Week Five: Where is MY fruit?

Wednesday, April 2nd:  Week Five

When individuals fast, sometimes we experience natural responses to our spiritual journey.  This does not make us less of a Christian...it reminds us that we are human.  However, we must be careful that our Spiritual witness is not tarnished during the process.  

Week Five:  Where is MY fruit?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 7:16

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--do I represent God well?

This Lenten journey, as we move from saying to doing, is a perfect time to do a spiritual check-in and be real honest with ourselves when we answer the following question:  Do I represent God well?

Jesus said:

By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

-Matthew 7:16NIV 

As a Christian, we represent God!  Every decision that we make and every behavior that we demonstrate is a direct reflection of our Father.  The question is asked once more:  Do I represent God well?  We must remember that we may be the only "BIBLE" someone sees during the day.  Our temper being short because we are fasting is not a good excuse for misrepresenting God!  Our attitude being sour because we are "going through" is not a good excuse either!  Jesus says that it is as simple as plant life-we will be known or recognized by our fruit.  Thornbushes and thistles both contain spikes that make it nearly impossible to get close.  Is this the kind of representation we are giving on behalf of God?  

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Make an intentional effort to represent God well!  I challenge us to be mindful of the things that make us "spike" whether we are at home, at our job, at our church, or simply going to the grocery store.  If we know what causes those spikes to come out, we can better control them and produce grapes and figs.  Remember grapes and figs were a heavy part of their diet in Biblical times.  Our fruit should be healthy for others to consume, view, and talk about!  Let's check ourselves daily to ensure that our fruit are telling the right story.

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, all people do not make it easy for us to produce grapes and figs.  Sometimes we may feel like someone is pushing us to be thornbushes and thistles; however, we want to represent you well.  Help us to be strong enough to fight through those tempting times and produce the fruit that are pleasing to You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.