God Is Like...

 

     My parents died much too young. My mom passed away the day after our wedding. It was a trough time of grief and also such happiness that I had my love to see me through. As we were leaving the cemetery after my mom’s funeral my brand-new mother-in-law said these words, “Now I have two daughters.”  The absolute perfect sentiment for me at that moment.

     I was blessed to have my in-laws for twenty-five years and they became another mom and dad to me. Florence and I spoke often of faith.  She gave me this list she had written on a note pad.  Some of you may not remember all of these ads, but enjoy!  And enjoy the weekend!

 

God is like:

Ford: He has a better idea.

Bayer: He works miracles.

Coke: He’s the real thing.

Hallmark cards: He cares enough to send the very best!

Tide: He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

General electric: He brings good things to life.

Sears: He has everything.

Alka-selzer: Try Him, you’ll like Him.

Scotch tape: You can’t see Him, but you know He’s there.

Delta: He’s ready when you are.

Allstate: You’re in good hands with Him.

VO 5 hair spray: He holds through all kinds of weather.

Dial soap: Aren’t you glad you have Him? Don’t you wish everyone did?

The Post Office: Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

 

The Love of Christ

 

     God loves you!  One of my favorite Christian writers, Max Lucado, said if God had a refrigerator, a Magnet with your picture would be on it. He won’t grow tired of you. He loves spending time with you. If you run away, He wists with open arms. If you struggle, He will bring peace. If you mess up, He has already forgiven you, through Jesus. You are His beloved child and you can call Him, “daddy:! (Romans 8;15)

     There is absolutely nothing that can seperate you from God’s love.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

     Give it all to Him. He loves and cares for you.

Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Father,

Thank You for Your love for us that you brought to us through Jesus. Help us to remember that nothing, not ever, can separate us from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Spirit of Christ

 

     Did you know that the very Spirit of God feels what you are feeling? He lives within us, this mighty Holy Spirit, the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! Let the Spirit guide you, comfort you, teach you and lead you back to Jesus every time you doubt.

     The 8^th chapter of Romans is considered by many to be one of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible. There is so much richness, wisdom, power and love in these words. The Holy Spirit not only understands us but understands the will of God!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

     The Spirit knows more about us than we do!  He brings our requests to the throne room of God and sorts it all out for us. Somehow, He sets us in God’s will, so even the most difficult times of our lives can show off God’s glory.  Miraculous!  Believe He is working for good in your life right now.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.  “Romans 8:28

Father,

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit. We trust You to work out our lives for good and to fit in with Your perfect will.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Strength of Christ

 

     My prayer list is very long right now. It is such a privilege to pray for others. When we tell others we will pray, we should take it seriously and not lightly. The power of prayer is real. My heart aches for many on this list, right now as they face dire diagnoses, as they face an uncertain future, as unexpected events come out of the blue, as they grieve.

     I often struggle to live each day, each moment, as they come. Over my sixty-eight years of life, I have been a worrier. My anxiety can creep in out of the blue, sometimes for no particular reason. I think too much. How about you?

     This momentary reliance on God helps. “Just get me through this hour, Lord.” “Just for one more day, Jesus.”  Each day has a new beginning. Each weakness finds strength in the One who has power over the stars. Boast in His strength, and not in your own.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

     Sing His praises and rely on His strength today. Even if it’s just a minute at a time.

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Jesus,

We need Your strength. Our bodies may fail, but You are ours forever. Provide Your strength to all who need You so desperately today. We love You.

Amen

 

Fruit of the Spirit/Self-Control

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

    What comes to mind when you hear the term, “self-control?” Diet, discipline, duty? Sounds like some hard work here. How do we grow this fruit of the Spirit? Jesus told us to remain in Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. He makes this fruit grow naturally in us. Could we call this fruit our Spirit-controlled self?

     I like to think of love and self-control as the bookends to all of the fruit. We need both to begin to flow in joy, peace, patience and all of the other attributes. God’s love is so powerful it can fill us to the brim until it overflows with fruit to be used in our contact with others.

     Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, all we have is our own mind, body and emotions to rely on. Following the desires of our own flesh and emotions can take us into some dangerous territory, as we react to the people and situations surrounding us on a daily basis. This Spirit-controlled self can come in handy.

    That Holy Spirit nudge might find you calling a friend, even when you don’t have time. He might use your teeth to bite your tongue when that anger boils up within, and, miraculously, words of gentleness are spoken with love. The Holy Spirit can work on us with those pruning shears of Christ in all areas of life. Our Spirit-controlled self may be able to say, “No!” to that third piece of chocolate. My emotions are still winning on that one.

     Taking the time to grow in the things of the Spirit takes time. God’s patience with us never wears thin. When we stumble, He picks us back up, dusts off the flesh, and moves us again into the Holy mountain where He lives. The Lord never gave up on the Israelites on their way to the promised land. They turned away from Him, time and time again. In fact, it took them 40 years to make what should have been an 11-hour journey.

     Remember we are on the way to our promised land. Let’s make the trip count. Jesus loves you. Allow the gardener with those pruning shears and loving touch do His work as He begins to control even those old habits of ours. And your leaves will remain green and healthy all the way to heaven.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Dear Jesus,

Teach us how to control our minds, bodies and emotions under the control of Your Holy Spirit. Grow us in the healthy fruit of the Spirit through all the seasons of life. .

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Gentleness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

         We know our God is mighty, powerful, omnipotent and just. He is also gentle. When the prophet Elijah became exhausted and fearful, hiding in a cave, and ready for death, the Lord wanted to speak to him. First a mighty wind tore apart the mountain and after the wind, an earthquake, but God was not in either. Read this:

After the earthquake, came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:12

     When we are living in fear or doubt or despair, we would love to hear the powerful voice of God telling us what to do next or how to get out of our mess. His voice often comes in a whisper, rather than a shout. Is it just me, or does it seem like more people are shouting, that the world appears to be filled with harsh words and anger? A gentle touch and a kind word can stand out among the harshness and anger around us.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

     Are you under a heavy burden today and could use that gentle touch? Here is what Jesus says:

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29

     We can, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit in us, bear with one another, just as Jesus promised He would do for us.  Our friendly neighbors Joyful Jenny and Kind Kate have been doing just that with Crabby Cathy. And they will continue to walk with her as she grows in her new-found faith in Jesus.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient; bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

Dear Lord,

You lighten our loads when we are burdened. It might be with a gentle touch or a whisper of Your love. Teach us how to bear with one another in love. We can’t do it on our own. We pray we can be different in a harsh and angry world. With the help of Jesus, we can.

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Faithfulness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     Are you still unsure about the Gospel? Can this good news be true? We have to hear the word before God speaks to our hearts about Jesus, and we discover faith.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.  Romans 10:17

     Sixteen years after Joyful Jenny and her family moved in next door to Crabby Cathy, JJ and her daughter, Kind Katie are sitting with CC on her patio. It is God’s timing. It has taken years of sharing God’s fruit including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness. Today is the day for CC to hear the word of God.

     Katie reads John 3:16, followed by 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, explaining the free gift of the sacrifice, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. CC listens quietly. She looks at Katie and replies with a simple, “Yes, I believe.” Their eyes glisten with tears and the seeds of faith are planted. The Holy Spirit moves into CC’s heart on a glorious summer day, in a moment’s time. God’s timing. God’s grace. God is pleased with our faith:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

     We are blessed for our faith and God is pleased. He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  I’ll say He does. Those simple words, “I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,” give us an eternal home in heaven and a new life on earth. And the faithfulness of a loving Father forevermore. (Romans 10:9-10)

     We will never be the same.

Dear Father,

Thank you for Your faithfulness in finding ways for us to hear Your Word. You have placed us here for a purpose. Guide us in Your Spirit to use the fruit in ways that are pleasing to You. Help us in our unbelief. Open our eyes to see You and say, “Yes!”

In Jesus name,

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Goodness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

God is good.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

     The phrase, “He is good and His love endures forever,” is written over and over again in the Psalms. Do you believe that God is good? Do you believe He loves you? Life can be discouraging, depressing, heart breaking, confusing, overwhelming and doubt-filled can’t it? Why does God allow sorrow and suffering to be our companions as we journey through this short life on earth?

     Goodness is another seed that is planted and grows within us as we allow God to work in our Spirits through His word, through prayer, through praise and thanksgiving and many times, through our trials and testing. God teaches us about His goodness, His compassion, His understanding and His abiding love through the most difficult of our days. When life is sailing smoothly along on calm waters, we become complacent and comfortable and independent. We can take care of ourselves. Or so we believe.

     When a storm pulls the comfortable roof from over our heads, it often brings us to our knees for cover. Is there really a God? He wants to get to the core of us. He wants us to learn to trust Him, even at our lowest point. He wants the Holy Spirit in us to grow so strong, that we can remain filled with His joy and peace NO MATTER WHAT! 

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

     He works for the good in “all things.”  God takes everything from our past and present and uses all of it for His future purposes, to bring glory to Him. You and I have heard testimonies over the years. There is hope in our stories. God heals. He transforms. He changes everything to good.

     Why did God place a crabby and critical neighbor next door to Joyful Jenny and her family? It could be that God knew she needed some unconditional love. The innocence of a kind-hearted child began the change. Over a period of many years Kind Katie and Joyful Jenny developed a strong bond with Cathy. And one day, there came the perfect opportunity to mention the love of the Father. Amazing grace. Amazing love. The amazing goodness of a loving God.

Dear Jesus,

You are good and Your love endures forever. Show us Your goodness. Use our suffering and sorrow to teach us. Give us patience as we wait for Your purpose in our lives to be revealed. As we learn from Your compassionate heart, only then can we be compassionate to others. God is so good. He’s so good to me.

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Kindness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     If you are stopping by for the first time or haven’t been here is awhile, please read through last week’s blogs. The fruit of the Spirit listed in the verses above will grow in us as we view the world through the lens of Christ. From His vantage point, He can see into the hearts of man. Jesus may trim something from our lives or even take the ax once in a while to grow healthier fruit. Let’s continue with the fruit of kindness, and check in, once again, with Joyful Jenny.

     JJ’s daughter, Kind Katie, is heading out the door with cookies for their next-door neighbor, Crabby Cathy and JJ marvels at the relationship between this unlikely duo. Katie has never had a problem with their crabby and critical neighbor. The relationship began when Katie was only five years old. The first time they met she went right up and held Cathy’s hand. Cathy, in return, has never said an unkind word to Kind Katie and the two have become fast friends.

     JJ realizes that her daughter has taught her just as much about following Jesus as the women of faith in her life. Katie still sings a song she learned in church as a kindergartner based on Ephesians 4:32.

Be kind, one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, in Christ, has forgiven you. Too, too, toodily, too, Ephesians 4:32.  Yeah!

     Katie comes home after an hour or so and tells her mom CC is healing just fine after her knee surgery. Today, CC confided in the twenty-one-year-old Kate about her own critical father.

     And her kind-hearted daughter said, “See mom, I know it hasn’t been easy for you to be nice to Cathy, but she never had a loving father like we both did. I told her she has a loving Father in heaven and He will love her enough to make up for it.”

    Be kind one to another. It’s worth a try. And if we are patient and joy-filled with peace in our hearts who knows what might happen with the Crabby Cathy’s in our lives?

Dear Father in heaven,

Thank you for loving us so much that Your Son, Jesus, suffered on the cross and took all of our sins on His own shoulders. That kind of love is available to us through Your Holy Spirit. Continue to grow that precious fruit within us as we head out the door today.  Show us how to be kind and tenderhearted to those around us.

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Patience

 

But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control. Against the such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     The patience of God is endless. His answers in our lives are not based on our time tables. If you are a Christian, you may be praying for someone or for yourself, for healing, for comfort, to find a spouse, to have a baby, to find peace. Someone may be praying for you and here you are reading about Jesus and His words to you. God works in a myriad of mysterious ways. To Him, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. (Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8)

     Moses lived in the desert for 40 years and was 80 years old before God used him to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Sarah and Abraham had their son, Isaac, long after child-bearing years. In fact, the name Isaac means “laughter.”  That is just what Sarah did when she found out she was pregnant. She laughed! Daniel was brought into captivity in Babylon when he was a teenager. He remained a faithful servant of God in the midst of corruption and greed, consistently praying for his fellow Israelites to be allowed to go home. His prayers would be answered but he would remain in Babylon until he was a very old man.

     It is difficult to be patient and trust God over a long period of time isn’t it? Do not lose heart. God is not slow in coming.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness; instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.   2 Peter 3:9

     It is our friend, JJ’s, 45^th birthday. She marvels at the passage of time. As she prays in the early morning hours, she thanks God for His patience with her. Her faith has matured and she recognizes how God has worked in her and in her family. It has been fifteen years since her son’s allergies were diagnosed and controlled. Her mom and dad enjoyed their apartment for ten years before her dad went home to Jesus five years ago.

    She is now just two years older than CC had been when they first moved in. All of those years ago, Jenny’s love for her neighbor was out of obedience to God, trying, many times, unsuccessfully, to follow His ways. But God had worked a miracle and her eyes glistened with tears as she discovered the truth. She really did love Crabby Cathy.

     She picked up her Bible and in her daily reading she found this:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rain.  James 5:7

     The fruit of the Spirit she had studied all of those years ago was growing slowly and steadily. She recognized the faithfulness and patience of God over time. He was so good. CC was getting ready to have surgery, and she bowed her head again.

Lord Jesus,

Teach us how to be patient. We want immediate gratification when we see a need. You hear every single prayer and You give us what we need, when we need it, in Your time. Be patient with us we pray. You place us in situations and with people for a reason. Give us the same patience that You have with us.

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Peace

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     Tornados twirl, heat waves soar, social media blares, anxiety increases, drugs abound. Where is peace? Can it be found? What is robbing you of a sense of peace? What is your mind focusing on today?

     Joyful Jenny had recaptured a sense of hope after her conversation with Encouraging Evelyn. As their study begins, she attempts to focus on the facilitator, but her mind is, once again, in turmoil. The doctor’s appointment for her son, a meeting with an assisted living apartment for her mom and dad and the call she needs to make to the driveway company, are filling her mind, not with peace, but with anxiety.

     “Lord, please focus my mind on You this morning,” she whispers.

     Teaching Tess asks for the women to raise their hands if they are worried about anything this morning.  Most of the women raise their hands. TT reads from Philippians Chapter 4;

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

    Tess continues the discussion. “Did you notice the words at the end of verse 7? That peace of Christ will guard both our hearts and our minds. Listen to these two verses. Our inner peace is somehow connected to what is on our minds.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Isaiah 26:3”

     TT continues, “What do you think, women of faith? Trusting and focusing our minds on Christ rather than on our worries and circumstances, will keep us in peace. Let’s talk about that, but allow me to read one more:

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6”

     Jenny felt a surge of peace and contentment flood her tired mind and body. The words of the Bible held such great power and grace for her heart and mind. She listened to the conversation flowing around her. These wise women offered suggestions like taping Scripture verses around the house; memorizing Scripture focused on a particular worry; thanking God in advance for working on a struggle; praising Him for all He is even in the midst of a crisis.  She took notes and felt her anxiety lift.

     As she drove home, with this unexpected peace, she lifted up a prayer asking that it would last for more than five minutes. She decided to stop at Crabby Cathy’s house to figure out what to do about the driveway.

Dear Jesus,

These are Your words of peace to us:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Give us the inner peace that surpasses knowledge. Train our minds to focus on You and the things of the Spirit. Keep our hearts and minds free from fear and worry.

Amen

 

Fruit of the Spirit/Joy

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     That soul-deep, Spirit-filled fruit of joy is established when we accept Jesus as Savior. At that moment, we are seated in heaven, with the promise of everlasting joy. Some days, hopefully most days, as we mature in our faith, that joy can sustain us through the ups and downs of life. Christ is with us today, tomorrow, forever. Somehow, though, life gets in the way, doesn’t it?

     Let’s pick up with Joyful Jenny a few years later. Her youngest child has been sick off and on for a few months with no real answers and there are health concerns with her parents. Prayer and Bible study still hold a vital and prominent place in her life, but the words and the prayers feel empty. They are not moving from her head to her heart. The joy is missing.

     That missing joy moves another few miles into the distance as she spots Crabby Cathy.

     “You know I don’t like the sound of that company you chose to do our driveways. I may call someone else to get an estimate.”

     There was no love in her heart as JJ said, “You do whatever you need to do.” And she walked inside. The company she chose? No, they chose it together! How could she continue to speak to her next-door neighbor with love when she never received anything in return except criticism?  

     “Lord, how do you keep loving people when they don’t listen or respond?”

    Joyful Jenny relied on the other women of faith in her life, especially the older women. They spoke with such wisdom and love. Most of them had been through so much and continued to trust Jesus even in the midst of impossible circumstances. Their stories gave her new hope. Walking into Bible study early, she was relieved to see Evelyn.

    “First of all,” Evelyn said after listening quietly for a few minutes, “tell Jesus absolutely everything on your heart. He understands exactly where you are and He will get you through. Praise Him and thank Him for working in all of these situations. All of us go through times of despair. Why do tough things seem to come in groups? Remember we are a work in progress. We just read that in Philippians 1. Believe me, He is never done working on us.

    I also want to give you encouragement with your neighbor. You may not see results, but you have been planting seeds in her life for years. You may be the only Jesus she ever meets. Jesus will do the heart changing. Trust Him to know the timing. And one more thing. Don’t allow others to steal your joy. You know Jesus!”

     JJ felt a surge of that missing joy. Encouraging Evelyn gave her a verse to memorize.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

    Today it just so happened they were studying the 4^th chapter of Philippians. Paul is writing from a prison cell, trusting God, changing even the jailers’ lives and this is part of what he says to JJ and to us.

Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again; Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Dear Father in heaven,

You tell us to come to you when we are weary and burdened (Matthew 11) Teach us to be joyful in hope.

We rejoice in Jesus.

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Love

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     Love encompasses all of the other fruit. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit within us, will continue to teach us how to love. Each one of us is made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) Jesus sees through to each heart. Let’s follow the story of Joyful Jenny and Crabby Cathy this week and use them as one illustration for growing in the fruit of the Spirit.

     Joyful Jenny and her young family recently moved into a new home. JJ had given her heart to Jesus a few years earlier and was in the midst of a Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit. It turns out she would be put to the test on growing in the Spirit with her next-door neighbor, Crabby Cathy.  JJ had recently read this Scripture:

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32

     JJ had made a conscious decision to love the difficult people placed in her life. She began to pray for Cathy and for her words to be spoken in love. She took a deep breath as she walked outside one summer morning, seeing CC out in the backyard.

     “You really need to get to work on these weeds back here. They are starting to move into my yard and I have more than enough to do, thank you,” were the first words out of CC’s mouth.

     “Good morning. You are so right. But isn’t it a beautiful morning? It’s a morning to play don’t you think? But I will get on those weeds soon. Your yard looks beautiful by the way. I might need help on deciding which one of these are weeds. Aren’t some of them pretty?”

      With a “hmmph,” CC walked away. Jen sighed, recognizing how difficult it was to love some people. “How do you do it, Lord?” she whispered before heading to the swing set with her kids.

     Think about those difficult people in your life. Maybe the Holy Spirit can give you some help in loving them, as impossible as that sounds. It is easier to love the people that are like us, that love us back, that understand us. The Holy Spirit will allow us to see a little deeper into the hurt, the defensive walls, the grief and hopelessness. Is He asking you to love?

     First of all, make sure you fill up with the love of Christ, until it overflows. His love is unconditional, filled with mercy and new beginnings. His love changes us first. Only then can He work within us and through us to share it with the CC’s in our lives.

Dear Lord,

Fill us to the brim until it overflows with Your love. Teach us to love the difficult people in our lives and the people who need it the most. Take away our doubt and fear as we move out into the world today.

In Jesus we pray,

Amen

Fruit of the Spirit/Love

The Fruit of the Spirit

 

     Jesus calls Himself, “the vine,” and He calls us, “the branches.” Apart from Him we can do nothing. The Father is our gardener and, as any good gardener would, He cuts off unhealthy branches and prunes others in order to produce more healthy fruit. What is the fruit of the Spirit?  The Bible is clear on just exactly what the fruit is: How is it growing in you?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     Did you notice these verses begin with the fruit of the Spirit, not fruits? The seeds of this fruit are planted in us. As we continue to grow in the things of the Spirit, this heavenly gardener of ours, pulls out some of the seed-eating weeds as we grow in this precious Spiritual fruit.

    The fruit is grown within us to be shared. Tomorrow we will begin with love. That is where everything begins with Jesus. In the meantime, don’t be afraid of the pruning shears or even the ax. Trim some temptation here, a bit of bitterness there, and chop off that huge cheating limb. It’s all for our own good, even when it hurts. Jesus produces only the best fruit.

Dear Jesus,

Teach us more about Your fruit in the days ahead. Help us to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Most of all, help us to trust You to know what is best as we continue to walk in step with the Spirit. 

Amen

Come Lord Jesus

 

     Life moves through cycles of weakness and strength, of chaos and peace, of sadness and joy, of comfort and unrest. After we come to know Jesus, He sticks with us through it all and as we deepen our relationship with Him, we look more and more forward to seeing Him face-to-face and we yearn for our eternal homes.

     My grandma, Pella, made a huge impact on my life. I was lucky to have her until my late twenties. As she aged and moved into her nineties, she would often say, “I just want to go home to Jesus.” With her strong Swedish accent, she said, “Yesus,” and called me “Yudy.”  I still miss her, but the older I get the more I understand the longing that faith brings and the eternal perspective in life. I treasure her Swedish Bible that is so worn from her years of lovingly reading its contents.

     My one remaining aunt is in her mid-nineties now. Along with my grandparents, she and her husband, Paul, taught by example what it means to live a life of faith. My uncle, Paul, was larger than life to me with his outgoing personality filled with laughter and love, with his ability to speak passionately and pray beautifully, never afraid to share His love of Christ.

     Each time I spoke with him, even as he lay dying, he added the words, “Come, Lord Jesus!”  And to me, “Keep shining the light.” My aunt is close to going home now and each day she prays Jesus will take her to heaven.

     Did you know that the disciples expected Jesus to return at any moment? The apostle Paul wrote often about being ready for the soon return of Christ. Each generation believed He could return at any moment, any day, any season. We, along with generations past, should be ready as well.

     His return is imminent. About to happen at any moment. Are you ready and longing for His appearance?

So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. Matthew 24:44

Therefore, keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24;42

     Keep watch. Be alert. Watch the signs and the seasons. As we witness Scripture coming true prophetically, we can be confident in our faith and in the soon return of our Lord.

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28

     We have nothing to fear. Live with confidence in Jesus. Wait patiently and with great expectation. Each day is a blessing and our eternity is secure.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord, Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Father,

We say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” What a day it will be when we meet Him face-to-face and move into our glorious eternal home. In the meantime, keep us ready and alert, doing what You ask us to do through our lifetimes here as we await that glorious day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Enjoy the weekend and keep shining!

 

Come and See

 

     Come and see what the Lord has done! As we live our lives with Jesus, we begin to witness the miraculous all around us. His creation is more magnificent and unbelievably beautiful than we appreciated before knowing Him. The love we share with family and friends becomes more precious because of Him.

     Our eyes open to what is important to Him, the deep and the lovely world that Jesus offers. Deep speaks to deep.

These are the things God has revealed to us through His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

Deep calls to deep in the roar of the waterfalls, all Your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42:7

     Jesus opens our spiritual eyes with the help of His Holy Spirit. After meeting Jesus and following Him for a while, the deep blessings overwhelm us. His voice reverberates in our souls and we begin to see through His eyes, hear with His ears, serve with His hands, walk in His steps.

     We remain human and fraught with weakness, slipping again and again, but His love remains strong and faithful as He continually welcomes us back to Him and to come and see what He will do next.

Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind! Psalm 66:5

     Our testimonies will become filled with His stories, with His ability to walk us through anything, with the blessings of His love. John and Peter had been arrested while sharing the Gospel and were told not to speak in public anymore. After their release, they went right back out. Why? Here is the answer.

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

     Come and see what Jesus has in store for your life, and you, too, will not be able to stop speaking of everything you see and hear.

Lord,

Your ways are much deeper than our ways. Open our spiritual eyes to see what You have to share with us. The glories You offer are beyong this world, sent from heaven for our pleasure. We love You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Come Follow Me

 

     After coming to Jesus with our hearts, He asks us to follow Him throughout the rest of our earthly lives, trusting Him through each day, with every step, through the tough times and the smooth times.

“Come follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1;17

Then He said to them all, “Whoever wants to be My disciple, must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

“My sheep listen to My voice. I know them and they follow Me.” John 10?27    

     Following Jesus does not mean our lives will be perfect and easy. On the contrary, He often works best through our times of suffering and sadness. We become closer to Him. Our testimonies become rich with wisdom and trust. His blessings are much deeper than the blessings the world sees as most vital. His love and hope grow in us when we are most vulnerable.

     Follow Him and listen to His voice. He has the answers to the questions you are asking right now. Feel the warmth of His love and comfort. Follow His lead. He will use your stories to shine with His love.

Lord,

Even when life is not easy, we come to You. We follow You. We listen to You. Teach us to trust You and count on You every minute of every day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Come To Me

 

     Have you met Jesus? Accepted him as Savior? Love Him more than anything? If not, He is right there, knocking at your heart. Jesus beckons, welcomes, waits patiently for us to turn our heads His way. Jesus will continue to watch over us, waiting for the opportunity to arise. Often, when we do come to Him, it is during a time of suffering, a time of asking the deep questions in life. Are you seeking answers? Wondering about life and what it’s all about?

“Ask and it will be given to you,, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7;7

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

     Jesus is ready to open the door. You will find Him. Feeling weary and burdened with life? Seeking comfort and hope? Jesus is speaking to your heart.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

          Rest from our worries, rest from our stress, rest from our grief, answers to eternal questions, peace and joy from now until heaven. He offers us a changed life, one built on the foundation of faith. If you haven’t met Jesus, come to Him today with an open heart, ready to listen, to discover His love, to accept Him as Savior, and He will meet you right where you are.

May Your unfailing love come to me, Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise. Psalm 119:41

Jesus,

Open hearts today. We come to You with our lives. Open Your loving arms to us and to those who do not yet know You. You are waiting for us to come home.

Amen

Spirit Power

 

     Following in the footsteps of Jesus is impossible on our own. Instead, we often choose a few more minutes of sleep, time on our devices or scheduling too many activities. We want to stay in our comfort zones with our own friends and family. We don’t venture too far. It’s scary out there.

     Even the idea of bringing up the subject of faith in Christ causes a tingling of fear and anxiety. Luckily for us, Jesus rose again and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He said it would be better for His followers when He went away. The reason? The power of the Holy Spirit could be unleashed to all believers.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues-as the Spirit enabled them.  Acts: 2:1-4

     Today we may not hear a violent wind or see flames shooting above our heads, but that same Holy Spirit is within us. We have the power of the Spirit of Christ and when we rely on that Spirit, we will find time to spend with God, time to speak of Jesus, time to hang out with those that need Him most. The power and the Spirit of Christ. Can you imagine?

Dear Jesus,

Following Your example takes the guiding and teaching of Your Spirit. We thank You for the power You give each one of us, each in our own way, to be Your hands and feet, Your eyes and ears, to bring Your presence to others.

Amen

The World Needs Jesus

 

     We love our sisters and brothers in the faith. Studying the word together, counting on one another for prayer build us up in the faith, encourage us and give us strength to live as Christians in a secular world. But we are not meant to close ourselves off from that world. Jesus gave His followers what is called, “the great commission.”

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

     The Pharisees did not like the fact that Jesus hung out with the “wrong” crowd. He spoke with prostitutes, dined with tax collectors and (gasp!) even spoke to a Samaritan woman in the light of day. Those lawmakers liked to turn their noses up at the “sinners” congratulating themselves on being nothing like them.

   While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”  Matthew 9:10-12 

     The world needs Jesus.  Be a light to a hurting world. Light overcomes darkness. Be a witness for Him.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

Dear Lord,

The church is meant to open doors and look out to encourage others. Keep us from hiding ourselves away in our safe places. Move us into the world around us. We have Your joy and Your love. Let it be contagious.

Amen

Faith in Jesus

 

     The house was full. The crowds were huge. The word had spread about Jesus. His teaching was different from anything they had ever heard. Demons fled. Sight was restored. Some were healed just by touching His gown. And there they came; the four faithful friends of the paralytic. They carried their friend through the streets on a mat, determined to find Him. The One.

     It seemed an impossible task when they came upon the crowd. There was no way to get into the house. Or was there?

     Read along with me.

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lynng on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son your sins are forgiven.”  Mark 2:4-5

     What would you do to lead your friends to Jesus? They wanted their friend to walk. Here’s the interesting part. Jesus sees their faith. Does He heal the paralyzed man? Eventually He does. But what is most important? “Son your sins are forgiven.”

     God uses our suffering to bring us to Him. His priority is to save us for eternity, to forgive us through Jesus. That comes first. He wants our hearts. He wants us to hear the message and take it in and then we become the messengers, bringing our friends to see Him.

Dear Jesus,

See our faith. Let us in among the crowds with our friends. Give us the message You want us to share and help us to bring our hurting friends to You. Many are paralyzed with hurt and fear and doubt and grief. We can carry their burdens and leave them with You for forgiveness and healing.

Amen