Good Tree, Good Fruit

I was recently pondering on the fact that it is sometimes hard to measure our effectiveness as leaders. We are often involved in a wide variety of activities: counseling, preaching, teaching, serving those in our families and communities, etc. We may spend a lot of time with some people or situations while with others it seems we function more out of pure duty. We may be more emotionally involved with some people or projects than others. Some things almost demand our attention while we willingly put some things on the back burner. How do we know, with all that is going on, if we are "successful"?

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luk 6:43-45 KJV)

A tree brings forth its own fruit. The good fruit produced from our lives is a matter of our being, not our doing. If we are not a good tree in the first place, it matters not what we do for we will not bring forth good fruit. A heart full of good treasure produces good. A heart full of bad treasure produces bad. God works with us by pruning (the word means training, not punishing) so that we can be more fruitful. He wants the good fruit from us.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psa 1:1-6 KJV)

Blessedness, being the good tree with the good fruit, comes by not following the counsel of the ungodly, nor taking a stand with sinners, nor moving to a set place of opposition against God. Then we bring forth our own good fruit in our right season.

So maybe the best way to measure our effectiveness as leaders is to ponder how "fruity" we are. Pick the fruit, every now and then as well. Taste it. Is it ripe, is it sweet, is it good fruit? And then as we mix our good fruit together, a wonderful salad comes forth that nourishes the souls of others.

How God Speaks

God is so awesome. He is continually speaking to His people in such a great variety of ways. Prayer, of course, is a primary way, if we are still enough in our conversation with Him to hear what He is saying! The Bible, God's own word is another primary way He speaks to us. When the logos becomes rhema for us as we read, it is a marvelous moment for sure. Circumstances are another way He directs us. We just have to have discernment as to what we accept as God's direction and what we stand against as the enemy's work. God uses books so much to speak to me, and its usually a book that has been on my shelf for years sometimes. I bought it with intentions of reading it "someday" and sure enough, He brings up those somedays when the book says what I need to hear. My current read is just such a book, "What on Earth is the Church For?" by David Devenish. The subtitle is, "A blueprint for the future for church-based missions and social action." If you want to read something that will shake up your theology a bit and inspire you to move in new directions, I'd recommend it to you.

A Word for 2011

God woke Janice up about a month ago with this message and told her to speak it into many of God's people this year:

I require these things this year and all who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying will be obedient.
I require first a sacrifice of something you must let go of. It will challenge your faith.
When I see the sacrifice, next you must be willing to take a risk on the next thing I offer. Faith without works is dead. You must be willing, against all the odds, even as my servants Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing when they made a stand and told the King whether God delivers us or not, we will not bow the knee to an image or a system. Pay attention to the "whether or not he will deliver us."
Next, step into that fire, that challenge. Some who will offer that which does not please the Lord there God will find themselves burning on the holy fires of purging and cleansing and those who offer unto the Lord a pure sacrifice will be delivered in the fire and prosper in there spirits, souls and physical realm. They will prosper financially and advance my kingdom in the earth as principalities in the high places see I am the Lord their God who delivers his people, and the glory will be mine. All the gold tried in the fire is mine. All the crushed oil is mine, and all the perfume is mine. Unto this one will I look, he that is of a humble and contrite spirit who trembles at my Word.

A Book Recommendation

I haven't been writing much lately, instead spending my time reading. One book I just finished was such a delight to read I thought I'd pass a recommendation along. "Sundays Down South" by James O. Chatham, is "A revealing picture of Southern character as seen in a minister's recollections of his congregations". A collection of stories from 4 pastorates, over 30+ years, written in such an easy style and pull of surprises, I could hardly put it down. Published by University Press of Mississippi and part of their Folklife in the South Series. Available at The Dalles/Wasco County Library (as soon as I return it!)