Fruits of the Spirit Series - Joy

I had my own definition of joy. Apparently God wasn’t interested.

As it turns out – He was right – go figure.

Mine would have depended on a lot of things lining up correctly. It would have left out the days that included illness, arguments, anger, lack of money, friends irritating me, me irritating friends, death, sorrow, bad weather, unmet expectations, failure, my weight being up, my doctor telling me to get my weight down, scary things, disappointment, depression … wow I better get to the point – I could go on forever.

And let’s face it – I’m not sure my definition for joy would have left me a single day.

Let’s go to the fruit that Jesus gave us without reservation and in abundance.

JOHN 15:11 –“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

If we read the encircling verses – it’s all about love and the relationship … and then the lasting fruit that we will bear – joy that is complete.

Grief turns to joy (John16: 20), no one can take our joy (John 16: 22), we are filled with joy in His presence (Psalm 16:11), we are filled with joy because of belief in God (Acts16: 34), joy is given by the Holy Spirit (I Thessalonians1:6) … well you get the drift.

Joy is everywhere in the Word and in the presence of Jesus.

Joy is the presence of Jesus … not the absence of hurt, suffering, trials or anything else on OUR list.

Joy is the presence of Jesus … not the presence of health, friends, money or anything else on OUR list.

It is that simple. Fruit that we bear as we abide in a relationship with Jesus. JOY!!

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Peace

JOHN 14: 26 – 27 – “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.”

Let’s take a look in the dictionary at the definition of peace. It notes that peace is the absence of war … an agreement to end hostility … freedom from quarrels and disagreements … public security and order … inner contentment … freedom from strife.

The trouble with “peace” as the world gives is the attempt to define a spiritual reality by an earthly condition. Impossible.

Yes – that’s right – peace is a spiritual reality. Peace doesn’t exist in a vacuum – It is the fruit of a relationship. Here are some for consideration: Savior and saved one; King and subject; Brother and sister; Lord and servant; Father and daughter; forever friends.

The powers of earth would tell us that peace exists when there are no wars.
Christ tells us peace exists in the presence of the Savior not the absence of wars.

People of the earth see peace when nations and rulers agree to end their hostility.
Christ has ended the hostility between God and man – no other treaty is needed.

The siblings of the earth immersed in disagreements seek to be the “right one”.
Christ as our Brother seeks only to present us as a righteous one.

We see guns and wars from the leaders of earth to bring us security and order.
Christ our Lord has promised us the lion and the lamb will lie down together.

The earth seeks to introduce rulers to lead and keep us from destruction.
Christ seeks to introduce us to our Heavenly Father who loves us as family.

The world teaches us to have peace we need release from strife – but has no power to make that reality.

Christ teaches us that He “will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.” (ISAIAH 26:3)
Peace – fruit of the Spirit - grown in the trusting of God – ripe for blessing the world.

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Patience

OKAY … OKAY …. To all of my family and friends out there who are gripping their sides in laughter at the idea of me writing a blog on patience …JUST GIVE ME A MINUTE WILL YOU??!!!

Granted – had I perused the list of fruits of the Spirit more closely and realized I would have to come to this one – I may have chosen a series on …. Oh I don’t know – ANYTHING else!!!

Well – not about me – not about being comfortable – so here we go!

Matthew 18: 23- 35 - Tells the story of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One owed him a ton of money and was unable to pay. He begged the king to be patient with him, promising on his knees to pay back everything.

In other words he wanted the king to wait and give him a chance.
You probably know the rest of the story – the same servant refused to have “patience” with one who owed him a small amount of money. When the king heard of the servant’s lack of patience – he was furious.

That’s my picture of patience. It seems to leap from the pages of scripture. Please wait and give me a chance. That same concept is found in 2 Peter 3:15 – “our Lord’s patience means salvation” and 2 Peter 3:9 where the Lord is described as “patient” because he doesn’t want anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

I Timothy 1:16 – talks about Christ Jesus displaying his “unlimited patience” in showing mercy to a sinner.

Some characteristics of this magnificent fruit:

Proverbs 19:11 – “A man’s wisdom gives him patience … “

Proverbs 14:29 - “A patient man has great understanding…”

Proverbs 15:18 – “ … a patient man calms a quarrel”

Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient man than a warrior …”

Patience - a mark of maturity, a salve for quarreling, stronger than a warrior, the character trait that God uses as He waits for a stubborn and sinful world to accept His Son.

Please wait and give a chance to a person, a situation, to yourself … it is what the

Lord does.

Patience – a soothing, nourishing fruit of the Spirit.

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Kindness

Kindness … it has a nice mellow sound to it, but kindness is not really the soft marshmallow emotion we sometimes conjure up. It isn’t an emotion at all. Kindness is an action-oriented behavior born of a strong, tough, persevering fruit. Kindness is a bright beacon of light in a dark world; kindness offers help and hope; kindness mimics God’s character in the lives of ordinary people.

God’s kindness to us is expressed in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7)

Kindness is a characteristic of love (I Corinthians 13:4)

A person who is kind to the needy is blessed (Proverbs 14:21) and honors God (Proverbs 14:31)

Luke 6:35 – 36
Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to them. He wanted us to lend to them without expecting repayment. Then He said our reward would be great and we … would be sons of the Most High … because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

When the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of kindness in our lives, it permeates every situation and grows in exact proportion to the freedom it is given.

Sarah and her daughter had fought last night – the teen years were rockier than she had known. Sarah watched as her daughter slowly came into the living room holding her wrinkled dress for tonight’s dance. Smiling and giving a quick hug, Sarah took the dress to press. She never heard a thank you.
Tired and just turning off the lights after a full day, Sarah was stopped by a knock at the door. The neighbor who had steadfastly given only anger and a cold shoulder to Sarah now stood before her. Her hair was mussed, her lip was bloody and tears spilled down her cheeks.
Sarah took a breath and gently led the neighbor into her house. She put on a pot of tea and carefully bathed the face of the broken woman. Then Sarah listened as the night stole in and the neighbor unloaded the darkness of her life.

Kindness can be big or small but should never be withheld or allowed to wither. It is a fruit that builds the kingdom of God.

Kindness – no repayment expected … a fruit born of persevering in the presence of the Lord … growing stronger and more nourishing as it is freed into a life.

In the words of the popular song … Let It Go … KINDNESS!

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Faithfulness

With spiritual concepts, context is everything. There are so many places in the Bible where the faith words are mentioned that it would be impossible to include them all in this short space.

As always – READ YOUR SWORD!

Here are some ideas on this very remarkable fruit:

DEFINITION: Hebrews 11:1 says - “ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

FAITH is all about our actions based on how we believe God … check out the whole chapter 11 in Hebrews even if you’ve read it many times before. People who have faith take actions that may look silly - they believe impossible things - they face death differently - they have hope - they look to the future but can handle today - and they obey.

Things happen with faith - walls fall down, children are born, unlikely rescue attempts work, big stuff gets built … we get ready for a Savior we know is coming back for us.

Faith is strong and for everyone – MATTHEW 17:20 tells us even a tiny bit of faith can move a mountain! We are all given a measure of faith to use – so even if my portion is small – my results from faithfulness will be mighty.

Faithfulness has good friends and brings them into our lives – PSALM 85:10 –“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”

Faith is how we hold hands with God.

Faithfulness is how He holds hands with us.

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Self Control

Okay another sidesplitting humorous topic for me to tackle for those who know me. I am the one who has friends praying me through each drama so that I won’t swear or throw things. Friends – you know who you are!! And thank you.

Nonetheless it will do me good to focus myself here since I have fruit about the size of a grape – cut in quarters – in this area. If there is anyone else who wants to come along side while I stumble through this, I would appreciate the company.

I can totally see that this fruit is valuable beyond words. It is involved in actions like holding my tongue, waiting to respond until I pray, assuming the best, realizing I don’t always know what I’m talking about … well you know … a fruit that is life-giving.

SELF CONTROL is one of the stepping-stones to keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is on the pathway to participating in the divine nature and escaping the corruption of the world. SEE I PETER I:3 -9.

The Lord Jesus intended us to be witnesses for Him to the ends of the earth. Among all types of people, in all situations, amidst the ferocious attacks of the enemy – Jesus intends us to focus on what is most important. That’s going to take self-control.

While we wait for His return – I THESSALONIANS 5 talks about the coming day and tells us in verse 5 “ … let us be alert and self-controlled” and in verse 8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

While I’m witnessing to the ends of the earth (or in Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor and Zion) ... As I wait for that day when as lightening flashes from east to west – Jesus is seen by all - returning … As I seek to put on faith and love and hope … Lord please show me how to let the Holy Spirit bear this precious fruit in my life. Amen.

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Gentleness

For anyone who may think this particular fruit of the Spirit is a bit of a weak one …

MATTHEW 11:29 – “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.”

ZECHARIAH 9:9 (and repeated in Matthew 21:5) – “… See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, …”

JESUS freely admits He is gentle.

I’ve seen a lot of “tough” guys over the years.

I’ve never seen anyone tougher, stronger, or smarter than Jesus.

So if gentleness is the fruit that the Holy Spirit wants to bear in me – well I would like to be like Jesus – and apparently this particular fruit brings unexpected abilities …

How to handle an angry person?

PROVERBS 15:1 – “ A gentle answer turns away wrath.”

Want to be noticed as beautiful? – It doesn’t come from creams, fancy clothes, special hairstyles or jewelry

I PETER 3: 3 and 4 – The passage talks about not depending on those thing but rather beauty should be – “… that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Men – want to be more of a man of God?

I TIMOTHY 6:11 – “But you man of God … pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Sounds like a pretty powerful fruit to me.

Fruits of the Spirit Series - Goodness

WOW!! Have you ever tried to define a common word like good?
The dictionary is always a good (oh brother) starting point however in defining the spiritual, we need a little more.

Words like desirable, pleasing, beneficial, fulfilling principles, functioning, performed well … all are nested under the word “good” in the dictionary.

For our purposes … considering we are defining a fruit of the Holy Spirit … it would seem that GOODNESS would be what is desirable or pleasing to God. So as we walk and live with Jesus, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of goodness in our lives so that we are doing more and more of what is pleasing and desirable to God. We are fulfilling principles He set down and performing well as His family.

Let’s not complicate things.

This is a simple fruit with abundant opportunities to nourish and bless the world if … we … just … keep … it … simple!!!!

The same fruit complication that has existed since Genesis still exists today. Eve ate the fruit (please stop blaming the apple – it says fruit!) because of what it could do for her. Genesis 3:6 “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.”

Disobedience is never pleasing to God. If something looks good to us … the first question is: how does it look to God? The fruit looked good to Eve … but God had already said no. Eve isn’t alone – many things are now debated in our society that God has already said no to, however, the argument is made – this is really a “good” thing.

Goodness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives leads to what is desirable and pleasing to God in an ever-increasing measure, filling up our days and blessing the world.

GOODNESS – a simple, abundant, and God-pleasing fruit.

The Invitation

Susan had chosen her dress with care. It was a beautiful, sparkling, purple gown that reached to the floor and shimmered in the light. She fingered the specially designed invitations she had sent to all her friends. To mark the occasion she had spared no expense. This was an offering to those who loved her to celebrate all that had happened. Great care had been given to every detail.

She walked slowly into the banquet hall and noted the gleaming dance floor that had been laid, the riot of colorful flowers sitting on the purest white linen that decorated every table. Susan inhaled deeply and took in the smells of roasting meat and the succulent aromas of the side dishes carefully prepared. A glance toward the back of the hall revealed an amazing display - a sweets table laden with delicate cakes and pastries.

Susan allowed her mind to roam to the joy her friends would feel as they came to sing and dance together, to eat and drink, to enjoy her success and this offering of a celebration. She smiled in anticipation.

The minutes turned into hours. The hours passed slowly. No guests arrived.

MATTHEW 22:1 – 14 – The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
The king prepares a wedding banquet for his son. The guests refuse to come, pay no attention, and say they are too busy. The king is enraged.
Verse 10 - “So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Written in the modern day we can readily feel for Susan who has made great efforts for a celebration with her friends.

But do we feel the pain of our Father who has prepared not only a banquet table but also a mansion? Can we feel His emotions as His invitation is ignored?

Promises

When my oldest son was very young we went through a period of time that was extremely hectic. I worked long hours, we were perpetually broke and time was a fleeting commodity. So one day in a burst of determination to make things better, I promised my son we would have special time daily and it was named after him.

I broke my promise. The days seemed unmanageable – I didn’t grasp the moments and rule them but rather time seemed a roaring, impossible lion. Did my son understand? Well I imagine what he knew was the plain fact that I made a promise and did not keep it. Oh sometimes I got it right … but not always … not even regularly.

Did my breaking of the promise come from speaking in haste, making a promise I couldn’t possibly keep? Did the promise get broken because I was lazy and disorganized? Doesn’t really matter to a little guy who is looking up at mom and counting on a promise.

It’s either there or it’s not.

I’d like to tell you I learned from that experience and I’ve never broken another promise. More likely – I’m better - but still don’t always do what I say I will do. An even sadder repercussion is that I am fearful of making promises. And each time I fail to do what I say I will – I get a little more fearful of promising.

Let’s talk about God’s record on promises.
He makes a lot.
He keeps them all.
He isn’t afraid to promise even big things like eternal life and heaven.
He doesn’t forget.
He isn’t too busy.
He can manage centuries, decades, lifetimes and moments.
He never disappoints a person looking expectantly into His eyes with hope and counting on His promise.
It’s there.

PSALM 119:148 – “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.”

“MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU”

2 CORINTHIANS 12: 7- 9
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a “thorn in my flesh”, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.”

WOW! What just happened there?

Most of us are not theologians. We have no special training in doctrines. We haven’t attended a university centered on the study of the Bible. So sometimes we approach the Bible assuming we won’t understand what is written.

NONSENSE!

We can count on understanding God as He speaks through His word not because of our brilliance but because of His promise that His word will not return to Him void … but will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. ** check out ISAIAH 55:10 – 11

So if God decided to take the time to give His word, then decided to make His word flesh (Jesus) – we better pay attention … even to the hard stuff.

What is the purpose in our initial verse? What does it say to you? Let’s hear what you think about great revelations, thorns, grace, His power, perfection and our weakness.

Come on – let’s talk – what is God’s purpose that He sent this verse out in our midst to accomplish????

Consequences

They really are predictable you know. It’s the way the world works.

Whether you follow a scientific bent or a spiritual one … all roads lead to some knowledge of when this action occurs then this result follows. Machinery is built on the principle; the same framework raises children, fistfights break out from the same theory – well you get the point.

For some reason though it is sometimes thought that the “consequences to follow” idea can be circumvented with God. Our precious salvation is misused on a daily basis. There have always been and will always be consequences to sin – to disobeying God’s rules.

Consequences don’t mean we aren’t loved; indeed they are in place for the opposite reason. We are greatly loved. God has provided abundantly for us to avoid negative consequences and be able to reap positive consequences.

His word is exact in how to gain the positive rewards – please read Deuteronomy 28 at your convenience – and look at how clearly labeled are “blessings for obedience” and “curses for disobedience”.

Old testament doesn’t seem relevant? Take it from Jesus Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it”. We can’t hear it if we don’t open the Bible.

Haven’t picked up His word lately? Too busy?

Well there are conse-------… well you get the picture.

Going Deeper

The young man stood with his toe touching the lapping water and his heel firmly planted in the sand. He lifted the other foot; his legs flexed and slowly began the passage from shore to deeper waters.
He was lured forward by the promise of the dive. He had been told there were beautiful fish and colorful coral that could only be seen with the journey to the deepest part of the ocean.
The boat sat solidly on the water and his friend, already on board, beckoned him forward. Turning dark brown eyes toward the shore, he could see the brightly colored towels, the laughing children, the sun-tanned bodies … perhaps he should return to the life on shore.
But no … there was something about the exquisite promises of his friend. He had to see for himself. A few hours later, the young man drew back to the sandy shore. But he was changed forever. The depths were not only beautiful – they had reached into his soul and brought him peace and purpose. Yes … he would surely dive again.

Luke 5:4–11 – “… Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Jesus gives these instructions to Simon after the fishermen have worked hard all night without catching anything. Tired but obedient they went back into the deep and caught so many fish they needed help to get the catch to shore. Then Simon Peter fell at Jesus knees.
After obeying … after heading out to the deep … Simon Peter was astonished, painfully aware of his sin, and divinely aware of his Friend.

Do we believe on the edge of the shore amidst the crowd … content to live in the shallow? Are we discouraged by dark nights of emptiness? Shall we in this New Year head out to the deep and dive with our Friend to beauty beyond our earthly imaginations and His unlimited provision.

I have decided to go deeper.

A Dark Night

Once upon a time there was a dark night. It wasn’t the first dark night and as it turned out – it wouldn’t be the last. It eased into my life silently as I sat alone and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. I couldn’t get up. The longer the darkness sat with me, the more convinced I was that I would never see the sun again. That was a lie. They work together you know … darkness and lies. You rarely find one without the other.

I believe God created patterns in His world for us to notice, to ponder, to speak to us when nothing else can. He made a lot of patterns about light and darkness, day and night, seasons coming and going. For those who might never know a church or Bible study – God made a way to see Him.

Romans 1:20 – “FOR SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD GOD’S INVISIBLE QUALITIES – HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE – HAVE BEEN CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE SO THAT MEN ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.”

Many have come to a dark night in life and stopped. But watch the pattern of His world … light follows darkness … always. A person may stop in the night and decide that the silence, the pain, the fear cannot be endured anymore. But we can look around and see … seasons will pass … night will wane to light … Jesus will still be Lord. There is no reason to stay in a dark night.

Sabbath Rest

God gave a clear command to “observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Deuteronomy 5:12) and further illustrated in numerous Bible verses telling us about the way to keep it holy. A strange topic for the day of families, feasting, gift opening, games, conversations, laughter, sadness for loved ones missed this year … go ahead you have a million more things to add to the list on this Christmas day.

Face it – after all this activity we will need some rest. That my friend is why God created the Sabbath rest idea … for us … to stay … on point. Some verses to get us on the right track? Something like … Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Maybe a glance through Isaiah 58: 13 – 14 which encourages us to be careful of our path, to call the Sabbath a delight, to honor it by not doing as we please or speaking idle words. Then the scripture says we will have joy in the Lord.

What does Sabbath rest look like for today and on into 2015?
Unplug – unwind – disconnect from work (don’t carry a load on the Sabbath)
Look at something without a screen (outdoors is good)
Be still – breathe (there – doesn’t that feel wonderful)
Don’t shop – don’t fret over money – don’t quarrel
Let’s not say: “I should …” or “I have to …”
Let’s let go of some things: the “to do list” and the “grudge”
Put aside idols and worship God

Just as though we were enjoying the summer sun at the beach – bask in His presence. Go ahead – take your position in the Son. He is all grown up now from that first morning in the manger, but still in the business of giving great joy and light to all who would believe and receive.

The Gift

The brightly colored ribbon floated to the floor in the excitement of the child’s quest for the gift. Next the crinkling shiny wrapping paper gave way beneath the chubby fingers and drifted toward the dog that eyed it with suspicion. At last all that stood between the beloved toddler and her gift was a hard cardboard box taped together.

She lifted clear blue eyes up to her father whose smile was instant. Reaching strong hands down, he quickly snapped the tape. With a joyful clap, the child lifted the box top and tossed it aside. There before her glowing cheeks lay the gift her father had chosen especially for her … and it was perfect.

Ahh – you wish to know the gift? But friend … it is different for each of us as we sit before our Father in blissful glee at what He has chosen for us. He too, like the father of the earth delights to watch His children’s progress. And should a time arise where we are without the ability to continue on in receiving from His hand - we need only to look up into His face.

May the precious gifts from our Heavenly Father be all we seek this season. Tossing aside the outer wrappings of the holidays, may we with a child’s focus and joy look to Jesus.
Go tell it!