Devotionals for the Heart: Grace

Giving Grace
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 
Romans 3:21-25, James 1:19-21, Romans 12:2, Romans 13:12, Luke 6:37,

Jude 1:22-23 (NASB)

Grace is a really complex, yet simple, concept. Hopefully, we understand that it cannot be earned, but is given (Romans 3:21-25) as a gift, by the only righteous One (God). We cannot grasp all grace entails. Our finite human minds just aren’t capable. God does allow us to gain more and more understanding as we surrender ourselves to Him.

We can’t fully grasp grace. Yet, we’re called to give it to others. How do we do that when we don’t understand it? As with everything in the Christian faith, it is by allowing Him to do it in us.

I can’t give grace to the driver who cuts me off without Christ doing it through me. He takes the fleshly response, which seems righteous, and tells me that it is not the way He wants me to be. That anger stirs up the negative emotions in me, not the love, joy, peace, patience (that one gets me every time!), and the rest of the fruit of The Holy Spirit that He died to give me. It does not produce the righteousness of Christ in my life. James 1:19-21 is clear about what my human anger does in my life. It’s also clear what I’m called to do instead.

Judgment has been a consistent sin for me. I respect authority, and I am a rule follower. When others don’t obey the rules/laws, it upsets me. I want justice for being a “good” person. I want them to toe the line. If I have to do it, then everyone should, right? Where is the grace in that? Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in me to bring judgment into obedience with His calling has been a lifelong struggle. It has required changing my thoughts and bringing them into the obedience of Christ. (Romans 12:2)

Things that come easily to me are rarely from God. Anger is an easy reaction. Judgment is, too. To allow the peace of Christ to reign in my heart and mind is not something I am capable of doing on my own. It requires the sacrifice of laying down what I think is right, and allowing Him to teach me what is truly righteous. (Romans 13:12) If I were to continue in my judgmental thinking, I couldn’t be the minister to others He’s called me to be. (Luke 6:37) Countless times He has brought someone to me who has, what they would say, sinned in such a way that I would be offended or repulsed.

If the judgment that used to be so much a part of me was still running rampant, I wouldn’t be able to speak His truth in love to those hurting people. This does not mean I condone sin. It does, however, mean that I treat people the way Christ did in their sins. He loved them. He never accepted their wrong choices. He accepted them, and loved them to the right path. See the story of the woman at the well, or countless other passages in the Word where He confronted sin with love, not condemnation.

I believe that is what giving grace to others looks like. We can say that what they are doing is wrong, but love the person. (Jude 1:22-23) That is the person I want to be. I want others to feel safe coming to me for truth from Christ, no matter the sin in their lives. I want to be known for love. Too many believers are known more for their judgment than their love. Christ first came to love, not judge. That comes later. That’s who I want to be. Only Christ can make the changes in me, through His grace, to be grace-filled toward others.

Let’s Pray: Father God, do in me what needs to be done so that I give grace where I do not naturally want to do it. I surrender my “right” way to Your perfect way. Make me slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to listen that I may become more like You in grace. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Self-control

Self-control
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 and Proverbs 25:3 (NASB)

I’ve really struggled with this last fruit of the Spirit. Not only in application in my life, but in writing this blog post. I have this deep sense that self-control means much more than we realize on the surface, yet, I must not be at a point where God’s ready to reveal it.

I’ve been praying about this fruit for some time. The other blogs have flowed pretty well, with lots of thoughts and ideas swirling around before I sit down to write. This one, however, has just sat in my mind…self-control.

The other fruit have shown us that we can not manifest them through fleshly initiative for long. They are all part of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They are a result of a surrendered life. Self-control must be the same, right? So, if all of the fruit are a result, how does self come into this? How can my flesh, or self, gain any kind of real control?

Proverbs 25:3 tells us that it’s to God’s glory to conceal a matter and to the glory of kings to seek it out. God doesn’t play hide and seek to be malicious or sly. He wants to know we are desiring to hear more from Him, to go more deeply. That requires a seeking out on our parts.

A quick search of the Scriptures says that the word “self-control” isn’t used in the Old Testament, only in the New Testament. Interesting! Another piece of information is that the word is only used from Acts on. I think we’re getting somewhere!

With the knowledge that self-control was talked about in the Word only after the Holy Spirit was given to believers, there’s definitely a connection. My question about how self plays into this still remains, but a thought is starting to form.

We see Jesus in the wilderness being tempted. It’s a relatively short story in the Scriptures, with enormous ramifications. Until recently, I really didn’t think about what it was like for Him to have the enemy tempt Him with food, though I think that was likely the hardest to resist. He had been without food for 40 days. I know someone who has been called to a 40 day fast several times in his life. He’s told me that it is the most difficult thing he’s ever done, and when he is able to eat, his mind wants to eat everything in sight! That’s the point to which Jesus had gotten when He was told to make a stone into bread, which is something that is incredibly simple for the Creator to do.

Gethsemane is another place we see the Lord suffering under stress to the point of sweating out blood. So much was going on with His flesh, that it was pushing blood out of His pores. That’s something few people can say they have experienced.

During both of these overwhelming trials, Jesus did not sin. He did not give in to what His flesh, self, wanted, though it was a severe struggle. He exhibited the self-control that I believe the Scriptures may be talking about in Galatians. The wrestling with what I want, versus what I know the Spirit wants. The surrender of my will to One who has done the same to His Father. Giving up my right to be right, in order to be right with Him.

Perhaps I’m getting to the point of God illuminating this more for me. I’ll just have to seek it out. Are you willing to do the same?

Let's Pray: Dear Daddy (Father God in Heaven), You have redefined so many words as You have conformed my thoughts to those of You. This word is no different. Show me what You want me to see about myself and my walk with You, as Your Spirit guides me into all truth. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Gentleness

Gentleness
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 18:35, Colossians 3:12, James 3:13, Galatians 6:1 (NASB)

When you hear the word meek, what do you think?

The misuse of this word to mean weak has caused a lot of confusion over the years. Meek, by definition in the Scriptures, means, “strength in control,” based on Strong’s Concordance. 

We’re told that Christ was meek, and we know He was not weak! So, what does meek have to do with gentleness? Everything. Look at Psalm 18:35. We don’t think of gentleness as something that makes us great, do we?

We are told in Colossians 3:12 to put on, “…a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” as chosen ones of God. In James 3:13, it says that good behavior is shown in deeds of gentleness and wisdom. 

Gentleness and meekness are very intertwined in the Word (The Holy Bible). We don’t always think of gentleness as anything more than a light touch, like we would care for a baby, but it’s so much more. It’s how we treat one another, believer or non-believer. It’s also a sign of how we have allowed the Spirit to work in our lives. We cannot be gentle without the Spirit doing the work in us.

Gentle people draw others in. When you know someone who is a gentle soul, you know that they are unlikely to be hurtful, cruel, or a gossip. They just don’t want others to be damaged by anything they do. That has a lot to do with mercy, I believe, which is another manifestation of God’s work in a person’s life. We are called to be gentle in how we talk to other believers when the Lord calls us to speak into their life. 

The Bible has been used as a weapon by too many of God’s children against God’s children. That goes completely away from what Christ teaches us in Galatians 6:1. The term “Bible thumper” comes to mind when I think of someone who beats people over the head with the Word, expecting them to want to follow Christ after the “beating.” That’s not gentleness, and certainly not how Jesus drew others to Himself.

Gentleness does not mean ignoring sin. It may be that God tells you not to speak about a sin in someone’s life, but rather to pray. God knows what each of us needs, and sometimes that is just His voice speaking into a situation. Other times, He may call you to speak. Be sure you have done what Galatians 6:1 says, though!

Humility and gentleness go hand in hand. To be humble simply means to think less of yourself than of others. That doesn’t mean you think poorly of yourself. God certainly doesn’t! Honoring others above yourself is the hallmark of humility. That takes a laying down of our pride. In order to do that, you have to have taken up the righteousness of Christ. You have to have laid down your filthy rags of the flesh to be clothed with Christ.

Can you see how the progression from love to joy to peace to patience to kindness to goodness to faithfulness to gentleness has worked in your life? This pattern of His growth into the image of Christ is amazing to see unfold. We’re likely going to go through the process many times in our life as God grows us into a more perfect picture of Jesus. Each time you learn more of His Love, the cycle continues to take off the parts of the flesh that have held us back. 

Aren’t you thankful God lets us do this a little at a time over our life with Him? I truly am!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Daddy, May Your gentleness seen through me draw others to You. I want my life to be such a reflection of Who YOU are that they don’t see me at all. Let Your Son shine through as a beacon of hope for a dark world. Show me how to love, gently, as You love us. In the Name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Goodness

Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

Galatians 5:22/Matthew 5:13/Matthew 3:10/Romans 3:12/James 2:10 (NASB)

We’ve talked about the first five fruit of the Spirit and how important it is for Christ’s love to fuel our joy, peace, patience, and kindness. Goodness is the next on the list.

We like to think that we are good at heart. We like to believe that good is in everyone. The Bible doesn’t hold that to be true. In ourselves, there is nothing good. 

Many people want to believe that there is good in every person, but we’re told in James 2:10 (NASB) that if you have broken even one of the Ten Commandments it is as if you have broken them all. Which of us can say we are without even one sin we have committed in our lives? Romans 3:23 (NASB) says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” If we do say we’ve never committed a sin, we just lied!

Where does any good come from, then? As with all good things, it can only be through the Spirit doing the work.

There are several different definitions for the word “good” in the Scriptures, based on the word used in the original language. In Matthew 5:13 (NASB), we see good is directly translated to mean, “to be strong, have power”. In Matthew 3:10 (NASB), good means, “beautiful, good”. And, in Romans 3:12 (NASB), we see it as, “goodness, excellence, uprightness” when Paul quotes, “…there is none who does good, there is not even one”. We read the word in the Bible and believe we know what it entails. But, having seen so many different ways to translate the word, do we really?

In Galatians 5:22 (NASB), it means “good”. The rich young ruler calls Christ, “Good Teacher,” to which Christ replies that only ONE is good. The same original word is used in Galatians. God is the definition of good. How does that get impacted by Paul’s statement that none are good, and yet we are filled with goodness when the fruit of the Spirit are being manifested in us? Only through the work of the Spirit in us and through us.

We rely too much on our own “goodness” rather than the empowered, and true, good, which is from the Holy Spirit. Our good will burns up as chaff, because it came from the flesh. Anything from the Spirit will be eternal, powerful, and have a ripple effect we may never even see.

The Spirit may, or may not, ask you to give to someone in need. It may be a work He is doing in that person through the trial that you will hinder if you step in. I’ve had that happen! He may, or may not, ask you to speak up when a friend is doing what you know to be against God in their lives as believers. He may tell you to stop associating with someone for a time while they are turning from Him. All of these are GOOD, if we are willing to allow God to be GOOD.

We don’t see the whole picture in our own lives, let alone in those of others around us. We think we know what God is up to, but we can’t even fathom all the levels He’s working on in any one situation. We must rely on Him as good if we are to trust Him with each of our steps. That is a work of the Spirit, alone, testifying in us about Who He is and who He is making us to be. Good, as God is good, is not the lowest form of “good, better, best” as we tend to look at things. It is best because it is the very definition of God. He is working to make us that way, too. Will you let Him?

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Daddy, we have such warped ideas of what is good. Show us the depths of good in You, from the trials to the blessings, and the trials, which You remind us, are blessings. We need to see Your goodness working through us on this dark world, but in ourselves just as much. We love You. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Fruit

The Layers of Fruit
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

~Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

It’s amazing how much God will show us if we will allow it. Take a familiar passage of Scripture like Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB). Read it slowly. There is nothing in Scripture that is by accident. God has started showing me that the order of this particular list is extremely important to Him. Why?

Well, one might say that God wants everyone to feel His love. That’s true. Or, you might say He wants us to show His love to everyone. Also true. I believe it goes much, much deeper.

Until we allow Him to show us the depth of His love for us, we are only accepting a fraction of what He’s given to us. His love, without bounds or end or conditions, is something we humans cannot attain on our own. This love causes hearts to change. That’s some powerful stuff! This love takes a heart of stone and creates a soft, pulsing with life, heart which beats for its Creator.

Without a glimpse of what this love is, we cannot hope to have the rest of the fruits of the Spirit come alive in us. When we realize how much He loves us, fears are driven away (1 John 4:18). Why? Because fear has to do with punishment which we, as believers in Christ, have had that taken for us. Yet, how many times do we fear that we’ll disappoint God? That we will do something to make Him angry with us? What does the truth of Scripture say, though? We have been set free (John 8:36)!

So, if love is this freeing, why do we still fear? Because there is an enemy who wants us to believe lies about our good, good Father. God is not like us. He does not hold a grudge against us (1 Corinthians 13:5). He does not lose patience with us (1 Corinthians 13:4). He does not get provoked (the word used in 1 Corinthians 13:5 means “exasperated”). He doesn’t even seek His own way but allows us to take paths that may cause us pain because we wanted it more than we wanted His best. He will never allow us to be harmed, but He will allow hurt to come. However, that hurt will always bring us to a place where become more like Him if we allow it.

Two questions were given in a recent Bible study. We were encouraged to ask these questions about anything that came our way that made us think negatively about ourselves, but I think they can be asked in many situations. “Who told you that?” is the first one. Where did the question originate? From the father of lies or from the Lord? The second is, “Is it true?” Does what you were told match up with what our Heavenly Father says about you or the situation? There is nothing new under the sun, so you can find the truth to everything you come up against in this life in the Word. Now, you have to decide if you are going to accept it as truth or rely on your feelings. There is only one feeling you can accept as truth every single time. That is God’s love for you. From it, everything else flows. All the Fruits of the Spirit come from a deeper understanding of this first one. Will you accept it as truth for you?

My Prayer to God: Daddy, You are love. Your love takes us into Your heart. It can lead us down paths that have pain, but the outcome of becoming more like You is so worth it. Give us an ability to understand Your love a little more every day. May it change us in ways that make those around us question why we love so radically. May it shine into lives that others may see You. In Jesus Christ’s Name I pray, AMEN.

~*~
Author Bio:
A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Fruit

The Fruit of the Spirit
A devotional by Susan Lindstrom

I’ve been working on a series of books for children about that amazing gift from the Holy Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit. The main character is a spunky little girl named Emmie Jane. She’s learning about living life with a loving Jesus through real-life situations. Her Sunday school class is studying the Fruit of the Spirit and each week they practice applying it to real life. Which she finds out, is not as easy as she thought it should be.

When she asks her daddy if he and mommy need help too, he tells her, “It doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s not always easy to act how God wants, but the Holy Spirit helps us, and that’s the best thing. We don’t have to do it on our own!”

Paul teaches us in the book of Galatians about the freedom we have with Christ and to embrace that freedom by living in the Spirit. He explains in Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT), “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

I found out the Greek word used here for is karpós. It’s in the singular so loosely translated, the single fruit of the Spirit is one unit, they all go together because that’s who the Holy Spirit is.

I can’t remember the last time I heard this from the pulpit! I’d love to hear it often and be encouraged to live out my life this way. So, I thought I would share a kid-friendly understanding of what I’ve learned while studying for this series.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a free gift with nine attributes we as Christians should strive to, with the Holy Spirit, work into our personalities. 

Here's a breakdown of this amazing fruit:

Joy

Knowing that true happiness comes from knowing and following Christ, not material things

Love
Unselfish devotion to God and others

Peace

That is inner peace, free from worrying about anything. Jesus gives us a peace that surpasses our understanding.

Patience

Treating others with thoughtfulness and tolerance.

Kindness

The golden rule! Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Self-control

We know we can overcome the temptations of this world because God is always with us.

Gentleness

Acting calmly and avoiding actions that lead others to anger or resentment

Faithfulness

Living out our commitment to the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures.

Goodness

Trying to honor God by avoiding sin and always trying to do what is right.

Wow, can we ever get this right in a lifetime? 

Ms. Jubilee, Emmie Jane’s Sunday school teacher, tells the class that God gives us free will and how the Holy Spirit helps us, but we can also choose how we act. We can choose to love others, regardless of how they treat us.

In fact, Jesus tells us in John 13:34-35 (NLT), “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Such an important and powerful message from our Savior. Whether it’s in our own homes or out in the world, what a way to witness His love to everyone on this earth. A six-year-old girl named Nikki spoke words about love that touched my heart. She said, “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.”

I know I’m going to be more conscious about using the Spiritual Fruit that lives inside me.

I hope you’ll join me.

~*~
Author Bio:

Susan Lindstrom is NOT an award-winning writer yet unless you count that ‘best story’ award in third grade but stay tuned to see what God has planned!

Writing has always been a passion but raising a family, running her sewing and design business, involvement in Women’s Ministry and teaching Sunday School kept her plenty busy.

Now a retired empty-nester, she trusts in God’s amazing timing and has jumped in to embrace this new adventure of writing.

Her first book, Emmie Jane and the Yellow Fuzz, is for children and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Susan grew up on both the East and West coasts and now calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She is a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

She enjoys a wide variety of music, loves live performance and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

When she is not indoors writing, reading or pretending to clean the house, she’s outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.

Susan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

~*~
Connect with Susan:
Website - www.susanlindstrombooks.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/susanlindstrombooks/