“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” - Mathew 7:16 (NIV).
After Christianity arrived here in Uganda on many occasions people would be asked to prove they were converts. In the olden days most of the converts carried with them their baptism certificates which also identified their denominations. These pieces of paper along with a “Christian name” were all that was needed to prove one being a Christian.
However, while one may have a piece of paper with his Christian names legibly printed, there is something else more. Our leading verse shares with us one of the identities of a Christian, other than mere carrying a baptism certificate or boasting of having a Christian name, are the fruits. Any person may trumpet and proclaim himself as a believer in Christ but a litmus test is clearly the fruits.
Take for instance, throughout history there has been countless examples of the Disciples of Christ involved in countless self-sacrificial work that has had lasting impact on humanity, moved because they were followers of Christ. Christians have built schools that have accessed education opportunities to all, set up hospitals to offer care to all, built orphanages to give chance to the less fortunate, fought for social justice to ensure all have equal opportunity, often putting their lives at risk. All has been to show the love of Christ to the world. For whereas evangelization of the world can be through the sharing of the word; the deeds in themselves are a testimony of the Christ we believe in. Good deeds do often leave many wondering and asking where Christians draw the power to love others!
Today, how about reflecting on the power of deeds and getting involved in some activity where without saying as much, the fruits point to the Christ you believe in!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that my love and devotion to you, may be exhibited through deeds that show your love and draw all to the Christ we believe, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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23/04/2024 - 24/04/2024 All day“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
There are many instances we find in the scriptures where God came and told a person, “I will come!” It was quite difficult to comprehend then and the waiting took a bit of time, but the Lord came through.
We find so in Gen 18:10, how the Lord spoke to Abraham, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” And surely at the right time the Lord came through.
The prophet Isaiah did long before the birth of Christ prophecy, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6-7).
Well, it took a bit of time; but it surely came to pass. There is here a remarkable fact about knowing God which none of us should ever lose sight of. As He once spoke through the prophet Balam, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” ( Numbers 23:19).There is a world of difference between God and man! If He has promised; He will fulfill. The Lord’s “Yes” is truly “Yes;” and His “No,” quite frankly, “No! “ Listen to God. If He has said, “I will come”, just wait, for as with the prophets, the Lord is not in the business of falling back on His own word!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you word says, you are not a human that you should lie, and for this, I hold on to your promises over my life, as I wait on you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
