What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
Love
Joy
Peace
Gentleness
Goodness
Kindness
Faithfulness
Patience
Self Control
Are these characteristics you seek?
Do you pray to God for faithfulness?
What about patience?
My mother used to always shout when she was exasperated by me:
"God give me strength!!!".
Did the Lord answer her prayer?
Probably not.
If by strength she meant self control.
Wealth?
Health?
A spouse?
A child?
Revenge?
How's that working out?
Seems most of us turn to God in times of lack. When we notice something is missing, we ask God for it.
How much more would God appreciate us if we turned to him in times of plenty.
Do you thank God when you are well?
Do you thank God when you can pay your bills?
Do you thank God when you have loving relationships?
Do you thank God for the air that you breath?
The water you drink?
The food you eat?
Anything?
Scientific research highlights that feeling grateful, keeping a daily gratitude journal relieves depression and anxiety. Who knew? Who would have thought that focusing on what you have, instead of what you have not, would make you happier?
Once you start looking at all the gifts from God, the list is endless.
How can you feel sad when you have an iphone?
You can listen to any music, learn any language, research any subject, watch any movie, see any plant or animal ever created, perfect any hobby, cook any meal, communicate with anyone in the world, play any game ever invented, buy any fashion item you wish for and yet still people are bored and miserable.
What is the most searched item online?
Pornography.
If ever there was any doubt that Satan ruled the world, see above.
The best example from the Bible is King Solomon, when the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him what he wanted, promising that whatever he wanted he would grant, in true genie fashion.
7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
1 KINGS 3:7-9
How clever was Solomon to ask for wisdom and not wealth. Wealth can be taken away, but wisdom creates more wealth.
The Lord repled:
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
I KINGS 3:10-14
God granted his wish and some!
Pray for wisdom not riches.
Pray for love not money.
Pray for joy not wealth.
Pray for kindness not revenge.
Pray for faithfulness not new experiences.
Pray for goodness not self aggrandisement.
Pray for gentleness not bounty.
Pray for patience not blessings.
Pray for self control not your own way.
Pray for kindness not selfishness.
Your life will be truly blessed.
You will become more and more likeable. Not just to God and others, but to yourself.
Your life will be abundant in love and joy. The blessings of health and wealth may also appear but will not be important to you.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
LET US PRAY:
MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU FOREVER MORE. AMEN