Are we Known by our Appealing or Appalling Fruit?

How easy it is to judge the likes of folks whose poor attitude, angry spirit and crankiness seems to bring a dark cloud with them when they step into the room. We randomly judge someone when they’ve made a bad decision that you warned them not to make or maybe we judge an outfit someone wore, a new hairstyle, the lack of someone’s personal pride, the way they handle their business affairs, and the good or bad language they speak. Whew! Oftentimes, it’s a workout to keep from being judgmental especially when we see the “fruit” of the actions of some of those folks.

But Jesus set the record straight about judging. He said in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not so you won’t be judged.” Yikes! I sure don’t want to be judged. On the other hand, maybe we should be Fruit Inspectors -- especially when we see fruit that causes us to check out our own fruit as to whether what others see in us is sweet and tasty fruit. Matthew 7:20 – “Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them.”

Having love for some unlovable folks, finding peace in the midst of chaos, experiencing joy when folks may be getting on our last nerve -- can be quite a feat any time, but most certainly, since the election of 2016, we’ve been given all kinds of opportunities to decide. Is it love or hate, peace or anger, bitterness or happiness, crankiness or joyfulness? Remembering the scripture… "What the heart is full of....the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45) Doesn’t that give us pause for giving ourselves a good old fruit inspection?

When we opened the door of our hearts to God....He walked through the door with a treasure chest full of everything we would need to overcome and be successful in every area of our life. And, it is He Who inspects our fruit and says to us: I'm not asking you to be their Fruit Inspector. I'm asking you to inspect your own fruit." That's when I know God is telling me to amp up that fruit in my own life -- to be sure that what my heart is full of, bears the Fruit of the Spirit qualities: Galatians 5:22,23 "But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control."

Let's be sure to pass the test on the fruits we are bearing. After all, as believers, we know Holy Spirit is in us so we already have the good soil, fertilizer, nutrients and everything else we need to be choice, bright, luscious, sweet, refreshing, top quality FRUIT bearers to a world that could sure use some.

Mercy Me! Bring on the Light!

It's my annual rant time! That expletive isn’t about the Christian vocal group, Mercy Me! It’s about the ghosts, goblins, zombies, witches, and other Halloween paraphernalia that “haunts” us at retail stores and homes this time of year.

Wait! Before you Halloween enthusiasts stop reading this blog, please know I'm not judging anyone who celebrates Halloween! I know what Jesus said "Do not judge, or you too will be judged!" (Matthew 7:1) If I judge people who celebrate Halloween then those people can judge me for celebrating my birthday. Yikes! A whole day to celebrate ME? To bring me gifts and light a candle on a sugary idol with my name on it?

Honestly, my awareness of seeking THE LIGHT and being a light has come from years of growth in my walk with Jesus.
I was a trick or treater and, as you can see in these cute photos, we celebrated Halloween along with everyone else. (That first one is my son and the others are grandchildren). And, October 31st is a day we love because it's Mom's (my mom-in-law's) birthday. And, I know there are hundreds of things worse than cute kids dressed like Elsa or Buzz Lightyear.

Heaven forbid that I sound like a kill-joy! It's a heart matter for me. I don't want to rain on anyone’s Halloween Parade, but this chick prefers the "light" side. I have long removed myself from horror flicks that I watched as a kid. I wondered why I couldn’t sleep at night. Well, duh? I don’t read books that cause me to entertain thoughts of darkness, and neither do I put myself into situations that draw me into darkness or create darkness – anger, envy, strife, jealousy, sadness, grief, etc. If I find myself getting close to those places -- I look for the closest “escape hatch” that I can find. My motto scripture is “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.

This Bible thumper just can't help but use this season to share the good news of the One who was raised from the dead. I want to preach Jesus. I want to find people to encourage, call that family member who needs hope, pray for professed witches and satanists who need Jesus and use my tongue and social media to communicate life, joy and peace. And, I want to see evil become good: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

I live in the light -- on purpose. I lean toward the LIGHT – God and His Word. That’s why the scriptures are so vital to me – they’re my absolute statements of faith, peace, comfort and joy. ”You will keep him (her) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he (she) trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

If you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting -- living in those places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Put light in your heart and home. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT…..where I live! There’s nothing like it!

Being Careful but NOT Judgmental

I want to be very careful with my words today because I cringe with the thought that I could sound judgmental. I don't get into politics much, though I am adamant in my position which I think is obvious for Who I follow -- our Abundant Life Provider (John 10:10). Maybe I'm naiive because I assume that those I chum with at church, events and various organizations follow my set of values, principles and God's ways according to His Word. But, shock and awe -- not everyone sees my way of thinking! How can it be? 😉

Such was the case when a friend expressed that she is pro-choice and anti most everything else I stand for. I could have been knocked over with a gentle breeze. I was numb, couldn't even respond and just walked away. A week later I heard that my walk-away meant that I was mad. I quickly asked for forgiveness for the impression I left. At first I thought I'd provide a list of reasons for my position, but then I thought "What would Jesus do?" And, immediately the Fruit of the Spirit -- the qualities that I want "fruitful" in my life, came to mind. So, I expressed my appreciation and love and that "our politics and persuasions" don't make a difference in that love. Between you and me, I'm praying that God will draw her to Himself and clarity comes to her.

Here's what I know. I know we shouldn't judge others, lest we be judged (Matthew 7:1-3). But, I figure it's quite alright to inspect the fruit in my own life and be my own "fruit inspector". I can judge me. Matthew 7:20 says "Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them." WOW! That’s how we’re recognized as devoted followers of Christ, or not. By our "fruit". So as fruit inspectors, first, we need to pass the test on the fruit we, ourselves, are bearing. It will be obvious, not by judging, but by inspecting where people are at by the fruit they bear also.

It is "fruit bearing" season. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) I'm checking out the "freshness" of my fruit even as I type this blog. As we experience the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, those beautiful attributes and characteristics of the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit will thrive and flourish in our lives. As believers, we know Holy Spirit is in us so we already have the good soil, fertilizer, nutrients and everything else we need to be good FRUIT bearers.

With all the craziness of politics and a world of unrest and pain, we can still find beautifully, mixed-in times of thanksgiving and gratitude. It's the perfect time to settle down to be drawn into a place of intimacy with God and inspect the good or bad fruit we may be bearing. Perhaps, a self-fruit-introspection is what will make us true "Fruit of the Spirit" fruit bearers that cause others to desire that fruit in their own lives, too. Lord, let it be!

And Let the JUDGING Begin

As in every year since I was a little girl, I'll be watching the Miss America Pageant tonight when it is broadcast live on ABC. I still love getting caught up in the pomp of it all -- seeing those young women vying for scholarships, and finding out who will take home the crown of Miss America 2019. I was always starstruck by those beautiful, smart and talented young women. I'd watch and "judge" from my sofa, choose my favorite, and hope she'd be the winner. With great anticipation, I'd hear the names of the runners-up and hope I had "judged" accurately. What an adrenaline rush it was when I was right and heard Bert Parks sing "There she is...Miss America. There she is....your ideal."

In 1995, my husband and I were cheering so loudly for that adorable redhead from Oklahoma who was radiant, poised, articulate, and confident. We never imagined that just a few years later THAT GIRL, Shawntel Smith, would become "the love of our boy's life"! She won our hearts in the 1996 pageant, and soon the love of our hearts forever!

I understand that those young women are scrutinized to the nth degree by the judges who carry such huge responsibilities. They will determine the results which means dreams coming true for many who will receive sizeable scholarships, and of course, the one crowned Miss America.

"Judging" has become a way of life in our world. I thoroughly enjoy watching "reality shows" that offer talent and sports competitions where judges play a huge role in whether or not the competitors win or lose by just the smallest margin. Speaking of judging and being judged, many of us feel judged daily. People can, and will have opinions, but we should never doubt ourselves. We should have absolute faith in who we are and never should we let someone else's "opinion" become our reality. And neither should we judge others. We don't know their reality either. That cranky cashier's world could be falling apart. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1

It also may feel like God is judging us, too: He rewards us when we're good and have boatloads of faith, He punishes and disciplines us when we make mistakes. Not at all. God doesn't judge or scrutinize us. He always responds to us in love. What counts to Him is that we come to Him. It's true He rewards those of us who believe and who diligently seek Him. He still loves us even when our faith is weak and we doubt and worry or are afraid. All He asks is for us is to come to Him. He will give Himself to us. No, He doesn't judge us with a scoring system. He is loving and teaching us to be the best we can be -- and He's handing us much more than a crown. In Isaiah 62:3, we read that we ARE a crown...."You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

When you're feeling a little disheveled, inadequate and weary from all that is expected of you, just remember WHOSE child you are, and straighten that crown! After all, you are a child of the King!

Do They Know Us By Our Fruit?

My inspiration for today’s post was seeing my sweet granddaughter's post yesterday. She said, “Doing my civic duty! Proud to be an American, where we the people have a voice!” I loved that and I love “her voice” – one that is kind and giving, with desire to do her part. A juror gets to judge. But what about the rest of us?

How easy it is to judge the likes of folks whose poor attitude, angry spirit and crankiness seems to bring a dark cloud with them when they come into the room. We randomly judge someone when they’ve made a bad decision that you warned them not to make or maybe we judge an outfit someone wore, a new hairstyle, the lack of someone’s personal pride, the way they handle their business affairs, and the good or bad language they speak. Whew! Oftentimes, it’s a workout to keep from being judgmental especially when we see the “fruit” of the actions of some of those folks.

But Jesus set the record straight about judging. He said in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not so you won’t be judged.” Yikes! I sure don’t want to be judged. On the other hand, maybe we should be Fruit Inspectors -- especially when we see fruit (rotten fruit at that – okay, forgive me, that’s judging) that causes us to check out our own fruit as to whether what others see in us is sweet and tasty fruit.

Having love for some unlovable folks, finding peace in the midst of chaos, experiencing joy when folks may be getting on our last nerve -- can be quite a feat any time, but most certainly, in the last several weeks, we’ve been given all kinds of opportunities to decide. Is it love or hate, peace or anger, bitterness or happiness, crankiness or joyfulness? Remembering the scripture… "What the heart is full of....the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45)? Doesn’t that give us pause for giving ourselves a good old fruit inspection?

When we opened the door of our hearts to God....He walked through the door with a treasure chest full of everything we would need to overcome and be successful in every area of our life. We do our best to resist judging, and, then I clearly got the message "I'm not asking you to be their Fruit Inspector. I'm asking you to inspect your own fruit." That's when I know God is telling me to amp up that fruit in my own life -- to be sure that what my heart is full of, bears the Fruit of the Spirit qualities: Galations 5:22,23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control."

When I said that God is calling us to be FRUIT inspectors, that applies to Matthew 7:20 – “Therefore, by their FRUITS, you will know them.” WOW – that’s how we’re recognized as devoted followers of Christ…OR NOT -- by our FRUITS. So as FRUIT inspectors….first, we need to pass the test on the FRUITS we, ourselves, are bearing.

It really is the season for "Fruit Bearing”. After all, as believers, we know Holy Spirit is in us so we already have the good soil, fertilizer, nutrients and everything else we need to be choice, bright, luscious, sweet, refreshing, top quality FRUIT bearers to a world that could sure use some.