Thursday March 18, 2004

~ Watching your words ~

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

— Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV) —

First, the physical level.

Jesus talks about bearing good fruit and evil fruits. The analogy is simple. He wants our lives to reflect God’s goodness. Inside of being a pit of death and despair. I can’t think of anything that repulses me more than a dark nest of poisonous snakes. We do good because, that is what good trees are supposed to do. You don’t see apple trees growing thorns and you won’t see a cactus give you an apple. What are good fruit? Gal 5:22-23 covers this pretty well. Afraid you’re bearing the wrong fruits? Gal 5:19-21 covers this area.

Second, the mind/heart level.

Jesus is talking about “the overflow of the heart” What do we fill our thinking… our dreams… our goals… our desires… What secrets our hearts hold. If you have a good heart, you are led to bear it’s fruit. If you have an evil heart, so you too are led to bear it’s fruit. When each one of us opens our mouths, the words that spill out reflect what is going on inside our minds and heart. Are our words loving? Do they bring peace and joy? Or instead do they ring with discord and hatred?

(This part tripped me up for the better part of last week and this week, Thank God for revelation…)
But how about those who say that say both things? Their words weave been good and evil? Sometimes things that are pleasing to God and other times words that hurt and harm? I noticed that Jesus spoke of what is “stored up” The important part of this is to make sure that our hearts and minds are set upon goodness. To listen for the leadings of the Holy Spirit within. If the Holy Spirit does not lead you, then you are only being led by yourself, your own desire. In other words, misled. The self only knows good for me, that is the only absolute I have found. STORE UP GOOD!

Third, the spiritual level.

When it’s all said and done. You will stand before God as your life flashes by. God will bring to account each careless word. The word said in anger. The spoken word has incredible weight on the day of judgement. It can and will be held against you. May God have mercy on you when that day comes. Impossible without Jesus.

~~~
Summation: Watch your words and what your store in your heart.
Application: Guard your heart from sinful desire, follow the good lead of the Holy Spirit and keep your mind/heart focused upon God’s goodness.

== Meditation Glimpse ==

I see two trees.

One tree digs it roots deep into everlasting streams. It absorbs life-giving water and produces fruit from the life force within. The Holy Spirit rules within. The tree bears fruit over time, taking nutrients from its surroundings and bears 10 fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The farmer goes out looks at this tree and thinks “Good tree.” He brings his family out, they sit in it’s shade… maybe even put up a swing and a treehouse for his children to play in.

I see another tree. It’s roots jut partially out of the ground. It is twisted, nearly uprooted by the passing storms. During times of drought, there is no water, because it’s roots barely penetrate the surface. It flowers but produces not fruit, but 15 thorns: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkness, and orgies. The farmer comes out see this tree half twisted out of the ground with thorns and no fruit. That very day the famer tears it out of the ground and burns it.

== Prayer ==

Father, I pray that you will help me in watch my words. To take care that my words reflect the spirit within. Forgive me for all the careless words I have spoken this day in impatience. Help me to keep your good words written upon my heart so that I may not sin against you, Lord. Help me to root myself in You and bear fruit that will have eternal impact, even though the world may scorn it. All for You, Lord, all for You. I pray this in the name of He who taught us your ways with authority, Jesus. Amen.
God-centered life for brothers and sisters.
Resolution for Iraq and Haiti
Calm fears of disease (chicken, cow, and human) Why fear death? There are worse things… Fear the one who rots the soul.
Praise Night?
Direction for my life.
Honoring non-christian parents
E and AB, job searching
RR, shelter seeking

== Random Side Notes ==

1) Betting 2 pushups/situps per leftover card in ’13’ is painful. You either get smart or buff. Win-win. But getting buff hurts… ^_^;;;

2) Chinese soaps are addictive. I’m watching “Point of No Return” and it’s a romantic comedy/drama. ALMOST as addictive as anime! 😀

3) Ode to Nice Guys – link “borrowed” from Gleefully‘s site.

== Song on my mind as of late ==

Spirit in the Sky – DC Talk

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the Spirit in the sky

I’m goin’ up to the Spirit in the sky
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best

Prepare yourself, you know it’s a must
You gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He’s gonna recommend you to the Spirit in the sky

Gonna recommend you to the Spirit in the sky
That’s where you’re gonna go when you die
When they die and they lay you to rest
You’re gonna go to the place that’s the best

Prepare yourself
You’ve got to prepare yourself

You know I’m a sinner, we’ve all sinned
But I got a a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He’s gonna set me up with the Spirit in the sky

Whoa, set me up with the Spirit in the sky
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
I’m gonna go to the place
That’s the best…