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.
Galations 5:22-23
I have studied and learned of the spirits fruit
Inviting the Holy Spirit in me to take root
How He inhabits my heart, mind and soul
Filling each crevice, each empty hole.
These fruit He inspires, they number nine
And with his Spirit my heart entwined
The seeds have been planted, in me He has sown
With roots going deep, toward heaven I’ve grown
The first and greatest of these I hold most dear
Through trial and challenge I will persevere
It is true sacrifice and all it entails
Because through Him, Love never fails
In brokenness my Savior restores my soul
With praise and worship my God I extol
I will still celebrate with great delight
His Joy cometh, by dawn’s first light
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
To me a wondrous gift He affords
More precious is this than earthly jewels
My fear dies away, His Peace rules.
Inspired by hope this virtue endures
Letting go of the past, in His word I mature
With forgiveness this tranquility equates
For it’s only by His Mercy, Patience waits
In my soul a nurturing spirit grows
My Savior’s compassion overwhelmingly flows
Genuine concern for others it renders
My heart, I pray, His Kindness tenders
I want to be actively spent, to be a bright light
Satisfied and strengthened in the darkest of night
Sowing seeds of the gospel where evil once was
Because God is good and His Goodness “does”
A warrior I stand with my shield held firm
God is always with me, His Word it affirms
My sword drawn in battle, my confidence ignites
Through what life brings, with Him Faith fights
I trust him completely, my God most high
I ask for His grace, on bended knee I draw nigh
In submission to His will, to what He allows
I pray for a humble spirit, for Gentleness bows
Last but not least is the building of walls
Around heart, mind and spirit when temptation calls
When evil surrounds to my knees I will drop
By the Holy Spirit’s power, Self-control stops
His love keeps me buoyant, my vessel afloat
My faith is my compass, God anchors my boat.
In the contest of life I can watch or I can run
But for victory in Jesus, I must yield to the Son.
By Sandy Ott
November 8, 2007
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Holy Fire of God
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Heb 12:29-29
Oh praise Him! Praise a God that loves us so much, that wants us to be with him so badly that he truly consumes us with his Holy Fire. There are many references in scripture to God's fire. People often refer to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as being "on fire for the Lord". Fire is a consuming power. When you think of fire in the natural sense it burns until all energy it has access to is used up. A forest fire or brush fire travels and is fed and grows on the continuing supply of oxygen and combustible material. It will roll quickly through an area consuming all that is in its path leaving desolation and destruction in its wake. So how can we relate this type of image to a Holy fire of God?
The all consuming fire of God is his way of lighting you up from the inside to show his glory. Think back to times in your life when you felt that fire. Most assuredly other people were able to see the virtual glow from your face and the change in your personality. When you are truly consumed by the Lord you can not help but be changed and it always starts from inside and shines outward. God is a jealous God. He wants so desparately for his children to love him and to serve him willingly. Deuteronomy 4:24 says "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." He is not jealous of us but for us.
He uses his fire to refine us, so remove the impurities like the refining of silver. Zechariah 13:9 says, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
A silver smith sits in front of his furnace and watches his silver intently. Never takes his eyes from it. If he did it could be ruined by being in the fire too long. If he does not fire it long enough it will not shine. No, he watches it with great care and conern waiting for the dross, the inpurities, to come to the top and be drawn off. When the silver it shining like a mirror, at that exact moment he withdraws it from the flame. He cools it and rubs it gently to a brilliant luster. What care he must take with his charge of precious metal.
Isn't it just an awesome thought that Jesus takes such care with us. He sits as a refiner of silver and cares for us. He never takes his eyes away when we are in the fire. Whether it is a time of testing, a time of purification or a time of soul enlightenment ( all by the way accomplish the same goal, we are on Fire for the Lord) he never takes his eyes from us. He watches us intently to be sure we are at just the right condition. We must be in the fire long enough to be purified and not too long as to be ruined. He withdraws the heat when necessary or turns up when needed. But he never stops watching over us. The end result...we are like mirror image of him. When we are truly consumed by him, by his fire, we are a reflection of him to the world. That is inspiring and humbling to me.
He loves us enough to take such care but also enough to constantly make us better and more like him. But we must be willing and must accept his correction to truly receive what he has for us. We must ask to be consumed by the Holy Fire of God and he will feed that fire eternally, we will not burn up under his care. The fire is fed by his word and a desire to do his will.
Oh praise Him! Praise a God that loves us so much, that wants us to be with him so badly that he truly consumes us with his Holy Fire. There are many references in scripture to God's fire. People often refer to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as being "on fire for the Lord". Fire is a consuming power. When you think of fire in the natural sense it burns until all energy it has access to is used up. A forest fire or brush fire travels and is fed and grows on the continuing supply of oxygen and combustible material. It will roll quickly through an area consuming all that is in its path leaving desolation and destruction in its wake. So how can we relate this type of image to a Holy fire of God?
The all consuming fire of God is his way of lighting you up from the inside to show his glory. Think back to times in your life when you felt that fire. Most assuredly other people were able to see the virtual glow from your face and the change in your personality. When you are truly consumed by the Lord you can not help but be changed and it always starts from inside and shines outward. God is a jealous God. He wants so desparately for his children to love him and to serve him willingly. Deuteronomy 4:24 says "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." He is not jealous of us but for us.
He uses his fire to refine us, so remove the impurities like the refining of silver. Zechariah 13:9 says, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
A silver smith sits in front of his furnace and watches his silver intently. Never takes his eyes from it. If he did it could be ruined by being in the fire too long. If he does not fire it long enough it will not shine. No, he watches it with great care and conern waiting for the dross, the inpurities, to come to the top and be drawn off. When the silver it shining like a mirror, at that exact moment he withdraws it from the flame. He cools it and rubs it gently to a brilliant luster. What care he must take with his charge of precious metal.
Isn't it just an awesome thought that Jesus takes such care with us. He sits as a refiner of silver and cares for us. He never takes his eyes away when we are in the fire. Whether it is a time of testing, a time of purification or a time of soul enlightenment ( all by the way accomplish the same goal, we are on Fire for the Lord) he never takes his eyes from us. He watches us intently to be sure we are at just the right condition. We must be in the fire long enough to be purified and not too long as to be ruined. He withdraws the heat when necessary or turns up when needed. But he never stops watching over us. The end result...we are like mirror image of him. When we are truly consumed by him, by his fire, we are a reflection of him to the world. That is inspiring and humbling to me.
He loves us enough to take such care but also enough to constantly make us better and more like him. But we must be willing and must accept his correction to truly receive what he has for us. We must ask to be consumed by the Holy Fire of God and he will feed that fire eternally, we will not burn up under his care. The fire is fed by his word and a desire to do his will.
The Lord is my portion
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:24-26
"The Lord is my portion". What a profound statement. When we finally realize that all we ever need or could ever want is wrapped up and delivered to us in one almighty, all-knowing, graciously loving God. He will deliver us from the evil that surrounds us in this world. He will provide for our every need. He will sustain us emotionally, physically and spiritually if we seek Him with all of our hearts and let our hope rest in His capable hands. Even when what we hoped for is drastically different from what we have recieved, we must give him praise through the good and bad, happy or sorrow-filled moments in our lives. His grace is sufficient for us.
He asks very little of us: to trust and obey. It's not always the easy way or the popular way in today's culture, but it is the only path to an eternity with Jesus and the only real guide to peace, properity and happiness. Sometimes it is blatantly apparent to us, screaming at us in bright neon letters, what choices we should or should not make. Then there are also times when the only way to know His will is through quiet meditation and study in his word, listening for that still small voice to give you wisdom and guidance.
We, as it says above, must wait quietly on the salvation of the LORD. Waiting is not usually an easy thing for most of us and being quiet...hello, not going to happen often in my house. But we must be willing to set that time aside to sit quietly with our Father, and meditate on his word, waiting for him to speak to our hearts. A time of prayer, truly seeking him through bible study is the only way to fine tune your spiritual ears. When he does speak, we must trust that he knows best and obey his commands. Knowing his will but never following it makes no sense, and does not honor him.
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:24-26
"The Lord is my portion". What a profound statement. When we finally realize that all we ever need or could ever want is wrapped up and delivered to us in one almighty, all-knowing, graciously loving God. He will deliver us from the evil that surrounds us in this world. He will provide for our every need. He will sustain us emotionally, physically and spiritually if we seek Him with all of our hearts and let our hope rest in His capable hands. Even when what we hoped for is drastically different from what we have recieved, we must give him praise through the good and bad, happy or sorrow-filled moments in our lives. His grace is sufficient for us.
He asks very little of us: to trust and obey. It's not always the easy way or the popular way in today's culture, but it is the only path to an eternity with Jesus and the only real guide to peace, properity and happiness. Sometimes it is blatantly apparent to us, screaming at us in bright neon letters, what choices we should or should not make. Then there are also times when the only way to know His will is through quiet meditation and study in his word, listening for that still small voice to give you wisdom and guidance.
We, as it says above, must wait quietly on the salvation of the LORD. Waiting is not usually an easy thing for most of us and being quiet...hello, not going to happen often in my house. But we must be willing to set that time aside to sit quietly with our Father, and meditate on his word, waiting for him to speak to our hearts. A time of prayer, truly seeking him through bible study is the only way to fine tune your spiritual ears. When he does speak, we must trust that he knows best and obey his commands. Knowing his will but never following it makes no sense, and does not honor him.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Who is Jesus?
Who is this Jesus, come let us ponder:
The Savior, A friend, King of Glory
Light of the World to our breathless wonder
He came to us one cold dark night
An infant so perfect and small
Beneath the heavenly star’s brilliant light
To a virgin mother this god-child was born
The Father’s abundant love delivered through his son
For to us this little child would be salvations horn.
The world was in darkness, evil had spread
But through this child of God would come the shepherd
By whom out of darkness the world would be lead.
A Bright and Morning Star, The Lord, he came
His light shone yesterday, today and tomorrow
Throughout all eternity he would forever be the same
God’s great sacrifice of love was destined to be made
The Son of Man, the King of Kings on Calvary’s cross would hang,
Through His blood, by His power, His grace would never fade.
He offers us salvation, though the path is narrow
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
His eyes never leave us, just as he watches the sparrow
His Holy Spirit is my comforter and the lover of my soul
Everyday I pray to Him, the commitment I renew
Jesus be with me, by your blood I’ve been made whole.
Let us keep our eyes and hearts focused this Christmas season
On Jesus Christ, wonderful counselor, Prince of Peace, Strong Tower
For He is Emmanuel, God with Us, the One and Only reason.
By Sandy
December 15, 2006
The Savior, A friend, King of Glory
Light of the World to our breathless wonder
He came to us one cold dark night
An infant so perfect and small
Beneath the heavenly star’s brilliant light
To a virgin mother this god-child was born
The Father’s abundant love delivered through his son
For to us this little child would be salvations horn.
The world was in darkness, evil had spread
But through this child of God would come the shepherd
By whom out of darkness the world would be lead.
A Bright and Morning Star, The Lord, he came
His light shone yesterday, today and tomorrow
Throughout all eternity he would forever be the same
God’s great sacrifice of love was destined to be made
The Son of Man, the King of Kings on Calvary’s cross would hang,
Through His blood, by His power, His grace would never fade.
He offers us salvation, though the path is narrow
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
His eyes never leave us, just as he watches the sparrow
His Holy Spirit is my comforter and the lover of my soul
Everyday I pray to Him, the commitment I renew
Jesus be with me, by your blood I’ve been made whole.
Let us keep our eyes and hearts focused this Christmas season
On Jesus Christ, wonderful counselor, Prince of Peace, Strong Tower
For He is Emmanuel, God with Us, the One and Only reason.
By Sandy
December 15, 2006
Joy Unspeakable?
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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8
Oh how marvelous the idea of joy unpeakable. Joy that is inexpressible and glorious. Joy that only comes from the God of the universe through his son our Lord Jesus Christ. That's what each of us has with Jesus. Even when our earthly circumstances in this fallen world are pushing us down, seemingly crushing our spirits within we have to hang on to Him, we have to persevere by His strength not ours.
In this verse, Peter, the rock, as Jesus called him is writing to the members of the churches scattered by persecution. The people of the first centruy church who were being driven into hiding or being tortured and killed for their faith. The 'christ-ones' who refused to bow to the Roman empire. He is reminding them that although they had not seen Jesus in the flesh, their faith in Him would be honored. In a verse just prior to this he speaks of the refining fire and how trying times strengthen our faith and our resolve to cling to it in times of great trial. But he reminds them what is truly worthwhile, Jesus. It's through their relationship to Him and the Father that they have the promise of the eternal salvation of their souls. By focusing wholly on Jesus and the ultimate goal instead of their circumstances they can experience joy even in hardship. Not just any joy, or even a just a little joy, but joy that is inexpressible and glorious! We as believers have that same promise from the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Oh how marvelous the idea of joy unpeakable. Joy that is inexpressible and glorious. Joy that only comes from the God of the universe through his son our Lord Jesus Christ. That's what each of us has with Jesus. Even when our earthly circumstances in this fallen world are pushing us down, seemingly crushing our spirits within we have to hang on to Him, we have to persevere by His strength not ours.
In this verse, Peter, the rock, as Jesus called him is writing to the members of the churches scattered by persecution. The people of the first centruy church who were being driven into hiding or being tortured and killed for their faith. The 'christ-ones' who refused to bow to the Roman empire. He is reminding them that although they had not seen Jesus in the flesh, their faith in Him would be honored. In a verse just prior to this he speaks of the refining fire and how trying times strengthen our faith and our resolve to cling to it in times of great trial. But he reminds them what is truly worthwhile, Jesus. It's through their relationship to Him and the Father that they have the promise of the eternal salvation of their souls. By focusing wholly on Jesus and the ultimate goal instead of their circumstances they can experience joy even in hardship. Not just any joy, or even a just a little joy, but joy that is inexpressible and glorious! We as believers have that same promise from the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Misrepresentations of Faith
As I was reading my bible early this morning a thought occurred to me. That is scary I know...thoughts don't often just happen to me as I usually have to work pretty hard to get one to even wander into my tiny mind...but hey, I digress. I was reading first Samuel and it was talking about how Eli no longer held the Ark of the Covenant in high regard or even recognized the great work and blessing afforded his accestors by God during their journey from bondage in Egypt. It got me thinking..is today really any different? Do people today hold the same or any respect in some instances for the symbols of their faith?
Christians as a rule hold the Cross as probably the most prominent symbol of their faith. There is also the ichthus, christian fish symbol used by the early church to identify meeting places. Many people today have bumper stickers, stick on insignia for their vehicles, jewelry such as necklaces, rings or earrings with these beloved images on them. But, what significance do these symbols really have to the people who display them? Are they used simply as decoration or do they truly hold some level spiritual meaning to those who adorn themselves and their possessions with them?
I would hazard a guess to observe that both may be true. To some, it is a symbol of the inward change they feel and the growing relationsip they have with their Savior. To others, it's just something pretty to wear or display.
On my way home from work a couple of days ago I was sitting in traffic on one of the busier streets in downtown. I was in a line at a traffic signal at a major intersection. It was hot and humid and right at evening rush hour so as you can imagine people were cranky, tired and just trying to get home or where ever they go after work. Some may even have been trying to get to work. In front of me was a minivan: shiny, relatively new looking and there on the back right in the center of the lift gate gleamed an icthus decal just to the right of a golden cross. I admired it. I thought to myself how well it matched the color of the vehicle and how well placed it was. The afternoon sun was making it sparkle so that it almost appeared to have a spotlight directly on it. I was almost mesmerized by it.
Then it happened. As I sat behind this vehicle waiting my turn to go through the intersection, the driver yelled something out her window and made a gesture at the driver of the small car in front of her. I wasn't certain what had happened but I think the driver of the little car in front of her had cut her off or not moved quickly enough for her. Either way, it was a small infraction and did not deserve the reaction they received. Beyond that however, I was astounded that someone who would proudly display symbols of a christian faith on their vehicle for everyone to see would behave that way. I realized ofcourse, there were many possibilities. It may not have been the owner of the vehicle that was driving it at that moment. Or, maybe they were just having a pothole moment in their road of faith. Or just maybe this person was in a crisis of some sort that had her way outside her normal behavior. It's not mine to judge and I decided to pray for her and I did. I asked God to work in what ever circumstance that lady was experiencing. To give her peace and encouragement and the strength she needed to hold on to God whatever her spiritual situation truly was.
I realized through all of this however, how many times people who are "christian" may display the beloved symbols of their beliefs thinking that just maybe they might be able to influence the world or some small part of it for Jesus. But then they let life and their reactions to it undermine whatever impact they may have had by behaving in a way that is certainly contrary to their beliefs. I wondered how many times I had done that myself. How many instances of life have I allowed to over shadow the light I was trying to shine in the darkness of the world? I pray however many times it has been, and I am relatively certain there have been a few, that it will be many less than it would have been because I saw how easy it would be to send the wrong impression to someone you don't even know. I want to be more aware of the example I am setting and the impact that I have on others however large or small it may be.
Christians as a rule hold the Cross as probably the most prominent symbol of their faith. There is also the ichthus, christian fish symbol used by the early church to identify meeting places. Many people today have bumper stickers, stick on insignia for their vehicles, jewelry such as necklaces, rings or earrings with these beloved images on them. But, what significance do these symbols really have to the people who display them? Are they used simply as decoration or do they truly hold some level spiritual meaning to those who adorn themselves and their possessions with them?
I would hazard a guess to observe that both may be true. To some, it is a symbol of the inward change they feel and the growing relationsip they have with their Savior. To others, it's just something pretty to wear or display.
On my way home from work a couple of days ago I was sitting in traffic on one of the busier streets in downtown. I was in a line at a traffic signal at a major intersection. It was hot and humid and right at evening rush hour so as you can imagine people were cranky, tired and just trying to get home or where ever they go after work. Some may even have been trying to get to work. In front of me was a minivan: shiny, relatively new looking and there on the back right in the center of the lift gate gleamed an icthus decal just to the right of a golden cross. I admired it. I thought to myself how well it matched the color of the vehicle and how well placed it was. The afternoon sun was making it sparkle so that it almost appeared to have a spotlight directly on it. I was almost mesmerized by it.
Then it happened. As I sat behind this vehicle waiting my turn to go through the intersection, the driver yelled something out her window and made a gesture at the driver of the small car in front of her. I wasn't certain what had happened but I think the driver of the little car in front of her had cut her off or not moved quickly enough for her. Either way, it was a small infraction and did not deserve the reaction they received. Beyond that however, I was astounded that someone who would proudly display symbols of a christian faith on their vehicle for everyone to see would behave that way. I realized ofcourse, there were many possibilities. It may not have been the owner of the vehicle that was driving it at that moment. Or, maybe they were just having a pothole moment in their road of faith. Or just maybe this person was in a crisis of some sort that had her way outside her normal behavior. It's not mine to judge and I decided to pray for her and I did. I asked God to work in what ever circumstance that lady was experiencing. To give her peace and encouragement and the strength she needed to hold on to God whatever her spiritual situation truly was.
I realized through all of this however, how many times people who are "christian" may display the beloved symbols of their beliefs thinking that just maybe they might be able to influence the world or some small part of it for Jesus. But then they let life and their reactions to it undermine whatever impact they may have had by behaving in a way that is certainly contrary to their beliefs. I wondered how many times I had done that myself. How many instances of life have I allowed to over shadow the light I was trying to shine in the darkness of the world? I pray however many times it has been, and I am relatively certain there have been a few, that it will be many less than it would have been because I saw how easy it would be to send the wrong impression to someone you don't even know. I want to be more aware of the example I am setting and the impact that I have on others however large or small it may be.
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