Well, with a new month comes a new aspect of God's Spirit fruit for me to focus on. This month I'm up to peace. As is so often the case, it comes at just the right time. God is so good in all that he has planned for me and he knows that this month I will need his peace. Two things happened right at the beginning of this month. First, everyone in my family got sick. Not with a terrible 24 hour flu (although I did have that added into the mix for just me), but with a cold that is strong enough to disrupt lives and won't seem to go away. People are tired and cranky. I've blown my own nose AND the noses of my three little ones way too many times to count. I'm exhausted. Did I mention we're all cranky? We are all trying to live life on not enough health and energy and that does not lend itself to a peaceful household.
Second, I started this month off by connecting with our church about the possibility of me coming on staff half time in the children's ministry program. It is a job I would love. Tim and I have talked for a couple years now about me going back to work and I've thought through different scenarios, but this is by far the closest we've come to actually stepping into it. It has moved from the theoretical to the practical. Is this the right time? How would we pull it off? Is it the right job? It is enough to bring knots to the stomach, fear to the heart, and stress to the mind - none of which offer peace.
A couple of days into the month it occurred to me that I should start to focus on the next fruit from Galatians. I thought for a moment, realized it was peace, and almost laughed out loud. Yes, LORD, I'm going to need your peace this month, because I've got little to none of my own. How absolutely perfect!
So my next task was to look for a theme verse for our study here on peace and I was quickly drawn to Phil. 4: 7.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7
Do you see the recurring theme? Peace comes from God and we get it through connecting with him. Peace is not something I need to work on achieving in my life. Instead I need to cast all my cares upon God and His Spirit will provide the peace.
Let me share with you three thoughts I've been pondering about these two verses:
*Pray about everything. Notice that the verse mentions both telling God what you need and thanking him for what he's done. Chaos seems to me to be one opposite of peace. When I pray out of chaos it seems easy to tell God what I need. God, I'm fighting with so and so. God, I'm nervous about this. God, this is just not going the way I hoped. But thanking him doesn't come to mind as easily. However, I think that it is a vital part of opening up our lives for God's peace. Thanking God reminds us of times he has already proven faithful. It opens our eyes to the good currently in our lives. Basically it takes the focus off of us and our troubles and shifts it to God and his goodness. And that in and of itself can help to bring peace. God is good. He is bigger than anything in this world. He has things under control.
*God's peace exceeds understanding. Peace doesn't make sense in the midst of chaos. A peace conference is not successful at the height of the conflict. Giving out "I'm sorry"s and hugs in the middle of a fight doesn't happen. Being able to relax and sleep well isn't normal during times of stress and decision making. But God is supernatural. His peace can pop up anywhere at any time. His peace can end conflicts and provide rest.
*God's peace guards our hearts and minds. In my month of sickness and insecurity it is God's peace that guards me. His peace allows me to rest and heal. His peace allows me to think clearly. His peace keeps me from going crazy.
Yes, that is the peace I both need and desire with all my heart right now (and for the rest of my life).
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
His Joy Our Strength
Nehemiah 8:10 - Nehemiah helps rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and the people gather to hear readings from the book of the law. They are moved, probably by understanding how much they have been sinning. Nehemiah encourages them saying, "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Do you see it? The word of God brings them and us to repentance. This is of course a good and necessary place to be. BUT it is not the fullness of the life God has called us to. He doesn't want His word to leave us in dispair. And it won't. Not if we really get it. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8) Yes, I am convicted and grieved that my sin is so well sinful - unholy - that Christ had to die to save me. But now it is finished. God showed his love. It is already accomplished. God loves me that much. While I was still a sinner - when I did not even ask for saving - he sent his son to die. It convicts me, but it also fills me with joy.
When I was starting to date my now husband there were times when I could not stop smiling. People wondered what was happening in my life that brought out such joy in my every day. I simply could not stop thinking about him and how he liked me. He wanted to spend time with me. He told me I was beautiful. He loved me - little old me. I felt so special.
Well here is the God of the universe wanted to clear a path to spend time with me. He says I'm beautifully and wonderfully made. And he loves me. That is joy. That is the true source of joy. That is His joy and that is my strength.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
"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)
So it can be for us as Nehemiah encourages. The word of God can give us joy. "The commands of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart." (Psalm 19:8) "If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery." (Psalm 119:92)
Do you see it? The word of God brings them and us to repentance. This is of course a good and necessary place to be. BUT it is not the fullness of the life God has called us to. He doesn't want His word to leave us in dispair. And it won't. Not if we really get it. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8) Yes, I am convicted and grieved that my sin is so well sinful - unholy - that Christ had to die to save me. But now it is finished. God showed his love. It is already accomplished. God loves me that much. While I was still a sinner - when I did not even ask for saving - he sent his son to die. It convicts me, but it also fills me with joy.
When I was starting to date my now husband there were times when I could not stop smiling. People wondered what was happening in my life that brought out such joy in my every day. I simply could not stop thinking about him and how he liked me. He wanted to spend time with me. He told me I was beautiful. He loved me - little old me. I felt so special.
Well here is the God of the universe wanted to clear a path to spend time with me. He says I'm beautifully and wonderfully made. And he loves me. That is joy. That is the true source of joy. That is His joy and that is my strength.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
"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)
So it can be for us as Nehemiah encourages. The word of God can give us joy. "The commands of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart." (Psalm 19:8) "If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery." (Psalm 119:92)
Monday, May 13, 2013
What are others saying about being joyful always?
I took our theme verse for May and googled it - "Be joyful always." Here are some things I found:
*Being joyful is more than a feeling. It is a state of mind or attitude. One reason we can be joyful always is that joy is not related to our day to day experiences or situations. Joy says that when things are going well we can approach life with a positive attitude and a smile on our face. Joy says that when things are rotten in our lives we approach life with a positive attitude and a smile on our face. My saddest, scariest, most angriest time of my life was when my mother passed away suddenly at only 60 years old. It was joy that got me through that time without slipping into a massive depression. I know that my redeemer lives. Joy in knowing that God is in control and that he has a plan for my life allowed me to weep with sorrow and still live positively.
*True joy comes from Jesus and his good news. When the angels announced the birth of Christ they said they had good news of great joy! Why can we be joyful always? Because God loves us so much. Because Christ came into this world to heal and save the lost. Because Christ's blood on the cross washes away my sins. Because God's spirit is in us, equipping us to do "even greater things." Because I have a hope and future with Christ one day, praising God in heaven.
*Joy comes from contentedness and assurance. Reminds me of the truths in the old hymn. How can you sing these words letting the truth wash over you and not be joyful even in the tears of life:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
*Being joyful is more than a feeling. It is a state of mind or attitude. One reason we can be joyful always is that joy is not related to our day to day experiences or situations. Joy says that when things are going well we can approach life with a positive attitude and a smile on our face. Joy says that when things are rotten in our lives we approach life with a positive attitude and a smile on our face. My saddest, scariest, most angriest time of my life was when my mother passed away suddenly at only 60 years old. It was joy that got me through that time without slipping into a massive depression. I know that my redeemer lives. Joy in knowing that God is in control and that he has a plan for my life allowed me to weep with sorrow and still live positively.
*True joy comes from Jesus and his good news. When the angels announced the birth of Christ they said they had good news of great joy! Why can we be joyful always? Because God loves us so much. Because Christ came into this world to heal and save the lost. Because Christ's blood on the cross washes away my sins. Because God's spirit is in us, equipping us to do "even greater things." Because I have a hope and future with Christ one day, praising God in heaven.
*Joy comes from contentedness and assurance. Reminds me of the truths in the old hymn. How can you sing these words letting the truth wash over you and not be joyful even in the tears of life:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
*It is God who whispers the joy into my life. It is when I stop to talk to him that he can remind me of his love for me. He tells me that I am His daughter. Now because of what I can do but because he made me and loves me. I was crafted by the great Designer. I'm loved by an all-knowing Father. I'm the daughter of THE KING. I'm called by the God of heaven. Sure I make mistakes, but he who is in me is greater than he who is of the world.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
What is the opposite of joy?
While I was pondering how I could foster joy in my life I started thinking through the non-joy things I could take out of my life.
The obvious opposite of joy is sadness. When I look up joy in the dictionary it says the antonyms are "misery, unhappiness, sorrow, grief." But really these seem to be opposites of happiness, and I don't think that the joy God's Spirit brings is really the same thing as happiness. I mean that I don't think joy is just a feeling we have, I think it is more of a state of mind.
So what in my life keeps away joy?
Anxiety. This is a big one for me. If I'm anxious about something I'm not displaying joy. We have a big event coming up and things are not going as I had hoped for it. I was feeling anxious about it. Anxious that it wouldn't go well. Anxious that people would think less of us because of it. Anxious, anxious, anxious. The Lord has been laying on my heart that this is not from him. He wants to give me joy. I've been working on letting His joy fill me and low and behold the troubles don't seem to be nearly as big as I was thinking.
Worry. My, oh my how worry can zap away joy. What will we do next year? How will I pay this bill? What if my child gets sick? What if, what if? I think worry is such a big one because it takes our attention away from the present and on to the future where there are so many unknowns. But God tells us NOT to worry about tomorrow. Instead we are to pray and give thanks. This is living in the now and this lets God's joy come out in our lives.
Depression. It is easy for me to slip into mild states of depression. I get lazy and shy and simply don't get excited about things. Simply forcing myself to get out and do things. Get off the couch and get to work. Play a game with my kids. All of these activities help to lift the depression and make room for joy in my life.
The obvious opposite of joy is sadness. When I look up joy in the dictionary it says the antonyms are "misery, unhappiness, sorrow, grief." But really these seem to be opposites of happiness, and I don't think that the joy God's Spirit brings is really the same thing as happiness. I mean that I don't think joy is just a feeling we have, I think it is more of a state of mind.
So what in my life keeps away joy?
Anxiety. This is a big one for me. If I'm anxious about something I'm not displaying joy. We have a big event coming up and things are not going as I had hoped for it. I was feeling anxious about it. Anxious that it wouldn't go well. Anxious that people would think less of us because of it. Anxious, anxious, anxious. The Lord has been laying on my heart that this is not from him. He wants to give me joy. I've been working on letting His joy fill me and low and behold the troubles don't seem to be nearly as big as I was thinking.
Worry. My, oh my how worry can zap away joy. What will we do next year? How will I pay this bill? What if my child gets sick? What if, what if? I think worry is such a big one because it takes our attention away from the present and on to the future where there are so many unknowns. But God tells us NOT to worry about tomorrow. Instead we are to pray and give thanks. This is living in the now and this lets God's joy come out in our lives.
Depression. It is easy for me to slip into mild states of depression. I get lazy and shy and simply don't get excited about things. Simply forcing myself to get out and do things. Get off the couch and get to work. Play a game with my kids. All of these activities help to lift the depression and make room for joy in my life.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Joy always
It's a new month and I am moving on to practicing Joy - the second characteristic listed as a fruit of the Spirit. When I thought for a moment about a passage in scripture that talks about joy, the first to pop into my mind was 1 Thess. 5: 16-18: "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." I have always recited those verses together, but I've always thought of them as three separate instructions to us from the Lord through Paul. Be joyful. Pray. Give thanks. This time, though, when they came to my mind I instantly saw them as connected. My thought process went something like this:
"Always be joyful."
The command is obviously from God.
And yet it doesn't say how we can be joyful always.
Wait, maybe it does.
We can be joyful always through prayer and thanksgiving.
Praying keeps our focus on God. Giving thanks helps us to see all that is good around us. That is the perspective we need to be joyful. Always.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
To Love - simple and yet complex
Last week I looked through verses that used love as a noun. This week I focused on love as a verb. We can love so many things. People: God loves us, we are commanded to love each other, our neighbors, and our enemies. Things: God's sanctuary, money, Mount Zion. Concepts: good, commands, salvation, justice. Actions: quarreling, talking. God.
I know that in many languages including those in which the Bible was written, there are multiple words for love. I wish this were true of English.
Some kinds of love come easy but seem fleeting. I can go shopping and buy a pair of shoes I love. I can love playing a game with my kids or having a night to myself. I can love watching my daughter smile or my son hit a home run. I can love the song I heard on the radio.
Some kinds of love come naturally based on the circumstance. When my children are born I feel overwhelming love for them. After bonding with good friends I can feel that my love for them has increased. When I was dating, "being in love" felt fun and easy.
Some kinds of love are tougher. I love my children even when they disobey. I love my neighbors even when they speak badly about me. I love my husband even after we fight. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength even when I can't feel his presence.
Not surprisingly, the first two kinds of love I mentioned can be talked about in passing in the Bible. It is this last kind of love that the Bible treats as a command. In fact, the biggest command - to love God and others. Not to love when things are good. Not to love when we first meet people. Just to love. Like all the time. It's hard.
But God doesn't leave it at that for us. He tells us and shows us all through the Bible how much he loves us. He loved us at creation when all was good. And he loves us each day when we give in to sinful desires. He love us. There are no ifs or ands or buts attached to that love. That is tough love.
I know that in many languages including those in which the Bible was written, there are multiple words for love. I wish this were true of English.
Some kinds of love come easy but seem fleeting. I can go shopping and buy a pair of shoes I love. I can love playing a game with my kids or having a night to myself. I can love watching my daughter smile or my son hit a home run. I can love the song I heard on the radio.
Some kinds of love come naturally based on the circumstance. When my children are born I feel overwhelming love for them. After bonding with good friends I can feel that my love for them has increased. When I was dating, "being in love" felt fun and easy.
Some kinds of love are tougher. I love my children even when they disobey. I love my neighbors even when they speak badly about me. I love my husband even after we fight. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength even when I can't feel his presence.
Not surprisingly, the first two kinds of love I mentioned can be talked about in passing in the Bible. It is this last kind of love that the Bible treats as a command. In fact, the biggest command - to love God and others. Not to love when things are good. Not to love when we first meet people. Just to love. Like all the time. It's hard.
But God doesn't leave it at that for us. He tells us and shows us all through the Bible how much he loves us. He loved us at creation when all was good. And he loves us each day when we give in to sinful desires. He love us. There are no ifs or ands or buts attached to that love. That is tough love.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
What love does
Love can be a noun. I looked through my Bible at a few of the many many passages about love and looked at the verb following the word love. Here are a few that I found.
1 Chronicles 16:41 God's faithful love in endures forever.
Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.
Psalm 31:16 In your unfailing love, rescue me.
Psalm 32:10 Unfailing love surrounds those who trust in The Lord.
Psalm 119:76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me.
Song of Songs 4:10 Your love delights me.
Lamentations 3:10 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.
1 Corinthians 8:1 But well knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
Philippians 1:9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow.
1Peter 4:8 Love covers a multitude of sins.
1John 4:18 Perfect love expels all fear.
1 Chronicles 16:41 God's faithful love in endures forever.
Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.
Psalm 31:16 In your unfailing love, rescue me.
Psalm 32:10 Unfailing love surrounds those who trust in The Lord.
Psalm 119:76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me.
Song of Songs 4:10 Your love delights me.
Lamentations 3:10 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law.
1 Corinthians 8:1 But well knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
Philippians 1:9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow.
1Peter 4:8 Love covers a multitude of sins.
1John 4:18 Perfect love expels all fear.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Love in 1 John
My initial plan was to focus on one atribute of the fruit of the spirit each month. However, I'm going to continue with LOVE through April. This is for two reasons. First, I don't think I really focused on it enough in my daily life in March. Second, we have learned that in many ways love is the key to everything. "The greatest is love." "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." Etc. Etc.
So for my study today I have been rereading 1 John, which is full of instructions to love and how to love. I challenge you to read the whole book (it is a pretty short one). John talks about how love is the key. He describes how love is not new. Cain's behavior, for example, back in Genesis should have been love, not jealousy and murder. And yet we can now know and understand love in a new way since Jesus has come. "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us." 1 John 3:16
The section of 1 John that I want to share with you is the second half of chapter 4. It begins like this:
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (vs 7-10)
Again we find that real love is not something we can produce on our own. It comes from God. In addition, I think that John is making a case that love is sacrificial. I can tell my husband that I love him and I can feel "in love" with him, but if I'm not doing things to make his life better, if I'm not laying down my wants so that I can pick up his, then I'm not actually loving him.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (vs 11-12)
How cool is that - God in us!
And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. (vs 13-16)
Did you catch that all we have to do to have God in us is to confess that Jesus is the Son of God? As Paul puts it, "we are saved by grace, through faith." So if I want more love be at work in my life, through me, touching the people around me, maybe I need to stop trying so hard to act out love and need to do more confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. Praise him, worship him, listen to him, remain in him, shout it from the rooftops - Jesus is the Son of God.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (vs 16-17)
My Bible commentary says "We mature as our relationship with God grows, and God's love makes our love compete." The more we open up to God's love, the better our love becomes. And because we can see God's love at work through us, we can know that God is in us and that we don't have to fear judgement.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. (vs 18-21)
So for my study today I have been rereading 1 John, which is full of instructions to love and how to love. I challenge you to read the whole book (it is a pretty short one). John talks about how love is the key. He describes how love is not new. Cain's behavior, for example, back in Genesis should have been love, not jealousy and murder. And yet we can now know and understand love in a new way since Jesus has come. "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us." 1 John 3:16
The section of 1 John that I want to share with you is the second half of chapter 4. It begins like this:
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (vs 7-10)
Again we find that real love is not something we can produce on our own. It comes from God. In addition, I think that John is making a case that love is sacrificial. I can tell my husband that I love him and I can feel "in love" with him, but if I'm not doing things to make his life better, if I'm not laying down my wants so that I can pick up his, then I'm not actually loving him.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (vs 11-12)
How cool is that - God in us!
And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. (vs 13-16)
Did you catch that all we have to do to have God in us is to confess that Jesus is the Son of God? As Paul puts it, "we are saved by grace, through faith." So if I want more love be at work in my life, through me, touching the people around me, maybe I need to stop trying so hard to act out love and need to do more confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. Praise him, worship him, listen to him, remain in him, shout it from the rooftops - Jesus is the Son of God.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (vs 16-17)
My Bible commentary says "We mature as our relationship with God grows, and God's love makes our love compete." The more we open up to God's love, the better our love becomes. And because we can see God's love at work through us, we can know that God is in us and that we don't have to fear judgement.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. (vs 18-21)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
This is the classic Love chapter in the Bible. It is used in sermons and weddings all the time. When I think back to the many times I've heard it, I think of two different responses I've had. First, I think, wow - love is really the main thing. Above all else God just wants us to love each other. It really simplifies Christianity and religion to nuts and bolts. Well, maybe just one nut: Love. Other times when I hear this passage I think, wow - that love is hard. Forget simplification. Will I ever be patient, kind, not envious, not boastful or arrogant or rude? Will I ever stop insisting on my own way? Can I stop being irritable and resentful? Can I always rejoice in truth, bear all things, believe and hope in all things, and endure through all things with love? That is a tall order.
Let's look closely today at this important chapter. In the first section, Paul emphasizes how important love is. Basically to me it comes across as we can do a lot of good things and have a lot of gifts, but if we don't do things in love then we might as well just stay home in bed. First off, what a great reminder. No matter what I'm doing or thinking I should have love on my mind. This month with my focus on loving I'm been doing just that. Whenever I can I'm pausing and thinking "Am I loving on people right now?" If not, then I'm trying to pray that God's love would work through me whatever I'm doing - folding clothes, cleaning snotty noses, chatting with other mothers, whatever.
Second, that first section reminds me what not to strive for. While it is good to speak God's words or language, that is meant to be a tool of love, not a way to show off. While it is good to seek knowledge and understanding, I'm never going to fully understand God's ways, or as I'm finding the older I get, I'm never going to understand much at all when it comes to the ways of God. Faith is important, but my human faith is always going to waver at times. And I can do good works, sharing and reaching out to others, but that is not something to boast about. But I can remember and focus on love and then all of those other things begin to make more sense.
The middle section of the chapter looks at some things love is and isn't. It's quite a list. As I said earlier, it can make me feel a bit of a failure to have those high standards. But then I remember the fruit of God's Spirit. God's love is patient and kind. Jesus didn't go around boasting or being arrogant. Instead he used his love to serve. Jesus didn't insist on his own way but prayed for God's will to be done. God's love rejoices when truth is spoken and offers hope to us sinful human beings. God's love meets all these standards and God's love is dwelling in me through Holy Spirit. So I can expect these high standards for myself, but not on my own power. Instead I submit to God's will and control of my life and look forward to the great work His love can do through me.
Finally, the chapter ends by saying that all things end, but love can endure. We talked about this a few days ago. And I love how it ends. We now see things dimly. We are living in a sinful world with God as if veiled from us. We are still growing. Slowly in the world we can get better and better at letting God's Spirit work through us, but one day we will be able to stand before God and see Him face to face and feel the full effects of perfect love. If that love doesn't provide HOPE I don't know what will. So keep on loving. Practice, practice, practice. Love will endure. And in the end we will get to meet full and true LOVE!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Whom do we love
Last weekend we visited Oasis church. They were in the middle of a series of sermons on shocking statements of Christ. That Sunday was on:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 5:43-44
The pastor talked about how correctly the Jewish leaders had summarized much of the law into loving your neighbors, but not so rightly they had tagged on "and hate your enemies." It seems logical. If we are Christians, then God must hate those who hate us - right? But that is not how God works and since God is love that is not how love should work.
Jesus calls us to love our enemies - those who do us wrong, who want bad things to happen to us, who talk poorly about us. Love them?
If God's Spirit lives in us, then that Spirit's love should be shown in our lives - love that loves our neighbors and our enemies.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Unfailing Love
For the month of March I'm focusing on Love. It is the first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians. And 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." So I started this month off by going to my Bible concordance and looking up the word love. As you can image there are many many entries. Love is a big topic in the Bible. So I started skimming through the love verses listed and something really struck me. It seemed like about a third of the verses had the word "unfailing" before love. A third of the many many verses on love, talked about God's unfailing love for us.
God's unfailing love for us: God. While it is important for us to love, it is God that love's first. 1 John 4:19 says that "We love each other because He loved us first." This fits right in with our studies on the Spirit's fruit. We are commanded to love, but not in our own strength. We need to invite the Spirit's love to flow through us.
God's unfailing love for us: Unfailing. Wow, that seems like a strong word. Not much in my life is unfailing. My car breaks down. My kids learn to play together only to start fighting 10 minutes later. I lose my cell phone. My friends say something that hurts me. I see marriages break apart. My favorite TV show gets canceled. But God's love is unfailing. It will always be with me. It will always support me. It will always be enough for me. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says that this is true love - unfailing. Here is in a couple of different translations:
Love never fails. (NIV)
But love will last forever! (NLT)
Love never dies. (The Message)
Love never ends. (RSV)
God's unfailing love for us: God. While it is important for us to love, it is God that love's first. 1 John 4:19 says that "We love each other because He loved us first." This fits right in with our studies on the Spirit's fruit. We are commanded to love, but not in our own strength. We need to invite the Spirit's love to flow through us.
God's unfailing love for us: Unfailing. Wow, that seems like a strong word. Not much in my life is unfailing. My car breaks down. My kids learn to play together only to start fighting 10 minutes later. I lose my cell phone. My friends say something that hurts me. I see marriages break apart. My favorite TV show gets canceled. But God's love is unfailing. It will always be with me. It will always support me. It will always be enough for me. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says that this is true love - unfailing. Here is in a couple of different translations:
Love never fails. (NIV)
But love will last forever! (NLT)
Love never dies. (The Message)
Love never ends. (RSV)
God's unfailing love for us: For Us. Can you believe this? When I was teaching I was reading a story to my students one day about a boy who did something naughty. I remember asking them if they thought his mom still loved him. I was shocked that it lead to a discussion. So many of the kids thought that his mom probably didn't love him because he was bad. I have found that a lot of people I've come across struggle to believe that God love them unfailingly. Many tell me that they have never received unfailing love and cannot fathom it. My story is different, though. I cannot ever remember a time in my life when I questioned if my parents loved me. I know there were times they were mad at me. I'm sure there were times they didn't want to speak to me. But somehow, they always let God's unfailing love move through them to me. I know God loves me so much because I saw His love for me through them.
So I guess the question for me today is, am I letting God's love move through me in small amounts at some times to some people. Or am I opening myself up to letting God's unfailing love move through me to my spouse, my children, and everyone else I come in contact with throughout the day.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Fruit as a sign
Let us spend today looking at references to "fruit" in other parts of the Bible. In Matthew, the concept of people producing fruit comes up three times that I found. Twice, it is in reference to the pharisees. Both John the Baptist (Matt 3:10) and Jesus (Matt 12:33) talk about how a bad tree produces bad fruit and a good tree produces good fruit. Again I am left with the image that fruit is not something we need to try to produce, but it is something we will naturally produce if we are healthy inside. Jesus reiterates this in his sermon on the mount (Matt 7:20) when he says we can tell what type of people false prophets are by their fruit. He goes on to say that those who produce bad fruit will be chopped off and thrown into the fire.
So if producing fruit comes from our inner being, then to produce good fruit or the fruit of Holy Spirit,
we need to work not on the fruit but on our inner being. In John 15, Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are branches.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. "
John 15:5-8
Three things strike me here:
1. We produce good fruit by remaining in Christ. This goes right along with what we have been learning about the fruit of Holy Spirit. It is God's fruit lived out in our lives. Let our thoughts remain in Christ throughout the day. Let our words reflect His. Let our deeds model His. Let our security be tied to His love. Let our comfort and joy and rest be found in Him.
2. If we remain in Christ we can ask for anything and it will be granted. By remaining in Christ, by tying our thoughts to Him and learning our words from Him we can ask for the right things. And we already know some of the right things to ask for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we are living in Christ we can ask and God will fill us.
3. Producing good fruit can help others and make us feel good, but ultimately it brings great glory to God the Father! Philippians 1:11 says the same thing: "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Isn't that awesome. By letting God work his fruit in our lives we can be used to glorify Him.
So if producing fruit comes from our inner being, then to produce good fruit or the fruit of Holy Spirit,
we need to work not on the fruit but on our inner being. In John 15, Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are branches.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. "
John 15:5-8
Three things strike me here:
1. We produce good fruit by remaining in Christ. This goes right along with what we have been learning about the fruit of Holy Spirit. It is God's fruit lived out in our lives. Let our thoughts remain in Christ throughout the day. Let our words reflect His. Let our deeds model His. Let our security be tied to His love. Let our comfort and joy and rest be found in Him.
2. If we remain in Christ we can ask for anything and it will be granted. By remaining in Christ, by tying our thoughts to Him and learning our words from Him we can ask for the right things. And we already know some of the right things to ask for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we are living in Christ we can ask and God will fill us.
3. Producing good fruit can help others and make us feel good, but ultimately it brings great glory to God the Father! Philippians 1:11 says the same thing: "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Isn't that awesome. By letting God work his fruit in our lives we can be used to glorify Him.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The War Within
Another thought that struck me in my overview reading of Galatians, is that we as Christians seem to be living with a type of split personality. We have God's Holy Spirit living within us, and yet we are still living in our sinful bodies. Galatians 5 Tells us that the desires of our sinful nature are evil and in exact contrast to the desires of the Spirit within us. In fact, they are at war within us.
I know this seems to conflict with the idea of freedom. If the Spirit coming into us breeds war within us, how is this freedom? I think freedom comes into play in two ways. First, the Spirit offers us a choice. Before we become Christians we may attempt to do good, but ultimately we continue to do evil. With the Spirit we have choice. We can see the difference between good and evil. We are now equipped with the ability to let God's Spirit workout good through our lives.
Second, I think freedom comes into play as we are able to escape the consequences of bad choices. Living out sinful desires can appear fun and enticing in the moment, but ultimately though sinful desires bring negative consequences. We both reap the ramifications of evil and become addicted to the sin in our lives. It becomes harder and harder to break free from the choices we find ourselves bound too. By turning from our evil desires and allowing the Spirit to produce his fruit through us, we receive freedom from the chains of sin.
After reading Galatians, it seems to me that in many ways we need to work harder at turning away from sin then we do at striving to produce the Spirit's fruit. We need to work hard at binding our sinful nature and choosing not to follow our sinful desires. By giving up that way of life, by losing ourselves, we can allow God's Spirit to work through us. The good news is that the more we turn from our sinful desires, the more we give control of the situations in our lives over to God, the easier it becomes to make this choice again next time.
So when my kids are taking what seems like hours to put on their boots and coats, and I feel the war within me between impatience and anger verse patience and gentleness, I'm reminded that I need to work hard on giving up my impatience. I need to give up my sinful anger that rises within me. I need to ask God for help. I need to give the situation over to the Spirit. I need to let Him work out his fruit through me. And the next time my kids are stalling instead of getting ready to go out, I can give the situation over to God again. And the next time, because trust me this situation happens more than once every day in my life this winter, it will be easier to die to myself and let the Spirit work through me.
I know this seems to conflict with the idea of freedom. If the Spirit coming into us breeds war within us, how is this freedom? I think freedom comes into play in two ways. First, the Spirit offers us a choice. Before we become Christians we may attempt to do good, but ultimately we continue to do evil. With the Spirit we have choice. We can see the difference between good and evil. We are now equipped with the ability to let God's Spirit workout good through our lives.
Second, I think freedom comes into play as we are able to escape the consequences of bad choices. Living out sinful desires can appear fun and enticing in the moment, but ultimately though sinful desires bring negative consequences. We both reap the ramifications of evil and become addicted to the sin in our lives. It becomes harder and harder to break free from the choices we find ourselves bound too. By turning from our evil desires and allowing the Spirit to produce his fruit through us, we receive freedom from the chains of sin.
After reading Galatians, it seems to me that in many ways we need to work harder at turning away from sin then we do at striving to produce the Spirit's fruit. We need to work hard at binding our sinful nature and choosing not to follow our sinful desires. By giving up that way of life, by losing ourselves, we can allow God's Spirit to work through us. The good news is that the more we turn from our sinful desires, the more we give control of the situations in our lives over to God, the easier it becomes to make this choice again next time.
So when my kids are taking what seems like hours to put on their boots and coats, and I feel the war within me between impatience and anger verse patience and gentleness, I'm reminded that I need to work hard on giving up my impatience. I need to give up my sinful anger that rises within me. I need to ask God for help. I need to give the situation over to the Spirit. I need to let Him work out his fruit through me. And the next time my kids are stalling instead of getting ready to go out, I can give the situation over to God again. And the next time, because trust me this situation happens more than once every day in my life this winter, it will be easier to die to myself and let the Spirit work through me.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Freedom
One of the things that struck me in those passages from Galatians, is the idea of freedom. Paul tells us that Christ has set us free and that we are called to live in that freedom. In fact, he says that if we try to live in our own flesh or attempt to reestablish laws for our lives we are in fact sinning or giving up our freedom - enslaving ourselves. We are not to set up a long list of rules of how we should love, instead we are free to love. We can claim freedom from our sinful desires, freedom to live out love. We do not need regulations for how to live in joy, instead we claim freedom from the expectations this world holds us to so that we can have God's joy.
Do I live in freedom most days? No, I probably don't. I get bogged down in my list of things to do. I get caught up the expectations other people have for my life. I worry about what people think of me. I get down on myself when once again my sinful nature rises to the surface. But this is not what God calls me to. This is not what Christ died for. I am no longer a slave to anything of this world. I am God's own child, and I can live in freedom knowing that he loves me and has called me to his purpose.
So living out the fruits of the Spirit is not meant to be a chore. It is meant to be a life of freedom.
Do I live in freedom most days? No, I probably don't. I get bogged down in my list of things to do. I get caught up the expectations other people have for my life. I worry about what people think of me. I get down on myself when once again my sinful nature rises to the surface. But this is not what God calls me to. This is not what Christ died for. I am no longer a slave to anything of this world. I am God's own child, and I can live in freedom knowing that he loves me and has called me to his purpose.
So living out the fruits of the Spirit is not meant to be a chore. It is meant to be a life of freedom.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The context
To gain context for these verses I have been reading the book of Galatians. Here are a few verses that stood out for me.
Galatians 2: 18 – 20
Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So i died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all of its requirements – so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2: 3-4
You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Galatians 4: 6-7
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Galatians 5: 1
So Christ has truly set us free.
Galatians 5: 13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5: 16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing which are sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5: 24-25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful natures to the cross and crucified them them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 2: 18 – 20
Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So i died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all of its requirements – so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2: 3-4
You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Galatians 4: 6-7
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Galatians 5: 1
So Christ has truly set us free.
Galatians 5: 13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5: 16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing which are sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5: 24-25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful natures to the cross and crucified them them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Finding Fruit Online
Today I spent some time reading what others have to say about the Fruit of the Spirit online. Here are some snapshots of what I found:
Joyce Meyer
What I appreciated form this site were two ways to increase the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. First, one quote from the site is this: "the more you draw near to God, praying and reflecting on His Word, the more you will experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life." In the video on the site Joyce also talks about fruit as something that the Spirit puts in us as seed. The more we use the fruit the more it grows. So the way to get better at loving is to love more. The way to gain patience is to be patient more.
Lara Velez
She has just finished writing a study on the fruit of the spirit which I look forward to reading through. On her facebook page she quoted this verse: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." - Galatians 5:16 I love the contrast between our sinful nature and Spirit's fruit in this verse. I need to give up my stress for the Spirit's peace. I need to give up my impatience for the Spirit's patience.
OpenBible
This site lists a bunch of verses related to the Fruit of the Spirit. One of my favorites was this: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13. Holy Spirit (with his fruit) will come to us just by us asking. We don't have to be good enough first. In fact, we can't be good without Him.
Family Life
The writers on this site turned our way of looking at the fruits backwards. Instead of thinking about how to produce them, we can look at if we are producing them as signs of what is going on internally. The refer to this as a spiritual check-up. If we are producing the Spirit's fruit then He is actively at work in us. If we are not producing much fruit, then we need confess our reliance on self and commit to giving control of our lives to God.
Raising Arrows
This site has some fun lessons on the fruit of the Spirit to do with children. I was convicted recently that when I learn things in my spiritual studies I should not be learning them just for me, but so that I can teach others. That is what disciple making is all about really. As a mom, I have three young ones that are relying on me to teach them and train them. I should not only be working at letting the Spirit's fruit flow in my life but also at sharing with them how they too can rely on Holy Spirit.
Joyce Meyer
What I appreciated form this site were two ways to increase the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. First, one quote from the site is this: "the more you draw near to God, praying and reflecting on His Word, the more you will experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life." In the video on the site Joyce also talks about fruit as something that the Spirit puts in us as seed. The more we use the fruit the more it grows. So the way to get better at loving is to love more. The way to gain patience is to be patient more.
Lara Velez
She has just finished writing a study on the fruit of the spirit which I look forward to reading through. On her facebook page she quoted this verse: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." - Galatians 5:16 I love the contrast between our sinful nature and Spirit's fruit in this verse. I need to give up my stress for the Spirit's peace. I need to give up my impatience for the Spirit's patience.
OpenBible
This site lists a bunch of verses related to the Fruit of the Spirit. One of my favorites was this: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13. Holy Spirit (with his fruit) will come to us just by us asking. We don't have to be good enough first. In fact, we can't be good without Him.
Family Life
The writers on this site turned our way of looking at the fruits backwards. Instead of thinking about how to produce them, we can look at if we are producing them as signs of what is going on internally. The refer to this as a spiritual check-up. If we are producing the Spirit's fruit then He is actively at work in us. If we are not producing much fruit, then we need confess our reliance on self and commit to giving control of our lives to God.
Raising Arrows
This site has some fun lessons on the fruit of the Spirit to do with children. I was convicted recently that when I learn things in my spiritual studies I should not be learning them just for me, but so that I can teach others. That is what disciple making is all about really. As a mom, I have three young ones that are relying on me to teach them and train them. I should not only be working at letting the Spirit's fruit flow in my life but also at sharing with them how they too can rely on Holy Spirit.
Friday, February 1, 2013
His fruit or mine?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23
Credits: I resolve by Juno Designs, fonts are Avenir Next and Blackoak Std.
Galatians 5:22-23
I've heard this verse so many times. In fact I have found myself not wanting to hear anymore. I said that it was just too familiar, but I think there was another reason too. Displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my life is hard. I fail at it all the time!
When I heard people talk about this verse, the sermon or discussion often looks at how we as Christians can be better at these "fruits" or characteristics. Someone might list steps we can take to work on being more joyful. Or I might comment that I'm good at peace and kindness, but I struggle with patience and self-control.
However, while it is good to work on ways to show more love, to be more patient, and to practice gentleness, I don't think that is what Galatians 5 is getting at. "But the Holy Spirit produces...." It is God's Spirit that should be producing the fruit, not us. In fact, that is one of the major themes of Galatians. We are saved by faith, not through following rules. In Galatians 2 Paul talks about how following the law only shows us how guilty we are.
I don't have to learn or practice this fruit listed in Galatians. I don't need to practice 5 steps in how to show love. I don't have to get angry at myself for loosing patience with my kids, thinking I must be a bad Christian. I don't have to rely on my kindness to get me through a meeting. This fruit - these characteristics - come from Holy Spirit. I need to get myself out of the way and let God's Spirit manifest fruit through me.
So when I know I need to love, I don't just need to remind myself to love or have a list of ways I can love. I need to remember God's amazing love and surrender the situation to Him. When I need patience in my day I need to remember all of the times God has been patient with me and open myself up for his patience to poor through me.
I'm not saying that we are therefore off the hook. I'm not saying that it is not hard work. In fact I'm going to devote one month out of this year for each fruit. To focus on surrendering those areas of my life to the Lord. It is going to take focus. It is going to take work. It is going to take practice. But God can do it. God can transform my life. God can produce His fruit through me.
As I was thinking about this challenge for me I decided that Fruit would be my one word for 2013. (One word is a trend that has been out for a couple years now. A couple places you can read about it are here and here.) And since I'm a scrapbooker, I scrapped it:
Credits: I resolve by Juno Designs, fonts are Avenir Next and Blackoak Std.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
About This Blog
This blog is a record of some of my thoughts, encouragements, challenges, and prayers in time of devotion. Right now it is my hope to spend a month on each of the nine fruits of the spirit. Please feel free to read along on my journey and to comment if you wish.
Decorations on the blog made with Grace by Kristin Cronin-Barrow.
Decorations on the blog made with Grace by Kristin Cronin-Barrow.
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