Fruits of Righteousness (Philippians 1:11)

At one time, I was traveling each week to some point in the country for a speaking engagement. At first, my trips were ill prepared leaving me many times at a hotel without all of essentials that I needed.  Eventually, I created a packing list.  It was a listed all the items that I needed for traveling and the list remained in the suitcase.  In the event that I traveled and discovered that I had a new need, I would add that item to the list.  Eventually, I had the perfect list.  All I needed to do was check and make sure that everything on the list was packed and if it was, I was set.

Some people try to use the same process in their spiritual lives.  They have a list and it contains the "do's" and "don'ts" for righteous living.  In their minds, if they do the things on the "do" list and refrain from items on the "don't" list, then they are spiritual.  I really wish it were that easy, but it is not.

Being spiritual is when a person lives as God expects them to live.  In other words, the actions of the person's life will be righteous.  The problem is that any action that may appear to be righteous can also be sinful.  For example, is giving to the poor a spiritual or righteous action?  It could be, but it also could be sinful.  If a person gave because God led them to give, then the action would be spiritual or righteous.  However, if the person gave so that they would be recognized, then the same action would be sinful.

Being spiritual cannot be reduced to a list of "do's" and "don'ts".   Instead, the spiritual life of living as God expects and desires is accomplished by abiding or dwelling in Jesus.  When we do this, Jesus lives his righteous life through us.  This is know as grace living.  Grace living is when God empowers us by living his life through us and the righteous actions of our lives then are really though Jesus Christ.

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)

Instead of trying to manufacture a righteous life, why not instead focus on abiding with Christ.  As you do, he will enable you to live beyond your ability.  If you don't, you will experience so much frustration and failure, because without his empowerment, you can do nothing.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Sweetarts in Life (2 Samuel 19:4-6)

Do you remember your childhood favorite candies.  One of mine was Sweetarts.  I remember when they came out.  They were a two inch disk that packed the best of both worlds in candy: sweetness and tartness.  This candy reminds me much about life: it is filled with sweet events and also events that are tart.  Things have changed since then: both my tastes and also the size of the candy, but life is still the same.

For the believer, blessing and sorrow come in the same package,  it is in times of deepest hurt and sorrow when God will be present to strengthen and comfort you.  The problem for many is that because their focus is so much on the hurt and sorrow, they fail to recognize God's presence or working in their lives.  David experienced just such an event.

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.  2 Samuel 19:4-6

He sorrowed so greatly over the loss of his son that he failed to see his victory blessing and the goodness of the Lord in the people that supported him.

As you face difficulties in your life such as financial strain, an unwanted diagnosis or any type of loss, remember that the event--as a two sided coin--has more that one aspect to it.  Trials and struggles will come, but the Lord has promised always to be present with you even in the midst of the struggle and he promises to see that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)

What you can do as you face trials is to stop and pray to the Lord.  Acknowledge that you know he allowed this event to occur and you believe that he wants to work and manifest his presence in the trial.  Pray for him to guide you and to help you recognize his workings.  Rest assured: although it may take time, he will answer your prayer.

Forget Karma: God is Watching (1 Samuel 26:23)

If the Lord gave you what you really deserved, would you be ready for it?  Would you look forward to it with joy or does the thought frighten you?  What we fail to recognize is that it is not just a hypothetical question. 

The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: (1 Samuel 26:23)

These were words spoken by David when he interacted with King Saul who sought to kill him.  He knew that God was sovereign and would return upon men that which they have rendered to others.  The same still holds true today.  The New Testament describes the principle as sowing and reaping.  What you sow, you will also reap.  It may take some time before it arrives, but it is coming.  Just like it takes all summer for apples to grow and ripen on a tree, it may take most of a person's life before they reap what they sow, but be sure, they will reap.  

Much of this principle concerning sowing and reaping is in relation to how we treat other people.  If we sow righteousness towards others, then we will get righteous treatment back, but if we sow wickedness then wickedness awaits us.

Some may ask, "What guideline could I follow that would aid me in sowing righteousness?"  The answer would be to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39). If you allow your actions to be motivated by what is best for another person or make decisions that enable you to meet the needs of someone else instead of focusing on yourself, you will most consistently sow righteousness.  This doesn't require you to give all of your money to the poor or even to live a dejected life.  It only requires you to start focusing on others instead of yourself.  Give somebody recognition.  Show patience and mercy, try looking at situations from the other person's perspective or even take time to listen to people and their problems are opportunities that each of us have to sow righteousness.  It will not cost you one penny, but it will be an investment worth millions of dollars.

For you, the world of people is a field ready for planting.  What kind of seeds will you sow?

Be All That You Should Be

Have you ever lived in the shadow of a parent or an elder sibling?  If so, you constantly strove to either be like them or to overcome their accomplishments. As you may have discovered, it is a very frustrating way to live. What you or those people need is to be yourselves. This problem happens with so many people in the world, but it also happens in the spiritual lives of many.

You are what you are because it is what God is making you to be.  If You follow him and allow him to work his will, he will continue to work in your life to make you exactly as he planned. You should not allow others to force upon you what they think you should be, what they want you to be or even what they may need you to be. Your goal should be to dwell in Christ and allow God by grace to work in your life and produces fruit as he sees fit.

As always, sin can destroy you and God's plan. You can escape it's clutch by heeding to God's word. (Psalm 119:9). You cannot do this in your own power, but as you recognize your weakness and look to God for strength, he will deliver you from the temptation.

Trials and difficulties will come, but you must recognize them as God's instruments for pruning and cultivating you so as to grow and produce more fruit. Each day, you should grow more in his likeness and whatever that may be, it will make you be what you are and that will be according to his plan.