God’s Fruit Bearer…

Galatians 5:22-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I heard this saying long ago…”We are not to be fruit inspectors but fruit bearers…”

The only way we can bear fruit and have it remain, and not spoil…is to be attached to the fruit tree of Life…Jesus Christ. The Bible talks a lot about fruit…The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is always bearing fruit…

The Fruit of the Spirit is…One fruit…This fruit is sweet and juicy. It never rots or decays. It will make you burst into joy and it is never fermented, it is always fresh. To all who receive this fruit you will have a peace that you cannot explain. No matter who or what or how the enemy tries to discourage you or tries to make you doubt or run in fear…this fruit of peace will keep you still and quiet in your soul. This fruit has just the right amount of nutrients to sustain you in trouble and will give you persistence and self-control. There is no time limit on the longevity of this fruit. It never dies. It will keep you going with long suffering and you will not wear out. One bite of the Fruit of the Spirit and your faith will multiply to overflowing with miracles and mountain removals and a will to walk on water even turn water into wine. It will take you all the way to the cross and sustain you to rise from the dead. The fruit of kindness will cause you to show tenderness and mercy to all those who mistreat you and persecute you. In the Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness; which will be a shield of protection against hate and violence. One of the greatest attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit is Patience. See how patient the Lord has been with you….In all of your doubting and all of your worrying…anxiousness and unforgiveness towards others and even yourself. Becoming impatient while waiting in traffic or standing in lines, keeps you irritated and separates you from the Spirit. Short tempered with your children and with your spouse. The fruit of patience is one that God practices the most. If he can be patient with us, then, we must certainly be patient in all things and with others. Some say, “Oh don’t pray for patience, or you’ll be given a trial.” I say, “Lord, give me patience and all the whole fruit as well…for I want to be like you Lord. But give me lots of grace to go along with it. I fall short so many times. But you are always patient with me. Thank you God. Give us the fruit of your Holy Spirit and let us become more and more like you.” The part of the fruit that is the most precious is the fruit of Love it is God’s greatest gift. It is the gift of Himself. Love died for us, lives for us, and shows us how to love the way He loves. Forgives wrongs…does not judge…does not tell lies…suffers long, holds no offence or grudge…keeps promises…doesn’t gossip…does not murder…is not jealous…it cannot hate…His love considers others first and asks for nothing in return…it is given freely…The greatest part of this fruit is that it’s His Love. God, is, Love! The thing about God’s love is that when it is broken it multiplies…and it remains…and it grows and never ends…

God wants us to Love Him first and love others as we love ourselves…when we do this…we are loved…

This afternoon Bob and I were coming out of a store, we had gone to get some boxes for our move. A man was sitting on the curb he looked tired and dirty and asked if we had any change. Earlier I had looked in my wallet to see if I had any cash, I had a five dollar bill. Bob and I looked at each other and said, “The $5.00 bill.” I took it out and  gave it to Bob and he handed it to him. His face lit up with gratitude. He wanted to get something to eat. I could see through his tattered weariness, he had a tender spirit. It didn’t matter why? We gave it in Jesus name. He kept saying, “Thank you and God bless you.” When we walked away I prayed silently, “Lord, send someone to talk to him about you. Save him Jesus.” As we were leaving we saw another lady talking to him intently but with kindness. (Our friend Kathy Langley introduced us to a man and woman, yesterday, Dan and Eleanor, they are with Restoration Bridge, they feed over 40,000 homeless people monthly and so we told this man where he could go to get food every Saturday.) As we drove back around to tell him, the woman was leading him to Jesus and she said her sister attended the church we mentioned. Praise the Lord! Jesus not only fed this man, but he gave him eternal life…This is what it is all about…God’s great love…he doesn’t look at the outward  appearance, he looks at the heart!!! One plants, one waters, but God gives the increase! 

Time and time again in the scriptures we read:

And God blessed them and said… Be fruitful and multiply (Adam and Eve), Genesis 1:28

And when he had given thanks he break it and said…(The Lords supper) 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

 “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. (The 5 loaves and 2 fish) Matthew 14:18-19

(Just as Jesus had been broken, he broke the bread, signifying his death, souls multiplied for the Kingdom of God. God doesn’t want us to be divided he wants us to multiply.)

“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. “But remember the root command: Love one another. John 15:16-17 The Message (MSG)

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 Good News Translation (GNT)  I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow.  The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow.  There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done.  For we are partners working together for God, and you are God’s field.