“Deeper Still (Part 2)”
God wants us to thrive. He wants us to be so consumed with Him that we will bear much fruit. As we go deeper and deeper with Him, as we walk hand in hand with the Spirit, as we swim freely in His love and mercy, the river of living water nourishes our soul. The result of that nourishment, the result of going deeper with God and abiding in the vine (John 15:4), is that we will bear much fruit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)
As it says in Ezekiel 47:12, this fruit is good for meat; in other words, it is nourishment for your soul and also for those with whom you have contact. As we tend to our fruit and as our fruit grows, the leaves (result of our love, patience, kindness etc., toward others) are garnishments that bring healing to ourselves and to others. Forgiveness is also a fruit that we will bear, and as we forgive others, it not only frees them, but it frees us as well.
As we love others, it comforts them, but our love for them will comfort us just as much. God wants us to bear fruit so that others will receive a blessing from it and will be drawn to Him through us. God is glorified as we bear fruit. Today let’s begin to go deeper with God. Ask Him today to lead you further into the depths of His love and to give you a passion for His Word that you will know Him more and that the river flowing from you will continue to grow, and that you will bear much fruit.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 15:4)
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