Happy New Year my friends!! I am so thankful for the privilege of seeing another year begin. So, God gave me a word last year that I decided to save until the beginning of the year so that it will give us something to think about. When the new year begins, there are so many uncertainties. We make plans, declarations, and resolutions, but there is something that has to happen in order for those things to come to reality. What is required is action. Let me give you something to ponder at the top of the year.

The parable that God gave me is found in Luke 13:6-9(NLT). It says: “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden. The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” The fig trees in this parable reminded me of us as people.

Jesus does nothing just for kicks and giggles. He gave this example to show that the tree was in a garden with other trees where it had space, opportunity, and time to be successful but still didn’t produce any fruit. The gardener asked if he could have one more year. This version says the gardener wanted to give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. Another version I read said he asked to cultivate the trees. I love that word, and I’m sure you remember my love for definitions! Some of the definitions I found for cultivate were “To apply oneself to improve or develop, to grow or maintain in culture, and to break up soil for sowing or planting.” Seems the tree had been there for years, but the gardener lacked one thing. Action. When the boss came through and declared the tree useless, the gardener immediately asked for more time to invest in the fruitfulness of the tree.

Just like those trees, we were created to bear fruit. Most think of being fruitful and multiplying as it pertains to bearing children. As I’ve said before, that is not the only example. John 15:4-6 TPT says: “So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned.” God is the ultimate cultivator. He consistently shows us things about ourselves and those around us that give us opportunities to grow, develop, evolve, and be fruitful. When we are growing and producing fruit, it encourages those around us to do the same. They can get nourishment from what we produce, but we have to stay intimately connected to God.

Maybe we can start with cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit. These are found in Galatians 5:22-23 NLT. It says “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” When we work on cultivating these things, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will begin to see so much fruit! They will help us in our personal lives, our relationships, and how we relate and connect with God. Others will definitely be drawn to those fruit in our lives, which will produce more fruit!!

So, it’s a new year, what will we do with our tree? Will we use this year to take action on the things we know need to be done in order to be fruitful? Will we pour into another person that needs nourishment to cultivate their tree so that they too can be fruitful? Will we continue to see the fruitless tree and move on as if nothing is wrong? I have come to realize that just because a thought process or way of life is the norm for us, that doesn’t mean that it is effective. When is the right time to take action to make changes? Time is the only entity that we cannot get back. Let’s take a moment to reflect on those areas that we know we can begin to cultivate so that we can begin to see fruit. It can be mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The key word is action. The first large step is acknowledging that there is an area that needs cultivation. That is so hard, but so worth it! From there you can make small steps to cultivate those areas and allow God to provide the help you need. Take the steps for you! Understand that you may be met with some resistance from those around you who are used to your tree being fruitless. Set healthy boundaries. Continue on your journey, they will adjust or that branch will fall off! Makes room for more fruit, sis!

So, let’s accept this challenge and take action to see more fruit in our lives and the lives of those around us. I cannot speak for you, but my goal is to be healthy, whole, and effective. I am aware that I will constantly discover things as new people, situations, and encounters arise. I want to produce fruit as God has called me to do, and I want to provoke others to produce fruit as well. Will you join me?

Father, we thank you for gracing us with your presence. We thank you for allowing us to see another year. Help us to produce good fruit. You said that we shall be like a tree planted by the streams that bring forth fruit in its season. Our leaves don’t wither and we can prosper because of our life-union with you. You said that if we draw near to you, that you would draw near to us. Show us how to draw nearer to you individually and collectively. Ignite our passion to pursue you. Thank you for cultivating us and giving us so many chances to produce. Shine a light on those areas where our fruit is needed in the earth. Give us your confidence to see that there is a need for what you have given us. We invite you into our process as we endeavor to produce for your glory alone. Guide us in a way that only you can. We honor you, praise you, and adore you. Amen. Make it an AMAZING year my loves!!

Hellooooo!!! I hope you all are doing well! It’s November, which is special to me because it is my birthday month and it is officially the holiday season. I am kinda ready to bake as I have been in a little retirement. LOL We are almost at the end of the year. Most of us use this time to reflect and really think about the things and people we are most grateful for. I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to share a story from the Bible that came to me about gratitude and gratefulness. Let’s do it!!

This story is found in Luke 17:11-19. I am going to give you the synopsis, but please go check it out in whatever version you prefer to read. So, Jesus was walking through Jerusalem and he encountered ten men with leprosy. Leprosy is a skin condition that is contagious. If you had this condition, you had to make it known by saying you were “unclean” and you were typically quarantined with those that also had that condition. The New Living Translation says those with leprosy stood at a distance. It seems they had to announce the fact that they had an issue as well as socially distance from others that were not infected. Sounds familiar, right? They cried out and said “Jesus, have mercy on us!” Jesus instructed them to go show themselves to the priest. According to my study Bible, people could only go to the priest if they were in remission from leprosy so they could be declared clean by him. Jesus sent them, and they went in an act of faith and they were healed on their way. One of them came back and gave praises to Jesus for his healing. Only one.

Jesus was like “Ummm, didn’t I send ten of y’all? Where are the other nine?” I’m sure dude was like “I have no idea, but I know I’m grateful!” Jesus told the man to get up and go because his faith has healed him. I bet those other nine got their little certification confirming their cleanliness and went on with their lives, never stopping to acknowledge that Jesus did not have to grant them the answer to their prayer. Does that sound like us sometimes? Be honest, sometimes we can pray, fast, and speak in all the tongues and when our prayer is answered we devote our time and energy to that answered prayer and forget to give thanks. We take on the mentality that our works made it possible for that prayer to be answered. Nah sis, God cannot be manipulated. We can do all the things and if He wants to give us those things in that moment, He will. If we are not ready or if He has other plans for our lives, we will still be waiting. But how do we wait though? With an attitude? Maybe with a sense of entitlement thinking that because we are doing all of the things, He HAS to come through? I’m sooo guilty!

This man wanted to show his gratitude to God. Before he walked into the newness of what this healing offered him, he came back to give thanks. My philosophy on life is to be grateful for everything because no one has to do anything for you. God uses people to express His love in the earth and sometimes we can just walk away as if they owe us something. Gratitude opens doors dear hearts. The Bible tells us so many times that we are to give thanks. We were created to glorify God, which in essence means to give thanks to Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Amplified version says: ” Rejoice always and delight in your faith;  be unceasing and persistent in prayer;  in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Of course, this scripture is easier said than done. It is not always easy to rejoice and give thanks in hard seasons, however, there is always a silver lining. We can find the good in any situation if we really take the time to look for it.

The situation or season may not be desirable or we may be weary with waiting, but when we discover the areas in which we can be grateful, it brings forth a sense of peace. It allows us to have joy that we know is from God. That gratitude over the little happenings prepares us for the things we have presented to God in prayer. We will know how to properly receive those blessings and will have a different appreciation and proper response when those things come to pass. So, instead of focusing on where we are or what we don’t have or haven’t accomplished, let’s focus on the blessings we currently have. Let’s even look at those undesirable spaces and find that silver lining. I promise, once we discover the things we have to be grateful for, we will experience the love, peace, and joy of God.

Father, we come to you with a grateful heart. We thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and will do. Help us to have the wisdom to give thanks in every circumstance. We know that you see our posture of gratitude and hear our prayers of faith. We will be sure to give you thanks for all things. We are thankful that all things work together for our good because of our love for you. Help us to be more mindful of the opportunities for gratitude and to always come back to thank you accordingly. We love you and thank you for all things and in all things. Amen. I pray that you all have an amazing Thanksgiving, no matter how it looks! Be safe!