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Proverbs of a 41 yr. old man
Fruit that will last. Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Amen. Jesus appeared in a locked room and the disciples were shocked. Prior to that, the last they knew of Jesus was that He'd been brutally murdered and buried in a borrowed grave. Of course, they knew His tomb was found to be empty. And women like Mary Magdalene had insisted they'd seen Jesus alive. For whatever reason, this didn't seem to convince them. It was not until Jesus appeared in person, directly before them, that they really believed He was risen. He breathed on them and gave Holy Spirit so generously. Jesus calls to us all the same blessing, "You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name." The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. Amen. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. Amen. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. This is fruit that will last. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation, the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ, for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”
Study James 3:18
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