This week will herald the arrival of Spring...it is always so welcome, isn't it? Even though we really didn't have that much winter weather this year, springtime always brings with it the reminder of renewal and regeneration. You see the trees budding out, the daffodils pushing their way out of the ground, the birds singing again in the morning and you're reminded that all is again becoming alive. It is so perfect that Easter is celebrated at this time of year --- just as the earth is waking from its slumber of winter, we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, showing us that the earth only gives us a small sampling of the total regeneration of life we will experience when we pass through the slumber of our physical deaths. God gives us so many ways to see Him through His creation, doesn't He? He writes His story in the large and small details of our earthly existence, we just have to open our eyes to see Him...and He is there!
We've got another verse to add to our section on the Holy Spirit's role in our lives. Let's review and then let's talk!
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Our verse this week is the quintessential verse regarding the fruit of the Spirit...Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
I memorized this verse several years ago to remind myself what my life should look like if I am allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within me. I mentally click off the nine adjectives and ask God to show me in what area(s) I may need Him to shine a light and make me aware that I am not bending to His direction.
Interestingly, and maybe obviously, the first characteristic of the Spirit's fruit is love. I was reading a section in Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, and was again impressed with Chan's exhortation to take our call, as Christians, to love God in a crazy way...just as He loves us. We can only do that through the Holy Spirit living within us. But it seems that we are not often told to love God with a wild abandon. We are taught to love Him within boundaries of reasonableness, but that is not how God loves us, is it? He loves us so much that He allowed His Son to come to earth to explain His love through His life, and then through His very humiliating and painful death. That's the "craziness" of God's love.
The world throws the word "love" around very casually...we love just about everyone and everything. But God's love is sacrificial love. When we love the way God loves, we will withhold nothing in the expression of that love. I don't know about you...I love my family like that, but when it comes to those outside of my familial relationships, I may say I love others, but when push comes to shove, would I really be ready to express love for them as Jesus expressed His love for us? That's what we are asked to do...and as Francis Chan also points out, we don't take that call very seriously. We say we love God, but we very often don't have time to invest in our relationship with Him...what kind of love is that? And if we can't put our love for a perfect, flawless God into action, how will we ever demonstrate a love for people who, like it or not, often irritate us...just as we do them! We must love God completely, we must seek Him desperately, so that we can then love His children, flaws and all, as He does. To see those around us through God's eyes of absolute love...then we will be able to start showing acts of sacrifice in response to our love.
"Love, Love, Love...all you need is Love." Yeah - maybe we've devalued the word just a little bit, do you think? The next time you start to say, "I love....." whatever the object may be, think about what you would be ready to sacrifice for that object, and then reconsider your vow of emotion.
Lord, help me to love in the way that You desire, completely and sacrificially. Help me not to throw around my emotions on things that don't matter to You, but to truly and absolutely love people that You care so much about. Help me to love deeper and more authentically. Help me not to be superficial or false. Allow Your Spirit to develop in me a love that is true and that makes a difference. Thank You for Your amazing and gracious love toward me. In my Savior Jesus' name. Amen.
We've got another verse to add to our section on the Holy Spirit's role in our lives. Let's review and then let's talk!
Promises of God (10)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Our verse this week is the quintessential verse regarding the fruit of the Spirit...Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
I memorized this verse several years ago to remind myself what my life should look like if I am allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within me. I mentally click off the nine adjectives and ask God to show me in what area(s) I may need Him to shine a light and make me aware that I am not bending to His direction.
Interestingly, and maybe obviously, the first characteristic of the Spirit's fruit is love. I was reading a section in Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, and was again impressed with Chan's exhortation to take our call, as Christians, to love God in a crazy way...just as He loves us. We can only do that through the Holy Spirit living within us. But it seems that we are not often told to love God with a wild abandon. We are taught to love Him within boundaries of reasonableness, but that is not how God loves us, is it? He loves us so much that He allowed His Son to come to earth to explain His love through His life, and then through His very humiliating and painful death. That's the "craziness" of God's love.
The world throws the word "love" around very casually...we love just about everyone and everything. But God's love is sacrificial love. When we love the way God loves, we will withhold nothing in the expression of that love. I don't know about you...I love my family like that, but when it comes to those outside of my familial relationships, I may say I love others, but when push comes to shove, would I really be ready to express love for them as Jesus expressed His love for us? That's what we are asked to do...and as Francis Chan also points out, we don't take that call very seriously. We say we love God, but we very often don't have time to invest in our relationship with Him...what kind of love is that? And if we can't put our love for a perfect, flawless God into action, how will we ever demonstrate a love for people who, like it or not, often irritate us...just as we do them! We must love God completely, we must seek Him desperately, so that we can then love His children, flaws and all, as He does. To see those around us through God's eyes of absolute love...then we will be able to start showing acts of sacrifice in response to our love."Love, Love, Love...all you need is Love." Yeah - maybe we've devalued the word just a little bit, do you think? The next time you start to say, "I love....." whatever the object may be, think about what you would be ready to sacrifice for that object, and then reconsider your vow of emotion.
Lord, help me to love in the way that You desire, completely and sacrificially. Help me not to throw around my emotions on things that don't matter to You, but to truly and absolutely love people that You care so much about. Help me to love deeper and more authentically. Help me not to be superficial or false. Allow Your Spirit to develop in me a love that is true and that makes a difference. Thank You for Your amazing and gracious love toward me. In my Savior Jesus' name. Amen.
1 comment:
Love - what comes to mind is love your neighbor as you love yourself. We don't always love ourselves. God loves always and forever.
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