LOVE AND FRUIT
Tuesday – March 24, 2020, Adar 28, 5780
Greeting to our dear friends and partners, precious saints, sons and daughters of the only living God. Welcome back to this wonderful and empowering Bible Study of the Book of John. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to give us feedback and to expand the reach of these teachings. The picture today, and tomorrow are courtesy of our granddaughter at Little Moments Photography. We are the sheep of His pasture and we would do well to remember that and stay as close to The Shepherd as possible. Ladies remember to get your flyer and register for the Women’s Conference coming up on the 30th of May at New Beginnings Church of God in Waterville, Maine. This is not a Church of God only function but is open to all ladies, all denominations, and all independent Churches. Registration is $25.00 with lunch provided. Now let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text and read it aloud.
John 15:10-14 (KJV)
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Yesterday we spent time reviewing and expanding our understanding of the centrality of the Truth of love in experiencing the manifestations of God in our lives. Obeying the commandments (Word of God) of God is love (agape) and is the key to God loving us or manifesting in our lives. Think of it this way, a parent may love a child but the disobedience of the child prevents the parent from doing for the child what is in their heart to do. Disobedience demonstrates an absence of love. The more we do what the Master says, the more our life is selfless, the more we are observing the Blood Covenant the more manifestation of God there will be in our lives. God is so good. There is an inseparable connection between faith and love (agape). True faith in God cannot operate without love of God.
Galatians 5:6 (KJV)
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Yes, the word “love” in the Galatians reference is agape and means exactly what we have been talking about for weeks. At the core of agape (love) is obedience to the Word of God, a selfless life, and observing of the Blood Covenant. One may say; “I do love God”. One might answer with; “show me the manifestation of that love.” Another way of putting that might be to say “show me the fruit”. A healthy branch connected to The Vine receiving the cleansing or pruning of the Word of God will bear much fruit. What fruit is our individual lives bearing? Are we financially stressed, sick in our bodies, with many unanswered prayers or are we increasing in wealth, walking in health, and prayers being answered not only in our own lives but for those who come to us for prayer? I am not pointing my fingers anywhere except to examine myself. We are not to let the devil bring us into condemnation but to go before the Lord with an openness of heart to learn where we can become more like Him. Also, let God define this idea of bearing fruit and not the doctrines of devils or the traditions of men and certainly not the world. We will all bear much of the same fruits like the fruits of the spirit but God will lead each of us into individual areas of ministry. These individual areas will bear the variety of fruits needed in and for this wonderful Kingdom of God.
To expand on this just a tad further, think about three different areas of ministry in the Kingdom of God. First (only in mention) the bearing of the fruit of the spirit (peace, joy, love and so on), the gifts of the Spirit like Word of Wisdom, tongues and so on, and the Five-Fold Ministry gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. All of these produce different fruits (not an exhaustive list) that are beneficial not just to the Kingdom of God at large, to ourselves, our Church, but to those around us (saved and unsaved). The fruit of a Word of Wisdom will be different perhaps than a tongues and interpretation in the congregation. The fruits of our spirit man of peace, joy and so on will be a benefit to others and these we have in common and are developed on purpose by each of us. These fruits of our spirit man must be exercised to mature and be useful by our choice. This is why you can see a Christian born again twenty years ago and mean as a snake (no offence to snakes). The fruit of the office of Apostle will be different than the Evangelist. What I am driving home here is to not let someone put you in a box. Let the Lord lead you to blossom and bear wonderful fruit in your own wonderful way that He has equipped and designed you. All are necessary to a healthy balanced body (body of Christ). Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name! Quit asking God to bless you, you are already blessed, you have the Blessing, give Him something to do by the words of your mouth. Once you know the will of God, decree the thing (Job 22:28, Isaiah 45:11, Mark 11:23). (The Blessing is the Holy Spirit) We have left God way to long with nothing to do in our lives.
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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