Hello Love,
I often ponder…. I often ponder on my actions and what I am doing and what I should do and I, I, I…
We can get so stuck with ourselves, that we do not see the magnitude of God’s Grace for us.
Nor, do we even allow ourselves to have Grace with ourselves. As I’ve been heavily shifting the way I want to do business, I’ve been fully invested in the Fruits of the Spirit.
So much so, that a small little red book appeared in my path called “The Secrets of the Vine“. Have you read it???
I am blown away just how thoughtful, loving, gentle God can be with us and how much Grace He truly pours over us.
In the Word there are two verses that I want to highlight today…
It says in Mark 12:30 – 31 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”
In John 13:34 it says ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I truly believe that these two verses really correspond with how we should LOVE. LOVE is the thing you know…
The Command that God gives throughout the Bible is based on LOVE.
Yet for some reason we throw the word LOVE around as though it’s a normal thing.
But what we can see? SIN is everything against LOVE.
And Grace? Well Grace is also LOVE.
I know it’s mind blowing.
This is one of the reasons I believe Jesus came into the World.
We totally are a fallen world and we can see that with the Chaos going on around us.
From Natural disasters to looting and so on.
How can we show LOVE when LOVE is not demonstrated to us. But yet, it is. This is why God has called those who truly believe that Jesus is the way, the Light of the World.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mathew 5:16
Many have placed the above out of context. Meaning that “oh, let me video myself in giving and doing good to others and I’m showing my light” hashtag #selfie etc.
What it truly means is to walk out LOVE daily. That is the call.
But, how can you give what you don’t already have? Exactly.
This is why we invite Jesus into our hearts to transform us.
You know, as I’m in the middle of writing this, and how I know the impact of images and story telling.
I wasn’t thinking of marketing heavily my collection or even talking about it. I didn’t even have a name for it and I didn’t know how I was going to launch it.
But I’ll tell you what, it has been a journey of transformation and one that I believe God calls us to in each season. I read in the Bible somewhere that God desires Obedience over Sacrifice. And that is why I’m writing to you today.
There are things that we get pulled to, and the hidden work that no one sees, one day comes to light.
That’s what I think, the Fruits of the Spirit is about.
In that small little book that I read it talked about the difference between the Father’s Discipline and Pruning. I was in such awe, on the magnitude of God’s Grace as I was going through a difficult time. That when God allowed this small little book to cross my path, I felt such Joy in the Lord of His Goodness.
There are moments in our walk that we can feel as though He is disciplining us, but what if He is pruning you on areas that you are already fruitful in.
His Grace is not only seen in His Son Jesus, but because of Jesus we get to experience, All His fruits of the Spirit. His Gentleness, Kindness, Long Suffering, Patience just to name a few. During my own pruning, I saw through my pain His fruits which brought out a Joy through Pain, Peace that surpassed understanding and a desire to walk out His plan.
Jesus said in John 14:26-28
“26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.”
Jesus reconciled us to the Father, Holy Spirit and also calls us Friend (to himself!).
The other day, I was talking with my littles. They were asking for so many things, Lordt. Do you have kids? Oh then you know. You know when those little hearts are set on something instead of hear Mama, Mama, Mama, 101 more times in that sequence, you pull out the big guns. You gently let them know, that Daddy is available to hear their desires as well. (*fist pumps the air) It’s a mighty endeavor.
I said to them with Love,(ehem) “Ask your father, and when you do, I’ll have your back and explain to him why you want those things”
In that very instant after those words left my lips, it reminded me of what Jesus has done for us, and does for us, that we can come boldly to the Father in His name, and He has our backs. This is what I dare to call a covenant. What are your thoughts?
Jesus has called us friend and I also call you friend. I hope that we get to Journey together on this new series and my new Showit Template shop coming out soon. God is always Able. Don’t ever forget that ALL things are possible with GOD.
Until Next time!
xoxo
