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Written by Betânia Sousa, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Belo Jardim, Pernambuco, Brazil

When we think of the early church, we often think of the numbers, the miracles, and the rapid growth. But the book of Acts reveals something even deeper: the fruit was not born from the structure, but from transformation. Before impacting the world, the church was profoundly transformed by the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 2, after the outpouring of the Spirit, we see a community marked by perseverance, fellowship, and simplicity of heart. They “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Ac 2:42 NIV). The fruit began within the heart, and then manifested itself outwardly. It was not a faith limited to the temple, but lived in homes, in relationships, and in caring for one another.

This transformation challenges us as women of faith. Many of us serve, care for, and support homes and ministries, but sometimes we do so without allowing God to transform deep areas of our lives. The early church teaches us that there is no true fruit without a transformed life. Bearing fruit is not about doing more; it's about allowing God to be more in us.

Another remarkable aspect of Acts is the transformation of fear into boldness. The disciples were ordinary people, without social recognition, but filled with the Spirit. “They took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Ac 4:13). The Spirit not only changed their behavior; He changed their identity and posture before the world.

How many women today carry old traumas, insecurities, and wounds that try to stifle their calling? The early church flourished because it did not remain paralyzed by fear. They prayed, were filled again with the Spirit, and proclaimed the Word with courage (Ac 4:31). When God transforms the inner self, boldness naturally blossoms.

Acts also teaches us that trials can be instruments of fruitfulness. The persecution that arose after Stephen's death seemed like a defeat, but it became expansion: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Ac 8:4). What seemed like a disruption became a seed.

This truth comforts women facing loss, unexpected changes, or difficult seasons. Not all pain is a sign of the end; some are paths God uses to lead us to bear fruit in new places. Transformation doesn't remove all pain, but gives it meaning.

This month's theme, "Our purpose to bear fruit," finds a clear path in Acts: fruit is the result of a life surrendered to the Spirit. It doesn't come from comparison, haste, or spiritual performance. It comes from daily obedience, sincere fellowship, and hearts open to being molded.

The early church bore fruit because it allowed God to transform its way of life, its relationships, and its response to adversity. The same Spirit that worked in Acts continues to work today, transforming ordinary women into living witnesses of grace.

May our desire be not only to produce visible results, but to live in such a way that fruit is inevitable. After all, the church and each woman who composes it only fulfill their purpose when they allow God to transform them first.

The church that bears fruit is the one that accepts being transformed by God every day.

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Written by Jocelynn Goff, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

 I planted a garden again this year and I am anticipating the harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and peppers. I’m especially looking forward to one of my favorites: a crisp cucumber and fresh tomato sandwich. A fresh tomato on a BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) sandwich may be your favorite, or a cucumber tomato salad, or canning fresh salsa. Whatever it is, if it comes fresh from the garden it’s always better than store-bought. But it’s often hard to know if this will be an abundant harvest with plenty to share or just a lot of hard work for a disappointing harvest.

However, we know that if God plants a garden or vineyard the harvest will be plentiful and it will not disappoint. As we read in Zecharaiah 8:12 (CSB) “For they will sow in peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the skies will yield their dew.  I will give the remnant of this people all these things as an inheritance.” This is a promise from God to the remnant of Israel. God is telling them that He will supply an abundance for them.

As we read further in Zecharaiah 8 we see that there are conditions requiring obedience that are a part of this promise. Zecharaiah 8:16 says, “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, make true and sound decisions within your city gates.  Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury for I hate all this – this is the LORD’s declaration.” And, get this, if they act in obedience to this, then the result as Zecharaiah 8:22-23 shares, “Many people and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Armies in Jerusalem and to plead for the Lord’s favor. The LORD of Armies says this: “In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

So, God gives the remnant a fruitful harvest to enjoy if they obey His commands, and the result is another type of fruit. This is the fruit of someone who wants to know about the LORD. 

This is a pretty amazing progression of fruit, obedience, and bearing fruit.

However, I know you may be thinking this is an Old Testament situation and doesn’t apply to today and to me. Let’s look at some other New Testament scriptures. John 13:34 Jesus says, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” Applying the principle of following our Lord’s commands, if we love one another—and love is one of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22—then the result will be that everyone will know that we are His disciples.

This is that double fruit. Fruit within us and then fruit around us because they know we are His.

To carry this thought further we know that the fruit of love is not from our own effort. We need to die to ourselves much as a seed dies when it is planted in order to produce a harvest. As John 12:24 reminds us, “Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

In addition, in Romans 7:4b we also bear fruit through the body of Christ as it says, “You belong to Him Who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.” If we belong to Him then we may bear fruit. This reminds me of the words of Jesus in John 15:5, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”

Since I believe all Iron Rose Sisters want to bear fruit, then we must ask ourselves these questions:

• Am I obedient by practicing the fruit of the Spirit of love so others will know I am His?
• Have I become a seed and died to myself?
• Do I belong to the One who was raised from the dead?
• Am I remaining in Him because I can do nothing without Him?

Blessings to all my Iron Rose Sisters as we journey forward in obedience and bearing fruit.