Thursday, March 3, 2011

Fruit

"The Fruit of the Spirit is....."

How many times have you ever prayed for Patience? Or more Love, or kindness, or Self Control? I know I have lots.
Patience seems to be my constant one some days when my kids are being difficult!

Or Self control. Thats a tough one.

I have been wondering though.

Does it work?

I mean praying for the fruits of the spirit.
How often do you actually suddenly have more patience, and how long is it before you find yourself asking again.

I am starting to think that perhaps we have this wrong.

It says that the Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit in our live: Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The Holy Spirit produces...

My mind goes to a tree. A fruit tree. One that produces fruit.
The fruit of the tree comes from the tree. The tree produces fruit because it is invested in, paid attention to, taken care of. The fruit doesn't just appear, or all of a sudden develop to it's fullness. No, it takes time, nurturing, and a healthy attachment to the tree in order for it to grow.
Can the farmer say "I need apples today" and expect to have apples?
Can he avoid the tree and expect to have fruit?
If he ignores the tree, it can't produce healthy fruit.

Do you see what I'm saying?

The Holy Spirit produces all kinds of fruit...like a tree.

Why is it that we are praying for the fruits of the Spirit, when perhaps we should simply be asking for more of the Spirit?

If the Spirit produces the fruit then we can't get the fruit of the Spirit unless we have more of the spirit.

"If we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."

If you find yourself lacking in the fruits, try asking for more of the Spirit. See what happens.




* I posted this earlier this week, and have been practicing asking for the Holy Spirit in times of needed fruits....it has done wonders to my walk, my heart, my soul. I have realized that when we asked God for more of the fruits, initially it seems to work, but only because we change our
mind-set for that moment. When we ask God for more of the Spirit, it becomes a change of "heart-set"
...something far more lasting.


Linking with Imperfect Prose

15 comments:

  1. Oooh, this is good. Makes total sense. I need to try praying that way.

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  2. Wow, I never thought of it that way. I too pray for patience but it only seems temporary. Praying for the spirit instead of the fruit...it's a very eye opening solution. Thank you.

    PS. I think us "boy mamas" need an extra dose of patience and a huge helping of grace on a daily basis! :-)

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  3. yeah i hear you...i think this is good wisdom...i could use a bit more patience as well...

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  4. Great observation, I will so ask for more spirit. I hopelessly fail with patience.

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  5. And I love the surrounded by God's love hoodie!

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  6. Yeah, we can't expect it immediately and we can't neglect praying for it. Maybe we learn patience as we pray for the Spirit. =)

    I love your header picture!

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  7. Great thoughts, Melissa. I just wish I could see evidence of ALL the fruits at the same time in my life. It seems like most of the time I'll feel like I'm doing well in one area and failing in another. It's almost like life is hard or something.

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    1. Life truly is so hard and sometimes, it can be downright discouraging. However, when I read Melissa's thoughts aoncerning the fruit of the spirit, and really spend a minute thinking about it, I can see that God set it up this. All of the "stuff" we go through everyday serves as the "fertilizer" to grow good fruit of the spirit. This is what James was speaking of in the bible when he said in James Chapter 1, Verses 2-3 when he said "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance".

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  8. this is amazing. i've always prayed for those fruits and then become frustrated when they didn't manifest themselves instantly. this makes so much sense. i'm so glad you linked, melissa. i've been missing you very much lately, sister.

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  9. Yes! Yes! Hallelujah and amen! This is something I have been learning ever-so-slowly myself! For years, I've been beating myself up because I know that, as a believer, I'm supposed to have love, joy, peace, patience, etc. I had someone sit and read this passage over and over to me until it finally dawned on me--this is the Spirit's work! I think I've wandered through far too much of my Christian life not even considering the work of the Spirit. This just makes me so excited and happy! Yes, again I say, YES!

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  10. Funny too that trees never TRY to produce fruit. It just happens when they are fed. More Spirit, Jesus! I second, Melissa.

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  11. i am amazed at the transformation that happens in my life when i seek God. it's encouraging to see the fruits of the Spirit beginning to ripen in my life. i love your suggestion on asking for more of the Spirit. Still praying for you, gracie:)

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  12. Thanks for this...and thanks for your kind encouragment at my place.

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