04.13.05
Post from The Hub
The following is a post I recently put on the hub:
I just wanted to share some verses that have influenced my studies a lot recently:
I had always heard, but never understood, what it means for one’s faith to bear fruit. In my studies of Matthew I have moved by the way in which Jesus talks about the outward signs of one’s faith. This revelation has been supported by being active in Campus Crusade. Seeing the devotion and faith of others is truly inspiring. Jesus said that:
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit". (12:33)
The point is emphasized also earlier in Matthew:
"You will (A)know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17"So (B)every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit" (7:16-18).
These verses have been speaking to me so much because I had never before really witnessed what it means to sprout spiritual fruits before coming to Crusade. Before, my perception of Christians were people who prayed a prayer and then went on with life as it was before. I have been so humbled to be around people who testify of how coming to Christ changed everything in their lives.
I just wanted to share that in hopes that maybe someone else is in the same situation as I am.
CLP Said:
April 13, 2005 at 10:02 pm
We’ve all been where you’re at, and your coming to where a few of us are.
Steve Capenos (Steve-O!) Said:
April 14, 2005 at 7:31 am
Hey Perry,
Its Steve Capenos! I love you brother and I am incredibly humbled by your act of humility. Like Chris said, you are not far from God because God is never far from you. It would be too much for your mind to handle if you became aware of every little thing God saves you from on a daily basis and the awesome experiances and encounters He blesses you with. I myself am blessed by knowing you. It is refreshing to see such a demonstration of brokenness… and this comming not from a seminary scholar or a world renown Christian (Not that there is such a thing), but from a genuine seeker, like yourself.
If you need to ever get a hold of me for ANYTHING, please feel free to either call or e-mail.
937-367-5994 OR Godspropertyman@yahoo.com
Grace, Peace and Rice Krispies, I’m off to class!
Steve-O! =)
Bobby Fleck Said:
April 19, 2005 at 11:02 am
Hey Perry, it looks like you’ve been reading through Matthew lately. We should talk about it sometime. I, too, have been reading it. I would love to hear some more of your insights.