Wednesday, February 17, 2010

If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you: you continue in My love.

[John 15:7-9 New King James]

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But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

[Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation]

Living In Jesus = Sweet Fruit

I’ve always loved that verse.  I’m awe-struck that a flawless and Holy God would want to claim me as His child, but even more blown away by the fact that He wanted to live in me.  I am His handiwork.  A one of a kind designer’s original.  If you searched all over the world, and down through the annulls of time you will would never find another me… (that is the same for you too, by the way).  A work in progress.  Once we say ‘yes’ to the Lord, He begins preparing us for the day when we will see Him face to face.  To see Him now would mean death for us.  When Moses asked God to “show him His face”, God told him that he would not do that because Moses would die if He did.  He denied his request out of the concern and love that He had for him, not to be mean.  He covered Mose with His Hand, and allow him to see the backside of His glory (Exodus 33).  That must have been breath-taking.  In that instance, God actually came to Moses in a “cloud of smoke”, but then He told Moses to meet Him on Mt. Sinai.  That contact with God was so intimate and powerful that Moses’ face changed.  He illuminated so brightly that the children of Israel could not look at him.  He actually had to wear a cover over his face.  Likewise, when we leave the presence of the Living God, we are changed.  Our change brings joy to the heart of God.  The more ‘fruit’ that is developed in us, the sweeter we will become.  We will know that balance between, “occupying until He comes” and “wearing this world as a loose garment”.  Appreciative of every blessing, quick to forgive, ready to encourage.  Bold and fearless in the face of change and adversity.  Able to love the “un-lovable”, care for the “careless”.  Patient, kind willing to share freely what was freely given to us… the fruit of the Spirit which nourishes our spirit, mind, body…

“So Come”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLM0FqAqjgs

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU

“Breathe Into Me Oh Lord”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hpl_906fqk

“Never Seen Your Face”, The Williams Brother w/K&K Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQwYnagGw1A

“Jesus Be A Fence”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7LQfY0d30

Good Morning Beloved,

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. [2 Corinthians 1:17-19 NLT]

God keeps His promises.  If He spoke it… it will surely come to pass.  Many times, the problem comes when we see the end result.  We do not know what is going to happen in the middle.  That is where it gets tough.  Much of the mundane or rough spots were are in, are simply setting us up for the next level toward our goals.  It reminds me of Moses.  He was given a word that he would be used to deliver God’s people.  He did not know how, and he made a few mistakes along the way.  One ended with him killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was abusing a Hebrew slave. Unbeknown to him another Hebrew saw the whole thing…. and “snitched” on him.  Pharaoh heard about it, and sent men to kill Moses.  Imagine, the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter running for his life… from his adopted grandfather.  He was trying to help his people, and they were turned on him.  I believe he went through intense internal struggle.  He had been taught the truth of God by his virtuous mother, who was allowed to raise him.  He was also educated by the finest teachers in Pharaoh’s house.  He could have simply stayed in the palace and lived in luxury for the rest of his life.  He chose to be a vessel of God.  He could not rest, while the children of Israel were in bondage.  He finds himself in land of Midian, where he sees seven women drawing water for their fathers flock.  Shepherds try to chase them away and Moses helps them.  They take him to their father Jethro, a priest, and in appreciation for his bravery, Moses is allowed to marry his daughter Zipporah…. (want drama, action and intrigue.. read the bible!).  Just as he is getting settled and comfortable with his wife and the children he is blessed with, God tells him to go back to Egypt.  God lets him know that the people who sought to kill him were dead… but now he must go back… and (now get this)… go to Pharaoh and tell him to let His people go!  You probably already know the rest.  Nothing that Moses did came ‘easy’.  Yet his mission was sanctioned and blessed by God.  Whatever God has told us will require diligence on our part, but in the end it will be worth it to be able to say:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7)

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

Cartoonist’s Comment:

By faith we can ‘see’ things that we cannot see with our natural eyes. By faith we can get a vision of God’s plan for our lives.