Embracing Wisdom: Cultivating Fruitfulness in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Wisdom and Understanding

Wisdom and understanding are essential in navigating the complexities and deceptions of our times. Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom and understanding, which form the backbone of unshakable conviction. This conviction helps us stand firm in our faith and navigate through confusion and redefinition of God's Word. In these times, it is crucial to seek wisdom and understanding from God, allowing His Word to take root in our hearts and guide our actions. As we pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, we can comprehend the Scriptures deeply and apply them to our lives, ensuring that our faith remains steadfast and unshaken. [02:15]

Proverbs 4:7 (ESV): "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel confused or uncertain. How can you seek God's wisdom and understanding to navigate this situation today?

Day 2: The Garden of the Lord

God has always been a gardener, cultivating fruitfulness and life. This metaphor extends to our lives, where God desires us to be abundantly fruitful in all circumstances. Our fruitfulness is not based on human achievement but on the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. As we align ourselves with God's will and receive His Word, we will see extraordinary fruitfulness in our lives, bringing glory to God. This fruitfulness is pleasing to God and is a testament to His provision and care for us. By understanding that God is the ultimate gardener, responsible for planting, pruning, pest control, providing, and harvesting, we can trust Him to cultivate our lives for His glory. [12:21]

Isaiah 58:11 (ESV): "And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust God as the ultimate gardener? How can you allow Him to cultivate fruitfulness in those areas today?

Day 3: Redemption from the Curse

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, as stated in Galatians 3:13. This redemption is a present reality that we must believe, receive, and conceive by faith. Understanding what we have been redeemed from helps us reject what is not for us, such as sickness, poverty, and bondage. By embracing the freedom that Christ has given us, we can live in the fullness of His blessings and provision. This freedom is not just a future promise but a present reality that we must actively believe and receive. As we walk in this redemption, we can experience the abundant life that Christ has promised us. [06:18]

Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace the redemption that Christ has provided? How can you actively believe and receive this freedom today?

Day 4: Transition to the Bride of Christ

The church is maturing from being merely the ecclesia (the called-out ones) to becoming the bride of Christ, sharing in His authority. This transition is crucial as we approach the end times, and it signifies a deeper relationship and greater responsibility in God's kingdom. As the bride of Christ, we are called to share in His authority and to be a reflection of His love and grace to the world. This maturation process involves growing in our understanding of God's Word, deepening our relationship with Him, and embracing the responsibilities that come with being His bride. By doing so, we can effectively represent Christ and His kingdom in our daily lives. [04:53]

Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV): "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Christ and embrace the responsibilities of being His bride? What specific actions can you take today to reflect His love and grace to those around you?

Day 5: God's Provision and Fruitfulness

God delights in fruitfulness and growth. He has set up a system of replenishment and prosperity, which He calls good. As we align ourselves with His will and receive His Word, we will see extraordinary fruitfulness in our lives, bringing glory to God. This fruitfulness is not based on our efforts but on God's provision and care for us. By understanding that our souls are like well-watered gardens, we can trust God to provide for our needs and to cultivate growth and prosperity in our lives. As we remain connected to Him, the true vine, we will bear much fruit and bring glory to His name. [18:23]

Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you align yourself with God's will and receive His Word to experience fruitfulness in your life? How can you trust Him to provide for your needs and cultivate growth today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Lord of Hosts! Today, we delved into the profound truth that wisdom and understanding are paramount in these times of increased deception and confusion. Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the importance of wisdom, and we explored how understanding forms the backbone of unshakable conviction. We declared that our hearts are good soil for the seed of God's Word, and we prayed for the spirit of wisdom and revelation to comprehend the Scriptures deeply.

We discussed the concept of the "Garden of the Lord," illustrating how God has always been a gardener, cultivating fruitfulness and life. This metaphor extends to our lives, where God desires us to be abundantly fruitful in all circumstances. We examined Galatians 3:13, which tells us that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and Romans 8:2, which speaks of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus making us free from the law of sin and death. This freedom is not just a future promise but a present reality that we must believe, receive, and conceive by faith.

We also explored the transition of the church from being merely the ecclesia (the called-out ones) to becoming the bride of Christ, sharing in His authority. This maturation process is crucial as we approach the end times. The curse of the law has been broken, and we are now under the blessing of Abraham, which brings about a cycle of replenishment, growth, and prosperity.

We looked at various scriptures, including Genesis 1:11 and Colossians 1:10, to understand that God delights in fruitfulness and growth. We are called to be fruitful in every good work, and this fruitfulness is pleasing to God. The curse that came upon the ground due to Adam's disobedience has been reversed through Christ, the last Adam, restoring the cycle of divine provision and abundance.

We concluded by emphasizing that our souls are like well-watered gardens, and God, the ultimate gardener, is responsible for planting, pruning, pest control, providing, and harvesting. As we align ourselves with His will and receive His Word, we will see extraordinary fruitfulness in our lives, bringing glory to God.

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Key Takeaways

1. Wisdom and Understanding: In these times of increased deception, wisdom and understanding are crucial. Proverbs 4:7 tells us to get wisdom and understanding, which form the backbone of unshakable conviction. This conviction helps us stand firm in our faith and navigate through confusion and redefinition of God's Word. [02:15]
2. The Garden of the Lord: God has always been a gardener, cultivating fruitfulness and life. This metaphor extends to our lives, where God desires us to be abundantly fruitful in all circumstances. Our fruitfulness is not based on human achievement but on the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. [12:21]
3. Redemption from the Curse: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, as stated in Galatians 3:13. This redemption is a present reality that we must believe, receive, and conceive by faith. Understanding what we have been redeemed from helps us reject what is not for us, such as sickness, poverty, and bondage. [06:18]
4. Transition to the Bride of Christ: The church is maturing from being merely the ecclesia to becoming the bride of Christ, sharing in His authority. This transition is crucial as we approach the end times, and it signifies a deeper relationship and greater responsibility in God's kingdom. [04:53]
5. God's Provision and Fruitfulness: God delights in fruitfulness and growth. He has set up a system of replenishment and prosperity, which He calls good. As we align ourselves with His will and receive His Word, we will see extraordinary fruitfulness in our lives, bringing glory to God. [18:23]
### [18:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Introduction and Greetings
[02:15] - Importance of Wisdom and Understanding
[03:23] - Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation
[04:53] - Transition to the Bride of Christ
[06:18] - Redemption from the Curse
[07:47] - The Blessing of Abraham
[08:17] - The Law of the Spirit of Life
[10:19] - The Power of God's Word
[12:21] - The Garden of the Lord
[14:18] - God's Intent for Fruitfulness
[16:22] - Understanding Farming and the Kingdom
[18:23] - God's Delight in Fruitfulness
[20:24] - The Curse and the Last Adam
[22:29] - God's Provision in the Garden
[24:02] - The Consequence of Disobedience
[26:35] - God's Covenant with Abraham
[28:38] - The Power of God's Word
[30:12] - The Hundredfold Blessing
[32:52] - Blessed People in a Cursed Land
[34:24] - Transformative Revival
[36:29] - The Blessing of Abraham
[38:02] - God's Promise to Abraham
[39:03] - The Battle of Wills
[40:05] - The Year of Jubilee
[41:36] - The Vineyard of the Lord
[42:37] - Our Call to Generosity
[44:12] - God's Care for Our Souls
[45:51] - Jesus as the True Vine
[47:27] - The Gardener's Responsibilities
[50:00] - Prayer and Conclusion
[52:02] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Proverbs 4:7 emphasize about wisdom and understanding? How does this relate to the times of increased deception mentioned in the sermon? [02:15]
According to Galatians 3:13, what has Christ redeemed us from, and how is this redemption described? [06:18]
How does Romans 8:2 describe the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, and what does it free us from? [08:17]
What metaphor is used in the sermon to describe God's role in our lives, and how does this metaphor extend to our personal fruitfulness? [12:21]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding form the backbone of unshakable conviction, and why is this important in times of confusion and redefinition of God's Word? [02:15]
What does it mean to transition from being the ecclesia to becoming the bride of Christ, and how does this signify a deeper relationship and greater responsibility? [04:53]
How does the concept of the "Garden of the Lord" illustrate God's desire for our lives, and what role does the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus play in this? [12:21]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the curse of the law has been broken, and how should this influence our understanding of sickness, poverty, and bondage? [06:18]

Application Questions

Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding. How can you actively seek wisdom and understanding in your daily life to navigate through times of deception and confusion? [02:15]
The sermon mentions that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. How can you practically apply this truth to reject sickness, poverty, and bondage in your life? [06:18]
Reflect on the metaphor of God as a gardener. What areas of your life need planting, pruning, or pest control to become more fruitful? How can you align yourself with God's will in these areas? [12:21]
The transition to becoming the bride of Christ involves sharing in His authority. How can you embrace this deeper relationship and greater responsibility in your personal walk with God? [04:53]
The sermon highlights the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and rejecting the curse. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of your identity in Christ and walk in the blessing of Abraham? [06:18]
The concept of our souls being like well-watered gardens was discussed. How can you cultivate a well-watered soul through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship? [44:12]
The sermon encourages us to believe, receive, and conceive the truth of our redemption. What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your faith and live out the reality of your redemption in Christ? [06:18]

Sermon Clips

1. "I believe that understanding in the times that we're living in is the principle thing and I believe that living a time of deception increased deception as Jesus said a time of confusion and redefining what it is that the word of God says that understanding now is the backbone of unshakable conviction the backbone of unshakable conviction." [01:30] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Say that with me. Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. That means it's done. And from that point forward, it's no longer on Him. But now it's up to us to believe, to receive, and to conceive that truth, to give birth to it in the earth by faith." [06:18] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Folks there is a law of new being, a law of constant replenishment, constant recreation that is at work in your life. It's the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Let me tell you something in the kingdom of God, get this, in the kingdom of God the older you get the younger you get. on, that's what the law is. That my outward man is aging but my inward man is being renewed day by day." [09:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It's a frustrating thing to have the right nature in a wrong environment. Can't grow. I don't care how good the seed is. If the soil is bad it's not going to grow. Let me tell you something. You are blessed. We travel, we see churches all over. Let me tell you something. This is rich soil folks. You are Let me tell you something. Let me tell you something. You are in rich soil. Environment matters." [21:27] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God created a predetermined environment and predetermined divine provision and then He created a man and put the man in the center of what it is that God had created. Adam didn't have to go looking for anything. He didn't have to manufacture anything. It was already there by the hand of God. By the hand of God. By the hand of God." [19:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The curse must be broken and the curse and the blessing must come so that productivity and fruitfulness can happen again. It's a sign of God's blessing. It's what it is that God intends for His people. Can you say Amen? So we see that the curse was now operative. Everything was withering and now there was a struggle but God had a solution for the curse and He made a covenant with a man by the name of Abraham to bless him and his descendants." [26:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The fact that you showed up and the blessing of God is on you, the power of the curse is already being broken and change and transformation, that wheel is starting to turn because you're there. But we have to know who we are and we have to know our inheritance. We have to understand our identity in Christ and know how to reject the curse and to receive and to walk in the blessing." [33:54] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The time will come says the Lord when the grain and the grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Do you all believe in the prophetic word in this church? I'm being facetious. Says the time has come. I wholeheartedly believe that time is right now. When it's going to grow faster than you can catch up and bring it in." [35:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "God is a God of multi-generational blessing. If He can do it all in your lifetime it wasn't God. When God gets involved it's going to take multiple generations and so He identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Your posterity, the blessing for a thousand generations the Word of God says. That's the magnitude of what it is that God wants to do for you." [27:06] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus says this, I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit for without me you can do nothing. Listen at verse 8 by this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit so you will be my disciples. And then in verse 15 he continues he says you didn't choose me but I chose you and I appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain and whatever you ask the Father in my name He'll give it to you." [48:58] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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