fruity

One of my favorite verses in the bible is John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.

When this verse talks about fruit it is talking about: peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, otherwise known as the "fruit of the Spirit". Who couldn't use these qualities in their lives? Anytime I like I have no peace, or patience I know it is time to check my attachment to the Vine. When I don't feel like doing something nice or when I lack self-control, guess what, I know my attachment to the Vine is not what it should be.

When we are not experiencing joy and all the other "fruit", it is up to us to ensure our relationship with Jesus is what it should be. I think sometimes we start out the day intending to be mindful of Jesus or remaining in Him, but then the day takes turns or things happen that makes us take our focus off the Vine.

Sometimes the distraction can even be the fruit itself. We can get in the mindset that we have the fruit (peace, love, joy...) so we are good. We then begin to focus on the good things in our lives and lose sight of the source of those good things. So guess what happens then; we begin to lose the good things again. This is such an easy thing to do. The hard part is to "remain in Him" but He promises to "remain in us" if we do our part. In other words, He will not leave us or become unattached from us, we are the ones who choose to do those things.

My point: simple, if you want to be fruity, remain attached to Jesus. Apart from Him, you can't do squat. I think that is a pretty clear statement.

Here is a page from a devotional book I have that talks about the Fruit of the Spirit. Pray it and see what happens in your life. It may look long but it is worth a read. You read this much, you can't quit now... it's your choice.

I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; No injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE …
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS …
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS …
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS …
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS …
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL …
I am a spiritual being …. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.