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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
I participate in an on-line Bible Study that has been working through the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit. We are spending two weeks on each sweet Spirit inspired attribute, and I am feeling more than a little convicted.
Life Application Bible notes say this about verses 22 and 23: The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ.
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On my way to work one morning, I stopped in to get my morning cup of coffee. While I waited, I noticed a little girl, about the age of 4. She was all dressed up in a yellow party dress with pink patent leather shoes, and white tights. She had her hair all done up with curls and she was wearing lots of play jewelry. As I looked at her, the Lord began to speak to me about this little girl…
He spoke to me that when this child woke up that morning, she felt like a princess, and even believed she was one.
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Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT
One of my recent Bible readings was Acts 12. In this chapter, Herod has put Peter in prison. Now Herod was arresting those who belonged to the church and had put James, the brother of John to death already, so it wasn’t looking good for Peter. The church was “earnestly praying” to God on Peter’s behalf.
Scripture tells us the night before Peter was to be brought to trial, he was bound with chains, sleeping between two guards, when an angel of the Lord appeared, woke him up, made the chains fall from his wrist and led him from the prison to freedom right under three sets of guards noses.
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It’s true, according to my kids. And looking through their eyes, I have to agree. But what they see as “mean” is really me trying to gain respect and control of my childrens’ behavior, though I’m not as successful as I’d like to be.
My goal is to be firm, but it comes out harsh. Not the best way to change their hearts and get them to do things my way, but it’s so easy to resort to old habits.
Thankfully, God sends little reminders to help me in this area. This came in my inbox the other morning.
Be Firm Without Being Harsh
“Some parents believe that the only way to be firm is to be harsh.
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My Bible reading this morning was chapter 37 of Ezekiel, where God takes Ezekiel to the middle of a valley filled with “dry bones.”
Evidently, they had been there a while because Ezekiel notes that they are “very dry.” Then God asks him:
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
The thought that popped into my head was “No,” even though I have read this account dozens of times.
How often do we do that? We look at our current circumstances and say “No” to God. We are frustrated and discouraged and we think:
My marriage is never going to get better.
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“The finger of God that points the way is on the hand of God that supplies the need.” I heard that quote at a Missions Conference when I was young, and I have always remembered it. The speaker was talking about those who are called to be missionaries and pointing out that if God called one to the mission field, He would provide the means to get there. As I have grown older, though, I have realized that the quote is true for me in every aspect of my life.
God has called me to be a wife and mother. He will provide strength when I am tired, frustrated, and discouraged.
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My email signature used to read:
Gina Conroy
Writer In Progress (my way of playing with the code word WIP (Work in Progress) that all aspiring and published authors know so well)
But couldn’t every Christian sign their email with a WIP?
We’re all WIPS – Works in Progress.
Nothing gives imperfect, stumbling Christians more hope than the book of Philippians. Maybe that’s why I love it so much. It gives me a perfect picture, a road map of how I should “carry on until the day of completion.” Until Jesus comes.
2 vs. 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.”
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