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I have a favorite Old Testament verse that many will probably find odd: "Man that is born of woman is of a few days full of trouble. Job 14:1 The reason it is my favorite is because it helps to explain why there is so much suffering in my life and in the world. It can be my favorite bible verse because of my favorite New Testament verse: " In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Be certain that troubles will continue. But we can be more certain that when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus, we are able to overcome the troubles and trials and tribulations of this life.
From a heart of love and compassion share the gospel
From a heart of love and compassion share the gospel
Your Christian life may be the only Gospel they will know
Pray and put the results of your sharing in God's hands
Pray and put the results of your sharing in God's hands
As the wind blows we cannot see where it goes, so is the working of the Spirit of the Living God
I have continued this Declaration of the Fruit of The Spirit because I think it is worth repeating.
Pastor Bill drew this inspirational declaration from the following scriptures:
John 14:17 (NKJV)
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV84)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
John 14:26 (NKJV)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Romans 8:14 (NKJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
William D. Holland Sr.
DECLARATION OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
I received this from my brother, William D. Holland Sr. who is Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Community Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
July 2023
Your words have power;
what you declare today will be your character tomorrow:
DECLARATION OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
from Galatians 5:22-23
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am LOVING,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am JOYFUL,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am PEACEFUL,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am PATIENT,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am KIND,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am GOOD,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am FAITHFUL,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am GENTLE,
Because Your Spirit lives in me,
I am SELF-CONTROLLED
Because The Spirit of God lives in me:
my character reflects the character of The Holy Spirit.
Your Spirit leads me, Your Spirit teaches me…
Day by day, I am being conformed by Your Spirit
into the image of Christ Jesus.
When I first read this I was struck with what a powerful way to begin morning prayer, or my devotions. If you have ever watched the Series called The Chosen. You no doubt will remember the way that Jesus and the disciples began their day as they awaken from a nights rest. They sit on the edge of their bed. They open their hands palms up upon their knees and they greet the Father with thanksgiving and worship. I immediately saw the beauty in following up my morning acknowledgement of God with this Declaration of the Fruits of the Spirit.
Sunday morning (7/16/23) while worshipping at New Beginnings the entire congregation recited the declaration and Pastor Bill reminded the congregation that as we speak these declarations into our lives we are speaking spiritual truths to ourselves. We are also speaking- developing Christ-like character in the image of God himself through the Holy Spirit.
However you may choose to use this declaration, I strongly endorse the use of it to build Christ-like character in your own walk with the Lord.
August
Anaphora of Time
Anaphora of Time
Paul writes in Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (KJV)
Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (KJV)
The NIV phrases it this way, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Col. 4:5) and “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:15-16)
Here is an interesting anaphora regarding time.
Time is Purposeful it does not dilly dally or stall.
Time is Relentless it does not brood over opportunity lost.
Time is Obstinate it does not brook indecision.
Time is Constant it will not alter at your whim or mine.
Time is Remorseless it does not weep over failed attempts.
Time is Absolute it is not undefined or abstract.
Time is Sure it is steady, it is steadfast, it is not slothful.
Time is Tenacious in its ever forward movement.
Time is Incessant it allows no interruption of mortal man.
Time is Nonstop.
Time is Adamant without regard to respite.
Time is True it offers no ambiguity.
Time is Earnest requiring intentionality.
What then is the emboldened nemesis of good time management?
FGHolland 8/5/2023
August 7, 2023
To develop a closer relationship with Christ, I have determined to improve my knowledge and reliance on the scriptures. I decided to take the scriptures that Mrs. C. Nazum used in her book and relate them to my life to develop a closer relationship with the Lord
Life of Faith Scriptures
December of 2006 I was given a small book written by Mrs. Cornelia Nuzum, a missionary to Mexico. The book was given to me by a dear friend in Christ, Linda Nichols.
I browsed through the book and found it had some interesting things to say about faith. I put it aside for a while planning to pick it up at a later date.
16 years later I began to read the contents of the book as part of my morning devotion. I was seeking to know God’s will for me. I had been walking with the Lord for 50 years or so and I felt my faith had not grown. I felt that there has to be something I was missing or lacking. I had begun a devotional study written by Henry Blackaby called Experiencing God. I had read his book several years ago, but I never did the devotional.
The combination of the Experiencing God devotional and Mrs. C. Nazum’s book were enlightening for me. I had completed her book rather quickly because there are only 18 chapters in the book. However, I kept returning to re-read several of the chapters as they often spoke to my spirit in ways that helped me to not only read the scriptures but absorb them as part of my thinking and responding to many of my enquiries.
Henry Blackaby’s devotional was having a profound impact as well. I was learning that I needed to adjust my life to what God was doing as opposed to asking God to bless what I wanted or was doing. His devotional helped me to re-arrange my thinking about why I was not being used by God in ways that I felt He ought to be using me. The fact is I had not developed a relationship with God that would allow the spirit of God to flow through me as I observed in others. I still do not hear the voice of God (like the still small voice that Elijah heard), I do not experience the powerful impressions upon my spirit of what God wants to do in my life like Abram whom God called to leave his family and home and go to a place where God would show him; I do not perceive the moving of the spirit of God as clearly as I desire to. One thing I have gained, one thing I have heard in my quiet times before the Lord, is that ‘God has my times in his hand’, ‘God knows my thoughts’, I am willing therefore to wait on Him to manifest Himself to me in His time.
To develop that closer relationship, I have determined to improve my knowledge and reliance on the scriptures. I decided to take the scriptures that Mrs. C. Nazum has used in her book and relate them to my life to develop a closer relationship with the Lord. It was through the scriptures that I understood my need for the savior and how I became convinced that his plan of salvation does indeed include me. Therefore, shouldn’t it be the scriptures to develop in me the closer relationship with my God.
The outcome that I am looking for from this exercise is to grow in understanding and knowing the Father better; To meditate on the word of God purposefully day and night that the scriptures become a part of my thinking and responding to my situations as well as others.
I am sharing with you what I have gotten from these meditations.
Chapter 1. I Am Come That Ye Might Have Life
“I am come that ye might have life” Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 Jesus is referring to anyone who comes to him and believes in him shall be saved and walk in a new abundant life, full of God’s favor. This verse of scripture was in response to the disbelief of the Pharisees who questioned him because he healed a blind man on the sabbath. When Jesus condemned the leaders of the people (specifically the Pharisees) as thieves and robbers whom the sheep will not follow, he also says, “I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
The Pharisees were offended by his words, they were not able to recognize the offer (the gift) of salvation that Jesus was making. They were blinded by their own self-importance and concern for maintaining their authority. But his offer still stands if any man acts on Jesus’ word, they will receive the abundant life in him that he offers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the impact of this abundant life. He writes, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not with him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
What then is this abundant life that Jesus is referring to?
First and foremost, Jesus says we will be saved. Salvation is essential for all of mankind because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. Jesus came to the world to seek and save the lost. Jesus is the good shepherd. He lays His life down for His sheep.
We see the signs at football games JOHN 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Being freed from the impact and penalty of sin in our lives is only a part of the abundant life that Jesus offers. Sin separates us from God and all that he could do in our lives. But beyond that the scriptures tell us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) Jesus’ death on our behalf redeems us from that life of separation. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins. Now we have access to the Father who has demonstrated His love for us before we even knew Him.
In John 10:9 Jesus also says that we will “go in and out and find pasture.” When I considered what this portion of the scriptures meant to my Christian life I remembered the 23rd Psalm.
Because Jesus is my shepherd, He is my provider, He is my keeper, He is my guide. Consider the Psalm.
1. I shall not want
2. Green pastures and quiet waters
3. He restores my soul.
4. He leads me in paths of righteousness.
5. I will fear no evil, He comforts me 6. He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
7. He anoints my head with oil, my cup overflows
8. Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
9. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
All that we could ever seek after in this life is encompassed in this Psalm. Then at the end of this life there is the eternal promise of eternity in the house of the Lord.
August 7, 2023
Continue the Life of Faith Scriptures through September, October and November
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Father, I thank you for the timelessness of your Word and your Promises. I pray you will use these words to encourage your children as they grow in their relationship with you. I pray that you will work in the heart of every person who does not know you as Lord to bring them to yourself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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