Leaves or Fruit

Matthew 21:19-20  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

I read this scripture during my devotions this week and thought about how our Lord must have felt when He approached the fig tree probably wanting something to eat and found nothing but leaves - no fruit. It reminded me of a song that I heard years ago.  I only remember the chorus that goes like this:

Nothing but leaves for the Master
Oh how His loving heart grieves
When instead of the fruit He is seeking
We offer Him nothing but leaves.

Christians are supposed to bear fruit.  I do not want to disappoint my Master by offering only leaves.  I want to bear some fruit.  I want to be a blessing to someone and win them to Him.

Here is a card I made using the song Amazing Grace written by John Newton.  He was a slave trader who found Jesus Christ.  He became a great song writer and his songs have been a witness and an encouragement to many.

May you have a wonderful week.

A poem that I learned many, many years ago expresses my reason for serving the Lord.

Why I Love The Lord

(Author Unknown)

You ask me why I love the Lord,

Well, friend, just let me say...

Life wasn't worth the living,

'Till the Savior came my way.

You say I miss so much of life,

Yes, friend, praise God, I do.

I miss the sin and sorrow,

That once were all I knew.

I miss the days spent seeking joy,

The long nights full of tears.

I miss the heavy burden,

That I carried through the years.

But, friend, I wouldn't have them back,

For all that life could pay.

Life wasn't worth the living,

'Till the Savior came my way

Life without Jesus would not be a life, it would be an existence.  He is my everything.  

He has promised to be with me, guide me, protect me and hear my prayers.  

What more could anyone ask?  I love Him with all my heart.

My card for this week:

Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.

Very busy week.  Went to a revival in Georgia and have been rearranging my craft room and spare bedroom.  Will only be posting a card I made for a challenge this week.

God bless you all.

Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.

Happy Independence Day - July 4, 2014

Independence Day, the Fourth of July, is the 

commemoration of the adoption of the 

Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring the

independence of the 13 colonies from Great Britain.

America has become known as the

“land of the free and the home of the brave”.

This country has survived for 238 years as a free nation

only because God has blessed it.

We must never forget those who bought our freedom with their blood.

*****************

Christians also have liberty that was bought with blood,

the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We must stand fast in the liberty we have in

Christ in these trying times.  He bought our 

freedom from sin and gave us liberty.

As we celebrate our nation's independence, let us 

also celebrate the independence we have in Him.

 We must stand fast in the liberty we have in

Christ in these trying times.  He bought our freedom

from sin and gave us liberty.

Have a blessed 4th of July and a wonderful week in the Lord.

Word art by Karen Murray at www.papercraftmemories.com and used by permission.

This is an extra post .  I am going to enter my first challenge in the Word Art Wednesday challenge.

Here is the card:

It is a serene Thomas Kinkade stamp that I thought went with the verse.

Have a good day.