Fruit of Peace

 

Our journey continues through the fruits of the spirit as we explore peace.  Peace is defined differently among people.  Whether utter silence or complete chaos, people can experience peace.  Personally, this word has been defined by me numerous ways throughout my life.  As a young adult, I wanted peace to calm my anxious thoughts about a new job.  As a new mom, it was definitely the peace of silence.  As a working woman, the peace I sought was the ability to successfully balance all that was delivered to my plate.  Although what peace looked like in each phase of my life may have changed, what anchored all of those definitions was peace for my soul.  When my soul was at peace, I was able to attain the peace I sought.

We may believe that peace can be attained through the outside entities around us – a calming environment, a stress-free vacation, a checklist that is complete.  Those external factors are quickly replaced with direct opposites in our lives.  The calming environment becomes chaos, the stress-free vacation has a hiccup, the checklist gets ‘one more thing added.’  Peace is replaced by a number of conflicting emotions.  When my soul was at peace versus the world around me, I realized that I had met the goal, the peace I was looking for.

So how do we gain a peaceful soul?  There is truly only one way that is achieved – by having peace with God.  Peace from God is freely given to us through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit touches our souls and gives to us the peace that God wants in our lives – the peace that passes all understanding.  As humans, we may resist gaining peace from God.  We may find getting peace from God too simple or too easy.  God provides us the ‘easy’ peace because He wants our souls to be rooted in Him.  This means that in order for us to have a peaceful soul, we need to trust God.  Now there is the trick question, do you trust God?  Stop before answering! 

Do you go to God with all your decisions in your life?  Do you accept His answers?  Do you trust Him with the chaos in your life?  Do you have complete confidence that in the messy parts of your life, God is present and is walking you through the mess to cleanse you?  When we can get to that part of living, regardless of the circumstances, we can trust God is with us, forgiving us, directing us, and loving us.   Then we can experience His incredible peace.  His peace washes over us in happiness and sadness.  His peace finds root in our soul and every part of our body can feel it.  When peace seems to evade you, look to where you are putting your trust.  Have Simple Faith!  Trust in God!  Enjoy a Peaceful Soul!

Video that complements this post:  Fruit of Peace

Holy Spirit, remind me of God’s peace for my soul.  Help me to trust all that He is doing in my life and let peace wash over me.  Amen!

Fruit of Joy

 

The fruit of JOY!  There is nothing better for our souls than joy.  It is better than good; better than great.  It is that deeper and richer feeling we have when joy permeates our being.  We are blessed to have that feeling because the Holy Spirit resides inside us.  There are numerous times and situations that can bring us happiness.  I firmly believe to have true joy means that Jesus is with us.  The reason behind that is that there can be joy in difficult times.  Remember James 1:2-3?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

When I think back upon my life, was I able to consider joy during trials?  To be honest, I am not certain.  Yet, I do remember two distinct moments when joy replaced sadness in my life.  Both of these scenarios were when I lost my parents.  It has been 25 years since my dad passed.  We did not anticipate his leaving us so soon, and as sad as I was to see him leave earth, the joy I felt in my heart is that he was in heaven with Jesus – singing with the angels.  The same feeling of joy came over me as I watched my mom pass into her heavenly home, almost ten months ago.  As difficult as it was to watch her pass to Jesus, my heart was joyful because she so yearned to see Jesus’ face.  I knew the joy she wanted.

Joy can creep up on us and provide us moments of peace during moments of trial.   The joy that comes with challenges is reflected in our true understanding that Jesus is with us, the Holy Spirit is in us.  When we fully experience the fruit of joy, we know that walking with us is the One who can give us certainty amongst the uncertain; the One who can give us purpose amongst the confusion.  Falling into the Holy Spirit’s arms of joy, and knowing we carry that joy within us, assists us in sharing our joy with others.

During my battle with cancer, there were times I felt joyful.  When I finally realized that Jesus was with me, fighting my battle with me, ensuring we were in this together, joy filled my heart.  My head may have been bald, but my heart was full of joy!  Friends, our joy, the joy found in the Holy Spirit, can fill us up when we least expect it.  Our hope and joy and anchored in Jesus.  What do we need to do to have this joy?  Have simple faith that He has freely given joy to each and every one of us.  By His death and resurrection, we can live in the joy of a heavenly home!  May joy fill your soul!

Video that complements this post:  Fruit of Joy

Holy Spirit, thank you for filling my soul with joy.  May I share this joy that you so freely provide me with to all that I meet.  May they know that my joy, in all circumstances, comes from you.  Amen!

Fruit of Love

I would like to take a couple of sentences to say, “Thank You”!  April 7^th noted the 13^th year I have been writing my Simple Faith for Today weekly blog.  Started as a personal release for my own thoughts on the impact of Jesus on our lives, through your continued support, you have inspired me to write on topics that have uplifted all of us!  I appreciate your wonderful comments and look forward to the years ahead, with God’s grace.

As a suggestion from my friend Mary, the next few weeks will focus on the Fruits of the Spirit.  We will highlight each of the wonderful fruits that the Holy Spirit has placed in our lives.  What better way than to start with LOVE!  The fruit of love can span numerous aspects of our lives.  The word love tends to bring reflection of those close to us, our spouses, significant others, immediate family members, etc.  We are supposed to love them, they are family!  Yet, what does that love look like?  How are we supposed to share this love with family?  It looks different for each person, each family.  Exploring what this looks like for you is the goal.  How do you express your love to your family members?  Are there areas where you can improve what love looks like for those closest to you? 

There is also love expressed to ourselves.  I hear so often, “You need to love yourself before you can love others.”  I have always had a hard time with that statement – it seems very self-centered.  But I can understand that if we are not able to accept ourselves for who we are, the good and the ugly parts of ourselves, it will be hard to accept that in others, to love that in others.  We are all imperfect.  Celebrating those imperfections is part of the love experience.  Looking inward to who we are and understanding our imperfections and our sinful nature gives us the capacity to be less judgmental and more empathetic with those around us. 

Speaking of those around us, loving our neighbors is a charge that comes directly from Jesus.  “Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37-39) Ah, the words of Jesus piercing our hearts and souls.  This should be easy enough, right?  Yet, I challenge you to think of times when you may be frustrated and angry with those you meet.  Is the fruit of love emanating from you?  Are you reflecting God’s love for you to others?  I can very definitively state that there have been times when I have not behaved and showered those around me with love.  Reflecting upon the fruit of love provides us an opportunity to determine where we struggle most with love.  Is it loving all aspects of yourself?  Is it loving your family members, those you may take for granted?  Is it loving your neighbor, the strangers you may meet?

This is an opportunity for all of us to answer the following question:  Where can I improve sharing my love to others as Jesus shared His love for me?  Take the moment to reflect and make a commitment to move forward in love – the love that Jesus wants us to share through the Holy Spirit that He so richly gave to us.  You can do it!  Just have simple faith!

Video that complements this post:  Fruit of Love

Holy Spirit, continue to ignite love within my heart and provide me with the knowledge of how I can improve sharing that love with others.  Show me the path to showing others the fruit of love.  Amen! 

Renewed Heart

 

Halleluiah!  Happy Easter.  The day we have been waiting for is here.  Christ is Risen!  I adore the hymns of Easter.  The hope and energy that surrounds those words singing from the rafters leaves me walking on air as I exit the sanctuary.  I am almost certain that is the way the women must have felt when they met Jesus on the path that first Easter morning!  The energy seems as if life starts all over again.  And it does!

Holy Week brings us such insights into Jesus’ walk.  From the temple in Jerusalem to the cross at Golgotha, walking in Jesus’ steps can bring sadness and despair.  When that rock is rolled in front of the tomb, closing Jesus’ body inside, the world became dark.  Our world can seem like that as well.  When sadness and despair rains upon us, it can seem as if we are in the darkest place of the world.  Sadness and despair can be driven by external circumstances, such as physical pain, relationship suffering, or death of loved ones.  Sadness and despair can also be driven by our internal circumstances such as leading a sinful life that we cannot break hold of.

My friends, the good news is found today, at Easter.  As our verse for today shares, our sadness and despair, whatever may cause it, is buried with Jesus in the tomb.  When Jesus was raised from death to a new life, we too live our new life.  The weight of our sin is lifted, from our shoulders to Jesus’ shoulders.  Our sadness and despair can break free from our hearts and given to Jesus.  With His love, mercy, and grace, we know that we are saved.  The light that comes with Jesus’ resurrection is the light that we live – new every day.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17.

May Jesus fill your heart and your soul.  May you feel the new life that He has given you; may it fill you with hope and joy.  May His blood that was shed on the cross, fill your veins with love.  May you know that your sadness and despair can be replaced with happiness and shouts of Halleluiah!  Our hearts are renewed as we continue to bring Jesus into our lives.  Each day that we worship Him, He fills us with His blessings.  “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.  Sing His praises.  Live in His light.  Surround yourself with the newness that only Jesus can bring.

On this Easter, walk in your renewed heart of wonder.  Have simple faith that Jesus is always with you.  Happy Easter!

Complementary video to this post:  Renewed Heart

Dearest Jesus, thank you for fulfilling God’s prophecy.  Because of Your death and resurrection, we are new in life with You.  May we be reminded of this goodness each and every day.  Praise be to You!  Amen.

Joyful Heart

 

Palm Sunday!  There were many hearts that I wanted to write about this Palm Sunday.  I chose a Joyful Heart to God!  When I read any of the Gospel’s account of Palm Sunday, I can’t help but smile as I read how the people of Jesus’ time welcomed him into Jerusalem.  Although His entrance was on a meager donkey, the King of Kings received the praises that He so justly deserved.  How wonderful it must have been to be among the crowds who were spreading their cloaks and waving palm branches high in the sky!  How happy they all must have been. 

Being happy tends to be associated with a certain situation.  We can be happy about many things, a situation that leaned in our favor, a compliment, recognition, etc.  All of these and many more can bring happiness to our lives.  Joy is an emotion so much richer than happiness.  Joy is deeper and more internalized.  Times in our lives can bring happiness to the forefront, but when have you felt true joy?

Our joy is anchored on the shoulders of Jesus.  Knowing that unconditional love, unconditional acceptance and forgiveness of sins come from the One who entered Jerusalem on a donkey can bring true joy.  That knowledge brings a joyful heart to God.  That level of joy is rooted in fertile soil, bringing rich growth to our lives.  If you have experienced joy, you know that it sets your heart on fire.  Joy grows from within you; happiness happens to you.

When I reflect on when joy seeped from my soul, it was when I married my husband with God a strong part of our relationship.  It was when I saw my children confirmed, knowing that God was planted firmly in their hearts.  There was joy when my grandchildren were baptized/dedicated.  A smile crossed my lips on those occasions, but I also remember crying tears of joy.  The emotion was something deeper, something richer.

Our joy comes from the trust and simple faith we have in Jesus.  It is seen not just in times of goodness, but it also evident in challenges.  James 1:2 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  Joy during trials?  YES!  Even in those times, even more so, we feel Jesus’ unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness of sins.  Joy sets our heart on fire.  Although we will face difficulties, we have joy in knowing that God is there with us, walking right beside us.

On this Palm Sunday, may we share our joy for Jesus as we sing “Hosanna in the Highest.”  May the joy that fills our hearts be shared with Jesus not just on Palm Sunday, but every day.  His mercy, grace and blessings are worthy of our joyful praises.

Video that complements this post:  Joyful Heart

Dearest Jesus, Hosanna in the Highest!  We thank you for giving us the joy that only You can give.  May our joyful hearts reach you each day.  Amen!  

Hopeful Heart

 

A Hopeful Heart.  Hope is one of those words that can be misleading, at least in the Biblical sense.  “I hope so” or “Here’s hoping it happens” are phrases I hear.  It is almost as if hope can be replaced with wish.  I am sure I have said those phrases myself!  Hope, in that context, seems to give off the air of uncertainty.  Maybe what I am hoping for will be attained.  Maybe it will come to fruition.  I am not sure it will occur, but I really wish it does.  Not sure if this is in my future, but I hope it is.

 When we really delve into the word hope, there is so much more there to unpack.    As Christians, hope brings about a much stronger sense of actualization, a stronger sense of certainty.  Our hope is rooted in the Lord.  My friends, there is no ‘wishful thinking’ when it comes to Jesus.  With our Lord, we can move from wishful thinking to confident expectation.  The key word is confident.  When we pray to Jesus, we bring our confident hope that He is listening.  We can stand firmly in the knowledge that He will see us, hear us, answer us, and love us.

 Jesus’ hope is far different than earthly hope.  Jesus’ hope is rooted in the trust we have for Him.  Trusting that God knows best for our lives, we can have confidence that our future will be His plan, as long as we follow where He wants to take us.  When we hope in the Lord, our future is set and our strength is renewed.  This is where the basis of simple faith begins.  I have heard people discuss faith as if it were a difficult thesis that needed to be dissected.  I look at faith in a much more simplistic way.  Hebrews 11:1 says it best, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

 As Easter approaches, we are reminded of what Jesus did for us, how He fulfilled prophecy, for our souls, for our hearts.  His death on the cross gave us the hope for an eternal life with Him.  Our hope is grounded in the knowledge that we will see Jesus’ face one day.  With that hope, we are able to get through life on earth.  During the difficult and challenging times, when our strength is wavering, we can hope, with confidence and trust, that Jesus will see us through those times.  It may not be the result that we were expecting, but we can be assured that it is the plan that He has for us when we put our hope in Him.

 Hope is there for all of us.   When life has us wondering if we can move forward, fall softly into Jesus’ arms and know that your hope for the future is with Him.  Have simple faith and gain strength from the hope He provides.

 Video that complements this post:  Hopeful Heart

  Dearest Lord, we thank you for being assured that our hope lies in you!  Thank you for giving us confidence for tomorrow and the faith to know you have us in your loving arms.  Amen!

Grateful Heart

 

 

Thank You, Jesus!  It is easy to muster those words when our lives are full of blessings.  Reflect upon the times when you thanked Jesus for His goodness.  Could those words have been shared to Jesus when you received great results on a health condition?  Did you possibly give thanks to Jesus after completing and delivering that very difficult work presentation?  Upon the delivery of a healthy baby, did you reach out to praise Jesus?  Maybe it was the milestone wedding anniversary where thanks to Jesus parted from your lips.

Today’s verse, though, is stating that we should always give thanks for EVERYTHING.  Not just the good times, but the difficult times as well.  This mirrors up with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which states to “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  My friends, it may be more challenging to muster a thank you to Jesus during those times, the times of waiting.

• Waiting on the results of a health condition is not only painful physically, but mentally.  Waiting puts a strain on our soul and can put a strain on our faith.  Jesus, why are you letting this happen to me? 
• Preparing for that work presentation may have meant sleepless nights, tons of revisions, and could have produced a sense of self-doubt in your ability.  Jesus, why are you letting this happen to me?
• Delivering a healthy baby could have been the result of years of waiting to get pregnant.  That waiting and trials can erode one’s faith.  Jesus, why are you letting this happen to me?
• Rejoicing in a milestone wedding anniversary resulted in a challenging relationship journey, filled with times of miscommunication and lack of respect that begged to wonder if the marriage should continue.  During those times doubt crept in.  Jesus, why are you letting this happen to me?

Choosing gratitude in difficult times, in times of waiting is hard.  It is normal to question Jesus during the challenging situations in our lives.  My friends, it is during those times that Jesus is there for us.  Just the fact that you can go to Jesus with your questions, with your pain, and with your doubts is reason for gratitude.  He is always there for us, listening to us, and providing us comfort in the chaos of life.  His grace is always present.  Giving Him praise that He has our lives under control and that there is a path forward that is best for us is the simple faith we need to hold on to each day.

Video that complements this post:  Grateful Heart

Dearest Jesus, remind us to give thanks for ALL that is happening in our lives – to blessings and the challenges.  Your path for our lives is one that will always be revealed to us, in Your time.  Amen.