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To: Alamo-Girl; 4Godsoloved..Hegave; albie; alicewonders; AmericanMade1776; Ann de IL; ...

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem







Luke 13

Repent or Perish

13 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

_______________________________________________________

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

On the way from the big city to my more rural home, there used to be an enormous greenhouse/nursery complex. While they mostly sold in bulk to landscapers, there was a large market where individuals could by plants and shrubs for their gardens. I bought some Rhododendrons, an Arborvitae, and a Lilac Bush for my little garden.

That was seven years ago. The Business was sold, and now the large tract of land houses acres of Condos.

The Rhododendrons and Arborvitae have flourished, and I have to keep trimming them back to keep the property looking nice. I look forward to the gorgeous flowers on the Rhododendron bushes, and marvel that they were once little one gallon potted plants. The Arborvitae, which was also in a one gallon pot, is now four feet high and a beautiful dark green.

The Lilac, however, is another story. It has never grown much taller than its original height, and produces nothing but leaves year after year. At first, I thought it was a case of the plant having to mature in place for a while, and last year I got ONE flower. It was beautifully fragrant, and I thought that was the catalyst the plant needed to bloom every year. Alas, no. This year, everybody's lilacs came out except mine. Then the Rhododendrons bloomed and I knew that Lilac Season was over. It might be time to yank it out of the ground.

Jesus's Parable about the unfruitful Fig Tree is a direct call to repentance. Jesus even uses thee symbolism of three years, the time He spent in Public Ministry, to illustrate His story. The Servant who has been tending the Fig Tree for three years without seeing any fruit, is called upon by the Master to dig it up and get rid of it. However, the Servant advocates for the Tree. "Give it another year," He says. I'll trim it, fertilize it, and take care of it till next season." The Master agrees with the Servant, and the Tree is saved...for another year.

There were many people who met Jesus during His Ministry, but only a few made a commitment while He was here on earth. There were many who received healing, ate the bread, and marveled at His Teaching, but the Gospels do not record any who were willing to die for Him. It wasn't until after Jesus died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven that the Apostles were willing to become Martyrs for Him. What happened?

Remember, the Servant, who had been tending the Tree for Three Years, promised to cultivate and feed the plant, in anticipation of its being fruitful. Jesus made a Promise before leaving Earth that He would send Another Comforter, The Holy Spirit. That happened 50 days after the Passover, on the Jewish Holiday of Pentecost. With the Infilling of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, who had been frightened and hidden , suddenly became bold and powerful, and won 3000 souls on that very day.

Now, what about that one miserable Lilac that bloomed last year? That single flower kept me from digging up the whole bush. I gave it another chance, and it let me down. That happens in Ministry as well. Jesus knew that, and addresses it in The Parable of the Sower. Some seeds fall on good soil, and others fall on rocks.

The entire reading is a call to Repentance. It has to be real and from the heart, Otherwise, it is just a superficial flowering that only lasts a short time and doesn't bear fruit.

Jesus doesn't tell us if this particular Fig Tree ever bore fruit. But we do know that Jesus said “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21)

Some people interpret this as the Reestablishment of the State of Israel in 1948. If Jesus is talking about the same Fig Tree in Today's Parable, then things are all coming together.

Praise God For Second Chances!

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

2 posted on 06/12/2023 6:33:56 AM PDT by left that other site (Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.)
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To: left that other site

Amen! God bless.


3 posted on 06/12/2023 6:52:58 AM PDT by etabeta
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To: left that other site

Amen !!! <><

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them for ever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.*

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!


5 posted on 06/12/2023 8:25:09 AM PDT by DarthVader (Not by speeches & majority decisions will the great issues of the day be decided but by Blood & Iron)
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To: left that other site

Amen, left that other site

Be fruitful and multiply!

Joining in prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and for our beloved America.


7 posted on 06/12/2023 9:30:26 AM PDT by NEWwoman (God Bless America)
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To: left that other site

Blessings and Prayers up.
And prayers for all of our unbelieving loved ones to be guided and saved 🙏


8 posted on 06/12/2023 11:22:06 AM PDT by TianaHighrider (God moved David to STAND UP to Goliath ❣)
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To: left that other site

AMEN, thank you. Praying with all. Asking for a touch of health and grace upon your sister Patty.


26 posted on 06/13/2023 2:30:16 AM PDT by Jeanbl
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To: left that other site

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the assurance we have when problems strike our families that You are in the midst of it all. We pray for a complete recovery for LTOS’s sister Patty. And that through this difficult and uncertain time may there be opportunities for testimony for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen


32 posted on 06/13/2023 10:46:23 PM PDT by Maudeen (https://www.ThereIsHopeinJesus.com & https://www.patburt.com/)
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