FREEDOM AND FRUIT

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the Law of the Lord

and on His Law he mediates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1.1-3

Prayerful Reading of the Word of God always brings peace of mind and heart, calming agitations, angers, and anxieties. The Holy Spirit never fails to bring peace to the heart, soul, mind, and body of those who seek Him in Scripture.  

The Old Testament gives us Principles; the New Testament, Applications. Read to understand the text,context, time, and place. Read to grasp the overall purpose of each book of the Bible. Read to find the intertwining connections between the Old and the New. Read to see “the glory of God.”  

And we who with unveiled faces all behold the Lord's glory,

are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Cor. 3.18

Peace increases with our readings, so does joy, gladness, and thanksgiving. Seeking grace from Jesus becomes an increasing force within us.

Pursuing the ways of God's glory, grace, goodness, and greatness produces more and more of the virtues, the “fruit,” of the Holy Spirit:

Love, joy, peace,long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, 

faith, meekness, self-control.

Galatians 5.22-23

Prayerful reading of the Old and New Testaments will “saturate” us with every good thing in Christ:

like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season.