I don’t remember whether or not Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow two weeks ago. It really doesn’t matter since he doesn’t have a strong track record of being accurate. Still, I can hope spring is on the way even though right now half of the U.S. is gripped in an Arctic blast. A Google search says the spring equinox that marks the astronomical first day of spring doesn’t happen until March 19. I just have to wait, but at least I have a date!

As we wait, we also need to ponder what’s most important. Is it getting our name in print, especially on the cover of a book, or the journey of how we get there? Are our lives, not just our words, bearing fruit?

Bearing Fruit

A Bible Study Based on John 15:1-5; Colossians 2:7; 
Galatians 5:22-23; Jeremiah 17:7-8

Fixing our eyes on Jesus . . . (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

LOVE – He loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 NIV).

• Do I love my readers?
• Is love my motivating force?
• How much of myself do I give them?
• What about loving my editors, especially the ones who reject my manuscript?
• Loving people who make demands on my time, who take me from my work?

JOY – For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

• Is my joy dependent on acceptances, praise, success?
• Do I rejoice in taking up my cross (Mark 8:34-35), or look for easier ways to serve the Lord?

PEACE –  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27 NIV).
We never see Jesus uptight even when demands on him were so great that “he couldn’t even find time to eat” (Mark 3:20 TLB). See also Colossians 3:15.

• Do I have his peace when I’m interrupted?
• When I’m facing a deadline or blank computer screen?
• When doors do not open for my work?

PATIENCE – Think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him (Hebrews 12:3 TLB); his patience on the night he was betrayed when even his disciples  did not yet understand who he was (see John 14:4-11).

• Am I learning to wait patiently on the Lord?
• How patient am I with editors, family members, myself?

KINDNESS – Because of his kindness you have been saved (Ephesians 2:8 TLB).

• Do people (editors, family, friends) see Christ in me?
• Am I gracious?

GOODNESS – He went around doing good  (Acts 10:38 TLB).
Greek – agathos describes that which “being good in its character . . . is beneficial in its effect.”*

• Is my writing benefiting my readers?
• How can I “do good” with my writing?

FAITHFULNESS – He has enriched us, gifted us, strengthened us, called us, and is faithful (see 1 Corinthians 1:5-9).

• Am I being faithful to him?
• Am I using the gifts he has given me?

GENTLENESS – “I am gentle and humble” (Matthew 11:29 TLB).
Greek – meekness, prautes: closely linked with humility, a fruit of power not weakness,not fighting against God, the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest.*

• Have I argued with the Lord lately?
• Am I on an ego trip?

SELF CONTROL – Jesus responded. He did not react. He was always in control of his feelings, words, actions (see Mark 3).

• How much self-control did I exercise the last time something or someone irritated me?
• What about my self-discipline?
• Do I daily relinquish control of my life to the Lord?

*From Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

Online registration is open for the May 13-16 Colorado conference.
https://colorado.writehisanswer.com

Over half of the faculty is in place for the July 22-25 Philly conference. Now a full three days plus an opening keynote Wednesday evening by Liz Curtis Higgs. Registration will open April 1.
https://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com