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  Matthew 7:15-20- "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.   Jesus talks about fruit and the necessity of pruning even more in John 15: " I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I ...

PRAY OVER THIS   “Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon you, Samson!’ So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” ( Judges 16:19-20 )   PONDER THIS Many people today find themselves without the power of God but don’t realize it. They were once faithful deacons, Sunday school teachers, and evangelists, but they have so compromised and played in sin that the power of God is gone from them, and they don’t even know it. It is scary to think I could come and stand and preach or minister without that anointing and power of God. It’s scary to think about how many there are who have begun in the Spirit and en...

No one gets to start in the middle—we’re all beginners in one area of our lives or another. But for many of us, what we need is more like a new beginning, a fresh start, a walking journey from chaos to wholeness that is accomplished one step at a time. We call that journey recovery .Let’s look at that first step: Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable. Our first step is a big one. We are finally ready to admit that we are powerless to control an addiction or a behavior. The harder we try, the more unmanageable it becomes. Our lives have descended into chaos. When we take that first big step—giving up control—we are stepping away from denial and acknowledging our own need. There is hope in that first step, for we can’t be helped until we admit that we need help. Until then we are trying to be God in our own lives, and really we just aren’t up to the task. We are powerless to control much of a...

PRAY OVER THIS “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ( Proverbs 3:1-6 )   PONDER THIS Responsibility and liberty are inextricably connected. When a baby is born, that baby has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry about paying the light bills. He doesn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store. The baby doesn’t even have to worry about changing his own clothes. The baby has no responsibilities, but the baby also has no liberties. He doesn’t decide where he’s going to sleep. He doesn...