Fruit of the Spirit

Twice in the past week I was led to Galatians 5:22-23, so now I will commit to memory the often-quoted verse that serves in part to reflect God's character:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law."
The second time I heard the verse this week was in a fathers' group setting, where all of us agreed with sadness that response to our children -- their words and actions -- is too often a reflection of our flesh rather than the Holy Spirit living in us.
First on the Galatians 5:22 list is "love," from which all other evidence of the Spirit follows. Recognition of God's love for us, of Jesus Christ's redeeming love as made evident on the cross, leads to the joy only another Christian can fully understand.
If we insist on our "independence," refusing to surrender our will to Christ as part of God's perfect plan, our "branch" will ultimately die.
If, on the other hand, we recognize God as our Creator and Christ as our Redeemer King, we will be "grafted" into life eternal (John 15:4: "...As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.") We will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bring forth fruit that others see manifested as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Matthew 7:16: "You will know them by their fruit.")
I give thanks, Father, for the appealing, delicious fruit you bear through us when we surrender ALL to you. I know that my flesh brings forth poisonous fruit. The old nature cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit. But I pray I will recognize my lapses immediately and repent of them, and I thank you for the promise that regardless of my failures, you love me and grant me opportunity to grow in maturity as your beloved child.

Gospel for Asia introduces Jesus

I received an email newsletter this morning from Terri Beers, a young woman I met months ago when she was a guest speaker at our church. Terri, who is on the staff of the Gospel for Asia organization, included reference to the attached video in her newsletter. In a section titled "Scribbles and Inkblots," Terri wrote:

"A few weeks ago, we saw a video about Orissa during our staff prayer meeting. It showed believers being beaten for their faith. When I was watching that, I felt things that I hadn’t felt even from hearing dozens of other reports of awful persecution there. I think that seeing things definitely has more power than hearing things. But I felt challenged to write things that put a picture in your mind when you read it. We have so many stories to tell, and each one is powerful. It’s not very easy to get photos and video footage of most of the things we write about. But I really pray that God will use our words, when we write, to leave an impression of what He is doing, and that it will sink deep into people’s hearts. That said, I am also excited about a few new video projects we’ve worked on lately. One I wrote for is about a little girl named Ahanti. You can see the video at gfa.org/ahanti and hear her sing an adorable song she learned about Jesus. I think you will like it!
There is so much good news from Asia. You’re part of it!"

Enjoy this wonderful story of the introduction of Jesus into the life of a pre-teen girl and her family, and if you are inclined to do so, visit the Gospel for Asia website for more information about this amazing Christian outreach.
http://www.gfa.org/ahanti/

Parenting, with focus on Jesus

I was blessed again early this morning in fellowship with brothers who have committed to studying the word and praying specifically for God's direction in regard to our roles as fathers.

We spent some time in Ephesians, Chapter 6, where Paul exhorts children to obey their parents in the Lord. He notes that the commandment to "honor your father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise -- "...that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

In His perfect way, God then inspired Paul to follow with this caution: "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

We are called not to the law, but to a posture of grace. To be sure, we must teach and discipline, as God teaches and disciplines us.
Proverbs 3:11 reads: "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in."

But above all we are called to offer unconditional love, the kind of love demonstrated by Christ when He chose death on the cross in order to redeem us from our sin so that we might be made clean, "white as snow," and walk with confidence regarding the promise of life eternal with the Father.

The title "parent" is a gift from God. As is the case with all of His gifts, however, it is critical that we honor and glorify the Giver, pointing to Him, calling on Him continuously as we walk through the seasons of parenting.

Walk in confidence

I discovered a note today on a torn piece of paper in my Bible. I often make such notes during Sunday lessons and Wednesday night Bible studies. This one reads: "If you walk with God, you must walk in confidence."
"In the beginning, God..."
God is the Creator, and His love for me is so great, He sent His Son to die in my place so that I could be washed clean of my sins ... and walk through this life with the blessed assurance of eternal life with Him.
"If God be for me, who can be against me?"

A dear brother talked to me recently about a moment of revelation he experienced while in prayer. "When I accept God's gracious gift of faith, die to myself and am born again, a beloved son of God with the unfathomable reality of relationship that brings ... I must then look at this life from His perspective. I have good news. Good news? GREAT news! He loves His children unconditionally, forgives without merit! In our life this side of Heaven we have the opportunity to share this truth -- the truth of Jesus -- with others, and in our service to our Father, to worship and glorify Him.

Also tucked into my Bible was a pad with notes from a November 2009 teaching by Ray Rempt. His message related to our "walk," too.
Ray urged: "Care enough, love enough to speak His truth. Be foolish for Christ. Don't worry what others think. The battle is your own fears and insecurities. Stand up for what you know to be true. God understands that you are anxious about what people think. State the truth as if there is no alternative, and God will add what He desires, in every instance. Seek His grace to do His next assignment. He doesn't care about what I can do, but in what He can do through me!"

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Screwtape Letters from Focus on the Family

Last week I discovered that Focus on the Family has produced a CD audio series based on "Screwtape Letters," a book by the late C.S. Lewis (of "Chronicles of Narnia" fame). My tapes arrived yesterday, and although I have only listened to two opening pieces, I know I can heartily endorse this project to anyone who enjoys Lewis' work. More later as I digest more of the "letters" from an old demon (Screwtape) to his young nephew (Wormword, a 'novice' demon), who has been given the assignment of "securing the eternal damnation and everyday demise of his human 'patient'." In the meantime, enjoy this video introduction to the "Screwtape" project. Click on the "play" arrow.

Notes from a young child of God

Today as I was sorting through documents on my computer God directed me to one titled: "The Greatest Lie Ever Told." I opened it out of curiosity, only to discover a gem written almost 10 years ago by my daughter, now 28.
Much of the writing focused on the enemy's lies, beginning with the question he whispers: "Does Satan really exist?"
She wrote about our natural inclination to seek after things that are pleasing to us, impressive to others. There were words about "idols," and "chasing after the wind."
This morning I will share just one section of the writing, inspired by the Holy Spirit in a season when He was revealing great gifts, sharing great insights with a cherished daughter of God just learning to bask in the wonder of that reality:

"My question is: "Is your cup overflowing? Is it running over with the love of Christ, so that others might see His love pouring out from your soul? Is there a burning fire of Christ that consumes all death and doubt and restores you to a new life? Do you have that hope, that desire to love and be loved with the kind of love only Christ Jesus can provide?"
"Only you can make the choice," she continued. "Only you can take responsibility for your relationship with Christ. When judgment day comes, it is between you and God. Only you can take responsibility for the relationship you have had with God -- your actions, your choices, your openness to being the Child of God He created you to be. Take the responsibility to open the word daily and let Him fill you overflowing, and in turn share that love with others.
"Don’t let the things of this world choke your relationship with the One and Only true love we’ll ever have, and that is God. Pull out the worldly weeds such as gossip, slander, filth, hatred, and discord. Instead, fill yourself with the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control."

Wise words delivered by God through a young woman stepping boldly onto the path He has chosen for her.
1 Peter 2:2
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

We live in confidence

This morning I give God praise and glory. I am a blessed child of the Creator Himself, humble because no works can redeem me, but courageous because He is gracious. Christ's blood has washed me clean. I am invited to enter His throne room with confidence.
Romans 8:14
"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."
Romans 8:17:
"...and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Hebrews 4:16:
"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."
Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."
NASB

Focus on the Family meets Super Bowl

Focus on the Family, football player Tim Tebow and his mother recently took the stage in front of the largest television viewing audience in history to offer a message titled "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."

"Without any effort on our part, suddenly it was the most talked-about ad to run during the Super Bowl – by far!" wrote Focus on the Family's Tom Minnery. "Hyped by some as being the most controversial ad in Super Bowl history, women's groups and pro-abortion advocates protested CBS, attacked the ad and accused us of spewing hate. And no one in any of those groups had even seen the ad!"

Minnery continued: "God had set the stage for something far beyond what we had hoped for or expected. The buzz has brought amazing results – and help for many families."

For more information, type "Tebow" in the search engine at the following website: http://www.citizenlink.org.

Take care in pursuit of fame, reputation

Recently I wrote about God's reminder that our work is not a punishment or curse, but a gift - yet another opportunity to apply the gifts we have been given to glorify His name. Last night at our men's group we examined the subject of "reputation." Coincidentally, I discovered among writings from my father a paragraph or two on the subject of fame. Dad, who served as a substitute and interim pastor in the Fifties, wrote a sermon titled: "A Way to Live." A portion of the lesson related to Christ's temptations by Satan following 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. He wrote in part:
"When a man or woman has been born with greater appetites than simply accumulating material possessions, we find another powerful weapon Satan can use to attack our weakness. One of the keys to success that Napoleon and every great general has used is to determine the soft spot in the enemy's ranks, and attack it. When Satan saw that Jesus was not to be conquered with an appeal to baser appetites, he suggested Jesus could impress people by throwing himself off a high pinnacle of the temple, where all would see him, and then use his divine power and authority over the angels to miraculously save himself. Satan even quoted Scripture to tempt Jesus to use his power and become famous."
The lesson about our work continued: "Humans with an appetite for fame will do all manner of things to attract attention to themselves. They will neglect family and friends, endanger body and soul, even the lives of others for the applause of the crowd."
He wrote of men who would compromise principle and conviction for the fame of excelling in their businesses. But he then cautioned: "We must be careful not to be misunderstood. God wants us to excel in our chosen line of work, to use our talents. But we must always count the cost, and weigh the value of our objectives. While we go forth to do 'great things,' we must constantly consult God in prayer and not presume upon His love and patience to help us climb up and succeed at any cost."
It is good to recall Paul's admonition in Galatians 1:10: "For am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."
Last night's study in the Robert Lewis "Winning at Work and Home" series included the following bibically based practices for "establishing your name at work:"
1) Don't just work; work to be really good at something (Prov. 22:29)
2) Be responsive to those above you and earn their trust (Prov. 25:13)
3) Overdeliver (Prov. 10:4)
4) Be an encourager and team builder (1Thess. 5:11 and Eph. 4:29)
5) Keep your word (Matt. 5:37 and Psa. 15:4)
Our group added a couple of ideas, including a) Set an example. Don't ask others to do what you would not; b) Give others grace and c) Set God's glory as "the bar," never identifying man's approval as your primary objective.
I pray that any effort on my part to "gain reputation" will simply reflect my desire to please the Father, to reflect His character. I pray that I will be reminded daily that I do not "take off my spiritual self" and "put on the old man (pre-saved)" when I step into my role as a worker. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love, for your Word, and for the blessing of work.

Just Stay

I got this today in an email from a friend:

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

"Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to extended hand all through the night. Along toward dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

"Who was that man?" he asked. The nurse was startled.

"He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake," he explained, "but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

Then he said: "I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this gentleman's name?

With tears in her eyes, the nurse answered:

"Mr. William Grey."

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.

My friend added a footnote to this story: "We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience."

This is not my home...

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me..."

My son Mark took this photograph a couple of years ago during a men's fellowship adventure to Chatterbox Falls in British Columbia. It is one of the favorite photographs in our family scrapbook, not just because it's a great image, but also because Mark had this shot all to himself. It was taken from a cave with an entrance too small for old dad to squeeze through! This trip was special for both of us. At the last minute, God provided a "window of opportunity" for Mark between jobs, allowing him to make the trip. We had a rewarding time with our brothers, sharing in His word and experiencing the joy of a few relaxed days boating through an absolutely beautiful coastal area. This morning I give thanks for Jesus' promise: "...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14

Horizon from top of Mt. Baker