{Joy Day 4} The Fruit of Righteousness

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so, be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11, emphasis added

Our righteousness can only come through Jesus Christ, through His work in us, His strength for us, His grace through us.  Is your life bearing the fruit of His presence?   What keeps you from growing in righteousness?  What obstacles have you allowed to block your path to growing in Him?   Today, I invite you to join me in pursuing relentlessly “the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”  Let’s make that our highest aim, our first calling, our noblest effort.   And then, let’s step back and watch how God works in every area of our lives.

Lord, we need You.  More of You.  All of You.  We need Your righteousness to flow through us, to surround us, to invade us, and most of us, to change us.   Reveal to us this day those things and thoughts and feelings and fears that keep us from functioning in the fullness of You.   And, Lord, will you give us a desperation to see those things broken down?   Give us courage to walk in faith and to believe You will cover us in Your righteousness.   We lay ourselves and our feeble attempts at right living down at Your feet, for we realize there is no other way.   In Your Name we pray, Amen.