365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 280

As my family and I were driving to Chipolte for lunch the other day,  we ended up on the topic of dad’s pager and how it has improved in that it doesn’t just go off once but three times so in case you miss the first alarm you catch the next one. Then me, in my non-filtered talk with my family said “What if you were going to the bathroom and taking the biggest dump of your life.” I got immediate laughs from our kids in the backseat and my husband’s exclamation of “we are going to lunch”. It became a few more laughs as we discussed my non-filtered approach with potty humor.

“Taking the biggest dump of your life.” Our bodies were designed to naturally purge what we don’t need but how about our souls. There is a void in us before we accept Christ that will draw us to find a way to fill it. Some will fill it with ungodly things like alcohol, porn and the like and some will find there way to Jesus and fill the void with the puzzle piece that fits named God. But even though our void is filled, the dirt of our sinful nature will get on us each day. We have to learn that we must daily go to God with confession, prayer and worship. In this way, we are daily getting rid of the stuff we don’t need and focusing on the One who fulfills all our needs. If you haven’t taken the biggest dump in your life and accepted Jesus, perhaps it is time to at least get to the bathroom and sit on the pot.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 20

I am looking at the beginning of verse 8 in 1 Corinthians 13 today: Love never fails.

The opposite in my mind of failure is success. In looking up the definition of failure, I am particularly looking at this definition I found: The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends.  When it comes to love, what is the end-result that God wants for us? Are we loving everyone with all the aspects of love we have looked at: patience, kindness, without envy, boasting or pride, without anger, or totaling up the wrongs, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protecting, trusting, hoping and persevering? That is a very tall order but each day we can achieve more and more of these aspects in loving others and grow to love others as Jesus loves us. Will the end-result happen? Maybe on some days and maybe we can grow in our consistency? Love never failing points to perfect love which is only seen in our perfect God but though we cannot reach that point of perfection, we can continue daily to try to achieve a little bit more towards that end. Yes, we will fail but that is the most important reason why we teach our children about God’s perfect love for them and us. God’s love will never fail us and it is our hope when those people in our lives do not live up to this end-result. We have to accept this failing part of who we are and ask the Holy Spirit to give us what we need to love without failing. We have to let go of the past and focus on loving today always remembering that the Holy Spirit in us will give us what we need. Just ask.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 339

“What does a bagpipe need to make music?” asked our pastor yesterday to a group of third graders from Sunday school. The simple answer is “air”.  Air, wind, breath explained our pastor are all other names for the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit within us we cannot make music or bring glory to the Lord. This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe…. are words from a song that comes to mind. Jesus is the breath of life. With Him in us, we can do and be all that God hopes and plans for us. Take a deep breath and feel the Holy Spirit filling you up, giving you all that you ask for and need. I am so grateful to you Lord for the breath of life and want only to bring you glory. Amen.

 Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.