Hello Friend! Day Twenty-five

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 NIV

Hello Friend!

Sometimes I can be very harsh with myself. If I said the words in my head out loud, I wouldn’t want me for a friend. It’s true, there is a time for tough love but when I know the ins and outs of my days and my life and I can’t give myself a break then I know I am overwhelmed and I need to create some space.

When I create space, I get very focused and start kicking the troublesome things out of my life. I buckle down. I make decisions I have been waffling on (sometimes, time is not your friend). And I purge enough so I can breathe again. I take a deep breath and restart my devotional time. I find life giving verses and find a study that refreshes my spirit. I look to God for the answers and the peace and the forgiveness I am so desperate for.

And then it all starts over again.

When I am impatient with myself, I am impatient with everyone else, too! I go through seasons of being too patient and not patient enough. If I really like you, I can be ridiculously patient. If I don’t particularly jive with your personality and I happen to be in a bad space, I have zero patience and even less tolerance for shenanigans.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Hello Friend! If I am not intentionally in God’s Word and giving Him my day and seeking His face, you will know by my lack of “fruit”. It’s okay for you to point that out to me. When I am distracted and getting to the end of my reserves, all of these “fruits” are in jeopardy. I can see it happening so easily in others but I am not so fast to see it in myself. It’s like a slow fade until I hit the bottom and my reserves are spent.

This is a perfect season for a restart! What is it that has crept in and taken your prayer and Scripture study time? Sometimes we allow things to move into our lives but it means we need to move other things out. If you want to display the fruits of the Spirit in your life, time with God should not be the negotiable item.

Love,
Liz

A Time to Uproot

A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NIV

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Have you ever moved to a new place and tried to get to know what plants are in your yard? If you don’t know much about plants, it can be confusing because as things start to green up in Spring it is exciting. But not everything that is green is good. Sometimes the weeds masquerade as something useful but soon they choke out other plants you actually do want. Getting rid of noxious weeds isn’t always fun. But, left unchecked, they can overtake a large area in a short amount of time.

Root them out!

And while you are in the business of getting rid of those unwelcomed guests, think about other things you might need to dig out and eliminate. Allowing things like

impatience
anger
suspicion
lies
resentment
fear
hatred
assumptions
selfishness
envy
jealousy
perfection

to be a part of your life can cause an unwanted invasion. And those things can quickly choke out the good things God wants to grow in you. Digging out this junk can be a bit of work. It takes a conscientious effort to uproot and eliminate those weeds. But doing so brings more space and freedom for the other, more Christ-like, qualities to grow and flourish.

Take stock of what is growing in your life today. Sowing seeds that produce patience, love, trust, honesty, appreciation, peace, joy, kindness, goodness, faith, mercy, and gentleness will result in an amazing harvest for you and those who are in your presence. Be deliberate about what you allow to remain in your life.

Life is too hard and too short to be growing all that ugly stuff. Be intentional about what you are growing in your heart and life. As you radiate God’s good gifts they will be a blessing to those all around you!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23 NIV]

On the way,

Liz

A work in progress…

encouragew The other day I made a very public mistake. You may not have noticed it. I certainly didn’t notice it because if I had, I would not have done it. I am not a perfectionist by any means but when I share information I want it to be accurate, properly spelled, and all that.

Almost the entire day had gone by and finally someone pointed out that I had made a mistake. Actually, I had made several. (Oh how I hate when that happens!) Immediately, I got to work to correct it! And, sadly, it took several tries. For whatever reason, the initial person to point out the error was not able to assist in the correction. However, another person stepped in to stick with me through the process with a lot of patience, she was very pleasant and helpful.

I want to be that kind of person!

A complete stranger stepped in to work with me. How thoughtful and kind! And I wondered, “Am I the one who just points out mistakes or am I the person who will patiently stick with someone as they get it together?” Good question! Sometimes I am both!

I have noticed in myself that there are times I have a lot of compassion for others and there are other times I am so incredibly impatient. Sometimes it has to do with the kind of day I had or the amount of free time I have to help another person. And, sadly, sometimes it has to do with the person I am in conversation with or, at the very least, my perception of the person.

Sometimes I am so stingy with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness!

But when I am on the receiving end of correction, am I approachable and teachable? Am I willing to listen to what someone has to say and consider it? Naturally, I am more willing to hear from someone I know and love and I know knows and loves me. But there are times a complete stranger, or even someone I don’t particularly like, has valuable insight for me. Can I hear it?

I have to practice receiving correction with grace and humility because it is not my inclination. My first response is usually to be a little defensive but I have been working on that. There are numerous opportunities for me to improve on my response. What can I say? I am a work in progress!

Heavenly Father, give me your discernment when someone shares advice or correction with me. Lord, grant me discernment when I am inclined to share advice or correction with others! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

On the Road,

Liz

p.s. Can you tell I am having too much fun with Canva?

Fruitw

PrayerPoint ~ Self-control ~ March 11

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Oh my. Self-control. Why is it is so difficult at times? But here is some amazing motivation:

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

The word picture in the above verse is powerful and motivating yet I still find myself willingly consenting to certain areas of sin.

Be self-controlled and alert. I do think that being alert is as important as being self-controlled. If I am not paying attention or “on alert” then it is so much easier for me to just get sucked into whatever is happening around me. If I am aware of my surroundings and remembering the goal or immersed in the Word, it is much easier to exercise self-control.

And in the end, self-control is something I need to be doing. But as a fruit of the Spirit, it is also a result of what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life. I have enough trouble in the area of self-control that I think I should not be refusing God’s help via the Spirit!

May your week be “Fruit Full”,

Liz

PrayerPoint ~ Faithfulness ~ March 9

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Wow! Isn’t this one of the most amazing verses in Scripture? Today I saw it with completely new eyes! I have been familiar with this verse for many years but this morning it stunned me with God’s wonderful gift of faithfulness.

He loves me so incredibly I cannot get consumed by all that is around me. His compassions are always there. Always. Each and every morning His compassion for me is waiting for me and begins my day. He is so faithful, even when I am not.

Of course, God says it so much better than I do but I think it is helpful to restate some things in your own words so it really sinks into the heart and mind….

A rock solid promise.

For you and for me!

Celebrating His faithfulness!

Liz

PrayerPoint ~ Goodness ~ March 8

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9

This passage leads us to another list–one that has a sense of increasing order. It almost reads like a cooking recipe:

Get out your faith.

Add some goodness.

Combine. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle in some knowledge, self-control, and perseverance. Stir vigorously.

Pour on the godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

Gently combine, mixing thoroughly.

Bake.

I am an experimental cook and I love to tweak recipes. I am thankful to have been given the free will to make some choices in how things mix together even though His recipe for our lives is right there in Scripture. I tweak with His plan and it clearly affects the outcome–bad news for me. And the Good News? His forgiveness and restoration for my mishaps. I don’t know how He does it, but He can take a recipe for disaster and transform it into a beautiful thing.

What’s cooking for you today?

Liz

PrayerPoint ~ Kindness ~ March 7

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Have you ever been overwhelmed with someone’s kindness towards you? I have been on numerous occasions. Sometimes it is just the simplest of thoughtful words or actions but placed in a certain time and space and it becomes a significant moment. Maybe it was the element of surprise–like a bunch of Spring flowers poking through on a dreary mid-February day. Or maybe it was a glimpse of the love behind the action.

You did this for me?

Showing kindness doesn’t have to take an entire day to plan. It might be making a batch of cookies and taking a plate of them to your neighbor. It might be helping an elderly neighbor get their medicine or a trip to the doctor. A quick note that lets someone know you are praying for them as they travel through a difficult time.

I am an idea person so I can easily come up with many clever ideas to share kindness but lose the list or run out of time before I actually act on them. Don’t fall into inaction by over-analyzing and plotting out your acts of kindness. It may take a little intentionality at first, but soon you will find yourself extending kindness in a very natural way. Let kindness be one of those things you wear every day!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 NIV

Blessings on your week!

Liz

PrayerPoint ~ Patience ~ March 6

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. Galatians 5:22-23

Patience:

1. the quality of being patient as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.

I read these definitions of patience and I think, Wow! I sure have a long way to go!

God has used many circumstances in my life to grow my patience. There never seems to be a lack of training ground in this area! And whether I am waiting on someone else to “figure it out” or I am waiting for something in my own life, allowing this Fruit of the Spirit to be evident is important. In many ways our culture encourages us to get agitated and impatient. Life takes time. Relationships take time. Complicated circumstances take time to be sorted out. It takes a very conscious effort on my part coupled with an incredible infusion of the Holy Spirit’s guidance for me to demonstrate patience. But it can be such a powerful witness to others.

A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV

Heavenly Father, You demonstrate such patience with humanity and you show so much patience with me. Help me to be long-suffering with the troubles in this life and patiently enduring the time the circumstances I am surrounded by. Use all of these situations for my growth in You and for an opportunity for me to share with others. In Jesus’ Name…Amen!

PrayerPoint ~ Peace ~ March 5

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

There are some times when I am unsettled on a matter. And yet if I always wait to be at complete peace before I move forward on something, there is a likelihood that I won’t move forward. Ever. I always have too may “what ifs” running around in my mind.

But the peace of I think of when it comes to the idea in Galatians is something more like “it is well with my soul”. Having peace about a matter. A Mirriam-Webster definition says this about peace: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Sometimes those disquieting emotions are cautions from the Holy Spirit. But when I think of oppressive, I immediately think about Satan and how he uses things from our past to disrupt our present and future.

Have you made peace with your past?

If there are unresolved things in your history, you can be sure they are impacting your now. It is important to let God work in and through whatever is causing your unrest. Let Him bring you His perfect peace. Remember, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:22-23 NIV

PrayerPoint ~ Joy ~ March 4

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. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

If you have taken the opportunity to encourage someone recently, you might have noticed the side benefit: it was good for you too. So many times I get caught up in all I have to do in a day or week that I am only conquering a list. And even though there is a feeling of accomplishment as the list dwindles, there is something about joy that involves others. I think it has to do with my personality. I enjoy doing things for others–particularly when they are not expecting it.

There are times of struggle, there is no doubt about that. I don’t think we have been living life (or being honest) if we say we have embraced every painful moment and every struggle with great joy. I think true joy is rooted in Christ–abiding with Him, recalling His provisions, counting on His promises, and sharing His love by encouraging others.

As you think about joy today, remember that God’s thoughts on the subject are counter cultural. We might lose our joy because we have been inconvenienced and we can’t have it “our way” but He says we should consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. Check out James 1.

And what about joy stealers–unconfessed sin, shame, grudges, unresolved anger, misunderstandings, etc.? How often do these things separate us from joy? The longer we avoid dealing with these joy stealers, the longer we (and everyone around us) are miserable. If we are continually downcast, without joy, why would someone be drawn to learning more about our faith in God?

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you…have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 1:6-7 NIV

May you know the Joy of the Savior!

Liz