Fruits of Kindness

In the Book of Luke when Jesus told Simon Peter to put down his nets, Peter trusted enough to do it, but reading further in verse 7, Peter “signaled to their partners to come and help them.” 

     Often, we all need help, but we need to be willing to help out, as well. Kind acts are the fruits of labor and of our day. 

Beginning the Morning

My daily morning as it should be: 

 

Dress appropriately with: 

  The belt of truth around my waist

  The protection of right living upon my chest

  Shoes to speed me along, sharing the Good News of peace

  The shield of faith to stop piercing arrows from the enemy

  A helmet of Salvation upon my head

  The sword of the Spirit- God’s Word 

Eat a hardy breakfast of choice fruit as provided by the Spirit: 

  Love

  Joy

  Peace

  Patience

  Kindness

  Goodness,

  Faithfulness

  Gentleness

  Self-control

At all times: 

  Carry a prayer in my heart

Fruit

I have often read Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”, and wished I could portray all of these from the inside out for others to see. However, I am a complete failure.

     It was interesting to read the In Touch devotional this morning regarding the above list. I know the meaning of each fruit listed, but the devotional defined them in a new way. I am quoting below what was given from In Touch mainly because I want to keep this in mind for reference. The wording may be changed a little as I apply it to myself.

 

Love- is the foundation for all other virtues and is cultivated by me embracing God’s unconditional love. 

Joy- is contentment regardless of my circumstances.

Peace- comes from me trusting God and surrendering to him.

Patience- is developed by me trusting God’s perfect timing.

Kindness- is God’s compassion reflected to others. 

Goodness- occurs as I mirror His righteousness and justice.

Faithfulness- means I am steadfast and trustworthy.

Gentleness- comes when I approach others with humility.

Self-control- requires me to exercise restraint and rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength.

Harvest

I planted my garden several weeks ago thinking the nights were finally getting warm; however, here in late April the nights and even some days are still cool.The plants are just sitting there, not growing. There is no rushing the process. 

     I was reminded by my In Touch Devotional this morning that “growth is a slow process, and slow growth can be a good thing. It takes time to develop strength, coordination, and the intelligence needed to do certain mature tasks.”

     This tells me I need to be patient with my plants and their grown as well as with my own growth before I can expect a great harvest of fruit. 

Fruit

 My husband eats a lot of fruit. I don't! He actually thinks he has to have some kind of fruit every morning for breakfast, just give me bacon and eggs. However, I know fruit is good for the body. Fruit is also good for the soul. In fact we are to share our fruit; that is the fruit of the Spirit:

 Love, 
Joy, 
Peace, 
Patience, 
Kindness, 
Goodness, 
Faithfulness, 
Gentleness, 
Self-Control.

Fruit of the Spirit

     The fruit of the Spirit is given to us in Galatians 5:22-23. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As humans we fight our flesh nature every day in order to live by the Spirit as we are instructed. It is hard! However, the longer we study scripture and seek Jesus, living by the fruit becomes easier. 

     Thinking on the fruit I am to achieve in my walk, I also thought about how this very fruit is given to ME every day. Jesus gives me love, joy, and peace. He is patient and waits while being compassionate, showing me kindness, and goodness through my failures. He is gentle, only wishing me well through my sickness and heart-ache. He is self-controlled by holding off punishment, waiting for me to turn onto the righteous path after steering away. 

     Thank you, God, for the fruit you provide daily. Help me reflect this same fruit to others. 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

     We are warned in Galatians 5 about living by the acts of the flesh: "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like."  When we become Christians, we are to be more Christ-like. 

     We need to exchange idolatry for faithfulness; hatred for love, fits of rage for peace and calm, dissensions for forgiveness; and the like. 

     There is to be a different kind of fruit growing within our lives:

F- orgiving spirit     

R- ejoicing in suffering

U- ttering daily prayer

I- ntimately seeking Jesus

T- emptation resistance and Truth living

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." 

Fruit of the Spirit

       My desire, though I fell, is to become more Christ-like.  When I was saved, the Holy Spirit entered my life and set about leading and guiding me.  I have to make choices every day on what fruit I am to produce, and Galatians 5:22-23 plainly teaches me, while the Holy Spirit works within helping me to yield and turn from my stubborn ways. 
     After looking at several biblical versions of Galatians, I found no differences in interpretations and can make no excuses for poor behavior.

  The King James Version says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, .. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 The New International Version says it almost the same, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


I found in the Living Bible, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  ²³ gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.


The New Living Translations writes, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


Finally in the American Standard Version I am told, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
    
    My prayer is that I will become more productive, grow better fruit, and reap the harvest.    I pray that all people across this land will accept Jesus and become more Christ-like.  I pray that prayers will return to the classroom, that people will seek to live by the fruit of the Spirit. I pray for our newly elected President, Donald Trump and Vice President, Mike Pence.  I pray they will be led by the Spirit so that they will lead our great nation according to the will of our Almighty God. 
     Only by living by the fruit of the Spirit will our nation heal itself, come together in love, and our current divisions be resolved.