We store up both the bad and the good. Eventually we get an abundance of one or the other. We speak from that abundance, which then is the fruit of our lives (Lk 6:44-45).
The key to a good life, good fruit, and good speech is what we're storing inside. If we're harboring resentments, unforgiveness, bitterness, hurts, and lusts, it won't be long till we have an abundance. Then we will mass-distribute all that poison, and the fruit of our lives will be destruction and death both for ourselves and others.
Instead, let's store up the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity" (Gal 5:22-23). These will flow from our mouth like pure spring water and bear fruit to life everlasting. Like Mary, we store up things by treasuring and reflecting on them in our hearts (Lk 2:19, 51).
Therefore, "your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise" (Phil 4:8).
| PRAYER: | Father, I keep thinking about bad things. Remove these evil things before they overflow and hurt us all. |
| PROMISE: | "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I myself am the worst. But on that very account I was dealt with mercifully, so that in me, as an extreme case, Jesus Christ might display all His patience." –1 Tm 1:15-16 |
| PRAISE: | Mary, the Immaculate Virgin, pondered the mysteries of God's love in her heart and had words of praise and joy on her lips. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College