Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
I want you to stop and think about something for a moment. It won't take you long to do this. But I want you to think of some things that I will list and picture the first thing that comes to mind. (No, I'm not giving a psyche exam cause we would probably fail, haha)
Lucky Charms, HoneyCombs, Count Chocula, CocoPuffs, Raisin Bran, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops.
When you read Lucky Charms you probably sang, "They're magically delicious". But think deeper... Blue diamonds, purple horseshoes, pink hearts, green clovers, etc... What about HoneyCombs? You thought of their particular shape. And FruitLoops? They are like disco colored Cheerios. The only reason I know these things is because of my wife, Patti Abney. She has been a practicing cereal killer her whole life. She brings home different ones every week, but she always has her favorite. I love to watch her around bedtime. She begins to get this glazed look into her eyes. Her mind begins to think of which one it will be tonight. What sugar-coated bowl of cereal will be taken down?
Well what would happen if she wanted that big bowl of FruitLoops and I poured her a bowl of Frosted Flakes? Do you think she would know the difference? ABSOLUTLEY! Because she has been putting cereal away for years. I could sit her in a chair blindfolded, place bowl after bowl in front of her to sample, and I promise you she would get everyone of them correct. How? Because she knows how they smell, feel and taste.
What would happen if Jesus was to line us up today, blindfold himself, and taste our fruit? Or better yet, what if the world were to do this to us? He would know wouldn't He? He would know exactly what or who you are. In the same manner, everyone in this world would know as well. Because people smell us out. They feel us out. And taste of who and what we say we are. People are looking for something good to eat.
If we were to pour you in a bowl today... What would come out? Myself? I would be like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Fruity because of my crazy mind and illustrations, and Pebbles because I want to be a rock for Jesus, like Peter. (Notice only a pebble because He is the Rock). Search your bowl today. Ask if God is pleased with your fruit. Remember, He said a tree is known by his fruit. So a Christian is known by their fruit also and not by the prettied-up outside of the box.
I want to thank my wife Patti for her love for Jesus. She is poured out in front of me often and there has never been anything less than the sweet love she has for sinners, saints and our Savior. I want you to know that I see Christ in all that you do...(even in your cereal addiction) I love you with all my heart. And I love you all as well.
