Like a Tree

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

Now that spring is coming around, I see the trees starting to bud and the earth coming back to life.  It makes me think of my Christian walk in that I can be encouraged by this short Psalm.  It mentions yielding it's fruit in season.  Well, the Bible says that we need to be ready in season and OUT of season to preach the Word of God.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 2:4

Doing God's will might be likened to bearing fruit.  Now that can look like a lot of different things according to each person's ability but it always includes preaching the same Gospel that Yahshua taught.  If we do otherwise or preach another gospel or even another Christ, then that is like preaching no Gospel at all!

"another Jesus whom we have not preached… or a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:1–4).

So the Psalm mentions producing fruit in season but the leaves do not wither.  That makes me think of the life water within us, that would be likened to Yah's set apart spirit.  He gave this same spirit without measure to Yahshua who began pouring it out on fellow believers at Pentecost, (read the book of Acts).  This is what keeps us alive spiritually and empowered to continue doing what our Heavenly Father desires.  He wants no one to be lost so our bearing fruit and having leaves that do not wither means being very active in preaching the Gospel to all who will hear.

Are You Ashamed?

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26

This may sound harsh but one of the ways that we show that we love the Son of Man, Yahshua, is to obey his words and tell others about him. If we are not willing to do that because of being afraid of what others may say or do, can we say we really love him? Love is based on action. Many saints in the First Century chose to be thrown to wild animals or burned rather than deny their Lord Messiah. Today in many Islamic, Hindu and atheist countries, Christians who profess Yahshua are often persecuted, have their goods taken away and are imprisioned. Do we have the same "stuff" and determination to preach the Messiah's message no matter what the cost?

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Hebrews 10:34

The silver lining in this cloud is the hope of a better possession and an abiding one. All the glory, riches and social advantages we enjoy now are soon to pass away. They are not enduring and will do us no good when we come face to face with the Master. So we may have to ditch being "politically correct" in favor of telling the Gospel of Yahshua which contends that there is only ONE way to the Father.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

If we are ashamed to proclaim this simple truth, then we have denied who Jesus truly is and his agency as Savior. There are times that we have to part company with the crowd and speak what is right, no matter how unpopular the message may be.