Most people reading this passage tend to focus in on the fruit that is produced. Okay…But a closer look will reveal that the Lord is really focusing on the tree. The fruit merely demonstrates the quality of the tree. We have all encountered this: there are trees whose fruit is healthy and delicious, and there are trees whose fruit is scarcely edible, or even useless.

The fruit doesn’t make the tree – the tree makes the fruit. A tree that produces good fruit is firmly rooted in soil which provides adequate water and nourishment. Likewise, those of us whose lives are rooted in and dedicated to Yeshua produce good fruit. Others who try to produce good works for “religious” reasons, or to prove or approve of themselves, may produce fruit, but it will be much inferior. When our focus is on Yeshua (Jesus), and our lives are centered in Him, the fruit we produce will not be from self-effort, and its quality will be excellent…because it is simply the produce of a good tree.

So, stop trying to produce good works in your own strength. Just tap into the Source of your life, Yeshua, allowing the sap of His Spirit to flow through you – and then watch what GREAT FRUIT He is continually able to produce!

Truly we are living in remarkable times!  Today is probably one of the most significant days of our lifetime, as Americans go to the polls and decide the future of the United States.  Of course, voting is important, but let’s be sure we know what we’re voting for!

In 1938, Kenneth Simmons, a democratic mayor, wanted to prove a point. So he hauled a mule, that he named Boston Curtis, down to the courthouse, and placed its hoof print on all the documents necessary to run for political office.  Although Boston Curtis never ran a political campaign, the citizens of Milton, Washington voted for Boston Curtis – not realizing that they had actually voted for a MULE!  Simmons wanted to demonstrate that voters often “know not whom they support.”  I would say he proved his point.

The decisions made today will affect the world for years to come.  But we should never lose sight of the fact that the Lord sets up and removes kings according to His perfect will and purpose; so whatever the outcome of today’s contest, let’s be sure that the King of all Kings sits on the throne of our hearts, and that EVERY outcome in this world is under His sovereign will, for our good!

As I write, it seems the prevailing concern among people everywhere is -– what’s going on with the economy? I’ve probably been asked more questions about the economy in the past two months than in my entire lifetime. People are watching their wealth dissipating and dwindling away. Reflecting on these material losses reminds me of a story about a lady who perished in Pompeii in the first century.

Pompeii was a flourishing city in Southern Italy until 79 AD. Suddenly, for two days Mt. Vesuvius erupted and completely destroyed Pompeii in all its pomp. The city was covered in meters of ash and pumice for 1700 years until it was accidentally discovered in 1748. When archaeologists began excavations in 1910 they uncovered a petrified woman clutching some of the finest jewelry ever recovered from the ancient world. She was apparently attempting to flee the doomed city, and in her haste, holding desperately onto her valuable possessions –- she lost her life.

During its time Pompeii was a magnificent city, yet it’s destiny was destruction by a nearby volcano –- and so it is with our world today. There’s so much beauty on our planet earth –- yet its destiny is certain! The day is soon coming when it’s elements will be destroyed with fire, the earth and everything in it, laid bare, [2 Peter 3:10] –- and our earthly possessions will not come with us into glory, (only what we have done with them).

As the Apostle Paul said, we came into this world with nothing – and when we leave this world, we take nothing with us. We can make the mistake of holding too dearly onto our earthly possessions, making them our “treasure”, (rather than storing treasure where moth and rust do not corrode etc.) – but this is a costly error, as illustrated by our “petrified lady”. Instead, let’s remind ourselves that we are stewards of God’s possessions, responsible to use them with His interests in mind, to further His Kingdom with the things He has entrusted to us. With so much work to be done, let’s never allow our earthly possessions to petrify us with greed or fear thus preventing the eternal work we were preordained for, and stealing our eternal rewards.

Many people ask us “How do I know what is God’s will for my life?” Well, here’s your answer above — right here in Romans! When I was reading the passage this morning, it was as the words just jumped off the page.

Do these things… 1. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God… and 2. Be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of your mind… that you may prove what is that good acceptable and perfect will of God — and other versions say “then” you may prove.

There you have it. Plain and clear — we have some things to work on. Let’s focus on doing these important things so that we may know what His good acceptable and PERFECT will for our lives. Lord, help us! So much work to be done!!