GBC Community Update: Growing fruit takes patience

Good morning.  Okay, who ordered the return of summer?  Enjoy the heat while you can, winter will be here soon enough.  I was moved by Pastor Kevin’s report on Royal City Mission Sunday. It’s such a privilege to be able to support what they’re doing.
 
 Thank you to those who are giving to GBC financially!
This is often the space where I give an update on our finances or ask for support for our ministry or a special project.
I’m not doing that today!
Instead, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to those who have faithfully supported us this past year. It is your generous giving that has not only allowed us to go through this period of pastoral transition financially but also add Jamie (who he and his family have been such a blessing to us!!) to our staff.  We are in the process of sponsoring a refugee family AND we continue to do things like support Royal City Mission and Oasis@Midweek.  Thank you!  We couldn’t do it without you. So, again, thank you for your generosity and may God bless you for your faithfulness.  I appreciate you very much, more than I can express (and that’s saying something coming from a preacher!)
 
 
Thought for the day: Growing fruit takes patience!
On Thursday I introduced what the Fruit of the Spirit is and how to get it.  Now let’s jump in and try to understand what this means for our journey as followers of Jesus.  As with any fruit, we won’t see it and enjoy it right away. We won’t see evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives the second we surrender our lives to Jesus. Fruit starts from a seed and that seed contains everything for the plant to begin and produce more fruit. In order for a tree to yield fruit it goes through a cycle where it must be planted in good soil, it must be nurtured and it needs to have a light source.  After that it must be watered until it reaches maturity. The fruit is initially a seed, then a seedling, then a sprout, until it’s a piece of fruit ripe for picking. What does this mean for our spiritual condition? First comes the planting, which happens when we accept Jesus into our life and then the WAITING for the fruit to grow and then ripen.  We’ll look at that process over the next few updates. Until then, be patient and allow God to grow fruit in you in his timing.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris