Gospels. We bear much fruit by abiding in the Vine. I studied the word 'abide' and among other things, it means 'to be held.' The more closely I abide, the more clearly I know which things are mine to do and which things are for someone else. If i don't start there, I find myself on a path that leads to burnout. I want to last long and finish strong! I know you do too.

[Susie Larson]

Helen,Thanks for your comment. I think we all do that from time to time. You know, read something that makes us wonder, and simply move on to the next passage. I've done it on many occasions. Yet it never ceases to amaze me how when I take the time to dig a little deeper, I find an insight worth its weight in gold. :)

[Susie Larson]

Rachel,Bless you! Thanks for stopping by. I'm so thankful you were encouraged. :)

[Mary B.]

Hi Susie ~ Thank you so much for your web-site! I crave & depend on the support from Christian radio & internet web-sites, especially other women - I've learned so much! GOD BLESS YOU!

[Clair]

I got the book I won in the mail. Thanks! I look forward to reading it.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Anna,

I'm way behind on my blog responses! Forgive me! I've been quite ill with what we now think is gall bladder issues. Ugh! I've been able to fulfill all of my commitments but it's put me behind on my computer work. Anyway, thanks for your post. I loved your honesty! I've had to take my sinful self back to the cross time and time again. What would we do without mercy? Bless you, friend!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,

Bless you for stopping by. And for your encouraging words.Here's to living a fruit-FULL life!Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Helen,Your prayer about my writing is one I'll hang onto. I love the idea of writing feeling like breathing...May it be!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Sherill,Bless you for your words! You have encouraged me greatly!May we all go from strength to strength, living from a place of complete rest and trust. It's possible.Bless you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Tina,

Your post was like a ray of sunshine in my day! I loved it! And I love the idea of calling your group, "Uncommon Women!" I think that's wonderful. I do believe it's God's standard for us, and not as an 'ought to' or 'should do' but as a 'GET TO.' We get to reach for the impossible because we belong to Him. And we get to serve in humble ways without it diminishing our value, because we belong to Him. And we get to walk with Him every single day, because He loves us. Amazing love.God bless you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Helen,

It didn't register to me that the caller was you! Anyway, my assistant will be mailing out your Balance book by the end of the week. We've had great response from that book. I hope it blesses you as well!Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Mary B,

Welcome! I'm so thankful you've found comfort and encouragement here! May the Lord Himself lift you up and make you strong! I'll be posting again tomorrow morning. Back in town and back on track! Blessings~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Clair,

I do hope you enjoy the book! It's the book of my heart. May God meet you in a profound way as you read.Blessings~