Bear fruit, not just flowers… 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Phillipians2:3

Last night I covered all my plants best I could for the darkness and cold were falling fast. 36 degrees is dangerous but not a surprise, we have to take precautions. I covered tomatoes and kale, strawberries and poinsettias. Trashcans and baskets, blankets and buckets. 

Covered them with prayers too.

I want my garden to bear fruit, not just be showy flowers. I want my life to be that too. Shouldn’t we always cover our steps with prayers and listen before we leap? Shouldn’t we try to shine His Spirit in all dimensions rather than be a flash in the pan with self-serving ambition which becomes dull really fast. Not enough warmth to withstand the freeze of life.

We are taught by the Lord to not be showy or vain, not standout in strife or ambition, but demonstrate humbleness and helpfulness. Be the generous giver which confuses the people who wouldn’t understand. Make the world think from our generosity, not blink from our self-illumination. We are given the opportunity to grow fruit, meaning to cultivate His praises, share His news, sprout Spirit.  God gives us what He wants us to share, including our smiles, our encouragement, our prayers, our exclamations of hope. 

Jesus, You shine glory not gold.

Lord, we are to give up our lives for You.

We ask to bear what You bloom.

Amen 

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Philippians 2:1-16

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.