Day 19: Produce Fruit

 

Day 19: Produce Fruit - Love

Read and Meditate on:        John 15: 16 - 17

                                                      Galatians 5: 22, 23

                                                      I Corinthians 13: 1 – 13

      Knowing and trusting God is the beginning of our journey, but to truly be His disciples, we must reflect the life of the Master.  Jesus called us to bear fruit! 

      Fruit is the visible expression of the vine where it grows.  Christ is our vine, our source of power.  If we are to bear fruit, then we must reflect His image and His character.  This is not something that we can achieve on our own; it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that fruit can be produced in our lives. 

      Jesus commanded us to love each other, and “love” is listed as the first fruit of the Spirit.  To reflect Christ living in us, we must begin with “love”.  It’s easy (most of the time) to love our family.  It’s a lot harder to love those who have betrayed us or are bitter or evil.  That “love” takes work and without the Holy Spirit, we can’t love them as Jesus did. 

      Today, ask the Holy Spirit to soften your heart towards those who are “unlovable” and to help you love them despite any past hurts or ongoing issues.  Ask God to give you the “fruit of love” today.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanksgiving:

Supplication:

Father, I want to reflect You and Your ways in every aspect of my life.  Help me to love unconditionally, even when it’s hard.  May I reflect Your love for the unlovable.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.” Richard J. Foster

 

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