Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying our first cup of coffee and waiting for Ricky to bring our breakfast orders, Stan mentioned he’d been at the neighborhood fellowship group the night before. I asked him if they’d focused on any particular subject.
“We did,” he replied. “We talked about manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in and through our lives. To get the conversation started, one of the guys gave his personal testimony about how he came to realize why that fruit may not have been manifested in his life.”
“What’d he say?”
“He said that one day while he was reading his Bible, he focused on a verse that says the God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. That verse led to an examination of whether he was obeying God and actually had His Holy Spirit so he could manifest His fruit.”
“Well,” I replied, “if there’s a connection between obeying God and manifesting the fruit of His Spirit in and through our lives, maybe that’s a good reason to check and see how we’re doing with our obedience.”
“Maybe?” Stan asked with raised eyebrows.
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Bible verses to consider:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, . . . . Galatians 5:22-23.
And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. Acts of the Apostles 5:32.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him, or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you, too, for the Holy Spirit whose fruit you have for me to manifest in and through the new life you’ve given. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity, the fruit of the Sprit is not manifested in and though my life as you intend. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead so the fruit of the Spirit is actually manifested. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s provision of life with Him through the finished work of Jesus’ cross so you can have the Holy Spirit? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with having and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in and though your life? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to actually have and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in and through your life? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?