Good news!

I have been wrestling in my heart with things I have seen, heard, witnessed, etc… in the church, over the years; things that should have no part among God's people. For me, this wrestling is part of the healing process from things that I and my family have endured. Literally, my heart cries out to the Lord because I know of so many others who have been discouraged, hurt, and wounded in the church because of the soul nature of man. It grieves my heart to have seen with my very eyes, lives (families & and marriages) destroyed, to watch children grow up to be adults that want nothing to do with God or God's people. This ought not to be in the body of Christ. Where is the good news in that? I am so grateful for my relationship with the Lord for these things would have destroyed my life had I not drawn close to Him.

In all that we see that is imperfect, we must realize that there is only one who is perfect, Jesus Christ and we are not all in the same place. We are all in different levels of growth and maturity and in different seasons of our lives. It’s so easy to judge one another incorrectly. I have done it; whether putting the wrong people on pedestals, being “wowed” by charisma, gifting, or “anointing”, and also out of my own woundedness, having doubted the intentions of people who were genuine or perhaps there was an offense that came because of immaturity or being untaught. We tend to look at outside appearances but the Lord looks at the heart. It’s disappointing and even heartbreaking to be presented with something that looks beautiful on the outside, such a beautifully wrapped package, only to open it up and find the contents inside reveal that the wrapping was deceptive. If this is you, please know that the Lord still has something beautiful in store for you. Don’t throw away every package because one or two were misleading.

Each one of us is responsible for our own hearts; the Lord will hold us accountable someday.

We are not responsible for what is in another person’s heart but we must be responsible to discern good fruit from rotten fruit. Jesus says in Matthew 7 that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot be good fruit. We are to be wise fruit inspectors. This is especially important in the days that we are living it. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy that in the last days' people will be prideful, boastful, and lovers of self. He also warns us of people seeking false teachers, those who will “tickle their ears”. We must guard our own hearts and also discern between a good tree and a bad tree. The fruit produced is directly related to the vine. Being careful and intentional about who you are connected with is not uncaring or unloving but it is very wise, especially in the days we are living in.

While reading in my Chronological Study Bible last night, I found myself in 1 Thessalonians. In chapter two, I believe the Apostle Paul gives us a few clues or signs that we can look for as we discern between a good tree and a bad tree.

For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so, we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness- God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others... 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5b The ESV says” for our exhortation did not come from error or impurity”.

The word “gospel” literally means good news. There is nothing good about uncleanness, impurity, deceit, flattery, and glory that comes from men. A good tree bears good fruit. A bad tree bears rotten fruit. We must stay connected to the vine because apart from Him we can do nothing!! The fruit we bear is directly related to the vine we are connected to.

It is so important to allow the Father to prune the branches in our lives that don’t bear good fruit because as believers, we all have a ministry to affect and influence for the sake of the gospel, those in our sphere of influence. We must be ever-growing, ever-maturing. If we miss it, then like David, we must quickly repent, change our mindset and keep growing and moving toward the prize.

The Apostle Paul continues: For this reason, we also thank God without ceasing because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

I love that: the word of God effectively works in us when we believe. We will never reach a plateau where we stop growing, where the Word stops doing a work within us, except by our own choices, refusal to be taught, heart attitudes, etc... The word of God is living and active and there is no limit in Him! So keep growing, keep learning, keep bearing fruit. Don't grow weary in doing well. In due season you will reap if you faint not.

Don’t receive a word that comes from man or man’s flesh for it will produce rotten fruit; but receive and believe the genuine word of God and it will effectively work in you, in due season producing a great harvest!

Isaiah 52:7: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...

To be entrusted with the gospel is a such sacred thing!

- Learning to live authentically!