SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:43-45
READ
Today we live in a society which likes to sway blame away from individuals. We like to blame upbringing, culture, government and anything else that has let us down. Jesus turns this idea on its head.
Jesus makes something very clear. The evil that comes out of our lives comes from the evil that is stored up in our hearts. The good that comes out in our lives comes from the good that is stored up in your heart. When you lash out at people it is because you have impatience and anger stored up in your heart. When you speak vile hurtful words it is because you have vile hurtful feelings stored up in your heart.
Jesus uses the example of plants and fruit to make a point. What grows out of you is based on what you are. So your heart must become clean so that good will come out in your life. A clean heart comes from the work of God in your life renewing you and redeeming you.
PREPARE
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
PRAY
- Pray that God helps us to store up good in our hearts
- Pray that God helps us to banish evil from our hearts
TRUST
- Thank God for hearing you
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will
FOLLOW
What’s happening around us?
St. Mary’s General Hospital is a leader in health care excellence, with a reputation for providing compassionate and innovative care. St. Mary’s provides adult acute care and is home to the Regional Cardiac Care Centre. The more than 400 volunteers that provide support to their patients, families and staff are a valuable part of the interprofessional team and provide service in over 35 areas, both in hospital and in external fundraising. Volunteers provide service in patient care areas, retail and fundraising, depending on area of interest, time availability and availability of the service.