Desiring and Honoring God

This is why I am so blessed.  The dialogue below is a text message from my wonderful boyfriend.

We cannot be conditional with God and expect Him to honor that...  We have to desire Him and Him alone.... I pray that our hearts are in the right place to love God because of who He is...

Thank you Lord.  Thank you Eli for constantly reminding me of our FIRST love, Jesus Christ.   We should desire God more than anything and strive to honor Him and follow His will.  This is easy easier to do when you're in the Word, praying and talking to God.  

Kind of on the same note...

One of the benefits for teaching at a private school is mid-week chapel.  The other week, we talked about bearing fruit.  What a great reminder this was for me!

  [Jesus:] "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" 
Mat 7:16-23 (NIV)

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."

Mat 12:33 (NIV)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)

 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:35 (NIV)

Are we producing rotten fruit?  Does our fruit look good, like a bowl of fake fruit but isn't truly the fruit we are meant to display?  Or is our fruit moist, juicy, tender and fresh???

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31 

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."

2 Timothy 2:21


I hope to blog about my weekend in Jacksonville sometime next week!!!!  We are leaving Friday afternoon and I'm real excited!

Reminder to self:  Keep God First!!!

xoxo,

pt