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