Time to Get Busy
Summer is here and people who love to feel the earth between their fingers have
already begun planting their gardens. My husband is in the garden planting
vegetables as he has done for several years. It’s a joy to see that beautiful fruit
come forth and to be able to partake of it, but it does not happen by itself. It takes
nurturing such as putting in the right compounds in the soil. It takes watching over
so that no bugs destroy our crops. It requires our attention, time, and energy.
In the spirit realm ‘fruit’ represents good works, thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
The Lord values fruit (labor) because it glorifies Him. The fruit from our life is
how God receives from us while we are on this earth. That is why Jesus declares,
“By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be
my disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
The Lord clearly shows us in His Word that without His nurturing in and through
us we cannot bear healthy fruit. Jesus had this truth in mind when he said that
every branch that is not in him will not bear fruit. I am the true vine, and my
Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while
every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Remain in me,
and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the
vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:1-4 NIV).
When we allow God to nurture our inner self, we will display Christlike qualities
(FRUIT): “The fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, godliness, and self-control” (Gal 5: 22). Our
outer fruit can be seen by sharing our faith with others and helping others, however
way we are able. Let’s learn from the Apostle Paul who used every area of life as
an opportunity to bear fruit. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good
work” (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV).
already begun planting their gardens. My husband is in the garden planting
vegetables as he has done for several years. It’s a joy to see that beautiful fruit
come forth and to be able to partake of it, but it does not happen by itself. It takes
nurturing such as putting in the right compounds in the soil. It takes watching over
so that no bugs destroy our crops. It requires our attention, time, and energy.
In the spirit realm ‘fruit’ represents good works, thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
The Lord values fruit (labor) because it glorifies Him. The fruit from our life is
how God receives from us while we are on this earth. That is why Jesus declares,
“By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be
my disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
The Lord clearly shows us in His Word that without His nurturing in and through
us we cannot bear healthy fruit. Jesus had this truth in mind when he said that
every branch that is not in him will not bear fruit. I am the true vine, and my
Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while
every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. Remain in me,
and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the
vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:1-4 NIV).
When we allow God to nurture our inner self, we will display Christlike qualities
(FRUIT): “The fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, godliness, and self-control” (Gal 5: 22). Our
outer fruit can be seen by sharing our faith with others and helping others, however
way we are able. Let’s learn from the Apostle Paul who used every area of life as
an opportunity to bear fruit. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good
work” (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV).