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TENDING THE GARDEN OF YOUR SOUL
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This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8 NIV)
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Mango and banana are not native of the subtropical desert of Israel. But today they have become one of the main fruits from this land where Jesus had lived 2000 years ago.
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Likewise, the fruits of life that Jesus mentioned here are also foreign to us. The climate, the soil, etc of our corrupted souls are not suitable for these divine fruits.
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Only the Gardener will know how to cultivate the soil of our souls. The challenge for us 1) to remain in Christ, and remain in His love (v9)the Vine, 2) to be open for the Gardener works in us; to cleanse and to prune us (v2), 
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The land in Israel needs certain technology to turn the desert into a tropical garden to produce mangoes and banana. Likewise, we'll need the Divine touch to change our hearts (the soil, the climate, the ecosystem) to be able to produce the fruits of life ~ fruits that radiate the glory of the Father, the Gardener of our souls. 
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Do your work in us, O Lord! Come Holy Spirit help us to abide in Christ and be nurtured and groomed by His love!
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The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11NIV)
~ plt200415 *revised 041016 reflection from Holy Land)
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#pltwrites #wmcjakarta #goandbearfruit #JesusistheVine #abideinChrist #remainintheloveofChrist #tendingthegardenofyoursoul #disciples 

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