Fruits That Delight (Psalm 34:8-12)
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good."
We often hear about the need to eat our daily portion of fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet should contain at least 4-6 serving of fruits to build up our anti-oxidant levels that fight against the free radicals that work to cause a deterioration of our physical bodies. However, do we similarly remember to feast on the fruits that come from the Holy Spirit’s infusing, filling and enabling power? Without a consistent renewing of our spiritual, emotional and mental capacities with the fruit of the Spirit we will grow weak, vulnerable to temptation and unable to fulfill God’s greater purposes for lives.
Paul warned us of what happens when we do not saturate ourselves with what is true, noble, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent and admirable when he wrote, "The signs of the last days, will evidence people who will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love,
unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
Quoting from Bill Keller, the founder and director of Liveprayer.com
"We have the better percentage of over 2 full generations, with a third one on the way, who have never even been inside of a church. Generations who have grown up their entire lives in homes void of God and Biblical Truth. You have young adults who for the most part deny God’s existence, thoroughly reject the Bible as being the Truth it is, and scoff at having a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ. Most now have grown up in broken and blended homes and have had unstable childhoods. A larger percentage than people want to admit have been abused in some way, have never had the nurturing of a mother and father which is vital to the development of any child, and through the years have developed a cold and uncaring heart."
Ron Luce, the founder of Teen Mania and Acquire the Fire ministries writes, "65% of builders profess to be born again. 37% of boomers. 25% of busters but only 4% of millenials or those born after 1984.
The following are some of the attributes of the Lord God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that we need to feast on in order to exude the fruits of Spirit that will transform us and the world around us:
1. FAITH AUTHOR AND PERFECTOR -
The Lord Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, not minding the shame and is now set down on the right hand of the throne of God from whence He will judge the living and the dead. (Heb 12:1,2) As we fix our emotional, mental and spiritual attentions on the Lord Jesus we will be filled with the knowledge, energy and joy of the Lord as our strength. He will renew, revive and refuel us with His enabling power. Without Him we can do nothing of eternal value nor can we enjoy the sense of satisfaction that only He can give. "He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with what is good."
2. FACILITATOR
"It is God who is at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:14) God is the one who infuses in to us His mighty power, capabilities and motivations that enable us to work the works of God. Jesus said, "He who believes in Me the works that I do will He do also and greater works than these will He do because I go to the Father. You can ask anything in my name and I will do it that the son may be glorified to the Father." (John 14:12-14)
A facilitator makes takes easy to complete and reduces the difficulties of any challenge. When we have the Holy Spirit working in and through and with us we have supernatural capacities to accomplish everything God asks us to do with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power. We will not lack for any good thing when we are filled, anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
God told Isaiah, "When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down the mountains quaked in your presence. For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear. Neither has the eye seen a God beside You. who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." (Isa 64:3,4)
When we are in the midst of the worse difficulties imaginable we can be confident that the Lord is working a far greater work of glory in and through and with us. He is using us to forward His purposes as He is able to work all things together for His good. (Rom 8:28,29) It is up to us to trust, obey and wait upon Him to do the things that only He can through His Spirit’s facilitation.
3. FRIENDSHIP
The Lord Jesus wants to exude His friendliness, friendship and friend winning capacities through us if we will let Him. Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:10-15)
Illustration: One of my favorite songs that I learned while at the Jos ECWA/SIM seminary in Nigeria was,
"There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one. None else can heal all our souls diseases. No not one. No not one. Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide till the day is done. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one."
I cherished the friendship of Jesus for nineteen years in Nigeria as a missionary where it was often lonely, agonizingly difficult and often one felt a sense of betrayal. Only the friendship of the Lord Jesus gave me the capabilities to draw upon His presence as a source of companionship that brought me through the dry desert experiences. Allow the Lord Jesus to be your friend who sticks closer than a brother. Then you can sing, "What a Friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pains we bear. All because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer."
4. FREEDOM GIVER
Jesus said, "If you continue in my word then truly are you my disciples indeed. Any you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31,32) Through an intimate trust, obedience and communion with the Lord Jesus we are given freedom from corruption, sin and the discouragements of life. He elevates us above the limitations that so often drag most people down.
He alone is able to free you mentally, emotionally and spiritually from the chains that bind billions all over the globe. So many are prisoners of their pleasures, pride and personal preoccupations. Only the Holy Spirit’s filling will give you the fruit of self-control to overcome the tendencies that we have to be controlled by the flesh instead of the Spirit. Paul wrote, "The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (Rom 8:6)
5. FOE AS OPPOSER TO GOD’S WILL and FALSE DETECTOR
The Lord’s Spirit fights against all fleshly and evil desires. Paul wrote, "For the flesh sets itself against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that you cannot do the things that you please. So walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh." (Gal 5:16,17)
We must actively renounce, rejest and resist all that is outside of the will of God. Paul wrote, "Put away anger, jealousy, wrath, slander and put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bearing with one another, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:28-32) It is not enough to just try to be good we must actively repudidate and renounce all that is in opposition to the will of God.
6. FAITHFUL
When everyone and everything else disappoints, Jesus never fails.
Quote: "Earthly friends may prove untrue, doubts and fear assails. One still loves and cares for you. And He cannot fail. Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails. Heaven and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails."
"Faithful is He who calls you and He also will bring it to pass." (2 Thes 3)
"God is not a man that He should lie. Neither is He the son of man that he should repent. Has He said and will He not do it. Or has He spoken and will He not make it good." (Numb 14)
God will bring to completion everyone of His 7000 promises to all of His children. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will bring things to pass." (Psa 37)
Song: Our God is a faithful God. Our God is a holy God. Our God is a loving God. He will surely stand by me."
7. FUEL
We all know that we cannot go far in our vehicles without a fill-up. Even though it is becoming increasingly expensive to fill our cars, we know that without a good source of energy our automobiles will quickly stall and fail to perform. Similarly, we need to wait upon the Lord to renew our strength. Listen to the famous promise from Isaiah. "They who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isa 40:31)
When we refuel from the word, the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord in praise and worship we can recharge, re-energize and gain a new sense of resurgent strength to soar above our circumstances. People who do not do this are subject to emotional, mental or spiritual breakdowns.
8. FINDS A WAY
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness of life if we will just follow His leading. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insights. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." (Prov. 3:5-7) "There has no temptation that has taken you but such as it common to man, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond that which you are able. But will with the temptation also provide a way of escape." (ICor 10:13)
Song: God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide. Walking close beside my side. With love and strength for each new day. He will make a way for me.
9. FUTURE KNOWER
We do not have to fear the future or the trauma of circumstances as God knows the end from the beginning. His presence, love and purposes are certain in the present and the past as they are in the future. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the AMEN of life.
I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord, plans for a future and a hope. Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11)
Do not doubt today or worry about the troubles ahead. Each day has enough troubles of its own. Just seek first the King and His kingdom and all the essentials of life will be added to you. (Matt 6;33,34)
10. FULFILLMENT
"He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with what is good." Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied." (Matt 5:8) Often when we are feeling empty it is because we have drunk from the living waters of the Lord Jesus, His word and the praise of attributes. He alone gives us the sense of completion, fulfillment and wholeness that His person that bring.
Jesus told the woman at the well, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give Him will never thirst." (John 4:13) We gain a fresh revitalization when we sip from the streams of living water through the worship of God with a humble, contrite and submissive attitude. That is why Jesus said, "They who worship Me must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness, confessing our sins and laying our lives, time and everything to His use.
In His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psa 16:9-11)
11. FURNISHER
The Lord gives us His word, will and way through His word. "All scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. So that the man of God could be equipped, thorougly furnished for all good works." (2 Tim 3:16,17) Do not think that the fruits of the Spirit are only for our own benefit. The Lord expects us to share the fruits that He has furnished for service to others. The more we give the more the Lord is able to furnish us with His replacing capabilities, equipping and resources that have no limits.
12. FRUSTRATION RELIEVER
"He who believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Rom 5:5) So many people give in to their discouraging circumstances and feelings. However, by feasting on the fruits of the Spirit’s faithfulness, goodness, and love we will never have to give in to these feelings of distress, despair and disillusionment. HE relieves our frustration by giving us greater hope, faith and love in Him and His purposes and joys that transcend our present limited viewpoint. The secret to coping with any frustration is hoping in God’s greater good.
13. FEARFUL GOD
"Fear the Lord, you His saints. For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord shall not lack one good thing. Come to me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord."
"Fear God and keep His commands. For this sums up all the duties of man." (Eccl. 10)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who keep His commandments."
"Who is like unto You. Oh God. Glorious in holiness, fearful in praises. Doing wonders. Hallelujah."
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life for all those who keep His commands.
When we fear God we do not have fear anyone, anything or any circumstance. The fear, reverence and sense of awe of God’s power gives us great confidence that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
14. FEAR NOT ASSURANCE GIVER
More than any other commandment the Lord says to us, "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will help you. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isa 41:10) Too many of us give in to our fears, emotional distress or panic when we are stressed. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)
15. FORTITUDE GIVER
"The Lord is my refuge and strength. A very present help in the time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the mountains give way and they fall into the heart of the sea. There is a river that makes glad the city of our God." (Psa 46:1,2) We can praise God that He gives us the quiet courage, confidence and strength to withstand even the worst times of adversity. Many people give in to fear and panic when they are presented with difficulties. We need to put the Lord between us and the storms of life and He will be our shelter, deliverer and rescuer. Do not think that the Lord will allow you to by-pass every storm. Just as the disciples had to go through the storms on the sea of Galilee so He expects us to trust Him to take us THROUGH the howling winds, waves and turbulence. HE uses these times to build in us a quiet courage, equanimity and calm that transcends any challenge. Jesus is willing to speak to your storm "Peace be still." If you will call upon Him to dispel the evil attacks, hardships and unfavorable winds you may be facing in your circumstances. (Mark 4:1-35)
Consider additional qualities, attributes and characteristics of God that we can praise, delight in and find solutions for all our problems:
Forgiveness Provider
Forger Ahead With His church
Forbearance Infuser
Forever Perspective Giver
Fights the Battles for Us
Fits us in with His people, places and plans
Father to the fatherless
Father of all Creation
Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Fellowship of His sufferings
Faithful witness
Fairest Lord Jesus ruler of all Creation
Fortress, Deliverer, the One whom we trust
Forward Looking God
Forgetting What Lies Behind
Fruit Giver
Fruit Pruner
From Him and Through Him and To Him are All Things
Forever Intercedes for Us With Groaning and Travailings to Deep for Words
Fills My Every Longing Keeps Me Singins as I Go
Fill My Cup Lord I Lift it Up Lord. Come and Quench This Thirsting of my Soul.
Feeder of the Hungry Soul With What is Good
Frank and True
Final Say
Family Giver, Sustainer and Supplier
Feeder and Leader in Green Pastures
Fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place
Foundation that cannot be shaken
Fire that ignites, inspires and inflames
Fountain of Living Water
Family Creator and Giver
Far-Sighted One
Fervent in Passion
Field Owner and Builder
Filter from all that is out of the will of God
First and the Last
Fills us with the Knowledge of His will with all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Focus of all creation
Forbidder by refusing to allow anything out of the will of God to happen
Forgiver as we forgive those who trespass against us
Foretaste of Glory divine
Fortune Giver and Taker
Finder of the Lost
Free to Do Whatever He Sovereignly Chooses (Job 42:1-6)
