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Greetings!

I’m a gardener—are you? I just love to survey my garden to see how things are coming along, growing, bearing the fruit of the tree or plants that I’ve planted. I water, mulch and pull the few weeds that can get through to let the plant bear more fruit. It is a big thrill to me, to see the peaches, apples, or tomatoes and cucumbers growing and maturing. I think of how lovely they will be to be at my table! I'm thanking the Lord for healthy food to feed my family and friends. What a joy it is! How about you--do you enjoy this too?

Then I thought about God looking down on not only me but all His children. He also is looking for us to bear the fruit of His good character in our lives. A healthy marriage and Christ-centered family!! Wow—what an illustration is that? I never thought of God looking for fruit in me. Am I bearing good fruit?

God is just like us; very desirous of seeing us grow and bear the fruit of love and compassion in our homes to feed our spouses and children with loving words and actions. To cultivate in good character fruits in our children, under God. He supplies the living water, the bread of life, and re-creative power by His son Jesus Christ. Am I entering in?

He looks under the leaves of our hearts to see our fruit of fears, anxieties, irritation, self-protection, harshness and anger, selfishness, an unforgiving spirit and He is most sad. He wants to pull these weeds of self and see us mature Godly, Christ-like fruit instead. He seeks and needs our cooperation to change us. He will not force His help against our will.

He wants the planting of His character of Trust, peace, selflessness, forgiveness and servitude to one another, to spring up by His grace to replace these weeds. He awaits our letting Him in to be Our Lord and recreate us into His image. Let us choose to bear His fruit and put a smile on His face!
God Our Gardener,
Jim & Sally
Empowered Living MInistries
Jim & Sally Hohnberger
970-615-0046
Empowered Living Ministries