The Big Test

Life isnt fair! We were never promised a fair life either. In fact, if such was the case, there wouldnt be any inner-growth. Most people, by one means or another, have learned how to cope with daily struggles…which we’ll call daily pop quizzes. The bigger, weekly test however, comes when we get grand-slammed into the middle of next month by unavoidable catastrophes. No one likes going down those bends in the road, but the journey must continue. How we act, and react, during these times is what determines our character – our personal growth – the end result – being the big, final test… Life!

Theres no way to cheat on this test – life. We will always have choices though. Sometimes the options are painful, sometimes obvious, and sometimes they require us to dig down to the depths of our souls while getting prepared to do battle. The end results of our characters, determined by such victory and defeat, simply is what makes us who we are, while preparing us for the next round. And the only way to complete this test is to finish this life, being released through death.

Sometimes we win the battles and claim amazing victories. During these times, we feel quite invincible; acquiring our own “SuperMan Status”, if you will. But, at one time or another, no matter how hard we try, we fail. These failed tests are required to be repeated, too, until we finally do “get it right”. That can cause us to feel lonely, vulnerable, worn down, and often broken in emotion and spirit.

There’s not a person alive, whether they are willing to admit it or not, who isn’t constantly seeking some form of validation, acceptance – love. Regardless of age – new born, toddler, teen, adult, and elderly alike – we all want it, seek it out, and are desperate to have it. That is simply how we were created and in essence, we slowly starve to death without it. Regardless of situation or circumstance, we all have a deep seated desire to be wanted -accepted- and loved.

Ahhh! To be loved! To be so validated and accepted to the point of being loved. Its what we all thrive on. All the money in the world cant buy it. There is no better feeling in this life than to know that no matter how bad our choices have been in the past and no matter how chained up we have became, there is someone who is willing to look past all of it. There is someone who actually, honestly, literally, cares! Someone who not only accepts us, but truly wants to be with us and wants us to be with them. There is such rest and peace to be found in that. To have such forgiveness, such compassion… it free’s us!

This whole entire human existence is based on this. Its the one thing we all have in common; touching each others lives in such grand, unforgettable ways. Its what we were born to do, and to have. We hunger for it. It is the purpose of our existence. To love, and to be loved, simply because we exist. No matter what life throws at us, no matter how easy or how hard the journey is, every joy and every trial comes down to love. Every action, every reaction, each step we take, and each word we speak – the lesson we are intended to learn is how to accept being loved and how to freely give love away.

The ultimate goal -the big prize to win – is pure, unconditional love. Many diligently work towards claiming this prize. Yet, in all of history, I know of only one man who righteously could and did claim this crown! His name, as he walked this human life, was Jesus of Nazareth. His name now is Jesus Christ, Lord all-mighty, Son of God.

We can all have (receive) never-ending, unconditional love by validating Jesus, accepting Him for Who He is. But, the only true hope any of us has to giving ‘unconditional love’ is to trade every single thing we are, and every tiny thing we have. In order to gain a spirit so magnificent as His, we first must love Him as He loves us. Only by total self-sacrificing submission and surrender to Him, then can we fully, purely, love others as He loves us. And, until we can experience being loved in that manner, we will not be able to give that kind of love to anyone else.

….and this, my friends, is thee greatest law -commandment- that there is, has ever been, and ever will be:
Matthew 22:37-39 … “Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “

Fruit Of The Spirit

WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?
There are 9 outward signs of a person who is living a true Christian life. As christians, we should be demonstrating ALL 9 of these; not just a couple. Basically, our goal is to constantly “kill the flesh” and be spiritually minded. Galatians 5:22-26 explains to us what, exactly, the “fruit” means: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

Killing the flesh, on the other hand, is explained to us in Galatians 5:19-21. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Our desired results are to “bear fruit” by planting seeds – as seeds planted will reproduce likeness to itself. By showing ourselves as the fruit of the Spirit, we are planting seeds, and once those seeds are matured, the harvest will be that of leading others to salvation, through Christ.

Peace

So many times, Im asked “How do I stop worrying?” The answer is two words… trust God!

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn is to do this very thing. Its often easier to say than it is to do, thats for sure! However, that still doesnt change the truth. Staying in peace is a big piece to the puzzle when it comes to “getting out of the wilderness.” Really, who wants to wonder around in the desert place for 40 years, as the Israelites did once they were freed from their bondage in Egypt. I dont know of anyone who wants to deal with the same problem (aka – wonder around in the desert place) for that long! It happens though. It happens to a whole lot of people, and many of them do not even realize it. Granted, the problem may present itself in a different way, but the core issue boils down to the same principal. Until we learn how to stay in peace, and to be thankful in all things, we will continue walking around ‘n around ‘n around that same mountain.

The faster a person can master this issue, the faster they will be done with the core problem. Success comes by learning to use your faith! By using your faith, you are showing God that you know He is the one in control. Demonstrate that you are believing in what you need or hope for to happen, without having first seen any signs or proof that you have it. (Heb 11:1) And to accomplish that, you simply have to trust God. You have to have no doubt (and definitely do not speak any doubt or negativity) that no matter what the outcome appears to be or how bad it seems, fully believing that the end results are going to be the best outcome possible.

In fact, here is the promise Jesus has given to us, and the instructions to follow in order to have victory: Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And in John 14:27, the Lord goes on to say, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Then, 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 tells us “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, God is our Father! We are His children! In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” How cool is that?!?!… the kingdom of heaven belongs to us! Think about that for a minute. Now, compare that to having a loving, compassionate earthly father. What happens when that fathers’ child is in a real bind and has went to his ‘dad’ and told him about his problem? ‘Dads’ first reaction is to listen. Then he thinks about it and weighs out the situation, considering what the outcomes of each scenario may be, and then he acts! Now, lets go a step further. Since ‘dad’, who wants to give his child every good thing that he can humanly manage to give and protect him from every bad thing he can, how much deeper could that go if there were no limits in regards to what he is able to do for his child? Haaa! Yeah! Thats pretty awesome, isnt it? Well, that is what our heavenly Father can give to us… every good thing that there is to be had, including protection from evil (James 1:17). Just like ‘dad’… He, Father God, does not want His child to be upset, and definitely not tormented over a situation. He wants His child to come to Him, to talk to Him, to tell Him all about his trouble and to lean on Him for support and to know that He is always there for the child. He wants his child to desire to spend time with Him, always trusting and loving Him. He wants an unbreakable bond with his child! So… similar to how it is with ‘dad’ being human, and confined to ‘humanistic’ limitations, just imagine how much greater that same thing applies to our Father – God. He IS love. He has NO limitations. He created the earth and everything in it only by speaking the word for it to be created. Just imagine how much deeper His love and care is for you!

Once you can truly sink your teeth into the reality of these things, staying in peace should not be a problem. Just as a small child goes to his father with tears in his eyes, believing that his ‘dad’ can and will fix any thing… go to your heavenly Father in the same manner… then LET Him fix it!