January 2007

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit…The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart…” Luke 6:43-45a

Have you ever wondered why you said what you did? Maybe, why you reacted to a situation that way? It’s not an accident. You are who you are. The things you say and the way you act…especially in high pressure situations…come out of the heart. You can only wear the mask for so long. Eventually…you come out.

I think that’s why it’s so important to build character. It’s really easy to be promoted and moved up the chain of command based on your skills. But, the wise leader promotes based on character. Skills can only go so far. Character will always last. Why…because it is deep.

What you build inside is VERY important. Everyday we faces situations, moments, tests…how you react and what you do with these moments define who you become. What you do in the quiet moments shape your heart. The things you do when no one else is watching begin to mold you.

Don’t be fooled…the everyday, mundane moments…the details, the small things…these will make you. Take time to prepare. Make time to build the inside. What comes out of your overflow will make a difference. What kind of influence you have depends on the character of your heart.

What do you guys think? Do you agree? What things define us? How are you preparing?

In Genesis, Ch. 1, we are told, repeatedly, that “seed” is important to God. With that, it says that bearing fruit and increasing are also important. I never noticed before how many times “seed,” “produce,” “bear fruit,” and “increase” are used. There’s got to be something to this.

There seems to be something about plants & having seed. Something beautiful about new life, increasing, & growing more fruit. Life itself is cherished by God and I think should be cherished by us as well.

Just life itself is beautiful.

Not to mention…we were made to grow. This is why we dream. This is why we aren’t satisfied with the status quo. Our seeds are pushing against its walls desiring to bloom…create…increase (we just have to learn which one’s to unleash and which one’s to keep in the holster. I know this sounds kind of funny…and it is…but it’s also true when applied to our whole being). God is a creator. We are made in His image (Gen 1:27). Thus we aren’t satisfied merely existing…we must grow and bear fruit.

In Luke 1:38 Mary gives us the path towards growing in a healthy way. She says, “I am the Lords servant. May it be to me as you have said.” On our own, we can be very destructive. It’s important to harness our desires and more importantly, submit them unto God. If they are our true heart’s desire…God will bring them to increase. As we submit ourselves to God’s wind, we place ourselves in a position to create. Here we find that we create good increase and not increasing woes and trouble upon ourselves and others.

How are you simply reminded to appreciate life? How are you listening to God’s voice? What dreams are you submitting to God?

“For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.” Romans 7:11

If we ever dare think we are safe crossing even slightly into sin…we are dangerously mistaken. It (sin) want us to think we can safely cross to and fro across it’s borders. But, do not be deceived, sin is not happy until it is your master. It wants every part of you and will not rest until you are it’s slave. This is not an excuse to hide from the world. Rather, it reminds us to carry light with force into darkness. If we, those who are slaves of light are sought by sin’s deceitfulness…how much more so those who are slaves of the dark. But, we can’t take it lightly and we must prepare all the more.

How are you preparing? How are you invading the darkness with light?

Chad