Fruits of the Spirit (Part 1)

In Galations 5:22 it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, self-control".

I've realized that the gifts God has given me are only from Him and for His purposes. And He will only entrust me with so much because of my own desire or undesire to allow the hard parts to take place.

It's easy to want to use your gifts when things are going great. But how about when you don't "feel" close to God and He still gives you an oppurtunity to help someone. Because that's what it is. Our gifts or annointings whether they be prophetic, healing, song, etc. are just that. Tools. Kind of like our spiritual job. Except...we're On-Call.

We must always be ready. I can't tell you how many times I went somewhere to get fed or just to "relax" and the Lord had a word for someone. I could have said no and made excuses, and sometimes...I do. But I have to put PERSONAL aside and do kingdom business.

I'm 23 years old and you would think that character and integrity would be something that I would have already been working on. Well, not necessarily. Living in a world where almost everyone gets away with as much as they can and does things the quick and easy way doesn't make it easy sometimes for those who want to do it the right and more times then not, the strenuous way.

I've been doing that for too long. And let me tell you something. You may think you're getting away with it now but eventually it's going to catch up with you. Believe me. I can't tell you what that would look like but it will.

And that's what I'm working on. My integrity and character. Doing the right thing even if no one is looking. Not putting up with things just because it makes people feel better. Love. True Agape Love.

Obviously, it's not going to happen overnight. This is a decision by decision project. Minute by minute. Choice by choice. Life is made up of millions of decisions made in every moment. And that's where I will begin. Moment by moment. And thank God (literally) I'm not on my own.

The Holy Spirit is my guide and this doesn't have to be a burden. It's not going to be the easiest in the beginning, but I know the outcome will be worth it. I KNOW how easily I can just pretend like I'm fine and dandy and even convince people that I'm all together...but me and God know the truth.

So today's fruit is love.
Too much to write about but I am going to say that I have recieved so much of God's love, and now it's time to give it. To everyone. :) Like the lady who feeds the birds. People so rarely have someone who loves them genuinely even if they don't know them, they are like birds, looking for any little thing they can find to fill their tummies. And God is the only answer.

So I will love. So help me God.