“And God said to him, I am God Almighty;
be fruitful and multiply.”
Genesis 35:11
God’s word, to be fruitful, is predicated upon our reliance upon Him. I AM God Almighty. There is a peace that dwells in those who are diligent to follow Him. In our pursuit of Him, we become aware of our impotence to honour Him as we ought, and our need for the unction of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit (Psalm 23:5).
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
The reason we “go” into the world around us is that “all authority” has been given to Him. We are sent because HE is worthy. We are compelled to go and “make disciples” (not to have disciples); to teach all to “observe” (to obey) His commandments.
Much of the gospel message of today has been reduced to one of “believing” rather than obeying.
The Way of the Altar
“And God said to Jacob, Rise up, go to Bethel and live there. And make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled before your brother Esau.”
Genesis 35:1 (LIVT)
Jacob obeyed God and went to Bethel, built an altar unto HIM, and remained to live there! The path to fruitfulness is obedience. In following Him, we discover altars that are not of our own design and works that are not of our own choosing.
God’s ways are higher than ours. Our strength is insufficient for the journey. Our ways are sacrificed in choosing His Way. As we grow in His Ways, the way of the altar becomes an integral part of our worship. Even Abraham was instructed by God as to where he was to build the altar.
“…offer him there for a burnt offering
upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”
Genesis 22:2 (LITV)
The altar of God is the result of obedience. In choosing His Way over our own, we discover the ever-increasing Glory of Him. In the place of His choosing, promises are given, new names received, and our covenant with Him is confirmed.
“And God said to him, I am God Almighty;
be fruitful and multiply.”
Genesis 35:11
The way of the altar is the Way of the Lord. In each successive stop in our own journey we receive greater glimpses of Him. His Way to each of us is private, personal, and often contrary to the conventional wisdom of men.
“Only, your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take up and shall go to the place which Jehovah shall choose.”
Deuteronomy 12:26 (LITV)
“not My will, but Thine, be done.”
Luke 22:42
Only His Life and His Spirit can bring us to this magnificent end.
Related Post: Watchman Nee
Be Fruitful
Trust and Obey
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Words by: John Henry Sammis
Music by: Daniel Brink Towner
Brian Troxel
Repentance
I had a vision in August of 2023 as I was praying where I saw a fruit tree loaded with fruit. Then I saw the Lord examining the fruit on the tree by taking each one individually and examining it. At first one would think that He was looking for the fruit of the Spirit, however, that was not the case here. In the vision I had this morning He was looking for fruits of repentance.
Remember John’s discourse with those coming to be baptized by him.
Luke 3:7-9 (NKJV)
John Preaches to the People
(Matt. 3:7–12; Mark 1:7, 8; John 1:24–28)
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire
Yes Amen. Repentance is the greatest gift from God. I am thankful for His mercy and goodness that ever leads us to Him and away from ourselves.
“Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and the long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
Romans 2:4
Blessings
BT
Amen!
My daily prayer; “not My will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
Blessings BT
Yes, amen. Make it ever so, Lord.
Blessings
BT