Fruits of the Spirit: Fruit for Life

    So, I was scrolling through old posts from my blog, and came across this one about the Fruits of the Spirit. It's an old post from years ago, so I decided to update it and share it with y'all.
    In Galatians, the Bible tells us that we should have a character full of the Fruits of the Spirit. Fruits that makes a true heart that truly shows God to those who desperately need Him.
   Galatians 5:22 ""But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.""

   Love:

   Love is so important in relationships, and is sometimes even hard to give to those whom you dislike. But, by remembering that Jesus loved His enemies, it can help us love ours as well. In       Matthew 5:44, Jesus says "“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”"

   Joy:
   Joy brings light and Jesus right to the very tips of your toes. It brightens people's day and gives them the hope that they need. One of my favorite scenes in the Bible was when David in 2 Samuel 6 was dancing for joy to music. Even reading that makes you smile. And sometimes, we must be joyful in times of trial, for that as well will give us hope and know that God is always there.

   James 1: 2-3 says ""My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.""

   Peace:

   Peace at times can be a trial, even in the most darkest days of life. But, having the presence of God in you is true peace, that even the darkness cannot penetrate it. 

   Matthew 16: 33, ""These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.""
   Patience:

   Patience. "Patience is a virtue" as I grew up with. It is hard to have patience, but Jesus Himself was a patient man. To walk in His footsteps with patience is hard, I know, but with His guidance, we all can. 

   James 1:3 says, ""But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

   Kindness:

   Kindness, another one that I sometimes lack. Kindness makes a heart beautiful, along with the other Fruits of the Spirit. 

   Isaiah 54: 10, ""For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, no shall My covenant of peace be removed." Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.""

   Goodness:

   What makes a person truly good? Christ, who was good in all things.

    1 Peter 2:12 says, "“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”'

   Faithfulness:

   A faithful heart is a jewel, a jewel that will never lose its beauty nor shine. My favorite Bible verse states this, and it always helps us to remember to have faith. Joshua 1:9, ""Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.""

   Gentleness:

   Gentleness, like the gentle hand of a mother or father, Jesus had a gentle heart for His people. We too, must replicate His gentle heart. Ephesians 4:2-3, '''-With all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

   And Self-control:

   Self-control, the tool and shield for us to guard our hearts from sin, is a power that God has given us. Jesus Himself used self control and knowledge to fight against Satan when He was being tempted in the desert. We too must keep a guarded, self controlled heart.

   James 1:12 says, ""Blessed is the man who endured temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.""
   It is hard for all of us to remember to use the Fruits of the Spirit in our lives, and often we get into trouble. But, with faith in Christ, He can help us remember.
  Happy Spring y'all!
  This post was featured in Issue #135 of The Christian Home Magazine.

A Letter From Jesus

A few years ago, my grandmother, Christy Virgil, gave me this piece of paper from a magazine, that my great-great grandmother had.

Dear Friend,
I just had to send a note to tell you how much I love and care for you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friend. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk to me. As evening came, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a breeze to rest you - And I waited. You never came. Sure, it hurts me - But I still love you because you are my Friend. I saw you fall asleep last night and longed to touch you, so I spilled moonlight on your face. Again I waited to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You got up late and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad - so all alone. It made my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me many times too, but I loved them. If you would only listen to me! I LOVE YOU! I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass. I whisper in the leaves in the trees and breathe it in the flowers. I shout to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you in the warm sunshine and sweeten the air with nature scents. My LOVE for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest want or need in your head. If you only knew how much I want to talk and walk with you. I know how hard it is on earth. I really know! And I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me - ask me - talk with me! Please don't forget me! I have so much to share with you! All right, okay. I won't bother you any more, YOU are free to choose ME. It's your decision: I have chosen you, and because of this, I will wait, and wait, because...I LOVE YOU.
Your friend,JESUS.

I love this. And I hope you do too.

Queen Clarion.

Queen Clarion is one of my faverite charicters from the Tinker Bell movie. She is the Queen of Pixie Hollow.