Peace, Wonderful Peace

Most people would define peace has not having war, or peace is not having conflict. Some might say peace is having an easy schedule, or when no one is home. We tend to define Peace as the absence of something else. Peace however is not the absence of something, but the presence of something. Peace is the presence of God in the midst of the conflict, the too busy schedule, the family situation etc. Peace comes when we acknowledge God will supply our every need and realizing His grace covers all. His grace is sufficient no matter the situation.

In our lessons on Love and Joy you discovered that God through Jesus is our core or source for Love and Joy. So, if I was to ask you what is the source of Peace… bet you might say God, and you would be correct? God’s peace benefits our emotional, mental and spiritual well being. Like Joy, peace is founded in a person and not in our circumstances. And for many of us, like Joy it is often hard to grasp in the day-to-day living out of our lives. Peace in part comes from knowing that God will take care of our needs. See 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:9 Peace also comes as we realize that He is always with us. See Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5.

Christ came that we might have life and to have it abundantly. John 10:10. This particular verse has to do with our abundant life in eternity, but I believe it has a two-fold meaning. God loves us! He sent Jesus, His son, to die for us; to have a relationship with Him, both on earth and in eternally. It is unfathomable to me that God would go to such great lengths only to have us live a life not in abundance here on earth. I’m not talking about things, or wealth, but an abundance of the Holy Spirit; an abundance of Love, Joy, and Peace - God’s Love - His Joy - His Peace.

God’s desire is for our lives to be void of hatred, sorrow, war, fighting, and strife. We have already looked at God’s perfect Agape Love, and the Joy that comes from our relationship with Him. Now let’s look at the peace that can only come via the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Your lessons have been emailed.

I got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my Heart!

In our lesson this week we saw that Paul was able to have joy despite severe circumstances. Paul is a great role model for our journey of Joy.

According to wake-up.org - Day Star “tradition traces the last ten years of Paul’s life in the following way:
AD 61-63 Confined in Caesar’s custody chained to a guard 24 hours a day
AD 63-64 Released
AD 64-68 Re-incarcerated and confined to the Mamertine Prison in Rome (this prison was known for its horrible conditions – no windows, no bed, no table or chairs – just a deep, underground stone cave, with only a small opening in the ceiling).
AD 68-Beheaded by Nero”

For 10 years Paul’s life hung in the balance, yet Paul refused to let imprisonment and the possibility of impending death steal his joy. How? By placing his faith and his trust in the person of Jesus. Jesus “who for the joy set before Him” went to the cross - took the punishment and beatings -and died the ultimate cruel death for us to have a restored relationship with God. Jesus was Paul's role model. Jesus was Paul's focus! Paul’s focus, his joy, was in the eternal purpose and future, not in the day-to-day circumstances of living. “I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” Philippians 3:14 (amp).

There are numerous reasons to be found throughout the Bible for us to have joy. You should have discovered them in day 5 of your lesson. Just in case you didn’t get to day five I have listed them here:
Colossians 1:13; 2:13: rescued from darkness, redemption, and the forgiveness of sin
Acts 16:34: Salvation
Ephesians 1:3: Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ
Ephesians 1:11: Chosen
Ephesians 1:13: Sealed with the Holy Spirit
1st Peter 1:3-4: We have been given new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ… and into an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade

Our model for joy is found in the following verses:

“Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT) I love the way the Message translates it – “…every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

We may not always experience happiness. But we can allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with and develop in us "Fruit Joy"If we abide in the vine through our daily activities; if we surrender our will and yield our lives to the Holy Spirits leading; if we keep our focus on the author and perfecter of our faith, Jesus we will have true Joy. If we can remember that God works out all things, not some things, but all things to a heavenly purpose, we can have joy in knowing, that while we may not understand it, our trials, our "junky stuff" is being worked out for heavenly glory!

May you be filled with Joy!

Be Encouraged, Sandra

Joy - Elusive, Mysterious & Rooted in Jesus

Webster defines joy as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Joy in the Greek is chara (khar-ah') meaning "joy, delight" (akin to chairo, "to rejoice"). Chara is where we get our English word, charismatic and charisma. A person with charisma is said to have a kind of magnetic charm which draws people to them. They are cheerful, full of life, and delightful to be around. So it should be with us. As the Fruit of Joy begins to develop in our lives, people should be, and will be drawn to us.

Real joy, the Holy Spirit’s joy is a natural outcome as we are connected to the vine. It is the supernatural result of abiding/remaining/belonging to the vine; of belonging to the One who is pure joy, Jesus!

Because this Joy is a supernatural outcome it is possible for us to have joy when the going gets tough. Joy is possible when we experience great loss, disappointment, illness or grief. Joy is possible when we face the pressures and frustrations of life. Joy is possible amidst the chaos of life. Many of the Psalms of the Bible were written by David, “The man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). David before taking over his crown as king fled and took refuge in the desert, for years, as he was being hunted down, mercilessly, by the then current King, Saul. Saul sought to kill David. Yet as you read through these Psalms you will find David was filled with joy; Joy that can only come from knowing God and having a relationship with the Lord.

We all know many non-Christians who appear to experience joy in their lives. What makes Christian Joy different then worldly joy? The world’s joy is often based on feelings, things, and circumstances. It is not true joy but happiness. The Christian’s Joy is not based on feelings, things, or circumstances. It is rooted in the Source of joy! Apart from the Holy Spirit and a relationship with Jesus it is impossible to experience true joy.

Joy comes from a God-Jesus focused life. It comes from abiding on the vine. We cannot manufacture true Joy. It is supernatural and the power to possess it comes from the Holy Spirit. Joy is not found in the doing, or the having, it is found in the “being”; being in relationship with Jesus -being attached to the Vine.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” John 15:11…

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

When difficult times come, and they will, it is helpful to have God’s Word hidden in your heart. The Holy Spirit will recall to you those verses that you have memorized, and they will give you great strength and joy to get through the difficulties. How do you hide God’s Word? You do this through memorization of Scripture. I will be posting one or more verses that go along with our study for the week. May I encourage you to try and memorize at least one verse each week. (your verses for this week are posted above).

Your questions for this week have been emailed to you.

I pray you find and experience “true joy” this week.

Love in Action

In preparing for our study on Love I came across this beautiful description of "love in action". I thought it does a wonderful job of summarizing, in very practical terms, what the Fruit of love looks like in day-to-day living.

In Letters to an Unborn Child, David Ireland wrote to the child in his wife’s womb, in part, because he knew he might never see the child. David was dying of a neurological crippling disease. He wrote in one of his letters; "Your mother is very special. Few men know what it’s like to receive appreciation for taking their wives out to dinner when it entails what it does for us. I mean that she has to dress me, shave me, brush my teeth, comb my hair, wheel me out of the house and down the steps, open the garage and put me in the car, take the pedals off the chair, stand me up, sit me in the seat of the car, twist me around so that I’m comfortable, fold the wheelchair, put it in the car, go around to the other side of the car, start it up, back it out, get out of the car, pull the garage door down, get back into the car, and drive off to the restaurant.

And then, it starts all over again; she gets out of the car, unfolds the wheelchair, opens the door, spins me around, stands me up, seats me in the wheelchair, pushes the pedals out, closes and locks the car, wheels me into the restaurant, then takes the pedals off the wheel chair so I won’t be uncomfortable. We sit down to have dinner, and she feeds me throughout the entire meal.

And when it’s over she pays the bill, pushes the wheelchair out to the car again, and reverses the same routine.

And when it’s over ---finished---with real warmth she’ll say, “Honey, thank you for taking me out to dinner.” I never quite know what to answer."

Love in Action.....what's does Love in Action look like in your world?

Do Everything in Love (1 Cor 16:14)

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence”) Amplified Version.

In our lesson last week we learned that the Holy Spirit is the Power of God, He is the energizer. As the Power or Energizer the Holy Spirit is the source behind the Fruit, or as I refer to Him, the “Producer”. It is through His indwelling power that the fruit is cultivated and brought to maturity. We also learned that the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with-in us at the time we become a Christian. Here is the good news, we already have the fruit. It is already being produced within. Did you notice it says fruit in the singular, not the plural fruits? The Fruit may be singular, but it has a number of components, 9 to be certain. This does not mean that each component will be in equal sections such as a grapefruit or orange. Each component (Fruit) will be produced in us uniquely. The quality of the Fruit will also be unique in each individual. Not only is the quality unique but so is the maturity level of each of the 9 components. In other words, not everyone will have the same level of patience, joy, or kindness etc. However, we all have some measure of each of the Fruit.

If the Holy Spirit is the Fruit producer, and I can’t grow it on my own, then why do I need to study it? Let’s revisit the apple tree. You plant an apple tree in your yard with the expectation it will produce apples. You obviously can’t produce the apples; the tree must do the producing. However, you have a huge part in the production process; if you don’t water it, fertilize it, prune it, and keep it bug free, the tree will not produce fruit; you will simply have a dead tree. But if you do your part, more then likely, the tree will produce a bumper crop of fruit. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit. We do our part…. if we abide in the vine through the studying of God’s word. If we surrender our will through prayer, if we yield our lives to the Holy Spirits leading, the Fruit in our lives takes on shape and form. Remember Matthew 7:16; 20 and 12:33 remind us that we will be known, or recognized by our Fruit, be it good or bad. I don’t know about you, but, I most certainly wish to be the bearer of good Fruit. So let’s begin discovering the Fruit. This week we shall look at the first component and perhaps the forerunner to all the rest – Love.

Happy Studying, Sandra

(Your questions have been emailed).

Holy Spirit in a Nutshell.

The results of the workings of the Holy Spirit: Mary was found with child through the Holy Spirit. It was through the working of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would proclaim justice to the nations. It was the power of the Holy Spirit which raised Jesus from the Dead. It is through the Holy Spirit that life will be given to our mortal bodies. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to offer himself unblemished to God. It was the power of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus did not give in to the temptations, in the desert, by the evil one. Jesus drove out demons by the power of the Spirit. It was as a result of Jesus’ leaving the earth that the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort, counsel, teach and lead us. Jesus gave instructions to the Disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that has placed God’s seal of ownership upon us and sealed us for eternity to belong to God the Father. The Holy Spirit is the power or energy for bringing about God’s desires, and His plans. The Holy Spirit was the power and energy in Christ’s life and ministry here on earth. This same Holy Spirit is the motivator, the power, and the energy in our lives! He brings about change! He helps us accomplish God sized tasks! He helps us turn dreams into reality; to develop a more Christ-like character! He is the Producer - the Farmer of the Fruit, and He lives within me and you!!!

Do I hear a WOW!

I am ready and willing to completely surrender my will, to allow the Holy Spirit to have more of me; all of me; to produce Fruit in me!!! Are you ready?

The Holy Spirit – Farmer of the Fruit

The Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost depending on which version of the Bible you use) is a part of what is often referred to as the Trinity. You will not find the actual word Trinity in the Bible; however you will discover that the concept of the Trinity runs throughout the Bible. Trinity meaning that God is one being who exists, simultaneously and eternally, as a mutual indwelling of three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the 3rd Person of the Trinity (God being 1st, Jesus 2nd and the Holy Spirit 3rd.) God is The Triune God (meaning 3 - one God – with 3 distinct personalities, or deities). At the Baptism of Christ we see all 3 persons. Christ the one being baptized, the Holy Spirit, descending “like a dove” and lighting upon Jesus, and God, the voice from Heaven. (see Matthew 3:16-17 & Luke 3:22) Scripture commands us to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (see Matthew 28:19). All 3 separate and yet one! A mystery that will not be fully understood this side of Heaven.

“Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) If you are a born again believer (born again - signifying accepting Jesus, and being symbolically buried by immersion in water and symbolically raised to new life (new birth) do not doubt you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. And as we delve further into the Fruit you will see evidence of this indwelling. Let’s begin to discover, to come to know the 3rd person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 tells us that the Fruit we are to bear is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words The Holy Spirit is the producer, or Farmer of the Fruit. To have a better understanding our focus this week will be on some of the roles, or characteristics of the Holy Spirit. Did you notice the word some? There is so much to be learned about the Holy Spirit, that to discover all would be a study in itself. What we learn this week will only be the tip of the iceberg! There are 3 things I hope you will discover:

1. The Holy Spirit had an integral and active part in the life of Jesus. Beginning with His birth, through His ministry on earth, and finally in His death.
2. That as a result of the Holy Spirits interaction we have been adopted as heirs and are God’s daughters
3. That the Holy Spirit is alive and active in you!

The Holy Spirit is often thought of as being a New Testament entity, but He was very active in the Old Testament. There are well over 30 references to the “Spirit of God” in the Old Testament (i.e.…the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit had an integral part in the creation of the World. We are told in Genesis 1:2 “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”. Hovering or moved (KJV) in Hebrew means to flutter, move, shake. I like the way Beth Moore says it in her book Living Beyond Yourself “the Holy Spirit is acting in His role as Energizer, applying the power and energy of the Godhead to the act of creation.” (Can’t you just picture the Energizer Bunny as he keeps on moving, and moving - and keeps us going, and going, and going?)

Prior to the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit did not indwell the hearts of all children of God. Less than 100 people recorded in all of the Old Testament had been filled with, or empowered by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore the Holy Spirit came and went as He willed. Scripture records that the Holy Spirit not only anointed Saul, but also departed from him. Take a moment and read Psalm 51:10-12 here you will see the repentant, pleading words of David after his sin with Bathsheba. David knew God’s Spirit was indeed a gift. He knew from the experience of Saul that he could lose the Spirit’s powerful presence. That was then….

Today, 1 Corinthians 3:16, & 6:19, tells us that we are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in us. John 14:16-17 tells us the Counselor, (the Holy Spirit), will live with us - and in us forever. And that the world cannot accept him, because the world neither sees Him nor knows Him. But we know Him, for He lives with us and will be in us. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God who blesses us in many ways. The Holy Spirit is our “living connection” to our ongoing relationship with God, the Father.

Happy Studying,

Next week: Fruit Collecting – Love is _____________

Your questions have been sent via email Sunday morning, July 6th. If you did not receive them please let me know.

Side note: I recently learned I have not received some of your emails. If you have sent me an email and did not get an answer, please know I did not receive it. I respond to all emails. Please resend it.
I understand some of you have had some computer and technical challenges. Hang in there with me and we will get them all worked out. It is just the devil trying to defeat the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives… Let’s not let him win.

Be Encouraged... Sandra

Soil Preparation Summary

Happy 4th of July!
The answers to week one:
1. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit

2. A tree is recognized by its fruit. Example... when you see an apple tree you do not think it is a peach tree? Why, because you recognize the fruit which is being produced. In much the same way we should be recognized as having the Holy Sprit active in us by the fruit we are exhibiting.

3. Our purpose for growing fruit is to be recognized as a Disciple of Jesus

4. We cannot bear fruit by ourselves. There is no way we can produce it or muster it up on our own.

5. To produce fruit we must abide, remain (remember the Greek word is meno – it is a continual action of being connected, never departing from and always present with) in Jesus, the True Vine.

6. If we abide the passage tells us we have the reward of asking anything in Jesus name and receiving it…. This is not a vending machine mentality or action…. If we in fact our doing our part of truly abiding then what we ask for will more then likely line up with God’s desires. Remember it is a continual heart action of being in His presence. It is not … “okay God, I read my Bible this week, everyday I abided, now could I have a new car?”

7. If we obey His commands we remain (meno) in His love. The 2nd reward of obedience is the Joy of Christ will be in us… Our joy will be complete. The Greek word for complete is (pleroo) and it means to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full - to cause to abound - to furnish or supply liberally - to render full - i.e. to complete - to fill to the top so that nothing shall be wanting; full measure. Ladies this is such a beautiful picture. To have such joy, to be so full there is no room for anything else. We shall not be wanting for more, as we will be full to the measure!!!! Wow, can you just imagine.

A. What are some practical concrete ways we can abide: I gave you one in your notes to get you started and that was to memorize scripture… here is another…. Practice the art of seeing God. See Him in the beauty around you; in the actions of others; in the answers to prayer.

B. How can we become distracted or separated from the vine? One way is by not making God a priority. We schedule Dr.’s appts., hair appts., dinner dates with friends etc. Many of us use day planners, or some type of calendars to keep us on track. If it is important we schedule it… we find the time… should we do no less for God?

C. What am I currently doing that is working? Currently I am getting up every morning (well almost, I still struggle) between 5:00 and 5:30 am. This has not always been the case and it was not easy, but it has truly been rewarding. I have a morning cup of coffee and spend some time in prayer, as well as a short time of study, then allow time for sitting quietly and letting the Holy Sprit speak to me through God’s Word. May I encourage you to give it a try for one month… it will change your life!

D. Choose one way to increase your abiding…. I am going to pick one night where between 8:00 and 9:00 pm I read a book on a topic I wish to learn more or grow more spiritually in… such as Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver, or 6 Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time by Catherine Martin.

Okie Doakie Study Buddies… it is your turn to answer A, B, C & D…. Let’s encourage one another, by sharing what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you this week.

Your next week’s lesson on The Fruit Producer will post this coming Sunday. In the meantime, how about sharing some of those answers?

Have a safe 4th of July and Be Encouraged.