The Tree That Bears Fruit Could be You!
Pastor Jerry Wilhite,
author
This study I have done in many ways, but this way can help only if you first are open minded and make sure you do not read it when you are in offense or strife. Pray, meditate, be sure you are at peace and have the patience to take the time needed to read and understand this study.
We are like the fruit of a tree. A person plants the seed for the tree that is the word planted in us (Mark 4:10-20).
Mark 4
10. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
13. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
14. The sower soweth the word.
15. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh imediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, imediately receive it with gladness;
17. And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, imediately they are offended.
18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
In verse 20 above the word "fold" should be "percent", some 30% some 60% and some 100%. So if God is rebuking the devourer of your ground you will grow 100% otherwise 30% maybe 60%.
Malachi 3
10. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
God supplies the sunlight and water to help the seed grow if it is planted in good ground.
What is good ground? That which is not filled with chemicals, disease, or other things that would attack and destroy the seed once it is planted. As it grows there are all kinds of diseases that can come along and damage the tree before it bears fruit. We are the same before the seed is planted in us; we can be filled with hate, envy, strife, offense, etc that will attack the seed and not allow it to grow.
Once it starts to grow all kinds of things can come and attack the growth in us to prevent us from bearing fruit. There are things of this world, of Satan, of those that hate God and even of some whom say they love God but are misled by the world. This is why it is so important to know the farmer and trust him with all he does for us. God via the Holy Spirit cultivates us so we can learn how to grow, survive, and bear fruit. At the least it requires us to be able to discern spirits and things that are not of God and eventually to know and hear His voice only. Otherwise many will mislead us, some not on purpose, but some even think they are doing it for God and for our own good.
To know who is who and know who to trust you need to know God in a way most still do not recognize today the way Jesus meant in John 14:26 or John in I John 2:27.
John 14
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
1 John 2
27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Understand that Christ means anointing, and to be of Christ is to be of the anointing. At the bottom of this study is more on Christ, Salvation, and the church.
John even warned us when we listened for the voice of God, that inner voice that Satan could mislead us. He told us what to ask to be sure that it is God and not Satan in I John 4:1-3.
1 John 4
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Many do not believe in hearing from God. They believe the word is the end all and any that teach differently are misleading. They quote whatever others have said and done that support their point, but actually it proves just how important it is to hear from God and not man. Some are afraid that if they are wrong then they may not be saved; so they argue to prove their point to protect their way of life and beliefs. Then there are those that are so caught up in the law of the word they can not see the spiritual and this will go against everything they say.
Over all you have three things you need to do to truly grow and know God.
You see most only know of the physical side of the word so they only understand half. But there are two sides to the word, physical and spiritual and when you discover this you realize that to get it all you need to know both. God is spiritual, we are physical and Jesus bridged the gap for us by coming physically.
Many are called, but few are chosen because many say they believe but only a few will do what it takes to know God.
How sad it is that many will read this and see the tithe mentioned and read it as another person of God trying to pick his or her pocket. In actuality it is anything but that because to get what you need from the tithe you must first find a church that teaches the fullness of the word, both the spiritual and physical sides. Yes there are many who do, but more who do not. Then you must be fed at this church and only there do you tithe, not here, not to a television ministry, but only where you are fed the Word of God.
Yes, we offer it as well, but not to take away from those who do, but to offer a place to start. We’re mostly here to help until a person finds the church that teaches properly.
So what should you seek from a church? One that teaches:
What do you do when you find a church like this? You join, you learn, you grow and you tithe the full 10%, not starting at 3% and working up, but the entire 10%. All the other does is get you in debt, because until you are tithing (that means 10% of your gross income before taxes) you are not protected from anything. Tithe to where you are fed spiritually to grow spiritually and where you fed physically so you are protected physically. No, I do not mean where you eat, but where you are fed the physical side and the Spiritual side of the word of God.
Now there will be a planting season where all you are is planted with the word of God. Then a nurturing season where your seed is cultivated to grow, then a growth season. Finally there is the Harvest at which time you will produce both fruits, Fruit of the Spirit and fruit in the physical.
Galatians 5
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Physical fruit will be when God directs you to do and you will do, some by giving, some by works, and some by prayer.