And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

Friends, if I may ask, who are you and what can people see in you from a far? For instance, the fig tree looked healthy from a distance because it had plenty of leaves. But when Jesus came closer, He found no fruit. This gives us an important spiritual lesson that God is not only interested in what our lives look like; He is interested in the fruit our lives produce. John 15:5 - “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. Hence, what kind of fruit is my life producing for God and for the people around me? There is an expectation of fruits to bear in every life and every situation. Therefore, we should not disappoint our maker. Psalm 1:3 - The righteous person is like a tree planted by streams of water, “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season 

Interestingly, it is possible to look like we are doing well outwardly while lacking the fruit God desires inwardly. Our faith should produce love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, obedience, humility, and a life that points others to Christ. According to Galatians 5:22–23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Today, don't only ask, “How do I look?” Ask, “What fruit is my life producing?” what is my impact and my influence? God has given each of us opportunities, gifts, time, and relationships, so maximize them. Let them produce something that brings glory to Him.  Remember, a life full of leaves may look impressive, but a fruitful life makes an impact, daily. I pray we shall bear fruit that will abide in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Lord, help me to bear fruit that brings glorify to God as you remove everything that makes my life look fruitful without actually producing godly results in Jesus' name.

Action Quote: Remember, God is not looking for a life that only looks fruitful but He is looking for a life that truly bears fruit.

Text: Mark 10:50 (KJV)

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

Friends, when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was calling him, he did something significant in that he cast away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. The garment was connected to the life he had been living as a blind beggar. It represented the place where he had been sitting, the identity people knew him by, and perhaps the security he had become accustomed to. When Jesus called him, Bartimaeus was willing to leave it behind. Hence, casting away the garment does not mean forgetting your past. It means refusing to allow your past to control your future. That is a powerful picture of surrendering to Jesus. Philippians 3:13 says, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

Amazingly, God calls us into a new season, but we are still holding on to the things connected to our old season. We want something new from God, but we are unwilling to release the old nature of bitterness and negative habits, or labels that keep us tied to where we used to be. Isaiah 43:18–19 says, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.” So, Bartimaeus understood that he could not remain where he was and respond fully to the call of Jesus. His garment had served a purpose in his former situation, but he did not allow it to become a permanent attachment. Yes, there are things that may have helped you survive one season that God may now be asking you to release so you can move forward. It is time to cast away the weight that will not allow you walk into your new. I encourage you to willingly stop allowing yesterday garment to define your today, in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, give me the grace to cast away every garment that is keeping me from moving forward with You. Help me release every limitation from my past as I respond to Your call in Jesus' name.

Action Quote: Friends, when Jesus calls you into a new season, don't carry the garment of your old season but cast it away, rise, and follow Him.

Text: Mark 10:49 (KJV)

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

Friends, Bartimaeus was sitting by the highway, begging, when he heard that Jesus was passing by. He cried out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Though many told him to be quiet, he cried out even more. His persistent cry caught Jesus’ attention, and Jesus called for him.  The same Jesus who heard his cry was now calling him closer. Ephesians 5:14 - Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  Bartimaeus had been sitting, but when Jesus called, he got up. Mark 10:50 says, “And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.” He did not remain where he was. He rose and moved toward Jesus. Sometimes, fear, delay, rejection, or people’s opinions can keep us sitting in the same place. Note that the crowd did not have the final word concerning Bartimaeus. The people who told him to be quiet eventually told him, “Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.” Never allow people’s opinions to become louder than God’s call upon your life.

Therefore, be courageous when Jesus calls you, get up! Get up from discouragement. Get up from the mindset that nothing can change. Get up and come closer to Jesus. Hence, trust the One who is calling you. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” Your prayer may seem delayed, but don’t give up. Keep calling on Jesus and remain ready to respond as we take step also when He calls today in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, help me to recognize Your call and give me the courage to rise, leaving behind whatever is holding me back, as I pursue a closer walk with Jesus and step into a new level with Him today, in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote: Friends, when Jesus calls you, don't remain where you are but get up, leave the past behind, and move toward the One who is calling you.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

Friends, Jesus used the picture of a mountain to teach us about confronting impossible situations with faith. It is not time to be afraid of the mountain of opposition before you but it is ideal to speak the mind of God concerning that situation. There are moments when we spend so much time talking about our problems that we forget to speak God's promises over them. You can say let there be light in that dark moment. So, those challenges before you should be addressed as we declare them removed and be cast out. Hence, you can reflect by asking yourself, what mountain do I need to bring before God today? Job 22:28 - Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways

Amazingly, speaking to your mountain does not mean using words as a magical formula. It means bringing your situation before God in faith and aligning your words with His truth.  Zechariah 4:7 - Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Therefore, instead of saying, “I can never overcome this,” remind yourself, “God is with me, and I will trust Him through this.” Remember, your words should not be controlled by fear when your heart is anchored in God's promises. I pray His words shall flow from our fountain today in Jesus name.

Prayer Points:

Lord, teach me to decree and declare words of faith, hope, and truth instead of words controlled by fear when I face challenges in Jesus name.

Action Quote: Friends, don’t let your mountain become louder than your faith; speak words of faith and let your faith become louder than the mountain.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

Friends, doubt can make us focus more on what might go wrong than on God's faithfulness. Doubt simply means being unsure or lacking confidence that something is true, possible, or will happen. So, in simple words, doubt is “I’m not sure this will happen. Yes, sometimes doubt comes from disappointment in the past experiences and in another situation, it comes from waiting too long. Hence, it could happen as a result of simply not understanding what God is actually doing at the moment because they are unclear. But we must also learn that we do not have to have every answer clearly spelt out before we can trust God. But the question is What doubt do you need to surrender to God today?  2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Interestingly, we should learn to let go of the doubt that keeps telling us that God cannot help us or that God has abandoned us. Also, let go of the fear that says your situation is hopeless and there is no way out. It is time to erase the limiting thoughts. Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Instead, choose to place your confidence in God's character and His Word. Remember, faith does not mean you understand everything. Faith means you continue trusting God while you are still waiting for understanding. I pray we shall live in faith and not doubt, today in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, help me to release every doubt and fear that is fighting against my faith as you teach me to trust You completely and patiently in Jesus name Amen.

Action Quote: Friends, release the doubt, hold on to faith, and keep trusting God.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Friends, there is an error which we need to correct which is postponing our happiness until something changes. We say, “I will be happy when I get that job, when I have more money, when I achieve my goal, or when life becomes easier.” But from the scripture above, Paul is teaching us an important lesson that we should learn to be content in whatever state we are. So, being happy where you are does not mean you should stop growing or pursuing your desired dreams. It means you can appreciate where God has placed you today while trusting Him for where He is taking you tomorrow. Remember, many are not at your current level. Hence, do not allow comparison to steal the joy of your present season. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Interesting, someone could be ahead of you in an area, while you are be ahead in another area. Your journey is uniquely yours. Look around you today and identify what you can thank God for. When you compare yourself with your last version you will then celebrate the little progress. Psalm 118:24 - This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Enjoy the people around you today. Make the most of today instead of constantly wishing you were somewhere else. You do not have to arrive at your destination before you can experience joy on the journey.  Remember to be grateful for where you are, be faithful with what you have, and be hopeful about where God is taking you in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Lord, help me to appreciate the season I am in as you remove comparison and dissatisfaction from my heart. Help me to live each day with gratitude and gladness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Action for Today

Write down three things you are grateful for today and deliberately enjoy the blessings you already have.

Action Quote: Friends, don’t postpone your joy until tomorrow but learn to find gratitude in today.

15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

Friends, it is time to welcome Jesus afresh in our temple. Yes, the temple was designed to be a place of worship, prayer, and fellowship with God, but it had become filled with activities that did not honour His purpose. So, Jesus entered and cleansed it by casting out everything buying and selling therein. This reminds us that God cares about what occupies the space that belongs to Him as our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  And our hearts are also places where God desires to dwell. Sometimes, we allow worry, bitterness, unforgiveness, distractions, pride, or unhealthy desires to occupy the space that should belong to God. But Jesus teaches us that God’s house and our lives should be devoted to prayer, worship, and honouring God and not for selfish gain. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.  Our heart cry is that before God will fill our lives, may He first cleanse our all, today.

Amazingly, God’s desire is that we should preserve this temple to be a house of prayer. Also, our worship must be with sincerity and we should not allow worldly interests to corrupt what belongs to God. Remember Jesus cares about the condition of our hearts, not just our outward religious activities.  And the question is - Is my heart truly becoming a place where God is honoured, or have other things taken His place?  Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Therefore, Jesus cleansing of the temple challenges us to examine our hearts and ask: “Lord, is there anything in me that needs to be removed?” Let’s allow God to purge our hearts. Also, let go of whatever is competing with His presence, and make room for prayer, obedience, love, and faith today in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Lord Jesus, search my heart and remove anything that does not honour You. Cleanse my heart and make my life a place where Your presence is welcomed in Jesus' name, Amen.

Action Quote: Friends lets surrender that one thing that is limiting us from Him and make room for God’s presence.