Fruits!

The Word of God in Galatians 5:22 tells us that Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control is the fruit of the Spirit. In many other verses of His Word tells us that we are to produce this fruit abundantly and the purpose is the glorify Him! Most people say "Impossible". I can't do that! Ah, you are so right, we can't! But God can. If we cooperate with Him! In John 15 the bible tells us that if we abide in Him that we will produce His fruit abundantly. So what does abide mean. Abide means to dwell. When we dwell with someone, we live with the, we get to know them on a continual basis. Think about that. We know our husbands, our children, and even our relatives who stay with us occassionally because we've been with them for a while. We've stayed with them, remained with them, laughed with them, cried with them, and supped with them. That's exactly what God wants from us! He wants us to remain with Him continuously talking with him, laughing with Him, crying with Him, and even eating with Him! I've been teaching this in Sunday school for the past 12 or so weeks now.

What have I learned? I have an incredible selfish nature that wants to compartmentalize things including God. I have my quiet time in the morning and every morning. I can't remember when I have missed having my quiet times. They are usually very good and very informative and I love spending this time with Him. Unfortunately I seem to mentally check that off the list and proceed through my day and my List, per say, not remaining with Him. Now He didn't go anywhere and yes the Holy Spirit is helping me, but I don't visit with Him but occasionally throughout the day sending up short and little prayers here and there. I don't always invite Him to my meals. I tend to sneak in meals without Him, like He wouldn't know I just ate that chocolate chip cookie when I wasn't even hungry. I'm not continually abiding with Him all throughout the day. If I was to this with my husband or my children or even my relatives, it would make for a very poor relationship with them. HMMM....

What am I to do? The bible tells us that we are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. Meaning I'm not to just read what it says and listen, but to absorb It and live It! So, my prayer to Him today was to not check Him off at the end but leave my prayer open ended, praying to Him visiting with Him, and inviting Him in all things that He wants me to do today!

You ask me how I'm doing? Well I'm posting this, so He has reminded me of Himself today several times. I did eat a chocolate chip cookie, but I was hungry and I had thanked Him for my meal. I'll fail many days, but His mercies are new every morning! Thank you, my Heavenly Father!