Fruit Of The Spirit

Live By The Spirit

Dan

It has been my observation; after listing the fruit of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds the believers that they “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). This is his way of describing our turn from sin to Jesus.

In my house above the kitchen sink is a beautiful Christmas cactus, I have had it for a few years. I have watered it and ensured it gets light. It has graced me with growth, but none of its glorious flowers. Then a few weeks ago, I noticed that a bud had appeared, then the leaves changed color and the bud unfolded into a wondrous blossom. The transition this plant displayed was amazing. I think we are similar, the Spirit waters and gives us plenty of Light. This takes a while, but many of us do blossom into a magnificent flower with the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul says — For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin (Romans 6:5-7).

Being crucified with Jesus is the turning point – the place where we transition from death into life – the place where we start all over – the place where we experience the effect of free will for the first time. This does not mean we will never sin again, but it does mean we can move forward.

Paul says — 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 5:24).

I think, we are given an exceptional gift, a gift to walk forward, surrendered to God. Not so easy to surrender, goodness I know about resistance, being a rebel and all the things that go with not looking at the endgame, just looking at the pieces. Our surrender is an act of the will, our will, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Would we yield to him on our own? Not likely. Without help we just stand there, hoping no one would notice. Saying yes to God is no trivial thing.

I have noted when perusing both Romans 6 and Romans 12, putting God first is the only appropriate response to God. The only sensible response for God. The only logical response to God. If we embrace this response, we find the mercy he extends to us and the grace he created for us. If we continue to resist, well we will soon suffer a divided heart. We will have one foot centered in his will and one foot dragging behind, stuck in the world.

In this state, One could say that we are of two minds, we want God’s sheltering protection but we are not so interested in living within his circle of influence. We are willing to walk away from sin when it is convenient, but we do not walk away from sin when it is not convenient. I can rationalize and make ‘excellent logical reasons’ why my decision is ok, but in the end, God is not impressed, and he waits. He patiently waits. How about you? Do you find yourself rationalizing?

CS Lewis says – If we let God – for we can prevent him if we choose – He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a … dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine a bright, stainless mirror which reflects aback to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness.

So, what does this mean? This essay is about His amazing power to transform us, the Holy Spirit will lift our heart and carry to completion the journey of transformation for you and for me – The transformation leads to the renewing of our mind. First comes conviction, then conversion and filling. Then comes transformation. The final step is the renewing of the mind. This ‘thing’ works from the inside out. We can collect scripture about proper behavior and feel good, basking in the sunlight. Or we can allow the word to transform our heart and then allow the Holy Spirit to renew the source of our behavior – our mind. Please do not lose sight of Proverbs 23:7 – as a man thinks, a man is.

Hanging with God, at the deepest level, our heart and mind begins to crave God’s grace and mercy, rejecting the old ways that seem so comfortable in the past… What do we do? How do we respond to the craving? As a man thinks, a man is.

I choose Jesus.

Hollywood And The Tree Frogs

Dan

When the moon passes by the front window and moon shadows grow long almost laying on the floor, then the birds start to sing, and the sky transforms from twinkly black to a beautiful blue. The clouds began their morning dance as the wind picks up a bit and pushes down the road to the next ranch. Here at the Bent Knee Ranch, Hollywood is first rousing, looking for a sip of coffee and breakfast.

Hollywood says — Ahh…  breakfast; the warm smell of porridge, apples, and raisins in a bowl. Ahhhh… So yummy.

Miss Tillie knows what Hollywood likes and sets out to create a grand morning breakfast. The creative work she does in the kitchen is her offering of service to the one true living God. She says, it is my privilege to be of service to God, to help Hollywood begin his day on the Ranch, and to make this home a small glimpse of heaven. Every task in the house is done to bring glory to God, it is a privilege to serve God in this way. God made us to be creative and to do all things to his Glory – even a thing like cooking and homemaking becomes artwork and ministry as the home she builds is used to serve the community.

Then she asks Hollywood — when do you think the Tree frogs will start singing this year?

Hollywood replies – Soon. Very Soon. The weather is just right. Perhaps before the week is completed. I will let you know what I see when I get out onto the land.

So, Hollywood leaves the house and starts working on his ranch duties. He mends a few fences, checks on the cattle, repairs the barn door, and then rides the range looking for calves that are wandering alone and unprotected. His day is long and he sings to pass the time. He was taught by his grandfather that his work on the land is a ministry to Miss Tillie and the others that come to visit and ask questions about life. But, today he is thinking about Tree Frogs for his Miss Tillie.  He sings a song in his head that his mother taught him many years ago —

Do not look at me with big eyes,

Your glowing look, your sunny sky,

happy days I have come to know,

That tree frog I loved so long ago.

Do not smile for what you do,

It seems my dreams have come true.

We are happy as could be in the blue,

That tree frog smiled so long ago.

He remembers the early days with Miss Tillie. Ranch life was much more uncertain in those days. The thunderstorms often started fires, the wolves were always looking for a free lunch from the herd and the local town was not a nice place to visit.

But times have changed, people grew up and grew wise. Hollywood was part of that change. He did not like to bring attention to himself but he could see the differences in people as he brought peace to the valley of the Bent Knee. He continued singing:

When you speak, I think of trees,

A tree right here in the room with me.

Your voice that calls me so low,

That tree frog lost so long ago.

It is strange how God brings you near,

So many days, so many years.

Now it seems I am moving so slow,

Chasing a tree frog so long ago.

Hollywood smiled. He remembered the songs of his earlier days. Now, his whiskers were a bit gray; he moved a bit slower; he kept a bit closer to the fire in the evening. But his mind was still strong. He loved God, Miss Tillie, the Bent Knee Ranch, the local town, and his cattle. They have lived a grand life. Often people come by in the afternoon to visit and ask questions about their struggles. They know that Hollywood and Miss Tillie have become wise in their old age and they look for his counsel.

But now, it was time for supper, Hollywood found some good things to eat. He chopped and shaped and gently placed his vegetables in the pan to cook them tender through and through. He found a thick steak and placed it on the coals to sear and sizzle until it was a bright pink inside. His coffee cup was empty and he poured Miss Tillie a cup of coffee to have with her meal.

Then Hollywood gave thanks for the meal and quietly watched the sun set on the hills. In the distance he could hear the call of a tree frog, first one, then a second, then a whole choir of singers filling the night with the gentle praise for God’s goodness and mercy as the day ended. Miss Tillie smiled.

Psalm 23:6 — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Gifts To Do What Needs To Be Done

Dan

It was my observation while reading a blog entry posted by Sarah Torbeck (CatholicMom.com), she presented an excellent story about Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who was imprisoned by the German Nazi’s at the age of 52. I have adapted a portion of Sarah’s post for this essay.

Corrie Ten Boom wondered if she would be able to suffer without betraying her Lord Jesus. She described a conversation between herself as a child and her earthly father: “Daddy,” she had said one day, “I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.”  “Tell me,” Her father wisely responded, “when you take a train trip from Haarlem to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?”   “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.”  “That is right,” he replied, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our wise Father in heaven knows when you are going to need things too. Today you do not need the strength to be a martyr. But as soon as you are called upon for the honor of facing death for Jesus, He will supply the strength you need — just in time.”   “I took great comfort in my father’s advice,” Corrie told her audience. “Later I had to suffer for Jesus in a [Nazi] concentration camp.” This is a good example of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Is it real? Yes — it is like a nitro injection for a gas operated engine.

Peter said — Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial [or crazy trial] when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ [it might be an accusation, a false charge, a demand for improper action] you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (Paraphrased from 1 Pet 4:12-14)

Acts tells us — Ananias departed and entered the house [Ananias was looking for Paul]. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (paraphrased from Acts 9:17)

This infilling came from God, on God’s timetable, not Paul’s timetable. God knew Paul needed the power tools that came with the infilling of the Spirit. He prepared Paul for leadership.

Jesus said — I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you [indwelling] and will be in you [infilling] (John 14:16-17).

Acts tells us — brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Paraphrased from Acts 6:3)

This filling was for people who needed spiritual gifts to serve God’s people so the Apostles could continue their leadership tasks and not be distracted by administration issues. These men were team players.

Jesus said — When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27).

We are filled by the Spirit with truth to speak.

Jesus said — when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine (John 16:12-15).

We are filled with the Spirit in power and given Gifts to do what needs to be done. He fills us, the Spirit directs us, we move. As we diminish control, the Spirit increases control. The gifts granted by the spirit fulfill his mission, in his time, for his purpose. We should feel extremely blessed to be a part of the event. We need him to minister to others, he does not need us to act.

I choose Jesus.

You are led by the Spirit

Dan

Written by Dan

It has been my observation that Paul often talked about the nature of self-control. I found 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to be an interesting expression of his view. He wondered if we were aware of the purpose of the human race – getting the prize. He knew that all serious competitors would enter a strict training plan to prepare for the race – the journey. He mused at the temporary honor they obtained for all their work and noted how much better our prize of everlasting life was for the journey.

Then comes the heart of his message in 1 Corinthians – Paul was not interested in aimlessly running the race for mere trinkets at the end, he did not train to merely shadow box or run in place. The personal training was to like most training, the training included forcefully causing the body to become a slave to our mind, not driven by urges and glances, rather to be managed by self-control. God created us in his image, our body is not evil in and of itself. However, our body is a strong center of weakness, it requires management, so our mind remains in control, not our hands, eyes, nose, or urges. Why? Because impulses can be destructive to spiritual life. As a man thinks – a man is (Proverbs 23:6)

Galatians 5:13-26 says — You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious … those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. (NIV)

This message in Galatians was completely in line with the Matthew 5 message from Jesus when he spoke about removing the eye if the eye causes sin or remove the hand if it causes sin. I do not think Jesus was recommending we actually poke our eye or remove a hand. But the message was clear, walk away from sin, it I deadly, it is dangerous, walk away. I think in the same way, Paul was telling us to bring our body into submission, develop the discipline needed to control our personal actions so we stay true to Jesus.

Imagine a runner, who is very skillful and successful in each race exhibiting a selflessness that leaves no trace of conceit. A good runner knows he is going to be standing at the pole, waiting to start, he gently responds to the respect from the younger runners, many more know of him than he realized. During the race he is observed for technique, the younger emulate him. During the race he respects the other runners, he does not need to provoke the other runners hoping to involve a mistake that will give him the advantage. He simply runs his race, his way. He has no envy in his heart for the other runners.

So then, we are not left without positive tools to help manage the body and our mind. Paul names the tools ‘the fruit of the Spirit’.  We are to embrace a joyful heart, seek a peaceful disposition, develop forbearance in all circumstances, always treat other with kindness, find the goodness of God in all things,

Use faithfulness to cement our commitments, pursue an enduring attitude of gentleness, and in all these things cultivate self-control that overrides all our impulses.

I choose Jesus.

Live by the Spirit

Dan

Written By Dan

It has been my observation; after listing the fruit of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds the believers that they “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). This is his way of describing our turn from sin to Jesus.

In my house above the kitchen sink is a beautiful Christmas cactus, I have had it for a few years. I have watered it and ensured it gets light. It has graced me with growth, but none of its glorious flowers. Then a few weeks ago, I noticed that a bud had appeared, then the leaves changed color and the bud unfolded into a wondrous blossom. The transition this plant displayed was amazing. I think we are similar, the Spirit waters and gives us plenty of Light. This takes a while, but many of us do blossom into a magnificent flower with the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul says — For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin (Romans 6:5-7).

Being crucified with Jesus is the turning point – the place where we transition from death into life – the place where we start all over – the place where we experience the effect of free will for the first time. This does not mean we will never sin again, but it does mean we can move forward.

Paul says — 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 5:24).

I think, we are given an exceptional gift, a gift to walk forward, surrendered to God. Not so easy to surrender, goodness I know about resistance, being a rebel and all the things that go with not looking at the endgame, just looking at the pieces. Our surrender is an act of the will, our will, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Would we yield to him on our own? Not likely. Without help we just stand there, hoping no one would notice. Saying yes to God is no trivial thing.

I have noted when perusing both Romans 6 and Romans 12, putting God first is the only appropriate response to God. The only sensible response for God. The only logical response to God. If we embrace this response, we find the mercy he extends to us and the grace he created for us. If we continue to resist, well we will soon suffer a divided heart. We will have one foot centered in his will and one foot dragging behind, stuck in the world.

In this state, One could say that we are of two minds, we want God’s sheltering protection but we are not so interested in living within his circle of influence. We are willing to walk away from sin when it is convenient, but we do not walk away from sin when it is not convenient. I can rationalize and make ‘excellent logical reasons’ why my decision is ok, but in the end, God is not impressed, and he waits. He patiently waits. How about you? Do you find yourself rationalizing?

CS Lewis says – If we let God – for we can prevent him if we choose – He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a … dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine a bright, stainless mirror which reflects aback to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness.

So, what does this mean? This essay is about His amazing power to transform us, the Holy Spirit will lift our heart and carry to completion the journey of transformation for you and for me – The transformation leads to the renewing of our mind. First comes conviction, then conversion and filling. Then comes transformation. The final step is the renewing of the mind. This ‘thing’ works from the inside out. We can collect scripture about proper behavior and feel good, basking in the sunlight. Or we can allow the word to transform our heart and then allow the Holy Spirit to renew the source of our behavior – our mind. Please do not lose sight of Proverbs 23:7 – as a man thinks, a man is.

Hanging with God, at the deepest level, our heart and mind begins to crave God’s grace and mercy, rejecting the old ways that seem so comfortable in the past… What do we do? How do we respond to the craving? As a man thinks, a man is.

I choose Jesus.

Walking With God

Dan

It has been my observation while reading Ephesians and Micah, the notion of walking with God is a common theme in scripture. Micah asks the question – What does the Lord need from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 paraphrased). I noted three key points to his definition. I think we should take a deeper look at Justice, Kindness, and Humility.

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