I am headed off to work today with some Door County Cookie Dough Coffee in my mug. I have to travel today so my morning started early today.
Well the Easter celebration is over. I hope your day honored Jesus with love and thankfulness. We of course celebrated with family. It is always a nice time having family to dine with. Our main course for tour dinner revolved around a baked ham. I am not a real fan of leftovers the next day. To eat baked ham is OK just not exactly what I like to do. It's the same as the day before. No changes. But I do like to take the baked ham and make it into a new creation like a ham and cheese omelet. This way you have the old ham, but in a new way. A whole new meal. It doesn't even look like a baked ham dinner. It is a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are still us but made new. We should have a different flavor about us. Our old bad habits should not appeal to us.
Often, we will find out what we are made of by what comes out of our mouths in both good and bad circumstances. When we have a change in conduct and character in our lives, it is a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . " (NKJV). A Christian's life should be characterized by these things. Are you producing fruit? Or is the opposite true? Instead of love, is there hatred, bitterness, or even prejudice in your life? Instead of joy, is there constant gloom? Instead of peace, is there turmoil? Instead of gentleness, is there a short temper? Instead of faith, is there endless worry? Instead of meekness, is there pride and arrogance? Instead of self-control, are you a victim of your own passions? If so, then either you don't know God at all or a recommitment to Christ would be in order.
If you are a Christian, then people should be able to look for—and find—fruit in your life. Why? Because a disciple of Jesus Christ will produce spiritual fruit. Jesus said, " 'My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father'" (John 15:8 NLT). Jesus also said, "'By their fruits you will know them'" (Matthew 7:20 NKJV).
Only Jesus can take the leftovers of a life and make something new and beautiful.
Think about it. What fruit do you bear? I heard an old preacher say once. "If you is where you was, you ain't"
Food for thought,
Marty
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