Love, Joy, Peace, Patience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23 

The fruit of the Spirit is at times evident in my life.

Other times, not so much.

When I show love to others, that's the Spirit showing God's love through me.

My joyful attitude is a result of the Holy Spirit living in me.

When I forget to act with peace, I no longer am showing the fruit of the Spirit in my life.

Those times when I get impatient with others, the Spirit convicts me.

When I forget to act with kindness, God's Spirit humbles me.

And when I lack self-control, the Spirit puts stumbling blocks in my way to slow me down.

I am blessed to be filled with the Spirit to help guide me along the narrow path. 

Help me, Lord, to focus on You.

Lord, I Will Exalt You

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

The Lord has done wonderful things for me and for the world.

He planned these things long ago.

And His plans are awesome.

You are my God.

I will exalt you and praise your name.

In perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things.

We had a fun time at the musical MJ last night.

Wonderful music from the Jackson 5, Soul Train, and Michael Jackson.

The music and dancing was so animated.

What a fun evening.

The Lord Is Good and His Love Endures Forever

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. — Psalm 100:5  

God is good to us, way beyond anything we deserve.

He brings trials and blessings our way.

And He holds our hands to help us through whatever comes our way.

His love endures forever.

His faithfulness continues to all generations.

Praise the Lord!

The Way of Faithfulness

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. — Psalm 119:30 

God's way is not always the easy route.

Nevertheless, Joshua chose it and asked his countrymen to decide whether or not to follow it.

The psalmist says he has chosen the way of faithfulness.

Help me, Lord, to choose the same.

And to set my heart on your laws.

Thank You, Lord!

I Will Praise Your Name

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. — Psalm 138:2 

My mouth will sing God's praises.

His love will never fail me.

He is faithful beyond imagination.

God has exalted his solemn decree.

I will bow down and worship Him in His holy temple.

This is one of the beautiful cathedrals we got to sing in during our choir tour of Spain.

Capila de Santa Tecla in Catedral de Burgos.

Awe-inspiring!

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:23-24 

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in those of us who follow Jesus.

And that fruit of the Spirit is love and joy.

It includes peace, forbearance, and kindness.

The fruit of the Spirit is also goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.

Another amazing gift of the Spirit is self-control.

Against these things there is no law.

Lord, You Are My God!

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1 

God is the Lord our God.

He is my God.

And my Lord — the Lord of my life.

I will exalt the Lord and praise His name.

In perfect faithfulness He has done wonderful things.

God is the Lord of today and of things planned long ago.

I will exalt Him throughout each day.

He is most worthy of praise!

Those Who Plan What Is Good Find Love

Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. — Proverbs 14:22 

Today I went into work to find these gorgeous flowers on my desk.

Courtesy of a coworker I had offered to help.

What a thoughtful way to say "thank you."

As she put it, Leaving a little happiness on your desk!

What a blessing.

Kirk and I are enjoying them at home this weekend.

God Has Established His Precepts

All his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. — Psalm 111:7-8 

The Lord's precepts are trustworthy.

God has established them for ever.

He has enacted them in faithfulness.

And has shown us His righteousness.

He is faithful.

Jehovah Jira, our provider.

The Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23

These are tough characteristics to maintain.

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

Almost impossible without God's Spirit working within me.

Thus, the fruit of the Spirit!

Your Perfect Faithfulness

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. — Isaiah 25:1

The Lord is my God.

I will praise His name.

In  perfect faithfulness, He has done wonderful things.

Things He planned long ago.

He is perfect.

I will exalt Him.

Watch over those in Ukraine.

Protect them and comfort them in their fear.

In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen.

Those Who Plan What Is Good Find Love

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. — Proverbs 14:22

Those who plan to do evil go astray.

Tonight Vladimir Putin began air attacks on Kiev.

We are praying that his plan will be thwarted.

And the forces of good will prevail.

Those who plan what is good will find love.

And they will find faithfulness.

We are praying for the safety of the civilians on both sides.

That God will wrap His loving arms around them and give them his peace that passes understanding.

Thank you, Lord.

Those Who Plan What Is Good Find Love

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. — Proverbs 14:22

Those people who plan to do evil go astray from God's plan.

But those who plan what is good, find that God's love surrounds them.

And they find faithfulness in God.

Here is a Lunar new year dragon in the lobby of our hotel.

We got away with friends this weekend, and had a fun time.

We couldn't stop laughing.

God is good.

His Love Endures Forever

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. — Psalm 100:5

God is so good, He's so good to me.

His love endures forever.

He is faithful and just.

Even when I'm unfaithful, He continues to be faithful to me.

In fact, His faithfulness continues through all generations.

To our children and our children's children.

Today we celebrate Carly's birthday.

We'll have a family dinner tomorrow with birthday chocolate pie.

God's love endures forever.

All the days of our lives.

Fear the Lord

 Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. — Joshua 24:14

On Thursday we drove over to Las Vegas for the weekend.

We had a great time with 11 of our friends who drove and flew over to join us.

Here we are at dinner Saturday night before going to hear Sting.

This is one of our tables - the other was in the next room.

We had a delicious dinner and fun conversation.

So blessed to have such a great group of friends.

All of whom serve the Lord and fear Him.

The Way of Faithfulness

 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. — Isaiah 119:20

God is the way of faithfulness.

His laws guide my life.

His Word is true and right.

He knows what's best for me.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness.

I have set my heart on God's laws.

He is the light to my path. 

Here's the Plumeria plant that we got from Mary and Gary.

A great example of God's creation.

 

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23

God gives us the fruit of the Spirit as we grow in Him.

Love toward friends and neighbors as well as enemies.

Joy in Jesus even when the world gives us sadness and pain.

Peace in Christ during stressful times.

Patience when others are losing their cool.

Kindness when we are being treated unkindly.

Goodness when the world tells us to get revenge.

Faithfulness even when busy lives try to distract us.

Gentleness when our patience is tried.

And self-control when we are tempted to lash out in anger or to lust after temptations.

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard.

And we are guided by God himself.

Be An Example

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.— 1 Timothy 4:12

Sometimes a child expresses God's Word best.

They keep it simple and get right to the point.

And they point us back to God's expectation for us to come to Him with a childlike openness. 

Help to be open and honest with you today, Lord.

Give me a child-like spirit ready to trust You.

 

Great Is God's Faithfulness

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23

Saturday night, Judith led the orchestra in our annual hymn sing.

This time it was held on our church courtyard so we could socially distance.

Everyone wore masks.

And only 50 people were admitted to sing along.

It was a beautiful evening.

One of the songs she chose was, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

The words of the first verse say, 

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto Thee.

What a powerful testimony to God's greatness.

He is faithful to me, even when I lose my way.

His compassions never go away.

Instead, they are new every morning.

Great is your faithfulness, O Lord!

To Your Name Be Glory

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. — Psalm 115:1

We do not take any glory for ourselves.

Instead, to God be the glory.

He is our Creator.

And He is love.

His faithfulness reaches way up to the skies.

To God's name be the glory.

Next week some of my coworkers will return to the office after working at home for the past month.

They are anxious about being among people again.

Comfort them, oh, Lord.

Take away their anxious thoughts.

Lead us to the place of your peace.