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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such, there is no law.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such, there is no law.
- Galatians 5:22, 23
Perfect love casts out fear… how I desire that love will be the strong foundation of your character.
Your father and your mother and your big brother love you so much… and so do I…
but all the love that we as human beings can give you is nothing compared to the unfathomable well of love that is in the heart of your Creator and Maker, God Almighty.
You are deeply loved, dear Peaceful Child… so much more than words could ever express!
Today my granddaughter Shalom, Peaceful One, turns one month old.
It has been a privilege being able to hold this tiny baby in my hands often the past weeks, and praying a blessing over her.
But for the special Grandmother's blessing that I pray for each of my grandchildren on the first twelve months of their lives, I have chosen twelve character traits of the Lord Jesus, starting with the nine facets of the fruit of the Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are needed for ministry, but even much more important than the gift is the fruit of the Spirit…
Fruit is the fertile soil in which the gift operates.
Without the foundation of a fruitful life, the gift is shallow and meaningless.
Spiritual fruit requires obedience and nurture. It doesn't happen overnight, and one can't certainly force it to come. There are certain conditions that make fruit bearing possible.
Spiritual fruit comes only when the branch remains connected to the trunk allowing the life-giving sap of the mother plant to flow unhindered. Nourishment provides a a healthy environment for the leaves to remain green, and for the fruit to grow at the right season.
This day I pray for love to continue to be a vital part of this little one's character.
Love. It is the heart of Abba Father for a lost world. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us, that we should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love is willing to give of its best. Love does not withhold the best that it can give.
Love is not selfish… true love is selfless.
I am always amazed at the enduring quality of love as described by the Holy Spirit in the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13.
patient…
kind…
not envious…
neither boastful nor proud.
Love does not dishonor others.
It has been a privilege being able to hold this tiny baby in my hands often the past weeks, and praying a blessing over her.
But for the special Grandmother's blessing that I pray for each of my grandchildren on the first twelve months of their lives, I have chosen twelve character traits of the Lord Jesus, starting with the nine facets of the fruit of the Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are needed for ministry, but even much more important than the gift is the fruit of the Spirit…
Fruit is the fertile soil in which the gift operates.
Without the foundation of a fruitful life, the gift is shallow and meaningless.
Spiritual fruit requires obedience and nurture. It doesn't happen overnight, and one can't certainly force it to come. There are certain conditions that make fruit bearing possible.
Spiritual fruit comes only when the branch remains connected to the trunk allowing the life-giving sap of the mother plant to flow unhindered. Nourishment provides a a healthy environment for the leaves to remain green, and for the fruit to grow at the right season.
This day I pray for love to continue to be a vital part of this little one's character.
Love. It is the heart of Abba Father for a lost world. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us, that we should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love is willing to give of its best. Love does not withhold the best that it can give.
Love is not selfish… true love is selfless.
I am always amazed at the enduring quality of love as described by the Holy Spirit in the Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is:
patient…
kind…
not envious…
neither boastful nor proud.
Love does not dishonor others.
Love is not self-seeking.
Love is not easily angered.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love:
ALWAYS protects…
ALWAYS trusts…
ALWAYS hopes…
ALWAYS perseveres…
Love NEVER fails.
My beloved granddaughter,
How I pray for you on this special day, that LOVE will be an integral part of your growing up years.
That love will shape your inner character...
And build a strong hedge of protection around your heart, that it will give you the security and depth of spiritual insight that you need in life.
Perfect love casts out fear… how I desire that love will be the strong foundation of your character.
Your father and your mother and your big brother love you so much… and so do I…
but all the love that we as human beings can give you is nothing compared to the unfathomable well of love that is in the heart of your Creator and Maker, God Almighty.
You are deeply loved, dear Peaceful Child… so much more than words could ever express!
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