fruit·ful
producing good or helpful results; productive
synonyms: productive, constructive, useful, worthwhile, helpful, beneficial, valuable, profitable, rewarding, successful, effective
Each week I ponder and pray on what word to select to focus on as my Wednesday's Word. More often than not, God points me to a word that He wants ME to think on and apply to areas of my life. This morning, in two different devotionals, as I read the scripture references I was led to the word fruit and some of my favorite Bible verses.....
I had jotted this down in my Bible. Although I didn't reference who said it, I'm pretty positive it came from our pastor.....
Love = Joy and Peace
Patience = Kindness and Goodness
Faithfulness = Gentleness and Self-Control
I'm always curious as to what numbers mean in the Bible and since there are nine fruits of the Spirit.....
and 9 Beatitudes (which begin with "blessed are", by the way).....
isn't it amazing that the meaning of nine in scripture is "divine completeness"?
Here's what I feel God is speaking to me.....
If I show love.....
I'll experience the joy of the Lord,
which has nothing to do with happiness.
Happiness depends on external circumstances, the joy of the Lord is within.
If I'm patient.....
(that can be a really big IF for me at times).....
I'll be kind and show goodness toward others.
(and the only "good" in me is Christ)
If I'm faithful.....
I'll be gentle in how I treat others and react to situations and show self-control in holding my tongue.....
oh, my there's another big ouch for me.
Whew!!!
I'm pretty sure y'all are thinking right about now what a bad girl I can be at times.
And, you'd be right.
But God.....
oh, how I love those words.....
He loves me and He's a God of mercy and shows that to me each and every single morning because He tells me that in His word.
So, if this can be helpful to any of you, that would be great.....
but I know that God is teaching me to be full of these fruits so that I can show His love to others!
HOPE everybody has a Wonderful Wednesday!