A Lying Apple Tree?
Calling those things that are not . . . (Romans 4:17)
An apple tree will produce apples because of what it is. When it is young, it will have no apples; but it still must say, “I am an apple tree.” When it is winter and there are no ap- ples; it still says, “I am an apple tree.” Is it lying at those times? No. It would be lying to say anything different.
Many Christians have a hard time saying who God says they are when no fruit is manifesting in that particular area. Could they be too young in that truth to be fruitful? Could they be in a season where that dimension of the Christian life is being pruned back for future growth? Either way, it does not mean they are lying when they say, “I am anointed, pros- perous, delivered, healed, righteous, strong etc.” Joel 3:10 says, “Let the weak say I am strong.” We don’t deny the fact of weakness, but we focus on the greater truth that we are strong in Him.
Again, because the Word says we ARE these things, we would be untruthful to say anything different. Let’s not lie against the truth. Indeed, we ARE what the Bible says we are.
Declare: I am who the Word says I am. I have a sound mind. I have great favor with God and man. People love me. I am a happy person. I love life and enjoy every day. I walk in divine health. I have abundant provision. I am blessed and protected. I increasingly know who and what I am in Christ. I make a tremendous difference for Christ wherever I go.
Checklist to Ignite Faith: ___ BR ___ RD ___ DD ___OD ___ NF Check out ignitedhope.com to find extra insight concerning the power of declarations and for a list of the declarations that are at the back of this book.
I tend to focus on the now and not the bigger picture. The apple tree is a great example of that. I've been quite discouraged recently and questioning why God tends to ask me to do hard things...why can't I have some easy things sometimes God. Why do you keep setting me up to do such hard things? Then he reminds me that he created, coached, guided and provides everything I need just to do those hard things and bring Glory to him. f
This declaration definitely is something I need to declare today: I speak to every mountain of discouragement, stress, depression and lack, and say, “Be cast it into the sea in Jesus’ name” (Mark 11:22-24).
The apple tree analogy makes so much sense. A very good reminder of how to keep our mindset on God’s Word even in the midst of life’s trials, and to never forget what God says about us. It’s hard for our fruit to show if we don’t believe we have it.
I’ve never been good with my words. I will say, I take great comfort in knowing I’m like the apple tree. It’s so easy to convince myself I’m not. His Word is true. We are all fruitful and we are lying if we say any different.
As a result of my past, I am my own worst critic, and no one can be tougher on me than I am on myself. I have heard this analogy preached by my Pastor before, and this reminder was so needed. I loved it then, and I love it now. God is the God of the mountaintop, and He is still the God of the valley. No matter what my past is, it is no excuse to continue to allow the devil's lies to cloud my mindset and accept who I am in Christ. I will be making these declarations mentally all day.
It is hard at times to say those truths over my life. I need to be better at it, and understand that no matter where I am in life, the Word of God is still true in my life. I tend to get so focused on what I don't have that I start to believe it isn't for me. I really love the analogy of the apple tree. Just because there isn't apples on my tree right now, doesn't make me any less of an apple tree.