Thursday, August 16, 2012

Fruit or Fruits?


“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes dissensions, factions, envying drunkenness, carousing, and things like these of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Sprit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5:23

“Not only will we find a hunger to know Christ, but a hunger to be LIKE Christ.  Paul talks about those things which will be the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in the lives of Christians.  By ‘fruit’ he is describing the inevitable consequences of the Spirit’s presence in their lives.

“You will notice that the list is in the singular: ‘the fruit of the Spirit is...’ and not ‘the fruits of the Spirit are...’.  These are not nine different fruits, some of which may be evidenced in one life, and others in another, but all NINE qualities are together the expression of the Spirit’s work in our lives."*  

As I look at this list of fruit it makes me hungry for more understanding of Jesus Christ in my life.  These nine qualities are the fruit and the result of our intimacy with the Lord...He is so generous!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS:  ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action! 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Isaiac Catorce, his family and ministry in the Philippines where clean up is just beginning from the amazing floods ( see column to the left of this blog for more information):  “85 people confirmed dead.”  So much is needed after this devastating flood.  If the Lord lays it on your heart to help, contact Barbara Hanak at Ambassadors for Christ in Atlanta Georgia (bhanak@afciworld.org)

For Adrian who thought he finally found a place to rest and recover, but the people who were supposed to help him, have other things to do and need him to move again within the next couple of weeks.  There seems almost no social or health support for him.  Need a contact near Brisbane please! 

For Daniel Craver (3-4 yrs old), recovering from urgent liver surgery!  Cucuawe as he recovers from the trauma of his 17-year old daughter’s death.  Hans, a new hungry baby Christian needs to find fellowship --if you know any Christians near Essen Germany, please contact me as soon as possible.  Pray for me for a project in Canberra – the decision was delayed hope to hear about it this week.  I might even be able to come home for the holidays if the Lord allows this.  Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with an important matter.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face without Him.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for Deborah’s husband.  Paul NS.  Adrian’s pain meds not working well.  Tim (my little brother), needs financial help, especially with no health insurance needs a disability pension.   For Michael C, with his own health concerns & for his wife, Diane, as his mother is fading away with Alzheimer’s and ill health.  David still needs prayer for his health, but is doing better.  Steve Barns for relief from great pain and depression. 

For a solution for Audley and Beverly (she’s disabled from a stroke and needs a carer during the day so Audley can go out and work).  Tim B with headaches, that his doctor will OK a new procedure for relief.  For Carlton suffering from horrible infections in his bones. 

Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ )  Wisdom for doctors caring for so many, including Tim, Doris, David, Gary and Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes!  Galdor recovering from the loss of his mother and companion dog of 17 years --he also needs a new job.  For Yourri who lost a friend.  Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through some challenges.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways. 

For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Adam who is becoming involved with a cult that’s filling many unmet needs.  Scott, for strength as he struggles and grows ( and for Donna as she encourages him).  For David K, in his studies.  For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mismanagement.

ONGOING JOB RELATED: Barbara’s (sister-in-law) and Hans’ (friend) projects have both ended and they need new work.  (Hans especially needs paying work – he’s been volunteering to fill the time.)  For Tim, my amazing brother that he might find satisfying work.  Paul K who resigned from his job and is setting up a consultancy.

A third volume to the Amazon Books Kindle version of WeakDay Devotions was just published, called simply, “Forgiveness”.




*Christ For Real by Charles Price

  

There are now three Amazon Kindle books created from the WeakDay Devotions series entitled:  Secrets of a Deeper Life in Christ and A Missing Psalm, Forgiveness.  I hope putting these together in this new format will be a blessing to many more & will help support this ministry. 

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