Journey

 "Fruit" is a metaphor for a successful, productive life. John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go bear fruit - fruit that will last."  When we say "last", what are we saying?  Not perishing?  Outlast you?  Perhaps.  But something that at least has the potential to last a lifetime.  Nothing I can build or create can last.  Everything rusts and falls apart.  Moths eat, etc...  But helping someone determine their destiny - especially a destiny with Christ - that is a fruit that will last.

 Thinking before I read, I felt I was in the spiritual season of Deepening, only because I feel there is more "meat" to be found in the Scripture.  I must admit, reading books about what others find only makes me wonder if I'm cheating myself out of the joy of a deeper learning.  Or if I'm allowing them to tell me what they think is the deeper understanding.  But I do realize that I don't have the understanding on my own, so I should carefully select texts in the areas I'm more interested to learn about. After going through all the scriptures outlined in the book (Note: the same verse, Psalm 66: 10-12, is used for both the seasons of pruning and sifting, I've asked God to lay on my heart which season I am in.  I feel God, too, finds me in the deepening season.  He is asking me to stop delaying, and pursue other texts dealing with the areas of Christianity I am most curious about.  He tells me not to long for sifting, because He sifts when He sifts....

 Scripture Read. 1 Cor 6: 19-20, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were brought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body." Thought Applied.  The Holy Spirit lives with us.  God bought our body, and the Holy Spirit moved in.  So honor both the Holy Spirit and God by taking caring of our body like a temple. Application Made.  Physically or spiritually, do not take into your body something which you would not take into a temple. Response Prayer.

 Scripture Read.  Ephesians 4: 32-32  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Thought Applied.   An undisciplined mind is a selfish mind.  The sins mentioned here come from one who is focused on themselves, and respond with these emotions and actions when events occur against them.  Learning to be kind, compassionate, etc.. is something we do once we place others before ourselves. Application Made.  When the actions of others make you bitter or angry, remember how Christ forgives you.  Forgive others for making you angry.  Think deep about why they act this way, and how you should respond to it. Response Prayer.  

 Part 1 - The Transformation Why does God discipline his child?   Discipline from God can serve as correction and guidance, steering believers away from harmful behaviors or paths that are not aligned with divine principles. It can be viewed as a loving act intended to keep individuals on the right path. Why does God prune his child?  Pruning removes excess growth - which in itself may not be necessarily bad - that diverts nutrients and water away from the main branch where the growth is most desired to foster growth, strengthening, and fruit.  God will prune his child when he sees growth in his child that diverts His desire and care and feeding away from His will for his child - again, growth, strengthening and spiritual fruit. How do these two actions by God help us abide in Him?  These dual actions work in concert by steering us away from harmful behavior (removing the bad) and focusing and encouraging the good.  But not just any good, but the good ...