Fruit from the Cross

As I came upon this devotional by Charles Stanley today, I thought to myself, "that is me!" In my testimony that I love to share with people, I understand now that at the age of 15 years I was empowered by the Holy Spirit. When asked on that day If I would want to give my heart to Jesus, I said "Yes!" Enter the Holy Spirit. Now as you read Mr. Stanley's devotional and also the Word of God before it, you can see what a gift was given to me that day.

The other part of the devotional below which is very important is a key word "surrender". Until you come to that time in your life to do that, willingly,the leading of the Spirit can be "turned off" or ignored as it was stated below. As I was reading this devotional I said to myself, "that is what happened to me". For a lot of years I had the Spirit "turned off, tuned out, shut-down", well, you can pick the term you want but I did. Then, on that special day, I surrendered all! Now you can understand the change in my life. Now I am "living a Godly life, producing "Fruit from the Cross!"

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Walking in the Spirit [by Charles Stanley]
Galatians 5:16-25

Gal 5:16 I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are contrary to one another; lest whatever you may will, these things you do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.


[The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God's glory and purposes. However, the Spirit's power can be "turned off" or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.

Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit's way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.

God's Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.

Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.

Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.]

Fruit From The Cross

Who would of thought,
that something so sweet,
could come from tree
where Jesus died for you and me.

A tree that was used
to bring suffering and shame,
to the Son of Man
and Jesus was His name.

But from that tree
His fruits began to live on,
it took His unwavering love,
before it all began.

So praise to God the Father,
for on that tree His Son paid the cost.
It was the only way that through us,
we can bear fruit from the Cross!

E. P. Shagott
3/3/10

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott