November 28-Second Chances

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well and you are finding opportunities to share Jesús with those around you. It sure is raining hard on me this morning!


Do you ever give second chances? How about third? Or tenth? My kids still laugh about when they were small how I would beg them “Please don’t do that again, I really don’t want to have to get mad!” Needless to say, I didn’t win the prize for the most disciplined children. But how often does God give us a second chance? Or third? Or thirtieth? 


The passage in Luke 13 that we’ve talked about for two days about suffering ends with a parable of hope in verses 6-9. It’s the story of the fruitless fig tree. I think that the Gardner in this story represents Jesus and the tree represents us, who haven’t done the things we should have and been fruitful for the Master as we should have been. 


“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.’””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:6-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬


“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:4 NLT


He is patient and he is kind. Don’t ever make the mistake that bad things, that suffering is from God—Mercy is. Getting you is not what he’s about, unless unless of course, it’s getting all of you THAT’S what he’s after. For you to have a deep and abiding relationship with the Holy Spirit and be faithful and disciplined is the goal of the Abba Father. 


So today, remembering the kindness and patience of our great Father, let’s work on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Let’s determine to be faithful because of his great love and mercy. 


Love you dear one, 

Pam





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