January 15, 2014 - "The External Affects The Internal"

Good morning and might I say I am happy to be at mid-week. How about you? Several times yesterday I had the concept of seeds in apples come to my heart. Strange, huh? But as I have meditated on that and done some research, I have a few thoughts this morning. When we experience salvation, one of the gifts we receive comes in the form of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 gives us some insight into the character issues deposited within us as the Holy Spirit comes to abide and dwell. Most of us know these as the "fruits of the Spirit"... 22-23 "But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (MSG) In my research last night I found this nugget, "The number of seeds depends on the variety of apple you have. While there are five seed-containing sections (carpels) in all apples, an apple may produce anywhere from 0-20 plus seeds. Is not just genetics, but how well the growing season went also affects the number of seeds. For some varieties, size matters! A red delicious apple that is small almost always has fewer seeds than a red delicious that is large (Fancy Grade). The small apple has fewer resources to sustain seed development." Let's look at this: 1. Five carpels in the apple - seed containing pockets - says GRACE as the number 5 is the number of grace - God's divine enablement. Each apple has the same number of pockets, but not the same number of seeds. We desperately need the Spirit of God to help us, give us grace, so we can see Godly characteristics developed fully in our lives that represent God's presence within us well. If you love exuberantly - I am almost certain that when others see this "fruit" they see something different - they see God's grace in action. 2. The number of seeds is affected by the growing season (issues of life). While each of us has the potential to see the fruit of the Spirit developed fully - equally - our circumstances can effect how mature these character traits are. I really feel each of us is like a farmer who has the responsibility of maximizing the growth potential for all the fruits of the Spirit within us. As mentioned above, we cannot blame seed development on genetics. We cannot declare that we are selfish because our parents were selfish or angry because our parents were angry. Yes, perhaps the field we were raised in experienced these negative influences - and maybe our mature seeds of patience and affection for others will not be AS numerous as someone in a different field - but I believe that prayer changes things! Let's get the seeds of selfishness out and cultivate the seeds of selflessness. 3. Finally, from above, it mentions the smaller apple has fewer resources to sustain seed development. I see this as those who are spending less time with the Father and can become overwhelmed and burdened by the affairs and cares of live. Can I encourage you, start your day reading God's Word or listening to the Word on your laptop, etc (I use Daily Audio Bible in addition to my actual reading of the Bible) as well as talking to God? When we make that commitment, we maximize the growth potential of the fruit of the Spirit. I promise. Fruit grows in orchards for all to see, doesn't it? Fruit starts from seeds, doesn't it? Fruit is effected by the growing season given it, isn't it? But a great farmer WORKS to see those seeds are given the best opportunity to develop well REGARDLESS. Spending time in God's presence could seem like "work" as you commit to a daily time, but the harvest will be so worth it! The nine fruits of the Spirit when operating fully, maturely, make a bold statement to the world and our families. Yes, it does! How about this - I heard someone say once that the greater the number of seeds, the sweeter the fruit. Perhaps the more time we give to the Holy Spirit to develop His seeds and fruit within us, the less time we have for the worldly seed and fruit to develop. So, the more time we spend in God's Word...the more the Holy Spirit reveals and changes...the sweeter our families, co-workers, friends, and neighbors see we are. Just asking? PK