Waiting on God
READ Psalm 37:3-8
Psalm 37:3-8 (New King James Version)
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Godly waiting requires action. Does that surprise you? God asks us to do our best work right where we are. (1 Corinthians 15:58) (58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.)
He also wants us to get along with others until moving us elsewhere. (Romans 12:18) (18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.)
As we wait, we are to display righteous character, which is... patient. When God doesn’t answer quickly, we may get frustrated and try to manipulate our desired outcome. With the Spirit’s help, we can be patient. I know I am very guilty of not being patient. Right now I am worried about my job and I am looking for a new one. It is difficult to remain steadfast in my faith that God has the plan for my job hunt in his hands.
Righteous character is also trusting. Trust means believing the Lord is in control, has our best interests in mind, and will arrange things for our good and His glory.
Righteous character is quiet. Confidence in God brings believers a calmness of spirit. Worrying about difficult circumstances and people should be replaced by a continual seeking of the Lord’s presence. Again I need to place all my trust and faith in his mighty hands about the job search. It is funny how it is easy to place trust in God to watch over Derek overseas (and my children are so much more important than a job) but when it comes to the everyday things like finding a new job I fail.
Righteous character is also steadfast. We are to stand firm with our focus on Jesus and continue to do the work we have been given to carry out. I do believe we need to find the strength and courage through our faith in God but I also think that we are able to stand firm and focus on Jesus when we surround ourselves with others who are strong in their faith. We can draw from their energy to help us be strong.
Righteous character is discerning. When solutions come to mind, we need to distinguish the source. Are they our own ideas, the world’s suggestions, or the Lord’s direction? With wisdom from God, we will discern where He is at work, what our part is in it, and which action we’re to take. I am bad with this one. Sometimes I want the answer to be - what I want not what God wants.
Finally, righteous character is courageous. Courage is not the absence of fear but calmness and stability in the midst of it. Although we do not see God, we believe He is at work. A resolute spirit is required if we are to wait on God. What a wonderful peace to know that God will stand beside us as we walk through each day. What courage we can draw from his love.
Delays present us with opportunities to show the world what Jesus’ transforming power has accomplished in us. When God says, “Hold still,” how do you react? I hope that I will learn to stop and learn to listen to his plan for me.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
For most people their true character comes through immediately when you meet them. Since most people form an opinion of us within 30-45 seconds of meeting us, living by our true character is very important.
For a true dedicated Christian, displaying a character that is God-like on a regular basis will show the world the virtues that Jesus practiced and tried to instill in man during his short time he walked the earth. We cannot be effective advocates of the Christian faith if are actions are not consistent with our words.
For a true dedicated Christian, displaying a character that is God-like on a regular basis will show the world the virtues that Jesus practiced and tried to instill in man during his short time he walked the earth. We cannot be effective advocates of the Christian faith if are actions are not consistent with our words.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Character & Me
We live in such a crazy hectic world that is so focused on the next big thing. And in this world character far too often takes second place. Character in my life can be tricky. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve fallen short of the person God wants me to be. Sometimes I don’t love enough, rejoice enough, be kind enough, gentle enough, patient enough, have enough self control, or find enough peace for my life. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have these same problems. Its inevitable to fall short of having the character that our Lord so desperately wants us to have, we are all imperfect creatures in a imperfect world. However, to be stronger and to be wiser we need to cling tight of our character and nurture it and even in the most difficult times we need to never let it slip by the waist side. When I think about character its not just a word but rather its who you are and when you look at it that way it makes you want (for me at least) to strive to be better, to strive to be more like Jesus Christ.
In conclusion I leave you with a short passage from the bible, found in Galatians 6: 7-10.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
I find this passage to be an inspiration and a means of encouragement to work hard on your character, to be like God, for if you do you will receive much in return. Use your character as a tool in building more opportunities to share more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
In conclusion I leave you with a short passage from the bible, found in Galatians 6: 7-10.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
I find this passage to be an inspiration and a means of encouragement to work hard on your character, to be like God, for if you do you will receive much in return. Use your character as a tool in building more opportunities to share more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
Where Do We Begin?
My thought is to start with topics. They will lead us all through the Bible. You will come up with your thoughts about each subject and what the God tells us through the Bible we should be doing, learning, or teaching.
Let's open in a prayer: Dear Lord while I am praying this prayer alone today I ask that you bless each reader of this blog. We all need your blessings. I pray that you open our hearts, minds, and character to this subject. Guide us to be better friends, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins. You know our hearts bless us as we do your will. Amen.
Let's start with CHARACTER. Why you may ask would I choose this. Well in my office I have a poster hanging on the wall. Each day I look at it and know that I need to work on mine. Here is what the poster says:
Watch your thoughts,
they become words,
Watch your words,
They become your actions,
Watch your actions,
They become habits,
Watch your habits,
They become Character,
Watch your Character,
it becomes your destiny.
(Just food for thought)
Character is God’s love to you, working in and through you! Real, authentic Christian character is formed when you surrender to Christ and allow His piercing work to grow and enrich you, so that the Spirit flows. Building and developing character is not something we just learn from a book or hear from a sermon. It does not come upon us in the night, or sneak up in the day. It does not come automatically, accentually, or suddenly. It is a process that comes from being parented in it. Then it rests in us and in our motives. It is a slow process. You may not realize you have it until others point it out in you. Character is not permanent once it is formed. It requires our continual hold and practice, in His Word, through our prayers and the practice of His Fruit in and through us.
Our spiritual discipline, motives, obedience, and persevering faith will be the keys! All it takes is to be in love with Christ. Seek His presence and be persistent in your prayers. 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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
What is Character?
Character is the springboard from which all we do and say in life comes. Developing biblical character in the face of our daily lives and even in adversity is essential and the proof text that we have a growing relationship with Christ! Character is not just having integrity or honesty or doing the right thing; it is not one aspect or even a few. It is a living, growing relationship in Christ which produces a synergistic combination of the fruits of the Spirit.
In 1 Samuel 25, there is a story of a little known OT personality with great character; a woman named Abigail. This was during the time that David was running from Saul. Passionate jealousy and paranoia drove Saul to pursue and kill David, while popularity and integrity followed David who, although he had many opportunities to kill Saul, chose out of character and respect to let him go. Saul lived in a palace of stone and pride, and David in a cave of dampness and humility, hanging out with the outcasts of the land and his mighty men. During this time, David and his men were doing a security service to the sheep ranchers, saving others sheep from poachers and rustlers. David fulfilled way beyond his duty by protecting what was not his. Then, one of the ranchers who was very rich and had power and authority over the others convinced the ranchers not to pay David and his men. His name was Nabal, which means “a fool!”
What parent would give their child such a name? It probably did not mean that then, but over the years, the meaning changed due to Nabal’s actions. What a legacy to leave behind to be so self-willed and prideful that the meaning of your name changes to describe whom you are--in this case, a fool. How sad and ironic that he came from the house of Caleb who was one of the great men of integrity of the Bible, one of two people to survive the Exodus and venture into the Promise land due to his honor and trustworthiness. Nabal came from this house and family lineage, which was founded upon this great integrity and character, faith and strength, which somehow escaped Nabal.
When Nabal decided to cheat David, he ventured upon a dark path of greed that he thought could be lit from his pride. He thought, what could David do, and then decided to cheat him. David, who had just about had it with Nabal’s deceit, saddled up his men and all drew their swords to kill him. Maybe David was not being what he should be, but Nabal “dug his own grave.” David was consumed with anger and was about to kill him (and justly so in the eyes of his culture and times,) when Abigail intervened. She was a woman who had great character and discernment. She was the wife of Nabal, who owed David financial compensation for saving his sheep and servants from harm. She was able to turn the payback of the evil of her husband into good. Abigail was the complete opposite of her husband!
David was going to repay Nabal’s evil for more evil, even though David let Saul go in the previous chapter for a much more grievous sin. Yet, Nabal, for some reason, really pushed David’s buttons and exasperated his anger. Abigail’s intervention soothed that anger. Thus, David was able to grow stronger in his character development by doing good, even in his anger, and even though he was wronged and cheated. David could have murdered Nabal, suffered consequence for it, and perhaps even forsaking his future kingship. The levelheaded action of Abigail saved the day for him and provided a prime example for David, as well as for us today.
We have a choice to act in evil or goodness; to act with our sinful motives or with what God calls us to, which is far better that we can see in the moment. Let us choose being even better. Who we are will determine what we do. The result will be character. Our growth in Him will make us who we are, which will be the character we present to God and others.
This action of Abigail is a prime example for us that character from the Word and the example of our living Lord is the ultimate force we have for good outside of the Spirit Himself. Character lays the foundation of what is right and what is truth in action (Prov. 17:13; 20:22; 24:29).
The Characteristics of a Christian
In the gospel and letters of John, who was directly inspired by God, we are told clearly and without equivocation how we are to behave as a follower of Christ. From the Gospel’s example of Christ Himself to the deep comfort of our relationship in Him in John 15, if a person’s behavior contradicts what the Word says, he is a just a pretender. In his Epistles, John says if we declare Christ as Lord, have a relationship with Him, but still walk in the darkness of disobedience, how can we be Christian? (1 John 1:6; 2:4) A Christian who denies essential doctrine would be an apostate, which means to reject the truth. For example, claiming Jesus as Lord, and then rejecting His deity, would be a direct contradiction (1 John 2:22-23). Inspired by the Spirit, John tells us that we would be liars. If we decide to love our Lord and hate our fellow Christian, this would also be a direct contradiction, a lie. The three “black lies” of John’s Epistle are the moral, doctrinal, and social problems John faced during his ministry. He realized that if they are not followed in truth and obedience, they are in opposition of the Christian faith. Therefore, the Christian would be a liar! We may claim that we are a Christian because we grew up in or go to a church, we made a decision at a crusade, or because our parents are Christian, but when we continue in sin, deny who Christ is, or continue in behavior contrary to Scripture, we are, as John calls it, a liar. Only by what Christ has done for us and by allowing our relationship in Him produce the characters of holiness, faith and love in us, can we prove the claim we have in God and not be liars.
Character comes out from a life that is hurried, stressed, overwhelmed, and yet where promises are made and deadlines are met. It is a computation of who we are in those stressed moments. Character is not just something we put into our lives, but it is what comes out of our lives in those hurried times. It is beyond a system of values or virtue we learn from our parents, or even at church. Character is who you are to God Himself and those around you. It is the real you! The church and parents must teach it, but they cannot insure its function. That is the responsibility of our choice, a determination we make ourselves, a stand in stress that we continue to uphold.
The pastor must preach it, the parents sculpt it, the church encourage and model it through the precepts of the Word!
We as a community of Christians show the world the way of God’s truth by modeling His character. What comes from the Christian and the church will be the image of God the community will see, the model of character they perceive God to be. It shows to a deprived society, one that is confused, and searching for spiritual truth wherever they can find it, that truth in you!
What is Character?
Character is aligning our lives so our behaviors are Christ-like. It is the fruit that the vine of our abiding in Christ will produce. Thus, we look to the life of our Lord as our prime example. We seek not so much what Jesus would do, but what would Jesus have me do! This alignment is what produces “the fruit of the Spirit,” that we find in Paul's letter to the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23a)
Obviously, we cannot re-enact His character with any kind of perfection. However, we can try our best by the power He gives us. The fact that our Lord was also fully human and lived a life of perfection should give us hope and encouragement of what is possible. “Be conformed to the image of God's Son." (Romans 8:29) Below is a listing of the most common fruits and characteristics we are to emulate. These all work together to allow us to shine for His glory. Just like the facets of a diamond, with only one or a few you will not see its depth, splendor, and beauty. Let us be diamonds that shine; that are cut to His purpose and call and not rough and hidden.
Is Good Character In You?
Here is how you can find out. Look through each of these character and fruit listings from God’s most precious Word and ask yourself:
1. How can they be exhibited?
2. How can they be developed?
3. How can they function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress?
The Galatians Fruits: (Galatians 5:22-23)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
· Love will enable us to appreciate our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and, of course, our family, and others around us. Love is taking the initiative to build up and meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. (John 13:1; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:3)
· Joy will allow us to enjoy His creation, others, and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others. (Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13)
· Peace is surrendering and yielding to the Lord’s control, for He is our ultimate peace! It is allowing tranquility to be our tone and to control our equanimity. This will be fueled by our harmonious relationship with God so we can hand over control of our heart, will, and mind to Him. Once we make real peace with God, we will be able to make and maintain peace with others. (Matthew 5:9; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7)
· Patience is showing tolerance and fortitude to others, and even accepting difficult situations from them and God without making demands and conditions. (Matthew 27:14; Romans 12:12; James 1:3,12)
· Kindness is practicing benevolence and a loving attitude towards others. (Ephesians 4:32)
· Goodness displays integrity, honesty, and compassion to others, and allows us to do the right thing. (Matthew 19:16)
· Faithfulness is the “gluing” fruit that will preserve our faith and the other characters of the Spirit as well as identify God's Will so we can be dependable and trusting to God and others. (Matthew 17:19; 25:21; 1 Cor. 12:9; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thess. 5:24)
· Gentleness is the character that will show calmness, personal care, and tenderness in meeting the needs of others. (Isa. 40:11; Phil. 4: 5; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Thess. 2:7)
· Self-Control will allow us to have discipline, and restraint with obedience to God and others. (1 Thess. 5: 22)
Please add your thoughts and verses and share with the group. By God's word we will grow and challange each other. Even though we are not gathered in the same room we are gathering in his name. The bible says:
Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and views.
Let's open in a prayer: Dear Lord while I am praying this prayer alone today I ask that you bless each reader of this blog. We all need your blessings. I pray that you open our hearts, minds, and character to this subject. Guide us to be better friends, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins. You know our hearts bless us as we do your will. Amen.
Let's start with CHARACTER. Why you may ask would I choose this. Well in my office I have a poster hanging on the wall. Each day I look at it and know that I need to work on mine. Here is what the poster says:
Watch your thoughts,
they become words,
Watch your words,
They become your actions,
Watch your actions,
They become habits,
Watch your habits,
They become Character,
Watch your Character,
it becomes your destiny.
(Just food for thought)
Character is God’s love to you, working in and through you! Real, authentic Christian character is formed when you surrender to Christ and allow His piercing work to grow and enrich you, so that the Spirit flows. Building and developing character is not something we just learn from a book or hear from a sermon. It does not come upon us in the night, or sneak up in the day. It does not come automatically, accentually, or suddenly. It is a process that comes from being parented in it. Then it rests in us and in our motives. It is a slow process. You may not realize you have it until others point it out in you. Character is not permanent once it is formed. It requires our continual hold and practice, in His Word, through our prayers and the practice of His Fruit in and through us.
Our spiritual discipline, motives, obedience, and persevering faith will be the keys! All it takes is to be in love with Christ. Seek His presence and be persistent in your prayers. 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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
What is Character?
Character is the springboard from which all we do and say in life comes. Developing biblical character in the face of our daily lives and even in adversity is essential and the proof text that we have a growing relationship with Christ! Character is not just having integrity or honesty or doing the right thing; it is not one aspect or even a few. It is a living, growing relationship in Christ which produces a synergistic combination of the fruits of the Spirit.
In 1 Samuel 25, there is a story of a little known OT personality with great character; a woman named Abigail. This was during the time that David was running from Saul. Passionate jealousy and paranoia drove Saul to pursue and kill David, while popularity and integrity followed David who, although he had many opportunities to kill Saul, chose out of character and respect to let him go. Saul lived in a palace of stone and pride, and David in a cave of dampness and humility, hanging out with the outcasts of the land and his mighty men. During this time, David and his men were doing a security service to the sheep ranchers, saving others sheep from poachers and rustlers. David fulfilled way beyond his duty by protecting what was not his. Then, one of the ranchers who was very rich and had power and authority over the others convinced the ranchers not to pay David and his men. His name was Nabal, which means “a fool!”
What parent would give their child such a name? It probably did not mean that then, but over the years, the meaning changed due to Nabal’s actions. What a legacy to leave behind to be so self-willed and prideful that the meaning of your name changes to describe whom you are--in this case, a fool. How sad and ironic that he came from the house of Caleb who was one of the great men of integrity of the Bible, one of two people to survive the Exodus and venture into the Promise land due to his honor and trustworthiness. Nabal came from this house and family lineage, which was founded upon this great integrity and character, faith and strength, which somehow escaped Nabal.
When Nabal decided to cheat David, he ventured upon a dark path of greed that he thought could be lit from his pride. He thought, what could David do, and then decided to cheat him. David, who had just about had it with Nabal’s deceit, saddled up his men and all drew their swords to kill him. Maybe David was not being what he should be, but Nabal “dug his own grave.” David was consumed with anger and was about to kill him (and justly so in the eyes of his culture and times,) when Abigail intervened. She was a woman who had great character and discernment. She was the wife of Nabal, who owed David financial compensation for saving his sheep and servants from harm. She was able to turn the payback of the evil of her husband into good. Abigail was the complete opposite of her husband!
David was going to repay Nabal’s evil for more evil, even though David let Saul go in the previous chapter for a much more grievous sin. Yet, Nabal, for some reason, really pushed David’s buttons and exasperated his anger. Abigail’s intervention soothed that anger. Thus, David was able to grow stronger in his character development by doing good, even in his anger, and even though he was wronged and cheated. David could have murdered Nabal, suffered consequence for it, and perhaps even forsaking his future kingship. The levelheaded action of Abigail saved the day for him and provided a prime example for David, as well as for us today.
We have a choice to act in evil or goodness; to act with our sinful motives or with what God calls us to, which is far better that we can see in the moment. Let us choose being even better. Who we are will determine what we do. The result will be character. Our growth in Him will make us who we are, which will be the character we present to God and others.
This action of Abigail is a prime example for us that character from the Word and the example of our living Lord is the ultimate force we have for good outside of the Spirit Himself. Character lays the foundation of what is right and what is truth in action (Prov. 17:13; 20:22; 24:29).
The Characteristics of a Christian
In the gospel and letters of John, who was directly inspired by God, we are told clearly and without equivocation how we are to behave as a follower of Christ. From the Gospel’s example of Christ Himself to the deep comfort of our relationship in Him in John 15, if a person’s behavior contradicts what the Word says, he is a just a pretender. In his Epistles, John says if we declare Christ as Lord, have a relationship with Him, but still walk in the darkness of disobedience, how can we be Christian? (1 John 1:6; 2:4) A Christian who denies essential doctrine would be an apostate, which means to reject the truth. For example, claiming Jesus as Lord, and then rejecting His deity, would be a direct contradiction (1 John 2:22-23). Inspired by the Spirit, John tells us that we would be liars. If we decide to love our Lord and hate our fellow Christian, this would also be a direct contradiction, a lie. The three “black lies” of John’s Epistle are the moral, doctrinal, and social problems John faced during his ministry. He realized that if they are not followed in truth and obedience, they are in opposition of the Christian faith. Therefore, the Christian would be a liar! We may claim that we are a Christian because we grew up in or go to a church, we made a decision at a crusade, or because our parents are Christian, but when we continue in sin, deny who Christ is, or continue in behavior contrary to Scripture, we are, as John calls it, a liar. Only by what Christ has done for us and by allowing our relationship in Him produce the characters of holiness, faith and love in us, can we prove the claim we have in God and not be liars.
Character comes out from a life that is hurried, stressed, overwhelmed, and yet where promises are made and deadlines are met. It is a computation of who we are in those stressed moments. Character is not just something we put into our lives, but it is what comes out of our lives in those hurried times. It is beyond a system of values or virtue we learn from our parents, or even at church. Character is who you are to God Himself and those around you. It is the real you! The church and parents must teach it, but they cannot insure its function. That is the responsibility of our choice, a determination we make ourselves, a stand in stress that we continue to uphold.
The pastor must preach it, the parents sculpt it, the church encourage and model it through the precepts of the Word!
We as a community of Christians show the world the way of God’s truth by modeling His character. What comes from the Christian and the church will be the image of God the community will see, the model of character they perceive God to be. It shows to a deprived society, one that is confused, and searching for spiritual truth wherever they can find it, that truth in you!
What is Character?
Character is aligning our lives so our behaviors are Christ-like. It is the fruit that the vine of our abiding in Christ will produce. Thus, we look to the life of our Lord as our prime example. We seek not so much what Jesus would do, but what would Jesus have me do! This alignment is what produces “the fruit of the Spirit,” that we find in Paul's letter to the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23a)
Obviously, we cannot re-enact His character with any kind of perfection. However, we can try our best by the power He gives us. The fact that our Lord was also fully human and lived a life of perfection should give us hope and encouragement of what is possible. “Be conformed to the image of God's Son." (Romans 8:29) Below is a listing of the most common fruits and characteristics we are to emulate. These all work together to allow us to shine for His glory. Just like the facets of a diamond, with only one or a few you will not see its depth, splendor, and beauty. Let us be diamonds that shine; that are cut to His purpose and call and not rough and hidden.
Is Good Character In You?
Here is how you can find out. Look through each of these character and fruit listings from God’s most precious Word and ask yourself:
1. How can they be exhibited?
2. How can they be developed?
3. How can they function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress?
The Galatians Fruits: (Galatians 5:22-23)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
· Love will enable us to appreciate our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and, of course, our family, and others around us. Love is taking the initiative to build up and meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. (John 13:1; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:3)
· Joy will allow us to enjoy His creation, others, and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others. (Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13)
· Peace is surrendering and yielding to the Lord’s control, for He is our ultimate peace! It is allowing tranquility to be our tone and to control our equanimity. This will be fueled by our harmonious relationship with God so we can hand over control of our heart, will, and mind to Him. Once we make real peace with God, we will be able to make and maintain peace with others. (Matthew 5:9; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7)
· Patience is showing tolerance and fortitude to others, and even accepting difficult situations from them and God without making demands and conditions. (Matthew 27:14; Romans 12:12; James 1:3,12)
· Kindness is practicing benevolence and a loving attitude towards others. (Ephesians 4:32)
· Goodness displays integrity, honesty, and compassion to others, and allows us to do the right thing. (Matthew 19:16)
· Faithfulness is the “gluing” fruit that will preserve our faith and the other characters of the Spirit as well as identify God's Will so we can be dependable and trusting to God and others. (Matthew 17:19; 25:21; 1 Cor. 12:9; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thess. 5:24)
· Gentleness is the character that will show calmness, personal care, and tenderness in meeting the needs of others. (Isa. 40:11; Phil. 4: 5; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Thess. 2:7)
· Self-Control will allow us to have discipline, and restraint with obedience to God and others. (1 Thess. 5: 22)
Please add your thoughts and verses and share with the group. By God's word we will grow and challange each other. Even though we are not gathered in the same room we are gathering in his name. The bible says:
Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and views.
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