"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..."
Galatians 5:22, 23
Meekness:
The word "meekness" comes from the Greek word prautes. Which means that you depict the attitude or demeanor of a person who is forbearing, patient, and slow to respond in anger; one who remains in control of himself in the face if insults or injuries. So a meek person is one is controlled by kindness, gentleness, mildness, or even friendliness.
When you hear the word meek what comes into your head? A person who is shy, soft-spoken, of even weak?
If a person is meek it means that they are a strong-willed person who has learned to submit his will to a higher authority. He is not weak, but controlled. This person has their own opinion, but has decided to wait until he is spoken to or until the correct time comes to calmly, but firmly state their side.
So when the Holy Spirit is producing Meekness inside of you, you are a controlled person. Even the most difficult of circumstances.
So take a moment to evaluate yourself. How do you respond to insults, injuries, or difficult situations? Do you react quickly and rashly? Or do you respond with meekness and self-control?
The flesh would love for you to act our of hand, to yell and go out of control. But when meekness is produced inside of you by the Holy Spirit, you will be calm and controlled. You will impart peace into other's lives and situations where, before that, were unsettling and unstable.
Temperance:
Temperance is the last fruit. Temperance comes from the Greek word kratos, which means power.
A lot of people think if temperance and meekness as the same thing, but it's not. Meekness has to do with the attitude or demeanor of a person who can control his actions and emotions. But temperance means that you are in control and that you have power over yourself; on other words, self-control.
A meek individual can control his attitude, but a person with temperance has power over his appetites, physical urges, passions, and desires. Because the Holy Spirit has produced temperance in your life, you are able to say no to overeating, no to overindulging in fleshly activities, not to any excesses in the physical realm. A person with temperance maintains a life of moderation and control. Thus, temperance could also mean, restraint, moderation, discipline, balance, temperance, or self-control.
You can how opposite temperance is the works of the flesh. If you allow the flesh to have its own way, you will over-worry, overwork, overindulge, and literally run yourself to death. But if you allow your life to be ruled by the fruits of the Spirit, that you will discipline over the physical realm. You will have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control (temperance).
Take a look at your life today. Are you allowing the fruits of the Spirit to blossom in your life?
31 July 2011
28 July 2011
Goodness and Faith
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
Galatians 5:22
Goodness:
The Greek word for Goodness is agathusune, which means a person who is generous, big-hearted, liberal, and charitable with his finances. In other words, a giver. Acts 10:38 says "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."
The Holy Spirit operated mightily in Jesus.
Acting in goodness is a character feature of the nature of God. When the Bible tells us that "goodness" is a fruit of the Spirit, God is letting us know that he wants us to be selfless, using our resources to help change people's living conditions for the better. This is the exact opposite of what the flesh is saying. The flesh wants to consume every spare dollar and opportunity. Thus, the fruit of the Spirit called "goodness" is that supernatural urge in a person to reach beyond himself to meet the natural needs of those around him. So when abeliever is walking in the Spirit, his eyes are supernaturally opened! Are you getting this? Supernaturally! That word has occured in every single fruit of the Spirit. This means that it is not by our own doing, but by the doing of someone who is greater than you.
Faith:
The word Faith comes from the Greek pistis, which is the common word for "faith." Which is the idea of a person who is faithful, reliable, loyal, and steadfast. If pictures a person who is devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, constant, and unwavering. This is exactly the opposite of the flesh. The flesh seeks laziness, is uncommitted, undependable, and completely unreliable.
The word "faith" of "faithfulness", is so esteemed by God that it is listed in 1 Cor. 13:13, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity..." This fruit of the Spirit is a part of the eternal nature of God.The Bible says that "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind." Jesus Himself will be the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This unchanging, constant, stable, unwavering behavior is the nature of God Himself. God is faithful; therefore, we should expect faithfulness to grow in our lives as one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to have enough freedom to produce "goodness" and "faithfulness" in your life?
Galatians 5:22
Goodness:
The Greek word for Goodness is agathusune, which means a person who is generous, big-hearted, liberal, and charitable with his finances. In other words, a giver. Acts 10:38 says "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."
The Holy Spirit operated mightily in Jesus.
Acting in goodness is a character feature of the nature of God. When the Bible tells us that "goodness" is a fruit of the Spirit, God is letting us know that he wants us to be selfless, using our resources to help change people's living conditions for the better. This is the exact opposite of what the flesh is saying. The flesh wants to consume every spare dollar and opportunity. Thus, the fruit of the Spirit called "goodness" is that supernatural urge in a person to reach beyond himself to meet the natural needs of those around him. So when abeliever is walking in the Spirit, his eyes are supernaturally opened! Are you getting this? Supernaturally! That word has occured in every single fruit of the Spirit. This means that it is not by our own doing, but by the doing of someone who is greater than you.
Faith:
The word Faith comes from the Greek pistis, which is the common word for "faith." Which is the idea of a person who is faithful, reliable, loyal, and steadfast. If pictures a person who is devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated, constant, and unwavering. This is exactly the opposite of the flesh. The flesh seeks laziness, is uncommitted, undependable, and completely unreliable.
The word "faith" of "faithfulness", is so esteemed by God that it is listed in 1 Cor. 13:13, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity..." This fruit of the Spirit is a part of the eternal nature of God.The Bible says that "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind." Jesus Himself will be the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This unchanging, constant, stable, unwavering behavior is the nature of God Himself. God is faithful; therefore, we should expect faithfulness to grow in our lives as one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to have enough freedom to produce "goodness" and "faithfulness" in your life?
26 July 2011
Longsuffering and Gentleness
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness...'
Galatians 5:22
Longsuffering:
Next on the list is Longsuffering/patience. This word comes from the Greek word makrothumia. Which I am going to say, I have no idea how to pronounce that word! LOL This word means the patient restraint of anger. Or Longsuffering.
Longsuffering is like a candle that has a very long wick. So it is prepared to burn for a very long time, it is ready to forbear and patiently wait until someone comes around, makes a change in attitude or at heart. Colossians 3:12 says "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. "
Here's a little metaphor. When you get up in the morning you get properly dressed. You pick out your undergarments, you pants, your shirt and your shoes. But once you get it picked out you have to decide pick them up and put them on. Now Paul says that you are going to be patient, long-burning, and compassionate towards other people than you have make a choice! You have to choose to do those things. Like putting on your clothes you have to decide that you are going to act that way and than act on it.
1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient and kind" What is love? Love is not short-tempered, Love does not quickly blow its top, Love is not irritable, Love is determined to wait, Love passionately burns for others and is willing to wait. If you allow "Longsuffering" to work in you that you will be more tolerant of others and more loving.
Gentleness:
Number five, Gentleness. Chrestotes is the Greek word which means to show kindness or to be friendly to others. In other words, Gentleness. Anyone who demonstrated Gentleness was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. This word was what Paul used to depict God's incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved.
This is very different from the flesh. The flesh says "Sorry! If you don't like me the way that I am than you have to change. Because I am not!" But if you allow the Holy Spirit to produce his Gentleness in you, you will hear yourself saying, "How can I serve you? How can I be different for you? What can I do to change that will help you?" If you allow this than you are allowing a supernatural work of God to be done through you!
Think of how you can change yourself. Think of others before yourself. Today ask yourself, how can I change to help others? Be a blessing to someone other than yourself.
Galatians 5:22
Longsuffering:
Next on the list is Longsuffering/patience. This word comes from the Greek word makrothumia. Which I am going to say, I have no idea how to pronounce that word! LOL This word means the patient restraint of anger. Or Longsuffering.
Longsuffering is like a candle that has a very long wick. So it is prepared to burn for a very long time, it is ready to forbear and patiently wait until someone comes around, makes a change in attitude or at heart. Colossians 3:12 says "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. "
Here's a little metaphor. When you get up in the morning you get properly dressed. You pick out your undergarments, you pants, your shirt and your shoes. But once you get it picked out you have to decide pick them up and put them on. Now Paul says that you are going to be patient, long-burning, and compassionate towards other people than you have make a choice! You have to choose to do those things. Like putting on your clothes you have to decide that you are going to act that way and than act on it.
1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient and kind" What is love? Love is not short-tempered, Love does not quickly blow its top, Love is not irritable, Love is determined to wait, Love passionately burns for others and is willing to wait. If you allow "Longsuffering" to work in you that you will be more tolerant of others and more loving.
Gentleness:
Number five, Gentleness. Chrestotes is the Greek word which means to show kindness or to be friendly to others. In other words, Gentleness. Anyone who demonstrated Gentleness was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. This word was what Paul used to depict God's incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved.
This is very different from the flesh. The flesh says "Sorry! If you don't like me the way that I am than you have to change. Because I am not!" But if you allow the Holy Spirit to produce his Gentleness in you, you will hear yourself saying, "How can I serve you? How can I be different for you? What can I do to change that will help you?" If you allow this than you are allowing a supernatural work of God to be done through you!
Think of how you can change yourself. Think of others before yourself. Today ask yourself, how can I change to help others? Be a blessing to someone other than yourself.
25 July 2011
Joy and Peace
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..."
Galatians 5:22
The second fruit of the Spirit is Joy. This is one of those supernatural gifts. Joy is not something that you just inherit. You must work for it, true Joy is very different from happiness. Happiness is based on pleasure, merriment, hilarity, exuberance, excitement, circumstantial things. But these are just emotions; the second that you hear bad news, or someone says something not very nice, all of those feelings go away and you are sad and glum. But true Joy is not affected by outward circumstances. You can be having the worst day ever, hear the worst piece of bad news that you will ever hear. But, if you have the Joy of the Lord than you will not be affected! In fact, true Joy actually thrives best when in tough situations. That is the supernatural power of God at work in your life!
The Greek word for Joy is Chara, which comes from the Greek word charis, meaning grace. It is very important that you get this. Joy is produced by the Grace of God. Joy is not a human-based happiness that come and goes day to day. Instead, it is a divine fruit of the Spirit.
Peace
Peace is the third fruit of the Spirit. Supernatural peace is so beautiful and tender, that once you have obtained it, you won't ever want to let it go again!
The word peace comes from the Greek word, eirene, which is equivalent for the Heprew word, shalom. Which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. When a person is dominated by peace he has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting.
The New Testament is full of examples of the supernatural peace that the Holy Spirit produces.
Acts 27
3 The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs. 4 Putting out to sea from there, we encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course, so we sailed north of Cyprus between the island and the mainland. 5 Keeping to the open sea, we passed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at Myra, in the province of Lycia. 6 There the commanding officer found an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that was bound for Italy, and he put us on board.
7 We had several days of slow sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us, so we sailed across to Crete and along the sheltered coast of the island, past the cape of Salmone. 8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall,[c] and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.
10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.
16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda,[d] where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.
18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”
30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.
39 When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.
42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship.[g] So everyone escaped safely to shore."
So even though life may throw some pretty hard curveballs, the Holy Spirit is always their to back you up. So produce in you fruit that will change your life.
Today take the time to evaluate yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to produce the supernatural fruits of joy and peace in you.
Galatians 5:22
Joy
Have you ever heard the song, "the joy of the Lord?" Well their it is, listen to it, it's a beautiful song.The second fruit of the Spirit is Joy. This is one of those supernatural gifts. Joy is not something that you just inherit. You must work for it, true Joy is very different from happiness. Happiness is based on pleasure, merriment, hilarity, exuberance, excitement, circumstantial things. But these are just emotions; the second that you hear bad news, or someone says something not very nice, all of those feelings go away and you are sad and glum. But true Joy is not affected by outward circumstances. You can be having the worst day ever, hear the worst piece of bad news that you will ever hear. But, if you have the Joy of the Lord than you will not be affected! In fact, true Joy actually thrives best when in tough situations. That is the supernatural power of God at work in your life!
The Greek word for Joy is Chara, which comes from the Greek word charis, meaning grace. It is very important that you get this. Joy is produced by the Grace of God. Joy is not a human-based happiness that come and goes day to day. Instead, it is a divine fruit of the Spirit.
Peace
Peace is the third fruit of the Spirit. Supernatural peace is so beautiful and tender, that once you have obtained it, you won't ever want to let it go again!
The word peace comes from the Greek word, eirene, which is equivalent for the Heprew word, shalom. Which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures. When a person is dominated by peace he has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting.
The New Testament is full of examples of the supernatural peace that the Holy Spirit produces.
Acts 27
Paul Sails for Rome
1 When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer[a] named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. 2 Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with us. We left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia;[b] it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province.3 The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs. 4 Putting out to sea from there, we encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course, so we sailed north of Cyprus between the island and the mainland. 5 Keeping to the open sea, we passed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at Myra, in the province of Lycia. 6 There the commanding officer found an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that was bound for Italy, and he put us on board.
7 We had several days of slow sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us, so we sailed across to Crete and along the sheltered coast of the island, past the cape of Salmone. 8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall,[c] and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.
10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.
The Storm at Sea
13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda,[d] where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.
18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”
The Shipwreck
27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[e] the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[f] 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.
39 When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.
42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship.[g] So everyone escaped safely to shore."
So even though life may throw some pretty hard curveballs, the Holy Spirit is always their to back you up. So produce in you fruit that will change your life.
Today take the time to evaluate yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to produce the supernatural fruits of joy and peace in you.
24 July 2011
Four types of Love
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love..."
Galatians 5:22
The first fruit of the Spirit is Love. It's no wonder, Love is the strongest feeling and the hardest one.
Their are four different types of love, 1) eros, 2) stergo, 3) phileo, and 4) agape. (Those are the Greek words.) All of these are a type of love, but they are very different from each other. It is very important that you are able to distinguish them from each other.
Eros
This is the first type of Love. This word for love is physical love. The sensual, carnal impulses to satisfy or gratify the desires of the flesh. This is a harsh and demanding type of love. This type of love doesn't ask for your love, it demands or begs it. This confirms that this is not a giving type of love, but a demand. This "love" does not seek to give one pleasure but seeks to take what it wants and then move on. If a marriage or relationship is based on Eros it will not last long.
Stergo
This is the second type of Love. This is the kind of love that exists between parents and children. Or the love that exists between members of a family. Or, on occasion, the love of a nation for its ruler, or even the love of a dog for its master. This love is more like a devotion.
Phileo
The third word for love means affection, such as the relationship of a boyfriend/girlfriend. Or the relationship of two friends. Although this word has all the attributes of a good friendship it is not the highest form of love; that is agape.
Agape
This is the last and most important of all the types of love. This is high-level love, because their is not higher, finer, or a more perfect love than agape. Agape occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. In fact, this love is so strong that it is irresistible. John 3:16 is the best example of agape. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loved us so much that he sent his only Son, his pride and joy to die for us. Sinners, people that didn't even appreciate what God had already done for us. We were so precious to God that His heart was stirred by love, Agape love.
This love is so strong that it know no limits or boundaries. It can go on forever and ever and never die out or fade. It is so strong that it will give itself up for that person or object that is cherishes. Agape love is a self-sacrificial type of love that moves the lover to action. It has not strings attached.
This is how Christ loves the bride. How God loves us. How we should love others.
Examine yourself today and see what type of love you are exhibiting.
Galatians 5:22
The first fruit of the Spirit is Love. It's no wonder, Love is the strongest feeling and the hardest one.
Their are four different types of love, 1) eros, 2) stergo, 3) phileo, and 4) agape. (Those are the Greek words.) All of these are a type of love, but they are very different from each other. It is very important that you are able to distinguish them from each other.
Eros
This is the first type of Love. This word for love is physical love. The sensual, carnal impulses to satisfy or gratify the desires of the flesh. This is a harsh and demanding type of love. This type of love doesn't ask for your love, it demands or begs it. This confirms that this is not a giving type of love, but a demand. This "love" does not seek to give one pleasure but seeks to take what it wants and then move on. If a marriage or relationship is based on Eros it will not last long.
Stergo
This is the second type of Love. This is the kind of love that exists between parents and children. Or the love that exists between members of a family. Or, on occasion, the love of a nation for its ruler, or even the love of a dog for its master. This love is more like a devotion.
Phileo
The third word for love means affection, such as the relationship of a boyfriend/girlfriend. Or the relationship of two friends. Although this word has all the attributes of a good friendship it is not the highest form of love; that is agape.
Agape
This is the last and most important of all the types of love. This is high-level love, because their is not higher, finer, or a more perfect love than agape. Agape occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. In fact, this love is so strong that it is irresistible. John 3:16 is the best example of agape. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loved us so much that he sent his only Son, his pride and joy to die for us. Sinners, people that didn't even appreciate what God had already done for us. We were so precious to God that His heart was stirred by love, Agape love.
This love is so strong that it know no limits or boundaries. It can go on forever and ever and never die out or fade. It is so strong that it will give itself up for that person or object that is cherishes. Agape love is a self-sacrificial type of love that moves the lover to action. It has not strings attached.
This is how Christ loves the bride. How God loves us. How we should love others.
Examine yourself today and see what type of love you are exhibiting.
23 July 2011
What fruit are you producing?
Galatians 5: 22, 23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit is one of the most common known scripture verses known to Christians. But what exactly does it mean?
Fruit is wonderful! It's healthy, sweet, and organic. That is one of the reasons why the apostle Paul decided to call the fruit of the Spirit the fruit of the Spirit. (LOL) The fruit of the Spirit is what the Holy Spirit wants to produce in you. The word fruit comes fromthe Greek word karpos which means, the fruit of plants, the fruit of trees, or the fruit of one's body, such as a person's children or offspring.
So what the Holy Spirit wants to do is to produce fruit from you. But fruit doesn't just grow all of a sudden. It comes from something. A seed. No matter what it is, whether it be an apple, orange, banana, or plum, they all start with a little, tiny seed. Once you plant that seed it has to be nurtered and cared for. You have to water and feed it. Give it enough sunlight, but not too much. And then, you will begin to see the offspring of all of your hard work. The fruit will begin to grow.
This is what the Holy Spirit is trying to do. It all begins with a little seed. A verse from the bible, a thought, a sermon from church, and grows it. By going to church, reading your bible, spending time praying and seeking the Lord, talking with other believers, you begin to grow the fruit of the Spirit inside of you. It's not easy though, the flesh is not willing to give in and give out of itself. The flesh wants what the flesh wants and is not easy to be changed. That is why you cannot do it on your own. Only with the Lord's help will you overcome.
When you received Jesus in your heart God sowed his Spirit and Word into your heart like a seed. You were spiritually born again by the seed of the Word of God. And just like everything else that grows from a seed, the character of the seed determines the fruit. So based on what is inside of your heart, that is what is going to come out. So, what fruit are you growing?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit is one of the most common known scripture verses known to Christians. But what exactly does it mean?
Fruit is wonderful! It's healthy, sweet, and organic. That is one of the reasons why the apostle Paul decided to call the fruit of the Spirit the fruit of the Spirit. (LOL) The fruit of the Spirit is what the Holy Spirit wants to produce in you. The word fruit comes fromthe Greek word karpos which means, the fruit of plants, the fruit of trees, or the fruit of one's body, such as a person's children or offspring.
So what the Holy Spirit wants to do is to produce fruit from you. But fruit doesn't just grow all of a sudden. It comes from something. A seed. No matter what it is, whether it be an apple, orange, banana, or plum, they all start with a little, tiny seed. Once you plant that seed it has to be nurtered and cared for. You have to water and feed it. Give it enough sunlight, but not too much. And then, you will begin to see the offspring of all of your hard work. The fruit will begin to grow.
This is what the Holy Spirit is trying to do. It all begins with a little seed. A verse from the bible, a thought, a sermon from church, and grows it. By going to church, reading your bible, spending time praying and seeking the Lord, talking with other believers, you begin to grow the fruit of the Spirit inside of you. It's not easy though, the flesh is not willing to give in and give out of itself. The flesh wants what the flesh wants and is not easy to be changed. That is why you cannot do it on your own. Only with the Lord's help will you overcome.
When you received Jesus in your heart God sowed his Spirit and Word into your heart like a seed. You were spiritually born again by the seed of the Word of God. And just like everything else that grows from a seed, the character of the seed determines the fruit. So based on what is inside of your heart, that is what is going to come out. So, what fruit are you growing?
21 July 2011
Time-out
Today I just want to encourage you. I don't know anything about you, I don't know what your going through. But what I do know is that it WILL get better. Right now the horizon may look far off. So far off that you don't ever think you will see it again. I know that feeling, I know what it's like to think that your life is never going to get better. I know what it's like to not have any hope for the future. I have been there and done that!
I lost my dad almost three years ago, it will the three year marker on Monday. So July is not a good month for me. When my dad died I was hopeless, sometimes I still am. I didn't know what to do or who to go to for help and consilation. I went into depression, I'm getting out of it right now. You could say that I'm still in the thick of it. I'm not in the clear yet, but I can now see the horizon. Three months ago I couldn't have said the same thing. Even three weeks ago I couldn't have said that! But it didn't happen all of a sudden, and I didn't do it on my own.
Someone had to call me out, someone had to wake me up spiritually. God had a lot of work to do inside of me. He still does, and will for a while. For the past three years I have been pushing down all of the hurt and sorrow that has been building up inside. But the past six months it has started to come up. Slowly but surely. And it's not pretty. I started doing things that I would never have thought that I would ever be doing, but I was. I was depressed...and alone.
But God has begun a work inside of me. And He's not finished with me yet! He is clearing out all of the rooms of my heart that are full of blackness. (and trust me, their is a lot LOL) It is painful, yes but he is helping me do it.
So I just wanted to encourage you, that no matter what you are going through, God is on your side. He is your number one cheerleader! Trust in Him, because He is your only friend that will never leave you or forsake you.
:)
I lost my dad almost three years ago, it will the three year marker on Monday. So July is not a good month for me. When my dad died I was hopeless, sometimes I still am. I didn't know what to do or who to go to for help and consilation. I went into depression, I'm getting out of it right now. You could say that I'm still in the thick of it. I'm not in the clear yet, but I can now see the horizon. Three months ago I couldn't have said the same thing. Even three weeks ago I couldn't have said that! But it didn't happen all of a sudden, and I didn't do it on my own.
Someone had to call me out, someone had to wake me up spiritually. God had a lot of work to do inside of me. He still does, and will for a while. For the past three years I have been pushing down all of the hurt and sorrow that has been building up inside. But the past six months it has started to come up. Slowly but surely. And it's not pretty. I started doing things that I would never have thought that I would ever be doing, but I was. I was depressed...and alone.
But God has begun a work inside of me. And He's not finished with me yet! He is clearing out all of the rooms of my heart that are full of blackness. (and trust me, their is a lot LOL) It is painful, yes but he is helping me do it.
So I just wanted to encourage you, that no matter what you are going through, God is on your side. He is your number one cheerleader! Trust in Him, because He is your only friend that will never leave you or forsake you.
:)
20 July 2011
Missions part 2
What I learned while I was in Haiti was that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. God loves you no matter what you have ever done or been through. The Haitian people have next to nothing but they are still relatively happy. The children are full of so much joy and hope that it is just overwhelming. They see us, the white people, and know that something good is about to happen.
Doing missionary work is a lot of work, but is work worth doing. In Haiti we sweat, and we cried, we got filthy and sunburned, we got over-heated and exhausted, but it was worth doing! Sharing God's love with others takes perseverance and dedication. Lots of late nights and early mornings, but is it worth it?
YES!!!!!!
Doing missionary work is a lot of work, but is work worth doing. In Haiti we sweat, and we cried, we got filthy and sunburned, we got over-heated and exhausted, but it was worth doing! Sharing God's love with others takes perseverance and dedication. Lots of late nights and early mornings, but is it worth it?
YES!!!!!!
19 July 2011
Missions
From June 13 through the 21 I went with a homeschool group to Haiti. It was a very eye opening expierance. I can't wait to go back again!
When we came back home the very first thing I noticed as I walked through the door was how much stuff we have. The people in Haiti have virtually nothing at all. Their houses are made of either concrete, if they live in the city, and either mud or reeds. They have no glass windows, they are either covered with cloth or just random holes in the wall. Their doors are just the same as the windows. It was devestating. We were staying in Fond Parisian, which is just outside if Port au Prince, the capitol. Where we were staying was the places where the earthquake had hit the least. But it was still just awful!
When we came back home the very first thing I noticed as I walked through the door was how much stuff we have. The people in Haiti have virtually nothing at all. Their houses are made of either concrete, if they live in the city, and either mud or reeds. They have no glass windows, they are either covered with cloth or just random holes in the wall. Their doors are just the same as the windows. It was devestating. We were staying in Fond Parisian, which is just outside if Port au Prince, the capitol. Where we were staying was the places where the earthquake had hit the least. But it was still just awful!
We went to a fishermen village where we went on a boat ride in a large lake. The lake had been a huge volcano but it had collapsed inwards. And in it's place the lake had formed. Some large ministries had paid for and built some houses their. But their was some tectonic plate shifting that bust some underground springs. Which has made the lake rise. All of those homes are now underwater. That is one of those homes.
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