Living MY Own Way

LIVING MY OWN WAY


The Bitter Fruit
"They must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way ..." (Prov 1:31) 
"I" language. don't like it. if one thing is bringing down the world today, it's the theology of "me" brought on by worldly desires and pleasures and hollywood, etc ... It's all about me. me me me. to be a christian however, is to believe just the opposite. My goodness, Jesus even says, if you really want to follow me, then step one is this: deny yourself (Mt 8:34). Living our own way leaves a bitter fruit in our lives (Prov 1:31). It's a bite into desire, but its a bite that will not satisfy us. It's a bite that will be initially juicy and wet, but when we step back we will start to see the brown and realize what its doing to our lives.

i've been eating bitter fruit recently. focusing on things: computer stuff, my time, my house, my wants and desires for movie choices or what to do. its been about me. and its good. i get what i want no matter who's in the way. but the more i've focused on me, the more i've seen bitterness grow. in my marriage. in my home. my activities. in my work.

and there's only one way to stop it.

The Good Fruit

Isaiah 55:10-11 beautifully says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit"

If I want fruit that will sustain me, and keep me from a theology of me, from a bitter fruit of living my own way (prov 1:31), it will be taking in the fruit that is good: God's Word in the Bible. His words are honey on lips and water for my soul, a fruit that always produces and never leaves me hungry. The more I read God's Word the more changed I am.

Lord, help me to keep seeking after your fruit. Your Word. To not grow tired and giving up doing devotions just because i'm sleepy or i'm selfish with my time. Let me . no, make me set out more time for you. influence me by the power of your holy spirit to live the spirit-filled life. fill my head and heart with your words that i may present to you a worthy living sacrifice. let your word penetrate my thoughts and my reactions. have your spirit dominate my spirit of anger and hostility. may your Word be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. help me to keep the lamp of your Word burning brightly in my life. amen.