Wednesday's Word - Fresh Produce

Sometimes I just don’t get people. They’ll stand in super long lines to show their stuff on American Idol or America’s Got the Next Top Biggest Loser Dance contest or whatever, where they hang on every word of some unsympathetic judge that brings them to tears. But you ask them one question about their Spiritual life and you’re quick to get the all too familiar phrase “You can’t judge me!” Well honestly, I don’t try to put anyone on the defensive like that, but one thing I like to impress upon them with is this: “I’m not a judge, I’m a fruit inspector.” And honestly, I think we need to really take it to heart not only when we see obvious hypocrisy, but when our own “old man” seeks to pull us in “old ways” once we’ve been delivered. We have to know when it’s time to call for a “Clean up on produce!”

Here’s the Word:

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Can you imagine how you’d feel at the grocery store and all see is spotted bananas, wilted lettuce and swatting your way through fruit flies swarming over rotting produce. Especially if someone is telling you "you have no right to judge!" Simply stated, you wouldn't buy it and you'd know that store owner must be nuts. Beloved, this is not about judging at all. You gotta be able to recognize good fruit from bad , for your own good as well as for the good of others. It’s a heart thing. You have to protect your heart with all diligence as well as realize when you need to be in earnest prayer for someone else.

Here’s more Word:

James 3:11-12 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

It’s too easy: Too easy to say and not do. Too easy to go along for the sake of getting along, too easy to try to be cool and end up lukewarm. Be quick to show forgiveness and grace rather than judgment, but also realize, The Father blessed us to be worshipers who worship and spirit and truth. That’s fresh produce.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday’s Word – Sack of Rice

Hello All,

Do me a favor. The next time you see that commercial of the doe-eyed child looking up to the camera with the voice over of the soft spoken person telling you that for the price of a cup of coffee, you could give this child hope by feeding them; Wait. Before you turn the channel, consider looking at this situation from a spiritual perspective. Not only are there starving people on the far reaches of the globe, but I would contend that there are also people in your midst that are just as malnourished as that doe-eyed child. The only difference is that in the spiritual realm, many don’t know they’re starving. Many people don’t associate the pains of an unforgiving heart, or the hunger for the world’s riches with being spiritually emaciated. So how are they to know that they’re not only longing for spiritual nourishment but also where to find the Way to be filled? The answer is YOU. Just as the those children will know their hunger will be satisfied when they get that sack of rice, your life is supposed to be just as obvious, an answer to spiritual hunger. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Do you consider making much of Jesus in your situations as to make Him appealing and available to others? Are you a sack of rice for the spiritually malnourished?

Here’s the Word:

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Now I’m not talking about simply shouting “Thank you Jesus!” when you find an outfit in your favorite color on the clearance rack, I’m talking about what’s put forth in Titus 2

6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.


I guarantee you. You strive for a life of holiness, glorifying Christ, the spiritually hungry will take note. So remember to do me a favor, when you see that kid, don’t just turn the tv or consider doing a good deed for the day. Kick it up a notch and strive to be a living sack of rice.



In Him,
Cros