Word for Today - 9 May 2025

--:--
“God created man in His own image…Then…said…‘Be fruitful.’” Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV
Bearing spiritual fruit
A pastor writes: “When God created man, he made him ‘in his own image.’ That was God’s original plan, and it has not changed. He wants to make us like himself…godly. He does it by working on our character through his Word, through his Holy Spirit, and through circumstances. The Greek word for ‘character’…means ‘tested and proven reliable.’ It brings to mind the work of a blacksmith, describing something that has gone through the fire, has been beat on…but has stood the test.” Notice, one of the first things God said to man was, “Be fruitful.” And Jesus tells us how: “If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit” (John 15:5 CEV). But fruit takes time to ripen. When you try to rush the process, it doesn’t taste as good. Have you ever tasted gassed tomatoes? You buy them at the grocery store. If farmers picked ripe tomatoes and shipped them, they would get smashed en route to market. So, they pick them green, spray them with ethylene gas before they go to market, and the gas quickly ripens green tomatoes into red. Nothing is wrong with those tomatoes, but if you have ever tasted a vine-ripened tomato, you know there is no comparison. Similarly, it takes time for spiritual fruit to grow in your life. You can’t take a crash course and graduate with spiritual maturity. It requires a lifetime of walking with God, leaning on Him, learning from Him, and loving Him with all your heart. God wants to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life, so cooperate with Him.
8 May English South Africa Christianity

Other recent episodes

Word for Today - 4 June 2025

“No one puts new wine into old wineskins.” Mark 2:22 NKJV Out with the old and in with the new! As a new creation, you’re no longer controlled by your old behaviour but by your relationship with Christ. Jon Walker writes: “A few miles from my house there’s a convenience…
3 Jun 2 min

Word for Today - 3 June 2025

“You shall receive power.” Acts 1:8 NKJV Today, use your God-given power You say, “If Christ lives in me, why do I still think and act the way I do?” A Christian leader explains: “The answer is illustrated in a story about a lady who had a small house…at the…
2 Jun 2 min

Woord vir Vandag - 4 Junie 2025

“Net so min gooi ‘n mens nuwe wyn in ou leersakke…” Markus 2:22 NLV Uit met die oue en in met die nuwe! As nuwe skepping, word jy nie meer deur jou ou gedrag nie, maar deur jou verhouding met Christus beheer. Jon Walker skryf: ‘’n Paar kilometer van my…
3 Jun 3 min

Woord vir Vandag - 3 Junie 2025

“Maar wanneer die Heilige Gees oor julle kom, sal julle krag ontvang…” Handelinge 1:8 NLV Gebruik vandag jou Godgegewe krag Jy vra: ‘As Christus in my woon, hoekom dink en tree ek steeds op hierdie manier op?’ ‘n Christelike leier verduidelik: ‘Die antwoord word in ‘n storie oor ‘n dame…
2 Jun 2 min

Word for Today - 2 June 2025

“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT Be real Jesus was rough on Pharisees: “People look at you and think you are saints, but beneath…you are total frauds” (Matthew 23:28 MSG). They put on a good front but were devoid of…
1 Jun 2 min