THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
Bill and Bob had both cut holes in the ice-frozen lake, and were fishing.
Bill was catching lots of fish, and Bob was not.
Bob asked, "What are you doing Bill?"
Bill mumbled something Bob couldn't understand.
Bob asked, "Bill how are you catching all those fish?"
Again, Bill mumbled something Bob couldn't understand.
Bob, exasperated now, asked, "Bill, you GOTTA tell me what you're doing!"
Bill reached up, and took something out of his mouth.
Then he said, "Ya gotta keep the worms warm!"
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________SCRIPTURE____________________________________________________________________
Prov 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT______________________________________________________________________
In the apple are seeds, which when planted become apple producing trees.
In the grape are seeds, which when planted become grape producing vines.
In the Christian is a "fruit" which bears the seed of the Gospel of Christ.
That seed, when planted in someone else, produces more "fruit" which bears more seed!
The word "winneth" in the verse above is the Hebrew laqach (brings, fetches). As Christians, we certainly cannot win someone to Christ. Only God's Holy Spirit can do that. We do not have the power to convict others of sin, convince them of a Savior, and bring them to a commitment to Christ.
But we can surely fetch 'em!
And with that thought, isn't it interesting that Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt 4:19)?
Christian, you have a power with which God has endowed you. It is the delicisously captivating "fruit of the righteous!" That fruit, put simply, is your testimony of how Jesus saved you.
You'll never know the attractiveness of your fruit, until you try it.
You'll never sense the strength of the fruit until you utilize it.
You'll gain comfort from your fruit as you share it.
Use your "fruit" as bait to attract others.
God's Holy Spirit will plant the hook!
Love ya,
Bruce