“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16).

As believers, we are called to bear fruit. The word “bear” can have a couple of meanings, even in this context. The word “bear” can mean “produce” or it can mean “bring” or “carry.” Either way, we know that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can produce or bring fruit.

If we are bringing fruit, we must have gotten it somewhere. Since it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to bring the fruit, where did He get it? The answer is that the fruit comes from God, who creates everything.

When we attempt to describe God, we are trying to understand the “doctrine” or “attributes” or “characteristics” of God. Some of these characteristics are divine and incommunicable, meaning that they are shared only by the Trinity. Only God can be omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (always everywhere), and omnipotent (all-powerful).

There are other characteristics that God shares with his people because we are made in his image. These are his communicable attributes. Many of these are also fruits of the Spirit, meaning that when we as believers bear these types of fruit, we are bearing the image of God to those we meet.

The Bible lists nine fruits of the Spirit, so we are going to explore these, first examining how God exhibits each characteristic, then how we as his people can produce it in our lives to carry to others. The nine fruits are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Understanding how God displays these characteristics will help us to know Him better and will help us to know how to please Him. It is so important to realize that while we might exhibit some of these qualities or characteristics on our own, the results will not ultimately be pleasing to God unless the Holy Spirit has empowered us, and we have dedicated the results to pleasing God.

For example, I could be the most self-controlled person on the planet. I could have a consistent daily schedule, never over-indulge in bad things, and never lose my temper—all characteristics of self-control. However, if I am not empowered by the Holy Spirit and dedicating the results to pleasing God, then what does any of that matter? And I would eventually wear out and “fall off the wagon” of self-control, because we know that our own power eventually runs out. Something would finally frustrate me or tempt me beyond my power to deal with.

Fruit on its own, disconnected from the branch and unused, will not last forever. Its value is in being consumed, in nourishing the one who eats it. The only way fruit will last forever is when its seed is planted and cultivated. Then it becomes like the plant that produced it in the first place. Therefore, fruit is more about what we do, and the tree is more about who God is. God is Love. When we plant seeds of love, love flourishes and becomes like God from which it came.

We need the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us indefinitely. Everyone knows you do not grow an apple by stapling it to a tree. The fruit must be organically attached to the branch, which must be attached to the trunk or vine, so that the life can extend through the root to the fruit. It is impossible to effectively display all these fruits of the spirit– to carry them forward and exhibit them to others–unless we are abiding in Jesus.

How do we get the life-giving power we need? Jesus said, abide in me and you will bear much fruit. In the coming weeks, we will look at each of these characteristics of God/fruits of the Spirit. In the meantime, let us focus on abiding in Jesus, remaining in His presence through the Scriptures and prayer.

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

In Christ,

Judy

“…try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10 ESV).

Isn’t it funny how you can read a passage many times, and each time you pick up on something different? I have been reading in Ephesians this month. It is one of my favorite books in the Bible (you may note that I say this about nearly every book that I am reading at the time). This time I noticed the word “try.” As an ambitious career person, I learned never to say “try,” as in “I’ll try.” As compared to “I’ll take care of it,” or “I’ll do my best,” using the word “try” implied some caginess, perhaps allowing for wiggle room, and in general did not sound like true commitment.

So, is that how we should interpret this passage? I decided to investigate this passage in other translations. Here are a few:

• “Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord.” (CEB) 
• “…discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.” (HCSB)
• “…proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (KJV)
• “Learn as you go along what pleases the Lord.” (TLB)
• “…as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (NASB)
• “…and find out what pleases the Lord.” (NIV)
• “…finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (NKJV)

What I found in common with all these passages is the necessity for action. All these versions use active rather than passive verbs: test, discern, prove, learn, find out. There is an implication that we should take the initiative to learn.

The other thing I found in common was that the object of the action is to please the Lord. Have you ever gone all out to do something for someone, and then they did not seem to appreciate it? It is like that dream of showing up late or for the wrong class. Or, assuming that because you like chocolate, everyone likes chocolate. We cannot know how to please someone unless we get to know them, and unless we understand their expectations.

Paul is writing to the Christians in the Church at Ephesus. He had established the church on one of his missionary journeys, starting with the Jews who worshipped in the local synagogue and then expanding to convert many Gentiles in that cosmopolitan city. It is clear that he loved this diverse congregation. He recognizes that they are growing in their Christian faith, building on many diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and customs to become united as one body in Christ.

Paul teaches many basic Christian concepts in his letter to these new Christians. But he is also teaching them how to learn for themselves. In a famous metaphor, he is not only giving them fish for their supper, but also teaching them to fish for themselves. He is telling them not to make assumptions based on their past experiences, and he is encouraging them to ensure that what they learn and put into practice will be for one singular purpose—to please the Lord.

Not only does Paul emphasize our purpose in taking action to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, he also provides a sense of urgency:

“Be very careful, then, how you will live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-21)

If you are looking for a place to start to “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord,” I can think of no better book to read than Ephesians. It is true, it is proven, it is comprehensive, it is the inspired Word of God, written down by Paul in a very practical style. I really like how The Message translates Ephesians 5:10:

“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So, no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” (MSG)

In Christ,

Judy

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

The Reader’s Digest had an article on Memory recently which said that our memories are not as accurate as we think they are. This is an excerpt:

A revealing study by research psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris asked people simple questions about memory and then compared their answers with those of experts in memory research. The results show how far removed from reality the public’s beliefs about memory are. For instance, to the question “Is there a ‘video camera’ in your head?” 63 percent of people surveyed strongly agreed or mostly agreed that human memory “works like a video camera, accurately recording the events we see and hear so that we can review and inspect them later.” None of the experts—ZERO percent—strongly agreed or mostly agreed that memory works like a video camera. (From the January 2021 issue “Here’s How Your Memory Really Works”)

We can rewrite our memories in all kinds of ways. This makes sense. I have long been concerned about my memory because of my experiences with my own parents. My family has often commented on my dad’s ability to rewrite history. We all seem to have a different recollection of how certain things went down, and I have often wondered who is right. And my mother, bless her heart, suffered from dementia for many years before her passing. She just did not remember.

The ability to remember seems to be especially important to most of us, even though some of our memories are painful. The same Reader’s Digest article says this: “How important is your ability to remember the past and to draw on it to inform your next move? I’ll answer for you: It’s right up there with breathing and eating.”

An article from Harvard Medical School confirms this and goes on to say: “What causes some people to lose their memory while others stay sharp as a tack? Genes play a role, but so do choices. Proven ways to protect memory include following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. Living a mentally active life is important, too. Just as muscles grow stronger with use, mental exercise helps keep mental skills and memory in tone.”

As is my usual practice, I went to the Bible to see what the Scriptures say about our memory, specifically the act of remembering.

Sometimes when the Bible says that God remembers, it does not mean that he ever forgot. It just means that it is now the right time to bring the matter to the forefront. Timing can be everything, such as

• But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. (Genesis 8:1)
• Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. (Exodus 6:5)

Remembering what God has done for his people in the past can give us hope for the future. Thankfully, we have the Bible to prompt our memory.

• I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:19-23)
• Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. (1 Chron 16:11-13)
• I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Psalm 77:11)
• They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)

If it is something important, then we should write it down.

• Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:4)

Remembering is often a call to action:

• Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Establish habits and regular actions to help us remember properly. (Exodus 20:8)
• Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2)
• Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes. (Nehemiah 4:14)
• Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

Reflecting, remembering, recalling God’s Word to us is vital in strengthening our faith and encouraging our obedience.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. (Isaiah 46:9)

In Christ,

Judy

“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)

As believers, we thrill to worship our risen Savior on Easter Sunday. And then, it is quickly back to “normal.” But when I really meditate on Easter, I realize that this is when I should be celebrating New Year’s, because Christ’s resurrection is what makes our new creations essential, our eternal lives possible, our place in the Kingdom of God real.

One of the reasons we do not experience the Kingdom of God as fully as we could or should is fear. Let’s face it, fear is the most frequent problem experienced by humanity, according to Rick Warren in his April Daily Hope Devotions, and because of that it is a common theme in the Bible. Rare indeed is the person who is not afraid of something, whether it is real or imagined. When I was young, I was deathly afraid of quicksand. (I know that is just weird; I attribute it to watching Westerns with my dad.) I was also a little afraid of my dad because he was the “enforcer” at our house. Mom always warned us to “just wait until your Daddy gets home.” I loved him, and I did not want to disappoint him. Now, one of my fears is disappointing others, and along with that a fear that they will not approve of me. Those are two different fears, by the way: the first one is more about my concern for others, and the other is more about my concern for myself.

“Do not be afraid” is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. Speaking of Easter, when the women went to the tomb on Sunday morning and found the tomb empty, the angel told them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:5-6). And then when the women left to tell his disciples, Jesus himself appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go through Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10).

Why were the women warned repeatedly about their fear? He who knows everything knew that they were afraid. But of what?

1. They perhaps had been afraid that Jesus was not the Messiah after all.

But now, they had no reason to doubt or fear because here is Jesus, the resurrected Christ. “(Jesus) was declared with power to be the son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4). Jesus is the son of God, He resides in our hearts, and “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

• Perhaps they had been afraid that if Jesus were not Messiah after all, that he–and they–would not have that glorious eternal life in heaven he had promised; that this mean existence was all there was.

But now, they knew that his promises of eternal life were real, “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14). And we have this same promise. This life is not all there is, and we do not need to fear death. We can look forward to eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

• Perhaps they were afraid and grieving the loss of a beloved friend. They had spent three years getting to know him, and now his absence would leave a big hole in their lives.

But now, they knew that this beloved friend and Savior was restored to them. And we also know that Jesus loves us extravagantly and remains near to us. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Even when it seems like everyone is against us, we have his promise: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

• Perhaps they just did not know what to do next. When Jesus was alive, they were following his lead. With his death, they feared the loss of their leader and lack of direction. They did not know who to go to with their fears and needs.

But now, their leader had returned, and they trusted that he would continue to guide them. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

In this new year, let us resolve to live in the power of our risen Savior who has defeated the enemy once and for all. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2).

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

In Christ,

Judy