Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit

Last Sunday evening we continued in our journey of Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit. I left so encouraged, thankful, and joyful as a result of our time listening to the Scriptures, discussing, and praying together. I am thankful for precious brothers like Vernon Dasher who makes it his goal to simply share the beautiful truths of the Scriptures and for a sister like Victoria Purvis who just radiates joy that comes only from Jesus.

I was in a group with Chase, Jarrett, Jim, and Timmy and we got to the question “How can we more intentionally experience the joy we receive through the Lord?” 

We all agreed that we knew the Scriptures, prayer, worshiping through singing, witnessing what God was doing not just in our lives but in the lives of others, and many others things. These things are so obvious to us as to how they should cultivate joy, but my heart wanted to take a step deeper.

I shared one time that Abby and I were on the way to a wedding and we were listening to worship music. I found myself overcome with emotion and joy listening to the truths in these songs. I turned to Abby and said, “I’ll never have an issue with having a tender heart for the things of God.”

How do we more intentionally experience the joy we receive through the Lord? We put ourselves in positions to be tender-hearted to the things of God.

Wherever you hear, see, think, or experience the precious truths about God, let your heart be receptive to the joy that comes from them. I was thankful Sunday night for the prayers that were prayed over me, because late that night I was overcome with it and felt the need to play Behold Him by Worship Initiative. Read these beautiful words:

He who was before there was light,

Walked across the pages of time, 

He who made every living thing, Behold Him.

He who heard humanity's cry,

Left His throne to wake as a child,

He became like the least of us, Behold Him

Jesus Son of God Messiah

The Lamb the roaring Lion

Oh be still and behold Him

Jesus Alpha and Omega

Our God the risen Savior

Oh be still and behold Him