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You want your life to look more like Jesus. You want his love, joy, peace, and patience to shape how you think, what you say, the choices you make, and the way you respond each day. And as your child watches you, you want them to see what it looks like to trust God and live by his word. But how does that kind of fruit grow? It doesn't begin with trying harder, it begins with staying close to Jesus. Welcome to God Says So, the scripture-rooted podcast created to help Christian moms just like you grow in God's Word, strengthen your faith, live by what God says, and pass his truth on to the children you love. So the next generation grows up rooted in Scripture. Hi, I'm Donna, and I hope that you'll feel right at home here. Together, we'll find encouragement and joy in what God says. You'll leave with one practical way to bring his truth into your everyday family life. So come join me. I can't wait to share today's message with you. Hey friend, I am so glad you're here. Today we're beginning a new series called The Fruit of the Spirit in Everyday Family Life. Over the next several episodes, we're going to look at the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us and how His work can shape the way we live, especially at home. But before we look at each part of the fruit of the Spirit, we need to begin with the foundation. We cannot produce spiritual fruit in our own strength. Spiritual fruit grows as we remain close to Jesus. So let's begin with the words of Jesus in John 15 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. Jesus gives us a picture of a vine and its branches. A branch cannot grow fruit if it is separated from the vine. Its life and strength come from staying connected. The same is true for us. We do not become more loving and joyful and peaceful or patient by placing more pressure on ourselves. We grow as we remain close to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. So Jesus uses the word abide. To abide in Jesus means to remain in him, like close to him, trust him and depend on him. We remain close to Jesus when we spend time in God's word, talk with him in prayer, worship him, and follow what he says. And as we do, the Holy Spirit works within us. His fruit begins to show in the way we think, speak, and live. And here's what I love about this. Now your child may not understand the word abide yet, but they can see what staying close to Jesus looks like. They can see you open God's word. They can hear you thank God for his goodness. They can listen as you pray, and they can experience his love, joy, peace, and patience through the way you respond to them. Now, those ordinary moments are some of the ways your faith is passed on. Okay, here's one practical step you can take to live this out today. I call it pause, pray, respond. So you choose one ordinary part of your life. It could be getting ready in the morning, uh, sitting down for a meal, or preparing for bedtime. So before that part of your day begins, pause and pray. Say, Jesus, help me remain close to you. Let your fruit be seen in me today. Then respond to whatever that moment brings, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you. No, maybe that means choosing gratitude, using a gentle voice, or offering a little extra patience when your child needs more time. You are not trying to produce spiritual fruit on your own. You are trusting the Holy Spirit to help you live by what God says. And each time you do, your child gets to see what living by God's word looks like. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit. I want my life to look more like Jesus. Help me remain close to Him throughout my day. Help me turn to your word. Remind me to pray and teach me to trust you in the ordinary moments of my life. Let your love, joy, peace, and patience shape the way I think, speak, and act. Help me follow your leading, live by what you say, and show my child what it looks like to walk with Jesus. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. All right, so come back this Thursday for the next episode. Well, we will read Galatians 5, 22 to 23 together and talk about what the fruit of the Spirit means for your everyday life. Oh, and if you haven't already, please follow the God Says So podcast so you never miss an episode. Oh, wait, one more thing. If the Holy Spirit puts someone on your heart while you were listening to this episode, would you please share this podcast with them? And together, we can reach more families, all for God's glory. Until next time, stay rooted in Scripture. Live by what God says, and pass it on.