Have you ever tried to eat a coconut? It’s not for the fainthearted. It requires a strenuous effort. You have to drill a hole into the hard exterior, and then you need to grab a hammer or machete in order to smash the thing open. A lazy person will not eat fresh coconut. Likewise, patience…
Sow patience. This fruit gives one courage to endure long and not give up. Patience strengthens your ability to act with self-restraint, rather than impulsiveness. A strong dose of its nectar helps one to step back, extend mercy, and accept that “vengeance belongs to the Lord.” A patient person fully believes that God is orchestrating…
One thing about fruit — sometimes you have to work to find it. Take the pomegranate for instance — its exterior surface is hard and inedible. You have to crack the hard shell and go searching for the juicy, yummy stuff. This world is a hard place to live sometimes. You have to work to…
Sow peace. This fruit is characterized by an inner harmony that promotes accord and tranquility. Peace planted in the soul and cultivated by the Holy Spirit will prosper even if faced with the rages and havoc of war. This blessed fruit produces contentment with one’s earthly lot. God, the Master Gardener, rewards those who…
Joy thrives in the most unlikely places. I learned this first hand last year. You see, for 2012 my adopted theme was “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Steal My Joy.” Looking back now, I realize how ironic that decision was because it was the hardest year of my life. Yet, in the midst of it all,…
Sow joy. This gladness of heart springs up from faith. A joyful person holds an exuberant outlook on life so that inner peace is not disturbed by outward turmoil. The joyful choose to rejoice and keep moving forward with “holy optimism.” Joy is rooted in an understanding that our Sovereign God is good. He is…