Refreshing Fruit of the Spirit

We all know how refreshing fruit is, especially the Fruit of the Spirit.  Everyone should be refreshed spiritually? There have been plenty of times that I needed to be; invigorated, reminded to get back on God's path,  need to be prayed for, need to kneel before God and ask for His help and forgiveness. Also, to be reminded that God is here to help me and I can't do anything without Him. 

I need to be stimulated by reading the Bible, to refresh my memory of who is in charge of my life, God. Always reminding myself that only God knows what's going to happen next and it's my job to remember to say to myself or out loud, "the Lord willing," will I get anything done.  Need to replenish myself spiritually and be restored by His word. 

There are times that I need to humble myself, ask for help. It's okay for me to ask for prayer or go to the alter during alter call and kneel before our Lord, Jesus Christ. I need to always pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New King James Version)

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Found that reviewing the "Fruit of the Spirit" helps me to check myself. Am I bearing good fruit? 

Remember that you need to concentrate on bearing good fruit and that each tree is recognized by it's fruit. You are the trees, do you have good or bad stored up in your heart? Do you need to clean out your pantry and replenish it with what is good for you spiritually and emotionally? 

No one is perfect and without sin, so let's clean out those pantry's and don't forget to stock it with the Fruit of the Spirit. God bless you!

Love: Love is not based on emotions or feelings. It's making a commitment to focus on the well being of others without conditions or circumstances. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Joy: More than happiness, gladness not based on circumstances, good health, wealth, favorite, or popular. You will experience joy when you believe, obey and receive God, minister to others, fellowship with other believers and share the Gospel. Jesus said: " I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." John 17:13

Peace: Contentment, unity between people, a state of being assured and lack of fear. Peace is harmony, fellowship and unity between people. No worries, can't be disturbed and unable to be suppressed or have oppressive thoughts. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19

Patience: Slow to speak and slow to anger. Restraining one's self from speaking or acting hastily when they disagree, oppose or persecuted. Having patience and bearing problems or pain without any complaints. "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." Proverbs 14:29

Kindness: Merciful, sweet, tender an eagerness to put others at ease. "A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.  A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.  Proverbs 11:16-17

Goodness: Generously giving person and open hearted. A selfless desire to be generously open hearted to others, above what they need and deserve. "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

Faithfulness: Dependable person who keeps up with their responsibilities, loyal to their friends and firmly devoted to God. "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Gentleness: Someone who's demeanor is humble, calm and non-threatening. Speaks of God in a gentle way with respect. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4,5

Self Control: A well behaved person who restrains their emotions, actions and desires. In harmony with our Lord. Doing God's will by controlling their self, not living for their self.

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28

This is a great Blog!

While checking out an email from Women of Faith I came across a wonderful blog page, "Only A Breath". Not only are the blogs great, the page is so wonderful to look at! It really made a stressful day easy to deal with.

Click on the image below and I guarantee the page itself will take your breath away. Hope you enjoy Melanie's blog page as much as I did :)

 

Only A Breath

Celebrate Each Breath

by Melanie on March 18, 2011

My heart breaks today, and I ask you to pray for a dear, Christian family from my home church. A young mother prepares to do the unimaginable tomorrow — bury her youngest son, only 15 years old who passed away suddenly.

I can’t even begin to imagine her pain — the pain of the entire family — over the loss of this precious gift of life. My heart is a mother’s heart. I would give my life in a split second to spare the life of either of my children, as I know this mother would have. As I waited in bed last night for sleep to come, my mind spun around the circle of “Why?”. Why did this happen to such a precious family? Why so young? Why did God not heal this boy for His glory?

Is it wrong to ask the “why’s”?

In my heart, I believe that even as the psalmist cried out to God and asked the “Why’s?” and “How long’s?”, that God hears our pleas. He understands that we can only see a small glimpse of His bigger plan. Our minds may never understand the “why’s” of life, but we will still trust Him. Just as this family is trusting God, even in their darkest moments, it is a reminder and an example to us all.

A reminder to celebrate each breath of this journey…

I don’t know if I, too, will one day have to stand weeping over the grave of my own child — Lord, I beg not.

I don’t know if cancer will strike, or an earthquake will come, or if I will lose my job and home and the list goes on and on. I pray even now that if those things happen, that I will still trust Him.

Only by His grace. Only by His strength. Only by His unfailing love…

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

Hug your children a little tighter today, and tell them how much you love them. Drink in the sunshine and fresh air and praise God for another day to live for Him. Thank Him for His many blessings and for health to enjoy each day.

And pray for those who mourn.

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
… the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure”

~ Psalm 39:4-5

Only A Breath

Don’t Make Me Come Up There! {Giveaway}: "

One of my favorite blogs to read is “We Are That Family“. Kristen is a Christian mom and wife who blogs about faith, family, and her heart for helping expectant mothers in Africa.

I have read Kristen’s blog for quite a while now, and have loved her decorating projects and hilarious stories. She honestly makes me laugh so hard that tears roll down my face. She is just very honest about parenting, and I love her perspective.

Then, Kristen went to Africa with Compassion International. I read her blog updates during her trip and when she returned home, and I could tell that something had changed. She had seen slums which I will probably never see, and met people whose eyes I will never look into. But with the power of words, I visited those slums and I saw, with my own eyes, the need in the eyes of the children. I am so thankful for her trip and the change that took place in her heart.

And now that change is impacting the world.

Kristen and her family started “The Mercy House“, a maternity home for pregant girls who would otherwise be living in the streets of Kenya. From the Mercy House website “The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living.” Please visit The Mercy House online, on Facebook, or on Twitter to learn more about this wonderful mission!

These are just a FEW of the statistics from the Mercy House website which amazed (and appalled!) me:

• Annually, 21,000 women are hospitalized from having an illegal, unsafe abortion in Kenya. (Center for Reproductive Rights)


• 25% of pregnant women in Kenya are HIV positive (ObGyn in Kenya)


• Every 30 minutes, a woman is raped in Kenya. (Nairobi Women’s Hospital)


• More than 20,000 children are sex trafficked in Kenya (Human Trafficking)

Praise the Lord for the Welch’s and the work He is doing through them in Kenya:

The Vision of Rehema House (supported by Mercy House):

• Provide a safe place-a guarded home with six maternity beds


• Partner with local churches


• Prenatal Care-vitamins, checkups


• Proper Nutrition-protein and regular meals


• Counseling-post abortion/prostitution


• Ministry-prayer, Biblical teaching


• Skills-jewelry, soap, sewing (future products will be sold here)


• A nurturing environment in-which to give birth


• A safe place to stay and learn and heal until they graduate from the program


• An account to start small business or go to school (from products they make and sell)

Kristen recently published her first book, a devotional for moms, and all of the proceeds go to the work of The Mercy House.

She recently held a “book launch” contest on her blog, asking readers to re-create the book cover for a fabulous prize, including two copies of her new book, along with several other fun goodies. And, guess who won??? …..

Yours truly!!!!! (and please… don’t hate me because I’m beautiful! HA!)

I read the book and LOVED it. The devotions are really appropriate for mothers or women even without children. I loved her honesty and some devotions made me laugh, some made me cry, but all of them pointed my heart to the Father.

So…. I would like to share with you!!!!

{GIVEAWAY}

I have one copy (signed by the author!) of “Don’t Make Me Come Up There” by Kristen Welch, author of We Are That Family.

To enter, please leave one comment below telling me why you would like to read the book.

For extra entries: (please leave a separate comment for each and this includes if you already follow, receive emails, etc.)

1. Sign up to receive updates from my blog via email or RSS.

2. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway! Please be sure to include a direct link to this post.

This giveaway will end on Friday, April 1 — No foolin’. Giveaway open to U.S. Residents only please.

Don’t forget to enter the “Most” giveaway (you MUST see this movie!!!)! I love to offer giveaways to my readers…make sure you never miss one! Or, get blog updates delivered to your inbox!

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Only A Breath

Weekend Retreat for Bereaved Parents: "

This week, I had the wonderful experience of meeting Jill Sullivan while I designed some blog buttons for her site. Jill and her husband Brad have gone through the unimagineable, the loss of a child. Their 17 year old daughter, Hannah, passed away two years ago after a year-long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.

The Sullivan’s are hosting the “While We’re Waiting” Weekend Retreat for Bereaved Parents. Their website shares information about the purpose of the retreat and some of the topics that will be discussed. The following description from their website gives more information about the retreat and welcomes all couples, in any stage of grief:

“This is a faith-based retreat, and it is designed for couples with strong marriages, and for those whose marriages are struggling under the load of grief. It’s for those whose faith has grown through their loss, and for those who still have questions. It’s for those who want to talk about their experience and their child, and for those who feel like they can’t talk anymore. It’s for couples whose grief is fresh, and for those who’ve been walking on this road for quite some time.”

The retreat will be held April 1-3, 2011, and it will be held in the lodge at Family Farm in Glen Rose, Arkansas, about 45 minutes southwest of Little Rock.

If you or someone you know is walking this extremely painful path, please consider this retreat. For more information, please visit Jill’s blog where she blogs about her family’s journey and the powerful grace of God.

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