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READ: ISAIAH 58:6-12; JOHN 4:14; 7:38-39; GALATIANS 5:13-23\n\n\n\n\u201cLook over there, Jett\u2014under those tall weeds!\u201d Kyra jumped over a stream as she and her brother explored the area behind their new home. When they had lived by the sea, their family made their living as fishermen, but when the dragon wars encroached on their tiny coastal town, they had to flee inland. They hoped to make a fresh start in this new village in the Amplio valley. Kyra pushed aside some of the rough grass to get a better look. \u201cAre those trata fruit?\u201d\n\n\n\n\u201cLooks like trata fruit to me,\u201d confirmed Jett. \u201cLet\u2019s pull up these weeds so we can see the plants better.\u201d They began pulling the grass and thistles that had grown more than waist-high. Sure enough, they found other fruits and vegetables too. Kyra said, \u201cSomebody must\u2019ve planted this garden long ago. I\u2019m surprised the trata plants survived in the middle of all these weeds.\u201d\n\n\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s work this garden instead of planting a new one,\u201d Jett said, remembering their old garden back home. Its produce had helped them through many a tough time. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to bring water from the stream\u2014and the weeds will come back if we let them.\u201d\n\n\n\nKyra paused thoughtfully. \u201cYou know something? I came across a verse in Isaiah this morning\u2014\u2018You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.\u2019 I\u2019ve heard it said that Isaiah points to our need for Jesus. Remember how everyone who believes in Jesus has living water flowing inside us, and how He produces good fruit in our lives? As His people, I guess we\u2019re His garden. I like thinking about how He\u2019s the One watering that garden.\u201d\n\n\n\nJett rubbed a trata leaf. \u201cI want to be like that\u2014producing fruit instead of thistles. I don\u2019t want to cause harm, like the wars do. I want to bring good into the world. But every day, I keep finding more sin in my life\u2014like how we\u2019ll keep finding weeds in this garden. I know Jesus has already made us holy through His death and resurrection, but I can\u2019t wait till He comes back and we won\u2019t struggle with sin anymore.\u201d\n\n\n\nKyra nodded. \u201cMe too, but I\u2019m also thankful the Spirit tends our hearts every day, rooting out the thorns of violence and greed so we can be people of mercy and kindness.\u201d \u2022 A. W. Smith\n\n\n\n\u2022 When we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us and works to produce good fruit in our hearts. What does this fruit look like? (Hint: read Galatians 5:22-23.)\n\n\n\n\u2022 The Holy Spirit also makes us more aware of the sin in our lives. Consider taking some time in prayer, confessing any sin that comes to mind and resting in Jesus\u2019s sure forgiveness.\n\n\n\n\u201cYou will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.\u201d Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)