
A nursery owner set out to sell peach trees. She considered various approaches. Should she line up leafy saplings in burlap sacks in a beautiful display? Should she create a colorful catalog picturing peach trees in various seasons of growth? At last she realized what really sells a peach tree. It’s the peach it produces: sweet-smelling, deep orange, and fuzzy-skinned. The best way to sell a peach tree is to pluck a ripe peach, cut it open until the juice dribbles down your arm, and hand a slice to a customer. When they taste the fruit, they want the tree.
God reveals Himself in a wrapper of spiritual fruit in His followers: love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). When believers in Jesus exhibit such fruit, others will want that fruit as well, and, therefore, will seek the Source of the fruit that’s so attractive.
Fruit is the external result of an internal relationship—the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fruit is the dressing that beckons others to know the God we represent. Like the bright peaches standing out against the green leaves of a tree, the fruit of the Spirit announces to a starving world, “Here is food! Here is life! Come and find a way out of exhaustion and discouragement. Come and meet God!
REFLECT: What first drew you to Jesus? How are you exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in your life so that others are attracted to its Source, God?
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I welcome You to continue to grow Your fruit in my life that others might see You and want You in their lives. Learn more about walking by the Spirit.
wind comes
frost too
we never
could protect those apricotz!
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🙂
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fine form , gist meaning it is the norm!
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Welcome back, Tammy! You have written such a beautiful piece here. The description of the peach had MY juices running! Great analogy!
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Thanks dear but this isn’t my work. It’s from Our Daily Bread. I’m still trying to come back but this new job has been a challenge with all the technology & recently offered a promotion so I’m trying to figure out how to balance it all with prayer & staying hopeful 🥰
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Wonderful reflections, Tammy, and leaves lots of food for thought.
It’s very nice to see posting again and I hope that you are feeling better and doing well.
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Thanks Ab, I’ve missed you (& the adventures of T 🤩).
I’m getting there. Still have to see 1 more specialist & have some test done, but the new job & recent promotion have helped a great deal.
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Things are looking up again!
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Amen!
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🙏
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Great word! I shall go forth today, because of this and you, and try to be more “fruity”. 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day my dear😁
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