The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging a year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

Humility is what we are called to and we are told in scripture that when we are weak we are strong. When we are weak is when we know that the strength of the Lord is at work. Often times when I feel the most inadequate and unqualified is when people see the Lord at work. This is as it should be. Then I am unable to boast but must give credit where credit is due, to the Lord.

This humbling is needed in any relationship. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I shall strive to have a weakened kindness, a weakened compassion, a weakened love. A kindness, compassion, and love that is not given just out of ourselves and our own might but is given out of a dependence on the Lord Jesus which flows through me. Then my weak efforts at kindness, compassion, and love will be made strong.

It will matter not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. They will all be blessed by my obedient submission to rely upon the Lord.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit, marriage, Train Up a Child, Weekend Kindness

I have been honored to be selected to display the Fruit of the Spirit graphic on my blog and I will strive to continue to live up to what it represents.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit ~ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Fruit of the Spirit graphic was developed in an effort to recognize bloggers whose writings and postings in the blogosphere give us a glimpse of this fruit in their lives.

There are many blogger and non-bloggers alike who have agreed to partner together in recognizing and honoring those whose writings, postings and lives exemplify how God works in and through His people. When we recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit resides within us. It is the Holy Spirit who produces fruit in our lives ~ but He has also given us the honor and the duty of recognizing the fruit in other believers.

I welcome your help in spreading this "blessing" thoughout the blogosphere. If there's a particular blog you believe reflects the fruit of the Spirit, please email Trish containing a link to that blog. Also, please include a sentence or two regarding your thoughts as to why/how that particular blog reflects the fruit of the Spirit.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

Labels: Awards, Encouragement, Fruit of the Spirit

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

When people discover how many children I have there are numerous responses. Some are good and some are not so good. Often times the responses leave an opening for me to share about what the Lord is accomplishing in my life. One response I often receive is this; "You must have a lot of patience to have that many children!" I have noticed by the responses of many, that people tend to think of me as a patient person. I am more patient than some I suppose but I definitely do not consider myself patient.

Patience is something that grows. It does not grow or develop alone either. God uses many circumstances to grow patience in us. There is a saying that you should never pray for patience because the Lord will place you in a situation where you will develop it. When I hear the statement which I quoted above I reply something like the following. "God did not bless me with these children because I am a patient person. One of the reasons He blessed me with them is precisely because I am not patient enough." God teaches me more about patience with each new life. I have also noticed that unless patience is practiced, it is something I tend to forget. There are times when I realize that I was more patient with an older child when they learned a particular task than I am with the younger child. I have forgotten my patience and need to relearn and apply it.

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

This verse has been on my mind lately. It takes a lot of strength to apply the lessons of patience in our lives. Let's face it, we are not patient by nature and it really is not all that fun. We live in a world where we want everything yesterday. But the Lord says to wait upon Him. To wait!! If I desire to be patient I will need strength. This strength comes from waiting upon the Lord. That is patience, too. It brings me back to the Lord. If I can learn to wait upon the Lord and trust in Him and His sovereignty and timing in life, then it gives me the strength to be patient because I can rest in Him concerning all things. That rest brings peace(another Fruit of the Spirit) and that peace flowing through us causes patience to flourish.

More Fruit of the Spirit Friday.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit, Quiverfull

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

Our society today is one of indulgence and freedom of expression even to the extreme of bringing detriment to others. Society tells us it is all about us; live life however you want, be happy, do what feels good. Even in the circumstances that one is told to do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, people rarely even glance to see if they are indeed hurting anyone else. After all, we are to live life to the fullest, live in excess! But God calls us to a life of self-control or temperance.

TEM'PERANCE, n. [L. temperantia, from tempero.]

1. Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.

2. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion.

He calm'd his wrath with goodly temperance. [Unusual.]

So how are we to live with self-control or temperance especially in a culture which promotes the opposite view?

First, we must pay attention to the obvious. Temperance is a Fruit of the Spirit. We must be walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Secondly, we must continually exercise our minds and hearts to dwell on the things of the Lord. If we are consumed with the things of the Lord then we will be less likely to carry out the actions of the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
GALATIANS 5:22-23

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, do not be discouraged when you feel barren. Each of the seeds I have planted within you I prune, feed, and tenderly nurture to its full potential. Soon you will yield the beautiful fruit of love, joy, and peace - all the qualities of My nature that I have given you. The more you abide in Me, the more fruit you will bear. My Spirit is the One working through you. You can never bear fruit alone. Rest in Me today.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Where else could I find a tree with perfect fruit? You, Lord, are the fruit of the spirit. You are the picture of perfection, and every good fruit we need is found in You. Thank You for planting seeds within my heart that I, too, might bear luscious fruit for You.

SIMPLE TRUTH
Fine tuning often requires severe pruning.

Short Devotion from: Daily in Your Presence by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit

O Christ,
All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight. Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice. For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter, multiplied thy promises, shown me my future happiness, given me a living fountain. Thou art preparing joy for me and me for joy; I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy; give me more than I can hold, desire, or think of. Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy, at my work, business, duties. If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning. Let me rest in the thought of thy love, pardon for sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state. I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace. I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love, but can in repentance draw water from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness. Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected for ever, where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy. There is no joy like the joy of heaven, for in that state are no divisions, unchristian quarrels, contentions, evil designs, weariness, hunger, cold, sadness, sin, suffering, persecutions, toil of duty. O healthful place where none are sick! O happy land where all are kings! O holy assembly where all are priests! How free a state where none are servants except to thee! Bring me speedily to the land of joy.

From: The Valley of Vision; a Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

This meme was started on the Heart of Wisdom blog.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Fruit of the Spirit, Prayer, Valley of Vision

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

My husband and I are people of strong conviction. Conviction has been placed there by the Lord. We strive in all that we do to bring glory to Him. This does not mean that we do not fail and fall into sin. All of us do. We are a fallen race and are saved by the grace of God alone. When we fall, we acknowledge our sin, repent, and if possible perform acts of repentance. Even when we fail, He remains faithful.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

In the past couple of years God has been moving us and revealing to us more and more of His truth. As we have applied these truths to our lives we have endured many trials. The more we transform our lives to the pattern God has set for us the more distinctive we become. This is the way it should be. In James we are told trials and temptations will come, but we must persevere. Continuing to hold fast, to persevere, is being faithful. It is faithfulness.

FA'ITHFULNESS, n.
1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.
2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.
3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.
4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.

My husband and I have found that when we are faithful to the truth He shows us in His word and confirms by the Holy Spirit; we may have to endure persecution for a time but the blessings when we persevere are abundant. This was made so evident in our life, even today. When we are resolved to be faithful to the Lord blessings abound.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

This meme was started on the Heart of Wisdom blog. Read more on the Fruit of Faithfulness here.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit