Fruit of the Spirit – Day 3

Peace

Peace can be described as a quiet and calm state of mind. The opposite of peace – fear. God repeatedly directs us not to worry or fear throughout the Bible.

God has called us to have peace within our heart and mind as well as peace with others. 1 Peter 3:12 tells us to seek peace and pursue it. The only way to achieve this is by spending time in God’s word, spending time in prayer, and spending time in worship. By committing to a relationship with Christ, by truly focusing on and communicating with Him, the peace that surpasses all understanding will dwell within us.

The world can’t understand this type of peace. In fact, when war is raging, when waves are crashing, when the walls of this life are tumbling down – the world caves; however, the child of God will not falter. When the world is spinning out of control – the child of God holds their head up high, digs in their heels, and keeps going.

This peace keeps us grounded. It gives us hope. It gives us joy. This inner peace ignited by God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within our soul lets us know that every little thing is gonna be alright.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Fruit of the Spirit – Day 2

Joy

Joy can be defined as great pleasure or happiness; however, where is your joy found? Does your joy have staying power?

There is a vast difference in worldly joy and Godly joy. Worldly joy comes in the form of new cars, new electronics, maybe a new status. This “joy” is temporary. It doesn’t stick.

Real joy comes from building a strong foundation in Christ. This foundation is unwavering. Unshakable. Trials and tribulations will come in all shapes and sizes – that’s just life. We will all experience grief, sadness, and many other emotions. However, if we have firmly planted ourselves on Christ’s solid rock then no matter what happens, we will honestly be able to say, “It is well with my soul.”

It’s important to remember that worldly happiness is circumstantial, but the joy of the Lord is steadfast. This joy is evident in how we handle “life”. Our joy rests on the hope that no matter what happens, at the end of the day God is on His throne – and He is a good, good God. He will never leave us or forsake us.

We can smile. We can rest assured. We can rejoice in the good times and the bad times knowing that according to Romans 8:28, God works for the good of those who love Him.

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” – Psalm 28:7

Fruit of the Spirit – Day 1

Love

The word “love” is probably one of the most overused words in languages all over the world. It’s easily thrown around; however, it’s not easily understood. The type of love, or fruit, that God wants Christians to bear is agape love. Agape love isn’t an emotion; agape love is a choice. Jesus demonstrated this type of love over and over throughout the pages of the Bible. He daily chose us over Himself. He daily sacrificed and served, no matter how hard or inconvenient it may have been. This was His choice. The greatest form of agape love ever shown was the day Jesus whispered “Not My will, but Yours be done,” and sacrificed everything for us on an old rugged cross. This choice changed everything for everyone.

Whenever you read the description of love in Corinthians, it’s important to remember that this is agape love. These are choices, and with Jesus living within us, these choices become more evident with each day of growth in Him. These choices are oftentimes not natural for us, but they are natural for the Holy Spirit.

It’s a choice to be patient. It’s a choice to be kind. It’s a choice not to envy or brag. It’s a choice not to be proud or to be rude. It’s a choice to look out for others’ interests first. It’s a choice not to become angry. It’s a choice not to keep a record of wrongs. It’s a choice to be full of joy, to protect, to trust, and to hope. It’s a choice to never give up.

How can we truly exhibit this type of love? WE can’t, but God’s Spirit within us can. And as we draw closer and closer to Him, the more evident His love becomes in our life – which then spills over outwardly in our everyday doings.

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Being a Christian is a continuous journey of growth and faith in which we diligently seek to be more like Christ. In the book of Galatians Paul describes in detail the works that humans living in the flesh encompass and in stark comparison the attributes of those that have given their life to Christ.

As we seek to become more like Christ these nine attributes will begin to surface throughout our daily walk with God. They can be seen in how we treat not only others but ourself. As we say farewell to the flesh and begin to embody the Spirit of Christ, this fruit will begin to manifest and transform us from within. It’s important to remember that only growth can produce fruit, and the growth happening within us is fueled by our love for Christ and His love for us.

Please join me as I study and write about the Fruit of the Spirit for the next nine days.

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

– Galatians 5:22-24

Yahweh. Jesus. Son of God.

A series of events intricately woven together – thousands of years apart – have allowed us to call on the power of God’s name whenever we are in need. When Jesus sacrificed His life for ours on a rugged cross, He irrevocably passed us the baton. He handed us the power. I don’t think we fully comprehend or fully utilize the precious gift that God gave us that day.

When God’s name was spoken in the Bible He:

Cast out demons

Healed diseases

Brought salvation

Breathed life to the dead

He loved

God wants us to call on Him. He wants to help us, to save us, and to love us. He wants us to say His name with confidence. With boldness. With awe.

After all, He is the great I am. He is God.

“LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.” – Jeremiah 10:6

Rules.

They are there for a reason.

Like many kids all across the world, when I was growing up I thought my parents were so strict. Now looking back I totally get it, and I am so thankful. The rules that they put into place were to protect me physically and mentally.

Now I’m 36 with two kiddos of my own. Half the time I feel like Frank and I are still college kids; yet, here we are adulting – whatever that means. And we have rules. Rules that our kids don’t understand now. Rules that cause them to give us the stink eye, and that’s ok. Rules that they will be thankful for later.

Rules.

Put in place by our Father in Heaven to protect us physically and mentally. Rules that we sometimes don’t understand. Rules that we don’t want to follow, that we question. Rules that may even make us angry.

Rules that we will be thankful for later. No doubt.

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:25

God is:

Loyal

Loving

Forgiving

Powerful

Trustworthy

Dependable

Honest

Able

He is my Lord, and He is my absolute best friend. He will always be there for me. He will never let me down.

He is just a call away.

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for servants know not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15

The holidays unleash all kinds of emotions and behavior. It’s hard, but important, to remember that for whatever reason everyone doesn’t experience this time of the year like you do.

Some people are Santa here on Earth. They live for the traditions and the decorating and the cookies. They love the music, the weather, and even the holiday colors. – Let them.

For some people this time of the year is absolutely excruciating. Memories of past holidays well up inside of them and create an almost unbearable situation. – They can’t help it.

Whatever type of “holiday” person you are – just try and remember others. Pray for others. Invite others – but don’t be upset when they literally just cant.

Be patient. Be kind. Share the love of Christ.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

This is my prayer today and every single day:

-Always be thankful

-Always be grateful

-Always see the good

-Give everything for Christ who gave everything to me

“16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:16-17

Sometimes we slip into a slump so quickly that we don’t even realize we are sinking until we are sunk. If you’re currently trying to dig your way out of a sinkhole and not making any headway – give the shovel to God.

Give the shovel to God, and be thankful that you don’t have to do this alone. He wants to help us, but we have to let Him.

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”

– Psalm 40:2