New International Version "
I have this amazing yellow plum tree in my back yard. While observing it earlier this summer I noticed the potential for an abundance of fruit. A few
weeks ago, while observing it again, I noticed the fruit was ripe and ready
for harvest. As I examined the branches of my plum tree I became aware that the fruit was beyond abundance, it was overflowing! There was large, huge clusters of sweet, yellow, juicy plums on both sides of the branches.
The branches were so heavily laden that they were bowed down to the ground. I quickly realized that I could never eat all this fruit. I contacted my family and friends and had them come over and harvest for themselves, their family and their friends, all that they wanted. Some were even able to come again and harvest more to share with others! How delightful!
What a joy!
My niece commented that this tree was a symbol of the abundance of God's Fruit (of the Spirit) in my life, both now and to come. I loved that and I received that. How good and how generous is our God! How He desires to have us, His branches, so heavily laden with Fruit (of the Spirit) in our life IN Him that it overflows onto others and into others' lives - bending low to the ground for easy harvest! And all the while this fruit is just very quietly growing and maturing and flowing over!
How is your 'Fruit' doing? Do you have Fruit in abundance? Is your Fruit hard and tiny or large and juicy, mature and ready to harvest? Is your Fruit desirable by others and will it satisfy their hunger?
Galatians 5: 22-26tells us the what the fruit of the Spirit is. They are not separate fruit but all in a huge cluster as one unit, all under one Fruit. To have one is to have the others. And they are in order. Love and self control are the bookends for the others.
Allow your Fruit to be developed. Allow the pruning of the Holy Spirit in your life so that you bear good sweet Fruit! Fruit must mature for harvest. Trials, tribulations, perseverance = growth and maturity.
Hang in there! Trust the Lord with what is going on in your life. He has a plan and a purpose for you, for you to grow up in Him..............For good, sweet, juicy and mature Fruit!
-Pastor Sandi
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