A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse  July 18, 2018 A Heart Issue   Scripture Reading – Luke 6:43 - 45a (NLT) "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn-bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart."  

When you plant a tomato plant, you certainly do not expect to harvest radishes, especially if you do not enjoy the latter. Jesus is explaining why people do the things that they do, be those good or bad, and telling all of us that it is, 'A Heart Issue'.

I remember talking with a young man who confided in me, I just can't help it, I want to go out and do wrong. The truth of the matter for this person is that they had not yet experienced the grace of God found only through Jesus Christ the Lord.

For those who have been born, but never born from above, having a stony heart replaced with a heart of flesh - it is not possible for them to bear what Jesus is speaking here of good fruit. While they may even seem good or moral on the outside, God looks on the heart. And at the end of the day, it is the heart that causes us to do what we do, even and most especially in the secret places of our lives.

However for those who are born again and have the Holy Spirit living within them, the natural, or I should say supernatural result is that where there may have once been radishes (my apologies to those of you who enjoy these), there is now a vine ripened fresh, juicy tomato (my apologies to those of you who do not enjoy these...so sorry....smile). You get it, those of us who are saved by grace, called the daughters and sons of the living and loving God - simply are set free from sin, and live our lives for Jesus the One who changed absolutely everything for us!  

Prayer My Father in Heaven I remember the day that my heart changed and began beating with the things that concern you. Make my life pleasing in Your sight and a reflection of your Son in the hearts of others I pray in Jesus precious name.  

Memory Verse:  1 Timothy 2:8 NLT "In every place of ________, I want men to ______ with _______ hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”