This summer I was honored to lead a Bible study for a group of women I affectionately call ‘The Girlfriends’.  The Girlfriends (of which I am one) have been friends and Bible study partners for many years.  Some of us have been together since our kids where in middle school.  Most of us are mother-in-laws (or soon to be) and/or grandmothers now.  Almost all of us are wearing reading glasses now. As you can imagine we’ve been through lots of life together. We’ve supported each other in every way you could imagine. We challenge and encourage each other in the Spirit. It’s a beautiful thing.

We studied The Holy Spirit this summer and God met us there as we inhaled His Word and His Truth. He met us in the very place we stood, knelt, laid, or were stuck. We were deeply ministered to by The Holy Spirit individually and collectively. Our teacher, The Holy Spirit, taught us why we needed Him and how to rediscover His power and presence. We wanted to see His power and experience His presence in our lives. We needed to listen to His voice and follow His leading in whatever He may call us to do.

Being filled with the Spirit excited some lively conversation and transformed each one of us during those seven weeks of study. As we studied this very important aspect of the Spirit’s ministry, I was reminded of a recent trip my husband and I took to California. While we were driving, I noticed there were beautiful fruit trees everywhere. Lemon and orange trees to be exact.

Lemon Tree

Orange Tree

The longer we drove, the more I was captivated with these fresh fruit trees growing along a busy downtown street! I asked my husband to stop the car so that I could get out and touch it and (dare I say) eat it. The colors were so spectacular. Vibrant!! I was picturing myself squeezing fresh orange juice and lemonade from the fresh fruit or even eating an orange right there on the spot! As tempting as it was, I resisted, from fear of being arrested.

Spiritually speaking though, we as Christ-Followers are to bear fruit and to be filled with the fruit of The Holy Spirit. It’s not an option. If we allow the Spirit to do His work in us we will attract others to the fresh fruit we display. The fruit boasts of Christ in us! Being filled with and displaying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives distinguishes a Christ-Follower from a non-believer. What is this fruit we are called to be filled with? How do get filled? How should it present itself in our lives? Hear the Word of God from Galatians 5:22-25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Let your roots go deep into Him for nourishment. Allow Him to produce fresh fruit in you. Fresh fruit is the healthy choice. Eat up because you are what you eat!!

First Look:

Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23.

Through The Looking Glass:

Which fruit of the Spirit would others say you have the most trouble displaying in your life? Which fruit would others say shine the most? Do you agree or disagree? Why or Why not?