So far on this trip we have had the opportunity to pray for/over a deceased woman, some severely ill, special medical cases, and even have had to pray for those on our own squad and team that have become very sick with parasites. We believe and pray for life and healing and have yet to see anyone immediately, visibly, tangibly, and/or miraculously, transformed.
There has been some questioning from the team about this. We all know the Truth – we have read it in the Word. We believe and expect God to show up and meet us where we are, where He has called us to be. I have been questioning a lot, as well. I know that I can have anything I ask that is in Jesus Name and is according to His will (Matt. 18:19-20, 1 John 5:14, John 14:13-14, Matt. 21:22). I know that we are sent out to preach the Gospel and to lay hands on the sick and see them recover (Matt. 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, James 5:15-16, Matt. 10:8, John 14:12). I know that the Word of God is true and that there is no room for doubt or disbelief (James 1:5-8, Matt. 21:21, John 14:10-11)… it is the Word so it is SO and that is that! Yet we are not “seeing” the truth… so, I have been praying and asking and seeking His answer on this. I know that I was given His spirit to lead me into all truth (1 John 2:27, John 14:15-17) – so even though I am not “seeing” the truth, I am listening for it. And, as I listen and wait – He keeps leading me to Matthew 21:18-22.
In Matthew 21:18-20 I notice that the reason Jesus saw the fig tree beside the road was because He was hungry. He went to the fig tree and was upset that the tree could not feed Him. The job of the fig tree was to grow figs so that when a person was hungry they could take a piece of the fruit and eat it. Jesus was angry because the tree was not doing what it was supposed to do and when He cursed it even the disciples were amazed at how easily and quickly it withered. And this got me thinking about me and my fruit – what is my purpose here.
My purpose here is to be available to give fruit to those that decide that they want it, to feed those that realize they are hungry. My job is to be obedient and be available and to be growing and producing more and more fruit.
My purpose here is to be available and willing to pray and serve and love those around me. My job is to proclaim the Truth of the Gospel to the whole human race. But what happens when my fruit leaves my branches into their hands? Praise God that He has revealed to me that when I give from my tree, the transition from me giving to them receiving – that is ALL GOD! I don’t have and can not ever have anything to do with that part of all this. All I can do is be obedient and read my bible and pray everyday and grow, grow, grow. All I can do is be obedient and go into all the nations preaching the Gospel and sharing the love of Christ. All I can do is be obedient and clothe the naked, feed the hungry, house the homeless, love the widow and orphan. All I can do is be obedient and lay hands on the sick and pray for healing, pray for the dead to live, pray for demons to be cast out, pray for chains to be broken and captives set free. All I can do is be obedient (to pray and obey) – obedient to always listen to His voice and do what ever He says – whatever that looks like, where ever that takes me…
Whatever happens after is up to God
. He says that we are to lay hands on the sick and pray for healing and that we have whatever we ask in His name. So I will obediently do just that. I have yet to find a scripture that says they will always be immediately healed. But the word says that they are healed so that is what I know to be true – that is the fruit I am growing and giving away. Once I give it away – whatever happens from there is between God and the person receiving from God. All I can do is to trust and believe – and not doubt.
So I will go – go do whatever He needs me to do, where ever He needs me to do it. I will be obedient and give away my fruit. I will trust Him to work through my fruit as it is used to feed others… even if I do not see anyone actually eating the fruit or growing more of their own fruit from the seeds. I am thankful that all I have to do is be available to pass out my fruit and keep growing more. I am thankful that God does all the rest. I am thankful that He has shown me that none of this has to do with me or is because of me and/or because of things I do or do not do. It is all about Him and the recipients of the fruit that He has allowed me to bear. And when questions arise I will stand strong and not be easily destroyed – I WILL NOT WITHER. I will allow God to be God and I will just focus on being His servant.
It is in this revelation that I understand more
that His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
