Category Archives: Fruit of the Spirit

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August 26, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

8-26-14 fruitofspiritWEBBut what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. [Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)]

I love to picture the fruit tree of a Christian’s life. Instead of apples or oranges, it is laden with fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Let’s grab our bushel baskets and harvest this wonderful fruit of the Holy Spirit!

The Fruit of the Spirit Song (Fill Me Up)
[by Rick Muchow & Rick Warren]

God’s apple is love, His orange is patience,
Banana is self-control, His lemon is peace,
His kindness a peach, And my life is the bowl.

So, fill me up (with your Spirit, it’s delicious),
Fill me up (let me hear it, it’s nutritious),
Fill me all the way up, With the fruit of Your Spirit!

 

 

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August 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, God's Plan, Obedience, Spiritual Gifts

WHAT’S YOUR PURPOSE?

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. [Colossians 1:9b-10 (NLT)]

What is my purpose, my goal, in life? Now in my seventh decade, I still vacillate over the answer. Moreover, the answer seems to have changed over the years. Was it to be an obedient child and a good student? To be a good mother and homemaker? Is it now to be a loving grandmother? Has it been to be a community volunteer? Is it now to be a writer? Was it to help my husband in business? Is it now to enjoy retirement?

What is our purpose in life? Is it to be someone, have something, achieve a special goal, accomplish a specific task, or to amass a particular amount of money? Upon reading the Bible, however, I realize there is no reason to be uncertain when answering that question. Our purpose is clearly laid out for us in Jesus’ own words:

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)]

 

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July 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

RECIPE FOR A FRUITFUL LIFE

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness add love. [2 Peter 1:5-7 (ERV)]

Take a large bowl and gently stir together the above ingredients, adding one element at a time. Mix well. Taste and evaluate. Are you a little short of any component? Some chefs need a dash more self-control while others need to add more kindness. For best results, add extra love. Place in an empty life and sprinkle with plenty of prayer. Be sure to exercise perseverance during the cooking process and feel free to call on the Holy Spirit for help. When in doubt, refer to the Holy Bible for more detailed directions.

If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:8 (ERV)]

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May 10, 2014

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Fear & Doubt, Fruit of the Spirit, Nature, Trusting God

Nothing to Fear

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9 (NLT)] 

As I started out for a walk the other evening, my neighbor stopped me. A bear had just been sighted at the end of our street, checking out the garbage cans and fishing in the canal. I did what any sensible person would and went back inside! God may tell us we have nothing to fear if we trust him, but he doesn’t tell us to be reckless or foolhardy.

If there are still things which we as sensible Christians should fear, what is it that we don’t need to fear? We never have to fear not being up to a task if it is task given to us by God. With God’s power, we never have to fear not being good enough, rich enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or worthy enough. We never have to fear being rejected or unloved. We are His and He loves us unconditionally. We never have to fear being abandoned or facing the unknown because we are never alone; He is always with us. We never have to fear being too weak because the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to withstand whatever Satan throws at us.

I don’t walk in dangerous neighborhoods or flash wads of money around in a crowd and I certainly don’t walk with bears. I do, however, walk with God and, because I walk with Him, I have nothing to fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. [2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)]

 

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March 29, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Worry

The Peace of God is Promised

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)]

When Paul told the Philippians to be sure to present their requests to God in prayer, it’s important to note that he never said they would get exactly what they’d requested. What they would get, he told them, was the peace of God.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. [Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)]

 

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March 20, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Trusting God

HOW SAFE ARE OUR HOMES?

If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert. [Psalm 127:1 (GW)]

A Naples, Florida, real estate ad recently touted a house with a 35-camera security system “set up so if you travel or leave your kids with a sitter, you would have peace of mind.” Another exclusive neighborhood brags about their 24-hour private security patrols and surveillance cameras. One home in that neighborhood is notable for having doors that can withstand the force of a rocket propelled grenade. Do these people truly have security and peace of mind? What does it take for us to feel safe in our homes?

Gated communities, security patrols, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, bullet proof glass and fortified doors can’t protect anyone from Alzheimer’s, addiction, floods, heart-break, cancer, depression, the loss of a child or spouse, financial ruin, or our own death. These things will happen to believers and non-believers alike. The Book of Job makes that abundantly clear. Those who have faith, however, will be sustained through their difficulties. Only in God do we find a true guarantee of security and peace.

My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. [Isaiah 32:18 (GW)]