The Great Fruit Inspector

By Kathy Carlton Willis

Steve Carney
The Man Behind
The Great Fruit Inspector

In the fall of 1999, God began to stir Steve Carney’s heart concerning the end times, particularly the area of judgments leading up to the seven year tribulation period mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. God began to give revelation concerning why catastrophic events occur. The message concerning judgment and discipline burned in his heart. Carney explains it this way, “He [God] created such an urgency within me, it stirred me out of complacency and into action.”
Carney began to send letters to family, friends, and some church leaders, sharing this message.
Each month as he sat to write, he received revelation from the Bible. So much material accumulated from these monthly letters that the author actually has enough for three books, and Carney plans to work on these in the future months.

Carney says that in the fall of 1999 he sensed an urgency to intercede in prayer and warn others of the coming judgments. He knew that more tragedies were soon to occur which would make a lasting impact. He doubted this calling to warn others, didn’t surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and faltered in his prayer life. His transparency is evident when he said, “When I sensed the importance of the message and magnitude of the events, which were about to occur, I had to battle fear and tried to hide in my comfort zone. Deep inside, I knew I was running from what God wanted me to do.” After 9/11 occurred, he repented and received more insight in the area of judgment. This is when he initiated monthly letter writing, which then led to the writing of The Great Fruit Inspector.

In the book, Carney encourages others by saying that God’s judgments are always avoidable. But, even though judgment is avoidable, he says the Bible makes it clear that God’s Spirit will not always strive with man. If Christians continue to harden our hearts and refuse to repent, judgment will surely come.

The Great Fruit Inspector shows how God allows judgment to protect His universe and those who are in covenant with Him. He brings about judgment because He delights in justice. He judges the earth to prevent lawlessness from spreading and destroying the earth. He also sends judgment as a deterrent to ungodliness. God’s end result is to eradicate sin, rebellion, and death.
The good news, according to Carney, is that God is amazingly patient and longsuffering toward us. God gives us plenty of warning and time to repent. The Great Fruit Inspector points out multiple Bible examples of how God gave warning signs for people and nations to repent. His message for change is delivered through the Holy Spirit, prophets, and evangelists. These examples also show how God showers His people and nations with kindness so they may see His goodness and desire to be like Him.

In The Great Fruit Inspector we see that the world wants to believe there is hope in Christ. They are looking at Christians to see if Christianity is real. “Accordingly, we must be disciplined and held accountable, so we can be an example to the world,” says Carney. The book points out that the most vital ingredient for revival is prayer.

Carney is quick to clarify that trials and suffering are not always a result of judgment. He believes God never causes suffering to obedient Christians. However, God will sometimes lead Christians into difficult situations in order to spread the light of the Gospel. When asked why good people suffer, Carney said, “The obedient endure hardship because of other people’s decisions. God gives everyone freedom of choice, whether to do obey God or rebel. Sometimes the obedient suffer by the hands of cruel men who have no knowledge of the truth.”

The key takeaway point of Carney’s book is that God is good and His actions are always motivated by love. Because of His love, He administers judgment and justice on the earth. The book is geared to help those who read it see that God is faithful. He can always be trusted, no matter what we’re going through. The Great Fruit Inspector will lead readers to repentance and holiness, resulting in true prosperity. Churches and families can learn from the book that true love involves discipline. It will help bring those who believe only in judgment and those who believe only in God’s prosperity to become well balanced and unite together in unity. The goal is to impart a holy fear and reverence for God, leading nations to repentance, revival, and prosperity. The first step is to go to God in prayer, confess our sins, as individuals and as a nation, and turn from evil.

Author Steve Carney resides in Tulsa, OK with his wife of eleven years and their 18-year-old stepson. He received his business degree from the University of Louisiana and worked in retail for years. Intensive Bible study began when Carney attended Rhema Bible Training Center. His growth in faith and fullness of the Spirit has equipped him for a variety of church positions, including his current one on the Sunday School staff. Carney left retail in 2006 to focus on writing.

Sales Information:Title:
The Great Fruit Inspector
Author: Rev. Steve Carney
Publisher: Pleasant Word
ISBN 13: 978-1-4141-0946-6
ISBN 10: 1-4141-0946-6
Page Count: 248
Price: $17.99

Kathy Carlton Willis serves as a writer, copyeditor, book doctor, publicist, and sought after speaker; as a writer's coach and mentor she pays it forward in the industry. See http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/