Weekend Words

 

From Be Still and Know...

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us." - Galatians 5:22)

The person controlled by the Holy Spirit is becoming the person God wants him to be, developing Christlike characteristics.

As the Holy Spirit produces God's LOVE in us, it will flow through us to others.

In Him we have a JOY that is not dependent on circumstances, a joy even in adversity.

Filled with His PEACE we are untroubled in times of trials.  His peace gives a serenity of heart.

The Spirit produces LONG-SUFFERING, or patience.  Patience will then be our normal attitude towards others.

A Spirit of GENTLENESS gives us polite and gracious consideration of others.

GOODNESS has been defined as "being like God, filled with His goodness."  It is living for others instead of self.

FAITH has the meaning of faithfulness, God's faithfulness.  The Spirit will make us faithful and dependable.

MEEKNESS is submitting to God's will regardless of the situation, having His humility.  The meek are the least conscious of it.

As the long distance runner learns TEMPERANCE, or self-control, in training for the race, so the Holy Spirit brings our lives under God's control.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a nine-fold variety of fruit.  It cannot be tied on to our lives like ornaments on a Christmas tree.  Neither can it be purchased at the supermarket.  It is not the outward putting on of characteristics, nor is it produced by human ability.  The genuine fruit of the Spirit comes from within.  It is the life and character of Christ produced in us by the Holy Spirit.  He produces in us the same qualities that are in Christ.

Australian Anabaptist – Vol.3 No.1 January 2006

The Christian’s Amour – Jason Kauffman

Every morning when you get up, go to your spiritual armour closet, and clothe yourself from your head to your feet…

“Lord, I choose to wear the helmet of salvation for the protection of mind, so that I may “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”, and I may have the mind of Christ in all that I do today. 

 I choose, dear Lord, to put on the breastplate of righteousness for the protection of my heart; not my own righteousness, which is as filthy rags, but the righteousness that issues forth from you and your holiness! 

 Father, truth is precious, truth is imperative. May my loins be girt with your truth! Thy Word is Truth! Without this Lord, I will choose to go the wrong way. 

 Father, as I venture out into a world that knows no peace, may your peace direct my feet. Our feet are so tender, but the peace of your gospel protects me from choosing an easier path, the path of compromise, complacency, and cowardice. 

 Thank you for the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Without it we are defenseless. Help me to realize that it is the Spirit’s sword, and that unless He has freedom in my life to fulfill His holy work in me, I will find myself vulnerable to the fiery darts of doubt, discouragement, and despair.  Help me, dear Father, to know how to use it defensively in resisting temptation as well as offensively using it in storming the gates of hell. 

 And oh Father, lest we forget, increase our faith, help our unbelief, give us strength to raise high the shield of faith. We are just asking for the simple childlike faith that strengthens us to obey what you clearly ask us to do. In the Holy name of our Captain, the Lord Jesus, Amen!”

(Photos from a walk by the river last week)