Through the scriptures we learn to know God better. The better we know God the more we will be rooted and grounded in Him. When storms of life hit we will be able to deal with it because of Him. We will be able to stay standing and go through the storm because we know HIM and we know that we are safe in Him no matter the raging storms.

 

We need to live a life worthy of a Kingdom Citizen. When we accept Christ as our Saviour we receive Holy Spirit and we then set out on this journey to also have a renewed heart. When Holy Spirit enters your spirit He awakens your spirit, and from your spirit God can then communicate with you and change your heart. We do not immediately receive a complete new heart. This is something we have to work at daily. Both Saul in the Old Testament and Saul (who became Paul) in the New Testament were exceptions. God blessed them instantly with a completely new heart. Sadly, we read that king Saul did not ‘keep his garden’ and he allowed that new heart to become as if it was never changed. He neglected that garden to the point of destruction.

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The best way to get to know God is by reading His Word..and then..to put into practice what we have learnt.

 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… this one will be blessed in what he does.

~ James 1:22-25

 

When we read the Word we also increase our faith. And by faith we please Him.

 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

~ Romans 10:17

 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

~ Hebrew 11:16

 

The Word is also full of DO’s and DON’Ts – boundaries. These boundaries are there for our protection. The boundaries are there to protect us physically and to protect our hearts. If we do not know the Word, we will not know the boundaries and we will not be able to protect ourselves from the temptations and attacks of the enemy. It would be very difficult to fight the temptations coming at us every day. Remember, without God we are no match against the enemy, and he is working every day wanting to deceive, steal and destroy your garden.

 

When we look at a picture of a healthy tree, we definitely get a sense of peace and comfort. This tree is clearly getting enough nutrients and water and is safe and secure. The roots are strong and established and the leaves are green and healthy.

There is continual blossoming and fruit at all times and there is a beautiful fragrance and song coming from this tree.

 

This is what God has in mind for each one of us.

 

Psalm 1:3

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

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“It is time to blossom.” ~ God

There was a time in my life [2010 about] when God told me that it was time to blossom. We even got a new kitty and after I have already received word about 'blossoming' my daughter at the time (who knew nothing of the blossoming - she was still small) came to me and said we should call the kitty "Blossom"!

 

I didn’t quite understand what He meant by it at first but as time went on God explained it to me.

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Blossoms give off a sweet-smelling fragrance. God wants us to give off a sweet-smelling fragrance to others. People must be drawn to us like bees to blossoms! We need to attract people by the way we live and portray ourselves. When they are in our company, we must be like a sweet-smelling fragrance to them.

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“It is time for you to mature.” ~ God

Then one day, about a year or so after that, I was busy in the kitchen minding my own business and I remember it as if it were yesterday..I opened the cupboard and as I reached out to get something I clearly heard God’s voice in my heart: “It is time for you to mature.”

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At first I felt a little embarrassed..I need to mature? Really?

 

And for about three weeks I walked with these words, not sure what to make of it. I was playing it over and over again in my head. Then God decided it was time to tell me what He meant..

 

He said: “I need you to mature so that you can bear fruit.”

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I almost heard him say 'silly' with a smile after that sentence!

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And I started understanding that there cannot be fruit without blossoms. First, the blossom and then the fruit – the blossom becomes the fruit. The blossom is the promise of the fruit!

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So there is a process of growing up. When we start to blossom we release this beautiful fragrance however we cannot keep blossoming indefinitely without producing fruit. We need to mature in spirit so that fruit would be produced. 

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So what God was saying is that I needed to start portraying and living these fruits so that others could benefit from my life. How beautiful is that!?

 

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

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The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. 

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Remember that only mature trees bear fruit. God needs us to bear fruit so that we can have a positive impact on the lives of those around us. The fruit that Jesus needs us to bear are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. These are NOT your fruits; you CANNOT produce these fruits. Only by having a living relationship with God and by walking in the spirit and not the flesh we can hence allow Holy Spirit to manifest these fruits in us and through us.
 
These fruits are sweet and attractive to others, and it draws them to you. When you are in the company of someone who exhibits these fruits, you can't get enough of it. You keep picking and eating and even grab a basket to take some home with you so that it can last a bit longer!

 

Psalm 34:8

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

The fruit belongs to Holy Spirit and these are God's characteristics. God wants us to represent Him and His character. So, when we walk in maturity and in the spirit we represent God's character and others are drawn to Him in us.

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
 
John 15:8 ~ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;

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The beautiful thing is that God says if we remain in him we will be mature healthy trees that will blossom and bear fruit all year round, even during droughts and storms! So, let's focus on becoming mature trees that will blossom and bear fruit, and as the breeze moves through the leaves may it release a beautiful fragrance and sound - a fragrance, fruit and sound that will bless everyone we meet.

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