Walk it out!

Matthew 7:16
You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Alot of times we base our decisions, actions, emotions, and plans on what those around us dictate. Now, dont get me wrong, I am all for advise, wisdom from those who have been through some stuff, and would rather learn from a mentor than from experience in most areas. However what happens when we base our lives on the expectations and desires of those around us at all times--eventually we will fail them.

The sad reality is that most "Professional Christians" would rather you live up to their standards than to see you rise above normalcy and become great. Why you may say? Simple - comfort keeps us from stepping out in faith - and usually (lets keep it real) those who want to seem bigger than others always discourage BIG FAITH moves.

So what do we do....simply JUST LIVE! Do what you do - live according to your relationship as a Christfollower, serve, grow, and when its necessary===========STEP UP OR STEP OUT IN FAITH

Listen to advice ( from those who you trust and who actually invest something), learn on a regular basis, but do not limit your life to the expectations and parameters of those around you! There is greatness inside all of us -- the problem is---we sometimes let others talk us out of it!

You cant do that, that costs too much, how can that happen in this town, that will no work, etc..

Psalms 37:23
The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

In this journey called life....we will have to decide that if I have given my life and the direction of it to Christ....there is absolutely ----no way HE would lead me astray. And while this is easier said that done---we really have not exercised FAITH ---until we really take the brakes off!

Lets begin to love others, listen to others, have confidence in others....but more than ever its time that we begin to WALK IT OUT....in out relationship with Christ........................

"Whatever it Takes"

Can't Grow - Unless Planted

It is difficult - impossible really for a plant to grow if it is never planted.

I think this is the reason many Christ followers, church folks and others have a hard time really stepping out and being successful in the things, talents, and gifts that we have - we never want to plant ourselves so we can grow even more.

Its like Bananas ( which are my favorite fruit - send them to PO BOX 1254.....) ok, anyway back on track....There are times when you get one that is not fully ripe - and you can tell the difference in taste from one that is. Too often we refuse to go through the planting and growing stages of life -then when we peel back the place where we think is ready---we are not fully "ripe"

Whatever we do -- we have to have the mindset that we need to have a place where we can remain planted and grow. Too often we jump the gun and miss out on some of the greatest moments of training, learning, and development that can propel us to greater heights.

I learned early on in ministry and pastoring----if we refuse to stay planted in a minstry, church, accountablitlity, learning and development -- we "preach to others" and become castaways.
(1 Corinthians 9:27) Simply put -- unless we have a place or a people we can learn from, grow from, and be encouraged from -- we risk being haughty, full of pride, thinking we know it all.

I have seen many people ( and I have been there too) that seem willing to learn and grow -- until it actually is time to learn and grow......Here are a few points of being willing to be teachable and willing to get planted.

In those who are unteachable, these things are true...

• There is pride rather than humility.
• There is self centernedness rather than openness.
• There is reaction rather than submission.
• There is insecurity rather than peace.
• There is anger rather than tranquility.

In review– in those who are teachable we find...

• Openness to others.
• Self-acceptance and desire to grow.
• An inquisitive integrative mind.
• An appreciation of wisdom and the mind of God.
• A life that builds relationships.
• An understanding of growth process.
• A willingness to pursue a goal of value and a desire to change.

We should always look to not just "pluck ourselves up and move from ground to ground or place to place"
but to find a spot to get rooted, grounded, planted, where we can live, learn, water, shine, and then Go out and FLOURISH!

My prayer for you today is you will set your feet, dig in your roots, and watch the growth that will happen............Whatever it Takes!