Friday, March 5

Read these verses from Psalms for one last time – this time to dwell on the relationship of God’s word, spiritual growth, and the blessing of God in our lives.

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Prayer: Ask God to use his word to produce his fruit in and through your life.


Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the whole body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Just as a mature tree bears fruit – so also we are to bear spiritual fruit as we mature in Christ. Just as a tree multiplies itself through the bearing of fruit, a Christian multiplies himself or herself through:
Community – building up the church
Service – helping others
Generosity – contributing to the growth of God’s kingdom, and
Influence – sharing the good news of Jesus with others.

If you look at yourself as a “Christian tree” – would you say you are mature and bearing good fruit? Would you say you are still in the maturation process and are bearing some fruit? Or would you say that you are not yet beginning to bear fruit?

Close your time with God by committing yourself to a continuous and intentional process of spiritual maturity – so that He can cause your life to bear much fruit!