Week Eight - Continuing to Grow

Day 48     Monday     11-15-10

Galatians 5:22,25

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

The Holy Spirit. Woah, Katie...slow down. Are you really gonna go there? Yeah, I am. So many people and churches today are afraid to talk about the Holy Spirit. You know why? Because it's "out there", "different", "scary", "unknown". When in reality, the Bible actually tells us that the Holy Spirit is a vital part to our Christian walk. Besides; God is "unknown" too. Even "scary"! Have you ever read the book of Revelation? That's pretty darn scary if you aren't prepared. But being a Christian is a journey of growing in your knowledge of God, and cultivating a relationship with Jesus. So really, what's the difference? God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity.

Everyone who was raised in the church knows (or at least should know) the "Fruits of the Spirit" (which were just listed in the verse). They aren't called the "Fruits of God". They are called the "Fruits of theSpirit". A lot of non-Christians believe in God. Heck, even demons know who God is. But it's the Holy Spirit dwelling within yo that produces this fruit.

Acts 12:3 says

No one is able to say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.

Ok, anyone can say "Jesus is Lord if they wanted to, but what I think Paul is saying here is, no one can truly believe it, live it out and proclaim those 3 words without the Holy Spirit. So every Christian who lives out their faith, is accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:1a

So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit.

Well, Katie, I don't really know how to "live according" to the Holy Spirit. TRUST.

T - "Thank You". Thank the Holy Spirit for being with you, for His loving leadership in your life.

R - "Reign in me". Let Him lead you in every part of your life. Which is easier said than done...I know.

U - "Use me". Ask Him to use you in other peoples lives.

S - "Strengthen me". We all need strength...just for life in general!

T - "Teach me". Ask Him to guide you into truth with your life, with His word etc.

There; there's where to start. The Holy Spirit will take you from there! :D

Day 53    Saturday    11-20-10

Matthew 6: 1-2,4

Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in Heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity. I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

"I want to live before Your eyes,

I want to stay before Your gaze,

Keep me steady here.

I wanna be found faithful,

I wanna be found steady

Till the end."

Mike Bickle taught on this verse today in Church and it really hit home for me. A lot of the time, I do "good works" because I want certain people to see, or I wanted approval etc. I know this verse was in the Bible, but I kinda ignored it. God highlighted it to me tonight. He showed me that I never feel accepted with who I am, and I don't feel worthy of love, and therefore I do things for acceptance and approval. I've always wanted people to look and say, "Wow. Look at her, she's super nice!" Half the time, since I'm so used to doing this, I do it subconsciously.

Ok, so I have to do everything good in secret?

Nope. That's pretty much impossible. Somedays, you are going to do stuff that people do see, and they will praise you fr it. There's nothing wrong with that. But our motive behind why we do god works should always be evaluated. If we get mad ecause we didn't get the recognition we "deserved" from doing something, then our motive probably wasn't pure. I don't know about you, but I would rather have Jesus say "Wow. Look at what she is doing for Me!" (Matthew 25:40 - I assure you, what you did for one of the least of these, you also did for Me)  I'd rather get my eternal reward, than a reward that lasts for 5 minutes.