What Kind of Fruit are you Producing? PLUS BOOK Give-Away

Clip Art courtesy of Google Image

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, good­ness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians5:22-23 ISV

Years ago I received a capiz shell wind chime as a gift. Each brightly colored shell was shaped like a fruit. According to my friend, these fruits represented the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I memorized the verse and hung the wind chimes in front of the kitchen window. With each delicate tinkling, I remembered the list of virtues.

How is it possible, I thought, for all of these fruits to become evident in my life?

Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, encouraging them to live by faith in Jesus Christ rather than giving in to their own fleshly desires. What results when people give in to the desires of a sinful nature?

  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21 ISV). When we live according to our sinful natures, we hurt ourselves and others and, in effect, reject the power available to us through the Holy Spirit.

Paul goes on to say, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, good­ness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Now those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also be guided by the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-25 ISV). 

 A life in harmony with the Holy Spirit, and consequently in accordance to God’s Word, will produce the fruit of the Spirit.

May you produce a beautiful bounty of spiritual fruit in your life.  Today's meditation is a excerpt from my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments. 

Readers who share this blog post on social media sites and also tell me about it in a comment below will be included in a drawing for a free paperback copy of this devotional. It's my pleasure to get this devotional into the hands of readers and now is a perfect time as we look forward to Easter. If you already have your copy, think gift. 

The winner will be announced April 7th.  
Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.

IS YOUR FACE SHINING? Reflect His LIGHT

Driftwood mirror courtesy of Google Images

We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Changed into the same image? Isn’t that what Paul said? In that case, we would reflect Jesus. We would reflect His glory. We would mirror His character.

Jesus reflected God. 

We look to Him every time our thoughts turn to Him, every time we go before God’s throne of grace in prayer. We behold Him when we linger there in His presence.

This brings to mind the story of Moses coming down from the mountain where he had been with God.  Without his realizing it, his face shone, reflecting the glory of God that he had beheld. 

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he had the two tablets in his hand, and he did not know that the skin of his face was ablaze with light because he had been speaking with God. Exodus 34:29 ISV

It requires discipline to “behold Him”. The most natural thing to do is behold ourselves.  I look at myself in the mirror several times each day. I look at myself when my thoughts dwell on my aches and pains, everyday matters, and even my hopes and dreams. 

In requires discipline to “behold Him” in every particular and circumstance of life. 

It requires discipline to concentrate on His character, His glory, His grace, and meditate on God.

But the more we behold Him, the more we will reflect His glory.

A new friend reminded me of a beautiful song this week which started my reflections. Ever since I read these words, it keeps replaying in my mind. 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.”

Text and music by Helen H. Lemmel

And Jesus said this about John the Baptist,

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.  John 5:35

That's something to think about.

Sunrise on Seabrook Island courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

I'm pleased you have visited Write Moments with God.  Feel free to leave your comments below if you like.  I appreciate you.

Let Me Be the Glove LORD. YOU Be the Hand that Moves Me

A new pair of gloves

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Today I want to give you this picture as a visual reminder.  Gloves

What is a glove without a hand? A lifeless, useless thing. 

This winter I have often worn gloves, not only outside, but inside as well.  My hands are cold!  So the gloves keep reminding me of something I wrote in my journal a few years ago:

 “Even though I feel physically weak, and my burden of responsibility seems too heavy,

I can do everything that God intends for me to do by the power of Him working in me,

empowering me.  The Holy Spirit of God dwells in me.

Let me be the glove, Lord.   I am the glove—God be the hand that moves me.”

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we know that God the Holy Spirit lives in us. It is He who strengthens us. In Ephesians, Paul is praying for the believers to be encouraged and have faith.

That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16

God the Holy Spirit indwells the inner man, and strengthens our soul and encourages our heart with His might. That's encouraging to me.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

The power that is working in us is the Holy Spirit of God if we will avail ourselves to His power.  If we will look to Him for our strength, we can be His hands and feet on this earth. 

Let me encourage you.  You CAN do WHATEVER GOD INTENDS for you to do if you avail yourself to His power that is already dwelling inside you. Look to Him for your strength and receive His comfort.  All to His glory.

Thanks to Virginia Sharpe Franz for the lovely photo

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  Please come again. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Dispel Dissatisfaction with an Attitude of Gratitude

Photo courtesy of Collage of Life

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AKJV

I tend to write often on the subject of thankfulness or an attitude of gratitude. I have a quote attributed to Chuck Swindoll about “Attitude” on my Facebook Author page.  I used to keep it posted in my classroom. 

Why do I write about this subject so often? Simply because I need to remind myself of its importance.  Maybe you need reminding too. I believe this is a lifestyle choice that needs to be practiced in the concrete circumstances of our lives.

The world that surrounds us with all its materialism and commercialism promotes dissatisfaction. We are practically programmed to want all the newest technology and gadgets, the most comfortable and stylish homes, cars, clothes, and the most exotic, luxurious vacations (from God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea). We tend to compare our possessions and lifestyles with those of our proverbial neighbor.  This can lead to an attitude of dissatisfaction and disappointment. 

A remedy for the anxiety and alienation this dissatisfaction spawns is thankfulness and faith in the goodness and love of God. 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

I need to be thankful for all that God has given me and also for His mercy and grace that spares me from undesirable things.

A friend told me the other day: “say ‘thank you’ every chance you get”—to family, friends, to everything and everybody that sparks thankfulness within, and especially to God, say “thank you.” With gratitude in my heart, I am free to enjoy what God has given me.

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Photo courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

I am grateful for you and thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. I pray that the meditations and reflections you find on this blog are encouraging and uplifting to you.  Thank you for visiting. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below.

CONGRATULATONS  to Carol Heilman who has won a copy of Vanessa Fortenberry's new children's book, Mama, I want to see God. Thank you Vanessa for being my guest and for offering a copy of your book to my readers.

Meet Guest Author, Vanessa Fortenberry ~ Plus, monthly Book Give-Away

Vanessa Fortenberry 

Today’s guest is Vanessa Fortenberry. She is a true Georgia Peach having lived in Georgia all her life. I had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa in 2011 at the Catch the Wave Christian Writers Conference. I was impressed by her kind soft-spoken nature. We’ve become friends and encourage each other on our Christian journey.

Vanessa is giving away a copy of her beautiful newly released children’s book, Mama,I Want to See God. So, be sure to leave a comment below.

As a child Vanessa wrote plays, poetry, short stories, and she was an avid reader. However, as much as she loved reading and writing, when she went to college, she majored in music.

Unable to escape the appeal of the written word, Vanessa later became a teacher-librarian. And, after reading countless picture books during story time, Vanessa picked up her own pen to create inspirational stories for children and adults. 

Vanessa has two children, Thomas and Teresa; and two grandchildren, Andrea and Anthony.

Was there a defining moment for you on your writing journey?

In 2010, while exercising at the gym, I mistakenly turned the TV channel to the 700 Club. A conversation about how "God knows us and knows us by name" quickly gained my attention. God spoke to me that day, and I went home to write the first of many inspirational stories for children.  

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing.

I find inspiration from real life stories. We all struggle at home, school, work, and play. My message to my readers is that we can overcome our personal conflicts with the help of a loving God.

 Vanessa, what inspired your book, Mama, I Want to See God?

My grandson, Anthony inspired me to write Mama, I Want to See God. About three years ago, when he was six-years old, he actually said to his mother those exact words. The next day, I sat down at my computer and wrote the story. In my book a child ask his mother lots of questions about God. The child’s curiosity about God indicates his desire to connect with God, while his mother answers his questions with patience and affection.

 What do you think the Lord is teaching you through your writing? 

God is teaching me to study His Word, to believe in His Word, and to act on His Word.

Would you share your favorite Scripture with us?

Psalm 78:4 is my favorite scripture. It states, “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders” (NIV).

As a Christian writer, God gave me an important assignment to teach children about God through life lesson stories. So, it becomes even more imperative to introduce children to the Word and prayer so they may gain knowledge about God, which will ultimately draw them closer to Him.

Where can we find you on the web?

www.vanessafortenberry.com

facebook.com/MamaIWantToSeeGod

linkedin.com/pub/vanessa-fortenberry/16/7a3/603

twitter.com/vanfortenberry

I also write a monthly e-newsletter, “Connecting Readers to the Word,” which you can subscribe to free on my website.

Thank you Vanessa for being our guest today.  And thank you Readers for spending some of your day with us. I hope you will participate in the drawing for a chance to win your own copy of Vanessa's new children's book.

Now, to qualify for the random drawing:

1.  Leave a comment in the comment box below for one chance to win. Include (1) your email address, and (2) how are you going to share this blog post.  We so enjoy reading your comments.

 It's easy to share this on Facebook.  Just click the button at the bottom of the page.  (Plus, Twitter fans could tweet.  We appreciate lots of shares in order to help us get the word out about Jane’s writing and this blog.

2.  Become a follower of Write Moments with God for an additional chance to win.

Do this by Saturday, March 8th by noon. I will announce the winner on Monday, March 10th. 

Thanks again for visiting Write Moments with God.  Please come again.

Lord, That I Might Receive My Sight

Can you see Keira behind the bushes in these two different pictures?

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18

            The three dogs I was dog-sitting played in the backyard. I walked out onto the deck to check on them.  I saw only two of them.  From my vantage point, I scanned all around the yard.  Still I could see only two.  I worried that the one dog might have escaped through a hole under the fence.  As I walked down the steps, a little motion in the shrubs across the yard caught my eye.  There stood the dog looking directly at me.  She was barely visible because her coloring perfectly blended in with the gray fence and vegetation.  My eyes had been deceived. It so surprised me, I took a picture so I could share the story with the owner.  But, the dog wasn’t visible in the picture either.

            This incident made me realize that the truth can be looking right at us, but sometimes we might not see it.

            Saul of Tarsus thought his perspective allowed him to clearly see the truth and he persecuted and killed the disciples of Jesus.  But, on the road to Damascus, the Lord by His mercy spoke to Saul out of a great light above the brightness of the sun which blinded Saul’s eyes, yet opened his heart to the truth. 

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they many receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26: 16a, 18 (KJV)

When Saul was able to see again three days later, he saw aright and went forth as a bold witness and a powerful minister serving the Lord.

Untold misery has been caused in this world by people who think they are seeing aright, and yet they have not turned from the power of Satan unto God.

Then, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, part of our responsibility is expressed in those words of Jesus in Acts 26:18.

 

Here's another picture of Keira, the same dog.

Jesus said What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?

And the blind man said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” (See Luke 18:35-41)

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. I am honored that you have spend part of your day with me.  May God be with you and protect you, and open your eyes to the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.

When the Situation is Bleak and Scary, Where Do You Put your Confidence?

My house spring 2013

After math of February 11th ice storm

In my little part of the world last week, we experienced a record breaking ice storm. I’ve never seen anything like it. Many people are still without power for the fifth or sixth day.

Many of you have even worse weather-related experiences. There’s been enough awful bizarre weather this winter to try and inconvenience most of us. For some people the weather has caused real devastation in their lives. Our hearts go out to them.

The one thing over which we have little or no control is the weather.

The weather doesn’t care about our family background or social standing, our net worth, how educated we are, or any of our other statistics. It levels the playing field so to speak. We all are subject to it.

 

When the situation is bleak and scary, where do we place our confidence?

I know I have little confidence in myself.  

We are forced to realize that we are at God’s mercy, that God and He alone is in control. God has the ultimate control over us. 

My confidence is in Him.

Am I interested in the sovereignty of God because He is the Great I Am?

Or, am I only interested in Him because of the blessings He provides? For the comforts He gives me and mine?

If I believe that God is engineering my circumstances, then I must also believe that everything is in His hands.

I want to be faithful to Him by trusting Him through the storms.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We have to keep the faith, exercise it to build it up, remind ourselves to be loyal to God.

Then, we can say that all is well with our soul because of our faith in Him, regardless of the weather or any other circumstances.

For whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 

my little crocus

I am honored that you have spent some of your time with me today on Write Moments with God. I am grateful for you.  Please feel free to leave your comments below. 

And I’d like to ask you to say a prayer for those people everywhere who are hurting as a result of the weather. Even if we don’t know them personally, we can bring them to God who is on the throne of our hearts and the Holy Spirit of God in us will pray for them. Lord have mercy. Our confidence is in You.