“Fall” in Love

When we lived in the Spokane, WA area we often visited a place called Green Bluff. What a wonderful place.

We would frequently go to pick apples, pumpkins, and my favorite was the blackberries. Each fall there were a number of small farms that opened their properties “as you pick” farms. I still remember the hayrides, the smell of warm apple and pumpkin pies and hot apple cider. The aroma filled the air.

All around the harvest area were bushel baskets filled with apples and also stacks of pumpkins. It was definitely a Hallmark-type location. Enjoying the harvest and tranquility was something I always looked forward to.

Sharing in the harvest was a reminder to me of what Jesus taught His disciples about the fruit that they should be producing. He wanted us to grow in the Spirit and produce fruit that would overflow the baskets of our lives.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 AMP

Jesus said they would know that we are His disciples if we love one another. Most of the book of I John is written about loving one another. Jesus ministry was marked by His love for all that He came in contact with.

“Jesus said to his disciples: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of what I have said to you.

⁴ Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. ⁵ I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. ” John 15:1-5 CEV

In Christ, we will produce much fruit. The fruit we are to produce is love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness.

“  But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. ³⁵ If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

“Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. ⁸ When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. ⁹ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.” John 15:7-9 CEV

Jesus loved the sinners and publicans; the tax collectors and the prostitutes, He even showed his love for the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He reached out to all with loving arms and was moved with compassion toward all.

The best way I know to fill our baskets with a harvest is to follow the example of Jesus. Walk in love so that the world will see Jesus living in us!