our daily bread

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Dexu Xia

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Sep 16, 2017, 3:30:25 AM9/16/17

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Overflowing Fruit

I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:16

During the spring and summer, I admire the fruit growing in our neighbor’s yard. Their cultivated vines climb a shared fence to produce large bunches of grapes. Branches dotted with purple plums and plump oranges dangle just within our reach.

Although we don’t till the soil, plant the seeds, or water and weed the garden, the couple next door shares their bounty with us. They take responsibility for nurturing their crops and allow us to delight in a portion of their harvest.

The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us.

The produce from the trees and vines on the other side of our fence reminds me of another harvest that benefits me and the people God places in my life. That harvest is the fruit of the Spirit.

Christ-followers are commissioned to claim the benefits of living by the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16–21). As God’s seeds of truth flourish in our hearts, the Spirit produces an increase in our ability to express “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (vv. 22–23).

Once we surrender our lives to Jesus, we no longer have to be controlled by our self-centered inclinations (v. 24). Over time, the Holy Spirit can change our thinking, our attitudes, and our actions. As we grow and mature in Christ, we can have the added joy of loving our neighbors by sharing the benefits of His generous harvest.

Lord, please cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our hearts and minds so our neighbors can enjoy Your sweet fragrance in and through our lives.

The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us.

丰硕的果实

我拣选了你们，并且分派你们去结果子，叫你们的果子常存。-约翰福音15章16节

每逢春、夏两季，我总会欣赏邻居家满园的果实。他们的葡萄树攀爬在我们两家之间的篱笆上，结满了大串的葡萄。此外，只要一伸手，就能摘到紫色的李子和饱满的柳橙。

虽然我们没有翻土、播种或浇水除草，但邻居夫妇仍与我们同享美好的果实。他们负责培育果树，并让我们一同分享这份甘甜。

邻居园子里丰硕的果实，让我联想到另一种果子，能让我自己和身边的人同得益处，就是圣灵所结的果子。

基督徒所领受的命令，就是要顺从圣灵的引导而生活，那我们就必得益处（加拉太书5章16-21节）。当上帝真理的种子在我们的心里成长时，圣灵就叫我们更有能力活出：“仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。”（22-23节）

当我们决志相信耶稣为救主，我们就不再受私欲辖制（24节）。假以时日，圣灵就改变我们的思想、心态和行为。当我们的灵命在基督里不断长大成熟，满有圣灵所结的果子，你我的邻舍也能同得益处，我们内心的喜乐也增加。

主啊，求祢在我们的心思意念中，
培育圣灵的果子。
透过我们的生命，让邻舍享受祢的馨香。