It has been often said that we only need to be faithful, that God honors faithfulness. And he does! But what about fruitfulness? It was about three years ago that I came across this idea that became a paradigm shift for me. God wants my faithfulness, but he also is into my fruitfulness. As a matter of fact, “be fruitful and multiply” was among his first commands to the very first couple. And Jesus’ words from John 15 bear this out:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-15, ESV)

–Jesus

Jesus is into fruit-bearing. So for the next 40 days, we’re going to focus on the fruit of the Spirit. What does it look like to produce fruit. How do we produce fruit? What are the fruit? You’ll read a daily devo written by members of the Grace family, with a prayer prompt. We’ll begin on Ash Wednesday and end on Good Friday…and hopefully by then, be able to see the first signs of fruit. I’m so excited for you to join me on this journey!

Here’s our prayer prompt. You continue praying as the Lord leads you.

Lord Jesus, I long to be faithful and I want to be fruitful. I so want you (most importantly), and others to see the fruit of the Spirit and to know by that fruit that I walk with you, Lord Jesus, that I am a child of the King. May love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control characterize my life. And Lord Jesus you know I seem to struggle most with _________________ (which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you struggle with?). I can’t wait to see what you’re doing to do in and through me.