Tree known by its Fruit

Today's Reflections

 

 

Reflections

Tree known by its Fruit

September 9, 2011, 11:52pm

LUKE 6:43-49

Jesus said to His disciples, “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, listens to My words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without

a foundation. When the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

Reflection

Dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock. How do we build a house, a family, or a community?

First, dig deep. Go beyond the superficial elements. 

Externally, everything may seem to be fine – everybody is smiling and doing their work. But nothing can be further from the truth when there is no real relationship. Dig deep and look for what binds – not an orderly neat house but the care people have for one another.

Second, lay the foundation. What will be the principle that will define your family? What will be the standard you expect from your household? What will be the character you want developed among the members of your house or community? 

These will be the foundations that will make your house stand and survive any storm.

When we were young, my father told us that he did not have a son or daughter who was a thief. This was one deep foundation he instilled in us. When we went home from school with something he did not buy, my father would not stop until he got a satisfactory answer. Even when things were difficult, we survived with what we earned from honest living.

Have a team meeting with your family and plan the family course for the week.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2010,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; 

E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; 

Website: http://www.stpauls.ph