Got Fruit?

'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. ' Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

     I had read where Jesus was teaching on the vine and the branch, and if the branch didn't produce fruit it would be cut off and thrown into the fire.  For many years that had me very concerned.  I couldn't recognize my fruit, I thought it meant souls saved.  Of course, that is part of it, but because of a fruitless branch, I found it difficult to witness to people.  For many years I smoked cigarettes.  As a young Christian, I was very impressionable.  I felt a strong call to the ministry, but since I smoked I wasn't allowed to work with the youth group and was discouraged to serve in any capacity.  Eventually, because of a misunderstanding on my part, I gave up on church and God.  I didn't think I would ever be "good" enough, so I did everything my flesh desired instead of following the call I knew was on my life.

     The funny thing was when I found myself in jail, those guys didn't mind the fact that I smoked or got high, they were starved for the truth without judgment.  I was actually able to walk in my calling without even realizing it. Sharing the gospel just came naturally for me. 

     So here it is 35 years after I was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, (not that I've walked with the Lord for 35 years, most of that time I wasted with riotous living) I still had self-doubt due to seeing the fruit I was bearing.  Finally, I did the obvious and began praying about it.  After a surprisingly short time, the Lord spoke to my spirit.  He is so so good to me!

     "My son, why are you so upset concerning fruit?  Does a pear tree produce pears for itself?  Can the apple tree enjoy its own apples?  Are they even aware pears & apples grow on them?"

     I thought about that for many days.  How obvious the answer was.  Because of a misconception, I made as a young man, too full of pride to ask my Pastor why he had "set me aside,"  I stumbled around in the darkness for over a decade.  

     If you're new to the faith or been a believer for years, as you grow the Holy Spirit produces fruit in you.  Not necessarily for you, but for those who come into contact with you.  People always tell me how patient I am or how much peace they feel in my presence.  That I'm kind and gentle.  How generous I am.  I'm not blowing my own horn, believe me, this is not me being prideful.  Within me, none of these things exist.  It is all due to the Holy Spirit manifesting himself in me because Jesus loves me so much!  He loves you as much as he loves me!  He is a good, good father!

     Are you tired of being angry all the time?  Has living for yourself left you feeling empty inside?  The world teaches us to be go-getters.  Get the best of everything and get it now.  Don't share anything, you worked hard for all your stuff.  Besides, by giving it to some undeserved lazy person, they will just be taking advantage of your "kind nature," and if anyone notices they will perceive you as weak.  Next thing you know a whole line of worthless folks will be at your door.  That is the lie the enemy has been selling for centuries.

     The other night, I heard a preacher say there would be no U-Hauls in your funeral procession, you can't take it with you!  If you come into contact with someone less fortunate than yourself, help them.  Maybe all they need is a smile and to hear God loves you.  Maybe they need a cheeseburger.  Believe this, the only reason the Lord brought the two of you together is so you could demonstrate the love of Jesus to them.  I know you have what they need, or God wouldn't have brought them to you.  Be an apple tree for someone you don't know today!  Love your neighbor like you love the person in your mirror.  You will be surprised how amazingly wonderful it will make you feel.  I promise you will be blessed far more than the one you're blessing.

     If you would like to know more about Jesus, or what it looks like to live life as a Christian, please click on one of the church links I've included on the blog, any of them would love to speak with you.  If you don't do "church's," contact me directly; rlwhitener@gmail.com, it would be my privilege to pray with you or answer any questions you may have.  I don't have all the answers, but I will do my best to find you an answer or at least point you in the right direction.

     May the Lord richly bless you and yours.  Thanks for following along!

The Holy Bible

Where Are You Lord?

'But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day
is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is
not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient
toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should
reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and
then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies
will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are
done on it will be exposed. '
2 Peter 3:8-10 ESV

You know, the one thing I hear most often from people when
I'm sharing the gospel, "if God exists then why is there so much
evil in the world? How could a loving God allow so much bad to
happen? That's a hard question to answer, because it takes in so
many factors, starting back at the garden when sin entered the
world and creation was broken. We are a broken creation, and
only through the blood of Christ can we find redemption. That
only answers part of the question. Really that answer creates
more questions. The answer is simply this, the bad things we
do to each other as a race, human to human, breaks God's heart.
That's why Jesus came, to fix our brokeness. The only reason he
is still allowing the pain of children being hurt, parents leaving
to soon because of cancer, husbands or wives being killed by
drunk drivers, whatever the situation that would cause you to
say, "why, where is God?" The only reason, is because in his
mercy, he isn't slowplaying but is using extreme patience, not
wishing that any should perish but that all would come to
repentance.

Have you been hurt so badly that you question the very
existance of a loving God? I wish I had the perfect words
to say that would confort you and restore your faith. I know
life isn't fair. People get hurt, people die. Life is messy, but
God is good all the time, even when we can't see it through
our pain.

Know this, he is coming! When he gets here, he will
restore everything. All that's been broken will be fixed.
He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. The down
side to this is he will get here when we least expect it, like
a thief in the night. Don't allow your pain and anger too
cause you not to be ready for his coming. He is delaying
to give you a chance to repent, to turn away from your sin,
ask him to forgive your sin. Give your pain and anger, your
confusion to him. Ask him to come and live in your heart
today, because tomorrow may be too late.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, click on one
of the church links on this page, any of them would be
happy to speak with you. If you don't do "church"s," contact
me directly; rlwhitener@gmail.com. Just need someone to
talk to or pray with, email me and I'll give you my contact
information.

Thanks for following along, may God richly bless you
and yours. Peace.

Bearing One Another's Burdens

     Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Keep a watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.  For each will have to bear his own load.
     Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.  Do not be deceived:  God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galations 6:1-10 ESV

     Paul was writing to the Galation church.  The people were caught up in all sorts of worldly stuff, similar to the church at Corinth.  New believers were over zealous in their approach to the blatant sinful lifestyles many were living.  They were attempting to discipline them, but their idea out discipline was excommunication.  So Paul says, hold up, if you see someone caught up, let those who are spiritual handle it in a spirit of gentleness.  Careful how you approach them, lest you find yourself in the same set of circumstances or worse.
     Basically, this is the same concept Jesus taught.  Don't try to pull a splinter out of your neighbors eye, until you deal with the beam in your own eye.
     As a Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, when I am sinning the Holy Spirit convicts me immediately.  I don't need you beating me over the head with scripture to confirm this.  However, if you have examined yourself and know that you know you are good with God in whatever particular area I'm having trouble with, and I am continuing in this, then  approach me in gentleness and bear me up.  Help me by helping me, not by throwing me out to the dogs.  When my sons were children, if they were in need of discipline I used the judgement of an adult to administer it.  I didn't pack up the belongings of a two year old and put them in the street.  It's the same concept, I loved them into repentance.  Besides, who am I?  A sinner saved by grace.  Just like you, I may be more spiritually mature than some, less than others, but in no way am I better than anyone else.  Every time I set myself up as a judge, I'm quickly reminded of this.  The Holy Spirit, quickly humbles me.
     As a born again Christian, I have been judged.  I am nothing on my own, but believe this, God disciplines those he loves.  He does this by allowing me to reap what I sow.  There is no denying this, and the part that hurts the worse, is these spankings are usually done in public.
     Thank you Lord for loving me enough to correct my bad behavior just like you reward my good behavior.
     Don't get this twisted, I'm not talking about works salvation.  I'm talking to Christians that have already been saved by grace.  Don't ever grow tired of doing good.  We're called to do good works.  James taught us that faith without works is dead.  When you come into contact with someone who is less fortunate than yourself, do what you can to help them.  You can help them, or God wouldn't have put them in your path.  This is your opportunity to show them the love of Jesus.  Especially if it's a brother or sister fallen on hard times.  Do your part!
     When you sit under someone more knowledgeable than yourself, and are being taught the word of God, share what you have with that brother or sister, because its right that the sower of seed should be allowed to share in the harvest.

     If you would like to know more about Jesus, or what it looks like to live a Christ centered life, contact me; rlwhitener@gmail.com. I would love to pray with you, include any prayer request you may have.
     Thanks for following along, may God richly bless you and yours!