Jon D. Jervey - The Fruit of Gladness

Fruit of Gladness

Increase

I n Acts 2:41, we see that the first fruit of gladness that was displayed to the body of Christ that received the Word with gladness was exponential increase. Three thousand believers were added immediately and daily such as should be saved. When you are filled with gladness, there will be increase in the pertinent areas of your life and relationships. This fact does not just include finances but is absolutely a component of being glad with who you are, whose you are, and who you are affiliated with. Upon being filled with gladness, there will also be increase in your levels of joy, satisfaction, peace of mind, confidence, boldness, and power to accomplish whatever you set your hands to do.

Well-rounded increase is something that most of us desire. God said in His Word that He gives power to get wealth (increase) that He may establish His covenant. God is a promise keeper and promises an anointing and ability to increase those that believe through a covenant relationship. When we put God in a box and only expect or try to seek gladness in just one area that is important to us, we may miss the totality of increase that springs forth from the fruit of gladness. When the body of Christ was glad during this first-century movement, it showed in every area of their life. The kind of increase that was never documented before in the history of mankindincrease that left no doubt that this was Gods doing and was marvelous in his sight. If we want to experience this kind of divine increase until our cup runs over, it begins with being determined to be glad and thankful. The fruit will follow you, and it all starts with increases in ways you never imagined. The Eternal loves you and enjoys giving perfect gifts to His children. Remember, in God, there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. God can be trusted to do just what He promised. God will never be tardy especially with your divine appointment with destiny. That is correctYou have a date with destiny, as it pertains to increase. When you refuse to abide in gladness, this can cause you to be late for the date. This is the equivalent of making the most important date in your life wait for hours, days, weeks, or months. There is a high likelihood that your date will not be there when you arrive and would have moved on to another partner. How much more patient do we expect destiny to be? If you didnt know, please take a mental note that destiny is the most impatient date of all time. You have to be dressed mentally, spiritually, and financially to court destiny well. Destiny expects you to be prepared for the moment because you received the invitation long before the date. You welcomed destinys invite the moment the next level was birthed in your spirit. I have witnessed many people cash in on the date, and I have witnessed many more mishandle destiny and never recover at all or at least to the fullness. If you have missed the first date, I hope and pray when the opportunity to court destiny comes around again, you will be ready to introduce the best version of yourself and not your representative. Destiny can detect a fraud and will end the date before it begins. Im convinced you will be prepared and experience the full firstfruits of gladness in the form of increase.

Steadfast Consistency

Acts 2:42 stated the believers, who received the Word gladly, continued steadfastly in their way. In Greek, the word steadfast means to be earnest toward, to persevere, be constantly diligent, attend continually. To put this another way, when someone is glad at their job, in their relationship, at their church or group they are a part of, they will be consistently constant in a thing. Furthermore the consistency will not be grievous.

The beloved disciple wrote in 1 John 5:2 that the love of God is when we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous . To be loving and obedient should not be grievous, if we are consistent in our approach. Its very difficult to be glad about what youre doing or who you are dealing with if they are inconsistent, unstable, and double-minded. Thats why, its even more important to generate this consistency from within. This way, if someone is not as steady in the relationship as you may be, it will not shake your foundation. If the consistency is not reciprocated, depending on what you are referring to, it may be time to consider an exit strategy. This does not pertain to areas in your life where God has not given you the release.

The fruit of consistency is essential to building something great and anything that will last. Nothing can stand the test of time without consistent building blocks. These building blocks will be monumental as the relationship begins to gain momentum. The most successful people in life, business, sports, and in their relationships have the built-in fruit of steadfast consistency woven into their fabric, like DNA. Its a part of who they are, which is evidence and fruit that they are glad, and its nothing you can do about it. The old saying has never been more evident that winners never quit and quitters never win. If this is truly your winning season, then quitting is not an option. God is expecting this kind of consistency between you and him to help propel you to higher heights and deeper depths. With consistency being the second fruit of gladness, there are many benefits that also come from this fruit. Many of you can testify to how people you are consistent with go the extra mile for you because they also know you are a true friend and will ride through a storm with them if needed. From a business sense, when you display the fruit of consistency in your life, the same benefits apply because the owner knows you will come through, are a consistent customer, and they value what you offer in return. Consistency is evidence that you are walking in gladness and shining like precious rubies.

Word-Based Foundation

Acts 2:42 continued on confirming that the believers who received the Word gladly continued in the Apostles doctrine. These believers had a Word-based foundation. The Word that was preached and taught was received and became their anchor during the good and bad times. Its one thing to know the Word, but when we arrive at the point where were not living by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, this is another level of existence. God himself said He is aware of those that honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. There are those who may not read the Bible every day but live the Word more so than those who profess to be believers.

A Word-based foundation starts with being committed to living a life of repentance through Jesus Christ. This foundation is built upon a rock that the gates of hell cant prevail against. The Word-based life will compel you to treat others right even when they dont deserve such kindness. When your foundation is built upon Christ, nothing can come in and steal your gladness. The seasoned saints would say the world didnt give it so the world cant take it away. Paul commissioned us to be living epistles. The kind of living, breathing, walking examples of Gods grace and goodness. When God has touched and blessed your life, the glow will show from within. This glow is the fruit of a Word-based lifenot in as much as what you say but how you live. The two will mirror one another to the glory of God. David was so glad that God forgave him and was still willing to use him that he echoed this testimony in Psalm 34, I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

When the living Word becomes alive deep down in your soul, life becomes clearer and has more meaning. It makes life worth living. When you are godly glad, the fruit of the Word will be your portion and foundation upon which your hope is built.