Welcome to week one of our study. Here is this weeks commentary.
Preparing the Soil for Fruit Production
Throughout the Bible, the word “fruit” is often times referred to that which comes from within… or the evidence thereof. As you begin to study the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Sprit you begin to understand that do-it-yourself is not the answer, as we can not produce Spiritual Fruit apart from the Spirit.
It is interesting that as we choose to abide in Christ, and yield - surrender, ourselves to the Spirit, being obedient to God’s word that the Holy Spirit produces “Fruit” in our life. It is the work of the Holy Spirit which is the catalyst for our fruit production. No matter how hard we try to grow it, or produce it we cannot do it apart from the Holy Spirit.
As we prepare to grow in our Christian walk let’s be sure our soil is prepared and ready for planting. Growing a garden, or in this case a fruit tree, requires certain elements to be in place; light, water, and nourishment. Anyone who has ever tried to plant and grow anything knows the better the soil preparation before planting, the better the crop. One way to prepare our soil is to renew our commitment to Christ. As we all know dead things don’t grow, we must be alive to produce growth. As we embark on our study we, you and I, should ask “Am I alive spiritually?”
In Romans 3:23 we read that all have sinned (missed the mark, missed or wandered from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong) and in 6:23 we read the wages (payment) for our sin is death (an eternal separation from God). In Romans 5:8 we are told that God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Jesus, the son of God took on our sin, paid our wages, and died in our place. Have you accepted that gracious act and awesome truth? Have you decided to name Jesus as your savior and accept Him and His free gift of eternal salvation. Have you allowed Him to be the Lord (meaning Jesus leads---- you follow) over your life? Roman’s 10:9 tells us if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we shall be saved (spend eternity with Jesus). Before we can experience any kind of spiritual growth, this act, or seed of faith in Jesus must take root in our heart and in our life.
Are you alive? There on only 3 possible answers; yes, no, and I’m not sure. If you answered no…. if you have not yet accepted Jesus you can set foot on the path of walking with Jesus and growing in Him right now by praying this prayer:
1. Jesus I know I am a sinner, I desire to turn away from the life I have been living. I desire to follow you and your ways. I believe that you are the Son of God, that You did die on the cross for me and that you have risen victoriously, defeating death and now sit at the right hand of God in the heavenly places. I want to accept you as my personal Savior and allow You to have charge over my life as I learn to walk in your ways. Lord Jesus, please teach me from this day forward. Amen.
2. If you answered I am not sure you may wish to pray the following:
Jesus I know that in the past I asked You into my life (see ***below) I believed at that time that I was your child, but my life has not been one where my actions have lined up with that decision. And I have some doubts. Lord I want to know that I am Your child, please give me the reassurance I need, and seek. Lord I do believe that you are the Son of God, and that you died on the cross for my sins. Forgive me Father, and today I recommit my way to you!
***If you are not sure you have asked Jesus into your life, or do not understand the concept or terms of which I write. Please email me directly. I will be happy to chat with you. First John chapter 5 and verse 13 states “I write these things….. that you may know".... God wants you to be sure, and to know. I want you to be sure and to know too!
3. If you answered Yes! Perhaps you might pray, or write a prayer of praise to God. Take this time to thank God that you know you are alive in Christ, now and for forever. Praise Him for those things He has helped you to accomplish, and those things He has accomplished through you. Praise Him for the ways He has interacted in your life and made His presence known to you.
In order that I might pray for you more specifically this week, please share with me which prayer you prayed. (I am not asking you to blog this answer, you most certainly can if you choose) but to share it confidentially with me by email.
Your study questions and directions for this week's study have been emailed to you. If you did not receive them, please let me know.
Happy Studying, Sandra
Hi everyone. Again may I share how excited I am to have all of you participating in this study! We have had a few more ladies join us and that is truly exciting. I am trying to design this study so that anyone could join at anytime and not miss out on too much. It also means if you had a tough week, you don't need to feel like you missed to much and must drop out. Each lesson will build some on the other, but is basically a separate unit.
ReplyDeleteA gentle reminder... please do not share the blogsite outside of our group. If you have a friend etc. who is interested give her my email and ask her to let me know of her wishes to join us. I will then send her everything she will need to become a part of our small group. By not giving just everyone the blogsite, helps us stay a little bit more of just us! You can share whatever is on your heart... it doesn't just have to be about the answers. We are a small group that wishes to support each other.
Looking forward to your insights this week. I can hardly wait to see what the Holy Spirit is doing in your lives this week.
Be Encouraged, and Happy Studying, Sandra
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteBe sure to add the justbetweenfriends email as a safe email address. Because the emails are sent out in groups, some of you may not be receiving them as they may be going into spam or junk.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ingrid and I'm a single woman living in Roseville, CA. I don't have any kids or pets (due to circumstances beyond my control). Since March I've been attending a nondenominational church called Bridgeway in Roseville.
God is leading me into a new adventure starting tomorrow (July 1). For the past 8 years I've worked as office manager in a dental office. After much prayer and God's leading, I will be starting a totally new job this time with the state. I'm really looking forward to the change and excited about what God will do with me there. He is the one that opened up this job in His timing and I believe I will be very happy with His choice...
I'm looking forward to digging into the Word over the summer thru the means of this study. Since my other study ended in May, I haven't done much Bible study and I know that needs to change. I'm glad Sandra is putting this together and think its a great idea!
I've know Sandra for years :), and have shared many smiles and hugs and deep discussions over the years...
I remember as a child taking a tree branch that my grandfather trimmed from the big tree in the front yard and planting it in the back yard. I watered it and did everything that I saw him doing but it died. The following year I wanted to do the same thing but I didn’t want the tree to die. So, I asked my grandmother if there was something I could do to help the branch become a tree. She said I could not do it that way, to become a tree it first needed to be a seed. Jesus was the seed. All of us are, incredibly, part of that seed. To even be considered a branch is almost more honor than I can bear.
ReplyDeleteI find that when I spend time with Him I don't want to leave. I love the song "Sweet Hour of Prayer" because it is sooo sweet. I so desire the time when I don't have to leave my little haven, venture out into the world, and face down the demons that plague me every day. But this is what Christ has called us to do. If stepping out of that door and into the muck and mire of the world brings me closer to Him as I desperately seek to do His will, I will put on my waist-high waders, use my Bible as my compass and flotation device, and grab a paddle. Happy trails ladies! I hope you are getting as much out of this study as I am!
Love ya Sandra, you are the bestest!
The desire to remain/abide in Christ and stay connected is the very reason I joined this study. I know that Sunday worship is very important and I LOVE that, but I also know it's not enough. I have a difficult time staying committed to things; i.e., exercize, eating healthy, (can I get an "amen"?), Bible study time and prayer. I start out strong and enthusiastic in the beginning and then - well, you know.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me to have some accountability to others and also the guidance of others. Thanks Sandra and the rest of you gals.
This weekend, my grandson and I are traveling to Mexico along with several others from our church and the Amor ministry to build a home for a family in Tijuana. Any of this would not be possible if not for the Holy Spirit and the fruit He produces in us. Please pray for this endevour that our motives be as pure as possible and that seeds will be planted, fruit will bud, and some become more ripe as we remain in Him.
ReplyDeleteLove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control...I pray that these will be evident in the people He is sending. Help us Lord to stay connected to you throughout this trip.
One of the ways I feel most connected to our Lord is by being out in the creation that He made for His and our pleasure. The beauty of nature leads me straight to contemplating the magnificance and goodness of God. Since we are camping this weekend, I will get plenty of opportunity to experience that connection, however I also have to say that staying dirty does not have that same effect. I'm praying that I will be able to overcome the dirty obstacle and focus on the beauty blessing.
In our study this week, we read how by remaining in Him, He will give us all that we ask. I know that is not God saying He is a "genie in a bottle." Rather it is His guarantee that our hearts will want the good blessings that He has for us. Please pray with us that others will see the fruit He blesses this group of pilgrims with and that they will want those blessings as well. Pray that we will glorify our Lord in all that happens this weekend. What happens in Mexico can change us and those who are served.
The times I've experienced the most spiritual growth, and felt closest to God, are when I've committed to wake up early in the morning to have time for study and prayer. The act of "choosing" to abide in Him (instead of hitting snooze and snuggling in under the covers) is what seems to be life-transforming for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is no easy task - like many others I'm a wife and mom, and work full time. In order to have study time and be out the door by 5:00am, I need to be up by 3:15am. I find that my willingness to do this is directly related to how connected I deire to be.
I choose to abide in Christ - one moment and one day at a time. Sometimes that means walking past the television and finding a quiet place in the house to fill my mind with things that uplift me - bible study, prayer, encouraging others, or anything that shows my focus.
I wish I could stay that I never hit "snooze" - it's not true. But the results show throughout the day - when I'm connected with Him first thing I see fruit, and when I snooze I rely more on myself and don't see the same fruit.
I'm very grateful for this study - what a great reminder to stay focused on what's most important!
Hi loving Jesus
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the study…. I can so relate to the leaving your little haven. God and I have a coffee chat almost every morning, very early, and there are times when I am so in the moment, enjoying our time together, that I want to call in sick. Sometimes those days are also my toughest days, as satan tries to rob me of the joy that was mine earlier in the day. The good news... His mercies are new every morning and nothing can ever take that away.
Thanks for sharing
Be encouraged, Sandra
Hi Janie,
ReplyDeleteAmen my sister, amen! It is tough to balance everything, and sometimes it can be very overwhelming. If you will let me know of a specific area for which you would like to be held accountable, like mornings with God, getting the study done each week, whatever…. I would be glad to pray for that for you and check in with you once in awhile. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your struggles.
Be encouraged.
Praying for ya Ingrid!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you joined us.
Be Encouraged
Pat,
ReplyDeleteI will be holding you all up in prayer... I can hardly wait to hear how the Holy Spirit will use all of you to touch the lives of others. May your fruit be in abundance!
Be Encouraged, my friend, Sandra
Wow Becca,
ReplyDeleteI thought I was doing good at getting up by 5:30 for my quiet time. I too have found that no matter how you slice it.... morning is best. It did take work at first... but since I have asked God to do the waking me up.... it happens now without an alarm clock most mornings.
Thanks for your insights.
Be Encouraged....
I abide daily, sometimes moment to moment when things get tough. I teach bible studies Tues evenings which keeps me on my spiritual toes! I learn as I teach others too. I get some really good perspectives and wisdom sometimes from others in the group. I believe the Holy Spirit speaks and teaches us during that precious time together and I see the fruits in the many changed behaviors of the girls in our Christian recovery home. There is more love, compassion for each other and hope is abiding as we stay faithful and don't lose focus. In a house of seven to eight women that's always a challenge. we support each other by reminding each other we are forgiven and are defined by grace not this world. Thanks Sandra, Love Sharon. I did not receive email questions, but I just figured out this works, Yaaah.
ReplyDeleteSharon... I have resent the questions for you.... the answers to those questions are also on the most recent blog... I am sorry you did not receive them... let me know if you don't get them this time.
ReplyDelete