Bearing Fruit In Due Season

June 21, 2021

Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

~Acts 14:17~

For every day and time there is an appointed moment for the Lord to use us in bearing fruit. At times we must focus on resting, preparing and being ready to bear His fruit in the time in which He has for us to bear. We may think as though we are ready, we may believe as though we are close yet the Lord may be saying "soon, but not quite yet."

Let's take a look at how fruit is brought to be in the natural so that we may understand God's perspective as His children.

Every fruit begins with a flower, but not every flower results in a fruit. Variables including weather and climate conditions that favor the development and ripening of the fruits, presence of pollinating insects and in some circumstances a pollinating partner. Any change or lack of these things will result in fewer flowers, therefore resulting in fewer fruit. Things like pollinating partners can be controlled, weather factor cannot be. Most fruit-bearing species are pollinated by insects, but birds, bats and wind can also assist in pollination as well. As the ripening process begins, the young fruit is vulnerable to damage from wind, rain or hail. It may also be attacked by pests or diseases.

As we meditate on this process of how fruit comes to be, we can understand the words Jesus spoke as example of a fruitful tree and how we can relate to it as His servants. There are steps we are put through to grow in the right stages to bring forth that good fruit in which Jesus speaks of. If these steps are rushed, skipped or lacking we will end up with bad fruit or no fruit at all. There is a season in which God designs for us to bear His fruit and we certainly want it to be good, dont we? "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Matthew 7:19)

As we come to the flowering phase with Christ we eagerly await our fruit hoping to cheat our way there, yet there is no cheating with God. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

As we find ourselves stuck in a raging storm with heavy winds and rain we find ourselves cowering in fear not even realizing God is using that storm to pollinate our flowers.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

(Romans 8:28)

As we come in contact with someone who may be in disagreement or may be sent as a messenger of the enemy we become uncertain if God will use that for His glory in the end. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)

As we hit the ripening stages in our flowering process and the fruit comes to be we must be alert and aware of the dangers in which lurk to steal it, flip it for evil or decay it all together. "that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity."

(Ezekiel 4:17)

For the devil lurks around looking to penetrate any weakness within us. If there is one thing he is "good" at, it is this. We are warned to stand watch as we follow Jesus closer, for satan will be waiting to attempt to destroy any fruit we begin to bear in due season. He attempts to discourage us with swarms of pests, overwhelm us with damaging weather sent against us or weaken us by blinding us by the disease of deception. My friends, let us trust in God's process of fruit bearing in the proper order and time for each of our walks. There is so much God is planning to bear in us, for if we are not willing to do it His way, we will fall to the ground and even then He will use it for good of His will as a fruit falling to the ground to germinate its soil. Are we truely believing in God? Are we doubting and allowing a foothold for the devil to come in and cause confusion, worry and fear? Are our trees becoming naked of fruits or even flowers for that matter? I suggest going to Jesus with these questions, as we can see where we need to be in our individual walk with the Lord verses comparing to the tree next to us. God is good and He is willing to use His Church as a whole; "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling." (Ephesians 4:4)

As we bless our process in the Lord, we can rest assured He has it all planned perfectly for in due time we shall reap fruit that is oh so pleasing to our Father. It may look rotten to others who do not understand its process yet even then, God works in that. Just as He worked in Jesus to bring glorious fruit out of rejection, persecution, accusation and pain; the same can goes for us if we are willing to truely submit to Him; "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)

Taking up our cross requires pain, persecution and even complete rejection; however, guess who will never do these things to us? Jesus Christ. He will always be with us but the world will not. The process in which God has each of us may mean that our flowers have just formed and the tree next to us has already supplied some fruit. It may mean that your vessel bears fruit and you are helping to be a pollinating partner to help someone receive their fruit as God leads. Whichever our role, we are all in one Body. Lets never forget this.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (Galatians 5:22)

Our attitude should align to what Jesus desires of us in each season. As it does we shall bear in perfect time where God takes us.

Prayer:

Father God, I thank you for the assurance of each process You take me into for in time You shall bear the fruit of Your Son in it as I obey You. Let each moment bring glory to His Name regardless of what that means for me. I am surrendering all I have for You to bring me to bear You good fruit. I do not wish to bear bad fruit or no fruit at all. Show me to trust where I am lacking, believe where I am unbelieving and love where I am cold at heart. I am praising You through the stages of life as I know You have everything planned out as it should be and I love to glorify that very plan. I know there will be moments of weeping, yet joy will come in the morning. You have proven Your faithfulness at the cross, You have nothing left to show me. All I have is for You. Help me to be alert and to put on my armor each day so as not to be penetrated by the devil's arrows. I love You Lord. I receive Your blessing over my life and my family today. In the Name above all, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen