Fruit for the Spirit

Spirit, Mind & Body

A Daily Devotional

by Gertie Loretta Hurley
Scripture Publications
District Heights, MD 20747

Published in 2000
88 pages
3 issues per year

To order:
Contact Scripture Publications
301-499-1419
or gertiehurley@cs.com

Price per copy $4.00 and by subscription.

Fruit for the Spirit helps you to begin your day methodically feeding your spirit, mind and body.

Begin with My Daily Affirmations and My Prayer for Today. Continue with The Word for Today, followed by reference Scripture. Prayer, Meditation, and Bible Study Review provides you with a checkout list to note completion of your devotions and provides several lines to record journal entries. The Weekly Message and Prayer are Biblically based and serve to inspire you throughout the week. The Monthly Planning Calendar helps you keep track of appointments. The Monthly Prayer Journal has space to record prayer requests and the Being Fit Health Corner included in every issue, has helpful up-to-date information on health and fitness including Bible Healthy Foods and Recipes.

In time you will have a written record of your meditation, prayer, and praise. As you progress in daily fellowship with God, you will be continuously filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

Reader Comments About the Author

History Sample Prayer

Weekly Message & Prayer Samples Sample of Bible Healthy Food & Recipes

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	Reader Comments About Fruit for the Spirit

		"It uplifts me especially when I have rough days." Delphine Hyman, Washington, D.C. "One of the most inspiring Bible study publications that I have encountered. The title really touches your soul it makes you want to see what's there." Gloria Y. Durham, Reston, Virginia "The messages are right on time and they relate to what you are going through at the time. I really like The Scripture for Today as well as the follow up scripture." Monique Smith, Fort Washington, Maryland "Thank You for the "Fruit for the Spirit" daily devotional. It's contents are beautiful and uplifting as well as it's cover design. The good Lord has blessed you with many beautiful and gifted talents. You are a positive inspiration for so many. Please keep using and sharing your gifts with the world. I know our heavenly Father is so proud of you! In Jesus name you are blessed." Cynthia Campbell, Indian Head, Maryland "I like the Bible verse reference section. It encourages me to read and study. I also like the health part. The size is great as well and I can carry it around in my purse." Peggy Scott, Capitol Heights, Maryland "On days when my burdens are heavy and the skies are gray, I can pick up your publication and the burdens all go away." Gladys Washington, Washington, D.C. "Thanks to God for a wonderful person like you. Your publication has been a great source of comfort and strength for us." Thomas Saunders, Monticello, Florida "I have truly enjoyed my prayer journal . . . before I go to work each day I meditate on my Scripture readings and my Prayer Request." Dr. Wilnetta Sweeting, DDS; Augusta, Georgia Return Home - Return to Main Listing



About the Author


		Gertie Loretta Hurley

	Gertie Loretta Hurley is the eldest of six children. She was born in Phenix City, Alabama and spent her growing years in Japan, where her father served as a U.S. Army Chaplain. She is the owner of Scripture Publications and is the publisher of Fruit for the Spirit, a daily devotional for the spirit, mind and body. She is an anointed Christian writer and designs and sells Christian gifts. Ms. Hurley's professional experience also includes positions as Extension Faculty for the University of Maryland, and employment as a Marketing Specialist and Technical Information Specialist in the federal government. She holds a B.S. in Community Service Education from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and an MBA in Health Care Administration from Loyola College, in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Hurley is the creator of the Being Fit Health Program. She has presented numerous spirit filled Godly workshops for women. Ms. Hurley truly loves the Lord and worships Him at Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. where her brother, the Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White is the Pastor. She resides in District Heights, Maryland, with her husband, Frederick. She is mother to Deborah Powe, Toni Sawyers, and Gladys Hetherington and spiritual mother to many. Return Home - Return to Main Listing



	History

		How It All Began It all started with just one word. God began to wake me up with a word each morning. I would jump out of bed and read Scriptures related to the word that I heard in my spirit. I then typed this on a strip of paper and passed it out to anyone who seemed interested. I also shared this word with friends at work and with others who seemed to need a word of encouragement. Below is a rendering of one of my first Scripture handouts. Daily Scripture 5/4/93 The Word For Today: Hope Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5. Readings: Psalm 39:7; Romans 8:24; 1 John 3:3 This continued and before long I was providing weekly handouts. Soon under the name Daily Meditation Planner, I published monthly issues, then every two months and finally every three months. In December of 1999, God gave me a new name, Fruit for the Spirit, and a new look. Fruit for the Spirit is being issued every quarter. Subscriptions started with supportive family members and a few friends. Readership now includes subscribers from New Mexico, Kansas, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Gertie Loretta Hurley

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	Sample Prayer

	My Daily Affirmations Heavenly Father: I bless You, I praise You, I bow to You, I kneel before You. I worship You, I love You. I magnify Your name. I thank You, I praise You again and again for You are worthy to be praised. I cast my burdens on You because You will sustain me. You will never permit me to be moved. Father, You are my Sanctifier. By Your mercy I am sanctified. Thank You for Your grace. Father, give me the faith that I may be able to obtain the inheritance that You have for me. Thank You for being my Provider. Give me this day my daily bread. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from You without any variation or shadow of turning. Therefore, I trust You to supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Thank You for being my Healer. Forgive all of my sins as I forgive others. Heal me today of every disease in my body so that I may prosper and be in good health, as my soul also prospers. Father, allow the Holy Spirit, Your Helper, to minister to me. Keep me filled with the truth of Your word so that I can better testify of You. Let me be a witness to my unsaved loved ones and others. Shine Your light on me and through me that others may see Your good works and glorify You in heaven. Father, after You have renewed me and cleaned me up, keep me from falling. Help me to remain faultless before You. These things I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. Gertie Loretta Hurley

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		Weekly Message and Prayer Sample 1

		Keeping A Vow When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools: pay what you have vowed. It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. Eccl. 5:4-5. Solomon warns us about making foolish promises to God. The making of a vow was a serious matter in ancient Israel. Making a vow was voluntary but once made you were expected to keep it. Therefore, it is foolish to make a vow or promise to God that you cannot keep. We ought never to play games with God by only partially fulfilling our vow. (Deut. 23:21; Ps. 66:13 b-14). Did you promise God that you would tithe ten percent of your income to the Church? Have you kept your promise? Did you promise God that you would begin each morning with Him in prayer and meditation on His Word? Have you kept your promise? If the answer to any or all of these questions is no, let us repent and immediately honor our vow to God. When we honor God, we can expect Him to honor us with blessings of prosperity, health, and peace. David said, I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O Lord, I will sing praises . . . Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed to look into all Your commandments. (Ps. 101:1; Ps. 119:5, 6). Heavenly Father: I worship You, I exalt You, I praise You. I am committed this day to keeping my vows to You. I will sing of Your mercy and justice. I am committed to giving You praise. I am not ashamed of Your commandments. Grant me this day, O Lord, a steadfast heart and a diligent spirit to observe and keep Your statues. In the name of Jesus name. Amen. Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White Pastor, Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church Washington, D.C.

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	Weekly Message and Prayer Sample 2

	Spread The Good News "I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness." Psalm 40:9. Some years ago I heard a minister preach on the topic, "Run and Tell That!" He mentioned in his sermon that a lot of people love to run and tell bad news on others. Usually the "talebearer" is telling about someone else's embarrassing misfortune. Don't tell secrets. Don't tell things to injure another's character and don't tell things that will create strife. (Prov. 11:13, Prov. 18:8, Prov. 26:20) Do as the Gentiles did, spread the good news of the word of the Lord everywhere. (Acts 13:49) In the song, "New York, New York," vocalists sing, about "Start Spreading the News." For our purposes, we want to always spread good news. You might say of yourself, "I don't gossip or reveal secrets." Well, has there been a time when you chatted with someone who said negative things about another? Perhaps you made a conscious effort to say uplifting things about the person being discussed. Have you ever found yourself agreeing with someone on the negative characteristics of another person. That's all it takes to be a talebearer. All that hard work of trying not to say anything negative and boom! It was out! When the situation comes up again, tell the talebearers and gossipers about the good news of Jesus. Tell them about how God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Tell them about how Jesus was crucified, hung on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. Tell them the good news of Jesus. Tell them that Jesus said, He is preparing a place for us and that He is coming back to receive us to Himself. (John 14:2, 3) Spread the good news! Heavenly Father: I praise You for all Your good news. Help me to guard my tongue and spread good news. Thank You for the good news of Your Son Jesus. In Jesus' name. Amen. Gertie Loretta Hurley

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	Weekly Message and Prayer Sample 3
Have a Zeal for Good Works Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:13, 14. I had worked on a special project that called for printing 40,000 copies of the final package. It was planned that I would travel out of town from my office in Washington, D. C. for the press inspection. I was supposed to have 36 hours to make reservations and report to the printing company. At 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon the call came for me to be at Monarch Litho Printing Company near Los Angeles, California, on Monday morning. I was not at the office when the call came so it was not possible for me to make the trip. John, a quality control printing specialist, was sent to represent our interest and assure that the job would be done according to specifications. I was in constant touch with John by telephone and we were able to resolve several issues affecting the printing. By the afternoon of the first day it was as if John and I had known each other for a long time. I began to notice the zeal and enthusiasm he had for his work and his attention to detail. Whenever I would compliment John, he would say, "that's my job to do this." I was very impressed and my supervisor and I were trying to think of ways we could show our appreciation when he returned back to our area. On the second day, John again handled several issues with diligence and enthusiasm. By this time I was beside myself with delight. The packets were being sent to educators all over the country as well as high level officials. We wanted everything just right. As John prepared to leave for his flight back, he went over last minute details. I again thanked him profusely and mentioned that we would have to show him some type of recognition for his great work. He said, "No thank you. I have all I need! I have Jesus!" John had never met me, but he had so much zeal for his work, a job that God had blessed him with, he boldly testified who was behind his zeal. Are you bold enough to be zealous in work for Jesus? Our Savior, Jesus Christ; gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13, 14). Let us be like Johnzealous of good works unto the Lord, at home, at work and in the church. Praise the Lord! Heavenly Father: I worship You. I give You all the praise and all the glory. Thank You for providing opportunities for me to perform good works. Help me to be zealous in all that I do to glorify You. This I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. Gertie Loretta Hurley

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	Weekly Message and Prayer Sample 4

	I Know You By Name Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken, for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." Exodus 33:17. To be known and called by your name is a special feeling. When you are known by your name it gives you a feeling of individually. If you pronounce someone's name incorrectly, they will quickly tell you the proper way to say their name. When you call a person by their correct name, it alerts them to pay attention, it tells them that you care enough to acknowledge them as an individual. It gets their attention and prepares them for your next move. Either way, their attention in what you have to say is related to how you initially addressed them. Susan prefers to be called Susan, not Sue. She cringes whenever she hears Sue. When you call her Sue, she is alerted to the fact that you don't know her proper name or that you did not care enough to find out. Does God know you by name? Have you built the kind of relationship with Him so that He knows you by name and honors your requests? Are you in contact with Him through daily prayer, meditation, and the study of His word? Do you travel often to worship Him or break bread with Him at His House? Have you found grace in His sight? Does God know your name? Exodus 33:17 says, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken, for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." Heavenly Father: You are my hope. You are my strength. You are my light and salvation. I worship You and adore You. Help me to have a closer relationship with You. Let me have grace in Your sight and show me now Your way. Let everyone see Your glorious works through me. In the name of Jesus. Amen. Gertie Loretta Hurley

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Sample of Bible Healthy Food and Recipes

Olive . . . Romans 11:16-18.

. . . And if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches.

If you boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

The olive tree has been cultivated for more than 6,000 years. The tree and its most imported product, olive oil, were as valuable as gold in the countries bordering the East Mediterranean. The Bible makes numerous references to olive oil throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

For an olive tree to produce good fruit it must be grafted. A twig from a highly productive specimen is grafted onto a sturdy, rapidly growing trunk to maintain an efficient orchard. Improper grafting produces poor fruit. This practice of grafting is what Paul was speaking about in his letters to the Romans. Through faith, gentiles and Jews are branches of the olive tree (representing Israel) that is rooted in God's power and love. Olive oil has sacred uses for anointing and sacrifices.

Olive oil is recommended for patients recovering from heart attacks when other oils are excluded from their diets. According to medical experts, two tablespoons of olive oil taken in the morning on an empty stomach have a positive effect on chronic constipation. Famous beauties drink olive oil and use it on their hair and skin with claims that it keeps their skin moist and youthful.

Rice and Olive Casserole

2 cups cooked rice 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten Salt and black pepper to taste

1/3 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a mixing bowl combine rice, onion, garlic, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix well and turn into a greased one-quart casserole dish. Arranged the sliced olives over the top of the casserole and sprinkle with the grated cheese. Bake for 40 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

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Sample of Bible Healthy Food and Recipes

		Macaroni and Bean Soup 1 can red kidney beans, well-drained 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 can diced tomatoes 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning 3/4 cup elbow macaroni 2 cups vegetable broth Salt and black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Add all ingredients to a large pot. Bring to a quick boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes. Pour into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Makes 8 servings. Yogurt Biscuits 2 cups unbleached flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup olive oil 1 cup plain yogurt Preheat oven to 450 F. In a medium bowl, stir together, flour, baking powder, soda, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add olive oil and blend with a fork or pastry blender until mixture is coarse and crumbly. Add yogurt and sir only until mixture is moistened. Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 times, to form a soft smooth dough. (You may have to add more flour). Gently roll out dough, from center, to 3/4-inch thickness. With floured 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, cut straight down into dough, being careful not to twist cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot. Makes 8 (2 1/2 inch) biscuits.



		Add Olive Oil To Your Diet Replace butter or margarine with olive oil. Toss cooked veggies with olive oil and garlic for a tasty treat. Toss cooked lentils and brown rice in two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice. Chill. Makes a delicious vegetarian meal.

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Begin Your Day with Fruit!

Fruit for the Spirit. . . Begin your day by feeding your spirit, mind and body.

Begin your day in quietness, prayer and meditation.

Feed your spirit, mind and body with God's Word and FruitFruit for the Spirit!

Dine on My Daily Affirmations, My Prayer for Today, The Word for Today, Scripture for the Day, Weekly Message & Prayer, Monthly Planning Calendar, Monthly Prayer Journal,

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