For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Feb. 23, 2007 - Pondering the Spirit-Filled Life, Abiding, Fruit, and the Flesh

I’ve been feeling kinda quiet lately as God has really been challenging me in a lot of ways. My previous post about blame shifting is just one of the ways that God’s been working in my heart. Having misplaced A Man Called Peter one night, I began reading Charles Stanley’s book The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life and it’s really rockin’ my world. I want what he’s talking about. I long to live that consistent, Spirit-filled life and bear much fruit, and I honestly can’t see the evidence of that right now. I find myself trying to produce the fruit myself. I’ll determine that I’m going to be more patient, or practice self-control, but that’s not what the Spirit-filled life is about. It’s about Abiding in Christ (John 15) and bearing the fruit that He is producing, not attempting to produce it myself. In addition, I was reminded this evening, that it’s not the fruit that I should be pursuing, but God Himself. If I pursue that relationship with Him, if I pursue HIM, then the fruit will come. As great as the fruit is, and as beneficial as it is to me and those who have to live with me, and those that encounter me who don’t know the Lord, my focus isn’t to be on the fruit, but on the Producer of the fruit, the Vine Himself: Jesus! He's what I really need! So that’s where my heart is, trying to figure out how to truly yield to the Spirit, to walk in Him, and to Abide in Christ and not try to accomplish His purposes in MY flesh, but to surrender myself to the Lordship of Christ, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading so that I am able to bear that desirable fruit in ANY and every circumstance.

• Post A Comment!

Feb. 23, 2007 - So true!!

Posted by CTdittmar

Amen. Let it be. John 15:5 is one of our key verses as a couple and a family. It is truly the key to living the Christian life, living in Christ! We can get so discouraged when we see we're not bearing fruit. It's like we want to go around velcro-ing it onto ourselves....oh yeah, this is fruit...it is produced IN ME, BY HIM! I can't pick it up at Target or just muster up that fruit. It's the result of me being IN HIM. Thanks for the great great reminder. Abiding in the vine...Christa

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Feb. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KarenW

I love it when I find a good book or Bible study that really speaks to me and changes me from the inside out! God bless!
http://www.woodward-family.com/karenwoodward/blog.html

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Feb. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Happyhome

Very well spoken. For so long I determined (usually daily!) to be more...patient, loving, kind...you fill in the blank. Inevitably I would fail every time because, as you said, I was attempting to produce the fruit rather than relying on the One who is the producer. I learned (and am still learning) that the fruit I so desire in my life is a natural outpouring of becoming more like Him and allowing Him to work in/through me. Some days I feel it is a slow process...or maybe I'm just a slow learner! I am thankful for His unending patience with me!

Angela

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Feb. 25, 2007 - Wow!

Posted by Anonymous

That was incredible, almost like reading my own thoughts, except I'm not sure I've grasped it quite as completely as you. Being a pastor's wife puts additional pressure on me to produce (or maybe I just put that pressure on myself). Thanks for your transparency!
-Sarah

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Feb. 25, 2007 - Isn't this the challenge of the Christian Life?

Posted by REInvestor

I am often challenged by the ideas in the Epistles related to union with Christ. As I am united with Him his life will come out more and more in me. Amy Carmichael says something to the effect, that a cup of sweet water cannot spill out bitter water. If there is bitter water in me it comes out when I am bumped and jostled. But if it isn't in me, then it can't. Believe you me, there is lots of bitter water inside. I am there with you sister and I have a long way to go, but Praise God we are on the journey together.

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Feb. 25, 2007 - Hi!

Posted by Kraig

Hey! We got hills; we got snow; by the time the wind blows across the hills, the snow is pretty much GONE!!! It would be nice to sled some. Guess we'll just have to go skiiing instead!

Edited by EEEEMommy on Feb. 25, 2007 at 6:17 PM

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Feb. 25, 2007 - Great Book!!!

Posted by FaithfulGrace

Probably on my top 5 greatest, life-changing reads.
It will change you. I've been thinking about John 15 a lot lately. I'm really convicted to paint it on the walls of my kitchen.
Blessings,
Linda

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Feb. 26, 2007 - Abiding in Christ

Posted by Dechertimes2

You sound just like me...trying to bear the fruit myself. Yet, even more wanting to abide in Christ and have more of Him. And, John 15, is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. May the Lord fill you more and more with the passionate desire for Him alone and absolute peace in abiding in Him.

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Feb. 27, 2007 - produce

Posted by javamamma

Excellent post. I agree. So many times we try to pursue the fruit, bypassing the only One that can produce it in our lives.

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14