I was young in the Lord at that time. Living on the north side in a shack that was painted blue. I had thumbtacked a calendar on the covered porch next to the door that had a bible verse under the picture on the page for each month.
There was a knock on the door. I answered it to see an old grizzled man holding a small crate with oranges in it. They came around in the summers from Florida selling citrus fruit. He took one look at me and told me he used to walk with Jesus, no introductions. No preamble. It came pouring out, followed by the “buy some fruit” sales pitch. I probably stood there with my mouth open wondering what to do. I didn’t have a clue. These things happen to you. God lives in you and folks recognize that.
A year later, the same man was back and the first thing he said to me was, “I wanted to tell you I’m back serving the Lord”. We never know who’s watching us. This was the beginning of my fruit men ministry. I still hadn’t learned the scripture, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it”. I should have had something profound to say to him, but I just smiled and said that was great.
Several years later, in another house, a young man showed up with his little crate of citrus fruit. I was better prepared. Heard a word of knowledge about him. Midway through his prepared speech, I told him that this was his day- I had something for him. “Jesus wants to set you free of those drugs. Thinking about them is consuming you- from the time you wake up until you go to sleep. All you can do is think about your next fix. You can be free. I can pray for you right now and you’ll be free”. He looked scared. Looked around the yard and street. “You sound just like my mother”. I said, “She’s been praying for you. How do you think you ended up at my house”? He said, “Maybe tomorrow” and ran off. Bona fide fruit men ministry.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.