Without Him We Can Do Nothing

 

We often take off for the day fully loaded—dressed and prepared, car filled with gas, organized and ready to take on the world—we think.  But  many times we fail to remember that without God in our midst we are limited by mere human resources. In John we hear these words:

 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.”

(John 15: 4-5)

 

I love the mindset of Abraham Lincoln as he leaves Springfield to take on his new role as President of the United States. Standing on the rear platform of his railroad car, he bid the townspeople farewell. He closed his remarks with these words: “Today I leave you. I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. The great God which guided him must help me. Without that assistance I shall surely fail; with it, I cannot fail.”

 

The same is true for us, regardless of the task we face. Without God’s guidance, we cannot succeed. We may get a lot done without any mishaps, but without Him leading the way we are nothing more than a  confused mess. Today let’s put God in the driver’s seat and let Him lead our every step!

Living with Self-Control

 

 

Today, we move on to self-control in our list of the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. Self-control is steadiness. This is the last fruit of the Spirit in our list.  

In Proverbs 25:28 we are told  “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” In other words, without self-control we have lost our safeguard.  Lack of self-control can destroy relationships, one’s health, finances and more. Beth Moore says, “The key to self-control is the refusal to allow our enemies (the flesh, the world, or Satan) to rule or hold us captive in any way. Self-control is our way of protection. Our lack of self-control makes us vulnerable to attacks from the enemy.”

Sometimes people see self-control as restrictive, but it is really a means of protecting us from out-of-control-living. Self-control is a discipline that God grows in us when we continually choose to die to our flesh and live in Him. It is key to our Christian walk and as we abide in Jesus and live out the fruit of self-control, the other fruits will steadily increase!

Always Gentleness

 

As with all of the fruit of the Spirit, we look to Jesus for how we can live out gentleness which is the eight fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22.

Jesus himself invites us into this ministry of gentleness:

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 ESV)

 When life becomes overwhelming and the kid’s won’t stop screaming, you get cut off in traffic, you're treated in a rude manner by a sales clerk, or  political opinions flare,  respond like Christ…with gentleness. When life is throwing  curve balls, people expect us to respond in an abrasive way but instead let’s be meek and gentle in our approach and give them a glimpse of  the Savior we represent.

Let's  spread gentleness today

Faith Like Abraham

 Faithfulness is the seventh in the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Faithfulness to God is loyalty to Him and to His teachings and should be  a critical  factor that influences how we think and behave. 

The Bible provides a fundamental description of “faith” found in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11 lists Abraham and Sarah as models of faithful people. Abraham left his home, not knowing where he was going but depending on God’s lead. He lived in a foreign land with his wife and waited many years for promises from God. Sarah received strength to have a child after she was well past the childbearing age, holding tight to God’s  promise that she would indeed bear a child.  Abraham was even willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice because he completely believed that God could raise him from the dead.

Abraham turned his back on everything that wasn’t approved by God and moved forward with only God’s promises guiding Him. As we devote ourselves in prayer this week—let’s begin by asking God to increase our faith so, like Abraham, we too turn our back on everything that isn’t approved by God and moved forward with His guidance.

 

 

The next two fruit of the Spirit  that we will look at are kindness and goodness.

Galatians 5.22-23
“Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”

Kindness is chrestotes, which carries the idea of helpfulness. It is the willingness to serve the needs of others—it is an expression of love and a powerful example of Christ himself.  

 

Goodness is agathosune, a Greek word unique to the New Testament. One aspect of this virtue is integrity. It is living and working with consistent, principle-centered behavior. It is being the same person in every situation. As my mother-in-law used to say, “he or she is the same at all times” rather than behaving differently according to who one is with. It is the idea of “virtue in all circumstances.”  

 

 It’s especially important for kindness to be accompanied by goodness. That’s because kindness without goodness can become tolerant of sin — just as goodness without kindness can be harsh and legalistic. We show the fruit of the Spirit only as we develop these qualities together.

Paul describes kindness and goodness as a part of the fruit of the Spirit, which also includes love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, however, not as a list of isolated character traits, but as one thing. We can’t expect people to see Christ in us without living out all of the fruits of the spirit. 

 

God's Peace

 

It is true that 2020 has been a year of great challenge, but hard times are nothing new. If we look through the history books we can see how difficult life has been for those who lived before us. We hear about wars, unemployment, financial depression, natural disasters and more. Any yet we hear about those who held tight to their faith in the midst of it all.  Corrie ten Boom was one of those who shared the gospel of peace in the barracks of a women’s concentration camp in WWII. She shared the peace only found in Christ in the middle of those long and torturous times. In the midst of our difficult times know that God is faithful and He understands and hears our prayers—He provides a peace unlike anything we can find in this world: 

 

I leave you peace; My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27) 

 

Joy

As we continue looking at the fruits of the spirit, the second attribute is one we all long for—Joy. Throughout the Bible we hear a lot about the topic of “joy.” The joy offered by God is very different then the joy we see offered on TV ads. God is more interested in  giving us a joy that is heart-felt and strong enough to withstand even the most difficult trials. In 1 Peter we learn about  true joy that is a result of our faith:   “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:8-9 ). In  this  passage Peter was addressing God’s chosen people who had been scattered all around the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1Peter 1:1). Peter was talking to Christian that were persecuted and driven from their cities and even separated from their families and friends. Much had been taken from them—but their joy had not been taken. The source of their joy was found in Jesus—and that is where  we find ours as well. Don’t give in to despair. What Jesus said to his followers, he says to you. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). Let’s pass the joy on to others—I can’t think of a stronger witness than to find one displaying joy in the midst of difficult times.  Attachments area ReplyReply allForward

 

Let's Celebrate

The Jerusalem  wall was finished in 52 days and Nehemiah made plans to celebrate.  In chapter 13 we see the last reforms implemented as well as a celebration of God’s grace. No matter what is going on in our lives, celebrating God’s goodness and giving God the glory keeps us humble and grounded in our faith. Without thanksgiving, we forget what is truly important. When we stop remembering God and his greatness, we allow a harmful  and false independence to grow. And then before you know it,  we have removed God from our decision-making process. We must remember that “everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory” 

“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever” (Romans 11:36, NIV)

Nehemiah understood that the building project began with God, was uninterrupted by God and was for God. Celebration reminds us that every success happens by the grace of God. So let’s celebrate! (Newspring.cc)

 

 

What Burdens Your Heart?

Thoughts for the Day October 12, 2020

Yesterday we looked at the life of Nehemiah who was cupbearer for the Persian  King after the Babylonia exile.  His  heart ached when he heard about  the  distressed Jewish remnant and the desperate conditions in Jerusalem. He learned that the people were in trouble and the wall  of Jerusalem was broken and the gates burned. Nehemiah was brokenhearted and took his burden to God in prayer.

“When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1: 4)

Nehemiah prayed day and night (6).  God opened the doors for the project to  move forward—King Artaxerxes supported the project and a foreign king provided the resources.  Look around you. What is happening that burdens your heart? Let’s open our eyes to see what  God  has placed in front of  us that we can’t ignore? Imagine what God is arranging behind the scenes, so we can do more than we ever thought possible 

 

A woman once had a dream that an angel was giving her this message: “As a reward for your virtues, the sum of $1,440 will be deposited into your bank account every morning. This amount has only one condition. At the close of each business day, any balance that has not been used will be canceled. It won’t carry over to the next day or accrue interest. Each morning, a new $1,440 will be credited to you.”

 

The dream was so vivid, she asked the Lord to show her what it meant. He led her to realize she was receiving 1,440 minutes every morning, the total number of minutes in a twenty-four hour day. What she did with this deposit  of time was important, because 1,440 minutes per day was all she would ever receive.

 

We each are allotted this time daily. How we spend our 1,440 minutes is up to us. At the close of the day we can look back at those precious minutes to see if we spent them wisely. Each minute is a gift from God, how we use them is our response to the one who graciously provided them.  (God’s Little Devotional Book For Women)

 

         Remember,  life is short! (Psalm 89:47a  CEV)

 

Rejoice and Be Glad

 

 

When I was a little girl I couldn’t wait for fresh cherries to come in season. They were a big treat because they were expensive even in the day.  I remember savoring every bite of those red juicy tart delicacies.  My mom would wash them and leave them on the counter in an old silver colander. I would snatch one or two, go outside to play and come back throughout the day grabbing a few and eating them until the old beat-up colander was empty.  I remember how I delighted over  them thinking, “I sure am glad God made these wonderful little luxuries.” That childlike appreciation for gifts God  has given us is something we should carry throughout our life. The Psalmist reminds us of just how precious each day really is and how we should approach it as a celebration: 

 

“This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

 

Maybe today is a good day to exercise that childlike approach to life in  a variety of ways: let’s savor the  smell  of  our coffee grown from far away, appreciating those who bring it to our area so we can experience it each day. Let’s actually sit quietly and relish the beauty of the colorful sunrise or sunset that God has created just for this day. Let’s hear the birds sing,  watch the squirrels play, and appreciate our four-legged friends. Let’s enjoy driving our car as if we just got a license. Let’s see God’s face in the people around us. And when the day ends just maybe we will  have appreciated it with the  beauty and freshness of a child!

Attachments area

 

 

In  I Peter we find that much  is written to specific groups, but the verse  we will look at today is written to Christians in general. 

 

⁸ Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. (I Peter 3:8 NLT)

 

In this passage we find five areas  we are called to follow in an effort to work together  in relationship with an each other: 

 

1.   We are to be like-minded and harmonious. We may not agree on all issues but we are called to be unified in our following of  Christ. 

2.   Secondly, we are to be sympathetic and sincerely interested in the feelings of other believers. Let’s listen to each other’s problems and be a kind friend for those struggling with difficulties.

3.   Then we are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ with a family type of love. We should be committed to taking care of each other.

4.   We are to be compassionate and kind-hearted toward each other—treating each other with love and patience.

5.   Finally, Christians are to be humble in spirit. We are to put ourselves aside and focus on other’s needs. 

 

We are all living in hard times, let’s take care of each other as this verse suggests. Let’s check on each other, let’s love and listen to each other and let’s be patient and caring with one another even  when we don’t agree on political or social issues. God is in our midst but so is Satan and his demons—let’s make sure we stay in prayer and God’s word so we stand out in this dark world that is full of confusion, hate and anger. May we be different and may others see our love of God through our warm and tender treatment of each other.  Have a blessed day!

 

 

Thoughts for the Day October 1, 2020

 

In the book of John we learn about the Vine and Branches. Jesus emphasized that Christians must produce fruit. By comparing believers to the branches on a grape vine, Jesus explained that we do not produce fruit through our own efforts. We bear fruit only by uniting with Him and letting him work through us:

         

15⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15: 5-8)

The amount of fruit we bear correlates with how apparent it is to others that we are believers. Our faith is known to others through the good deeds that overflow from our character, or the fruit we bear. This behavior must be consistent—since unbelievers  are very sensitive to our inconsistencies. More often than not, they look for them. So,  if we are to bear the kind of fruit Jesus is talking about—the kind that draws others to our way of believing—there must be a regular harvest.  We must ask, "What fruit do I see in my life and is it drawing others to Christ?”  (The Inspirational Study Bible, Max Lucado)