Good Trees

Scriptures:
"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit ... For out of the overflow of his heart a mouth speaks." (Luke 6:44,45)

I have been thinking a lot about trees and vines and fruit because I feel that God is leading me to preach on this subject on Sunday. One of the things that I observed in this passage is that our Lord is reasoning with us to help us to understand that fruit is the result of what is already in our hearts. You and I can not just create our own fruit, we must cultivate it in our hearts.

For example, yesterday morning when we were all getting ready to go to work, my wife and I noticed that Seth's mom, Katie, seemed to be on edge a little in the way she was talking to Seth, getting him ready for school. We both tried to intervene a little, like all grandparents will do. Afterward my wife said to me that she thought Katie might be upset because it was Valentine's day and she (Katie) did not have a valentine.

What was in her heart, the sadness of what she might have been feeling, made its way out of her mouth when she was speaking to her own son. Do I think she even realized it? Probably not. The same is true when I spend my 30 minute commute to work, listening to worship music and praising & worshipping God. I usually come in the front door at Avery and I can feel the joy I have inside come out to the people I say hello to. Ask Gloria.
Now I am not boasting here. I just want us to focus on the importance of cultivating our hearts with activities that bring us joy, peace & praise, instead of letting the pains and disappointments of our lives get a hold of us and poison our hearts. We have a choice, we can choose to counter the negative with the positive which will in turn, pour out of our lives onto others.

Remember, we are judged by others and by God by the fruit that is in our lives. Take the initiative and manage what goes into your life. We are good trees because Jesus has saved us, now let's "work out our own salvation" by cultivating our hearts with goodness.

Request:
Pray that God would help us to cultivate goodness in our lives so that it will touch the lives of others.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, all that is around us is constantly battling against us by attempting to poison the good spirit that is inside us. Help us to keep our hearts clean and holy and just so that the fruit in our life glorifies you and touches others for your purposes. Amen. "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit ... For out of the overflow of his heart a mouth speaks." (Luke 6:44,45)