365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 307

I have found a three part sermon series on the fruit of the spirit that is very well written. The first part of the first sermon is setting straight that it is not fruits of the Spirit but fruit of the spirit. The nine character traits that are in Galatians 5:22: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are a parts of what we can have with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. And like all fruit(s) these character traits ripen and grow over time with the guiding of the Holy Spirit and our daily walk with God. Here are two statements from this first sermon that state in a clear way what that “Fruit of the Spirit” is:

Fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian’s transformed life.

Fruit of the Spirit is the visible growth in Jesus Christ.

Take some time to meditate on this today and let the Holy Spirit speak to you about your character traits and how the ripening process is going.

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 250

Our greatest gift of love to others is being connected with God through the Holy Spirit. Our connection with the Holy Spirit allows us to be transformed and made new each day. We can be loving, joyful, filled with peace, patience in all circumstances, kind to all, good in all we do, faithful to God, gentle in our words and actions and have the self-control to conquer. All of these fruits are possible with the Holy Spirit and our love for God will be the greatest gift of love we can give others, that they may know him. Are you what you say you are or do your actions and behaviors conflict with your message? To get it right, we have to have the attitude, behaviors, actions and words. Ask the Holy Spirit each day to help you be the person that is an example of God’s love.

Acts 28: 20 It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 249

I find it curious that the goal from the day we are born is to be independent. I think a lot of parents would like to see their kids grow up to be happy, healthy and successful. But our life is not just about our physical bodies. In teaching independence to our children, we must also teach them to depend on God. I think most of us are aware of how much more challenging it is to learn something as an adult especially since it is going against what you have learned in childhood and been doing your whole life. You know how they say it is easier for a child to learn a new language but it becomes more difficult as you get older. As children we are like brand new sponges and we are able to soak up so much more. As adults, we are sponges that have been set aside and unused, dried up and it is so much more challenging to soak up anything. But even an old dried up sponge can become transformed and made like new with a good soaking in water. We too can be transformed by the renewing water of life given to us by the Holy Spirit. We can learn to depend on God and through that dependence find peace in all circumstances.

Acts 27:13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so the weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 195

It's been on my mind and heart where this ministry is going as you already know. After lots of thought and prayer and discussing this with my hubbie, I am at peace with what I now know is the correct mindset. I joined the business mastermind group in January to be in a group that would be helpful in giving me ideas, encouragement and guidance. It did do that but I have also found that it made me think of this ministry more as a business and how to generate money. I have looked at it from all angles and find it's just not possible to do enough workshops to make the kind of money I am making at my current job. My dream of doing my scrapbooking as a business and having it be my full-time job is not feasible. This is a ministry to help women and that's what it will be. Where God takes it, I will follow. Thanks to the Lord for giving my husband the words of encouragement, wisdom and guidance that I needed to steer my course where God wants it to be.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 87

Change it is something that can wreak havoc but in the end can be a very good thing. Changes going on at my job are making things feel a bit out-of-control but I am trying hard to ground myself and keep in mind that I can only do the best job I can and if it isn't enough than perhaps more change is necessary to get to all the work I have to do at optimal. I have a friend at work that is going through some stuff. She had a move recently to an apartment that did not go well, money issues, husband issues and now car issues. We try to cheer her up and talk about when it rains it pours and you must have a dark cloud over you right now. But if you look at it from God's perspective, he is working on changing her heart, growing her closer to him and changing her from the inside-out. Changes can wreak havoc but know that God is working within it on you and that is a good thing.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.