“Got Fruit?”

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Spring break. Arthur, My husband, had promised our youngest son (Nathan) to a fishing trip, so we all set out for East Texas, Lake O’ The Pines, an area that Arthur had to see. Once in East Texas, we stopped at the last Walmart on the road to pick up a fishing license and miscellaneous items. I and our older son (Jason) went in one direction, while Art and Nathan went in another, agreeing to meet at the cash register.

Jason and I were done first, so we paid for our items and sat on a bench. A couple with a baby walked by (I’d recognized seeing them in passing while shopping). I overheard the husband say, “I’m not doing that!” I sensed that the wife had instructed him to give something to us. When they walked out of the store, I chalked it up as a mis-sense. However, within moments the young man with his baby came back in and walked by us again. My eyes followed him as he walked. He walked a short distance pass us, then turned back toward us.

As he walked by, he handed me a tract (see link noted below) that said, “Got Fruit,” with a God bless you and was gone faster than his arrival. I responded with a smile, “God Bless you, too.” I skimmed the tract, reminding myself to fully read it during our time at the lake. But, then came the questions: “Why did his wife think that I needed a tract?” (I was offended) They’d be surprised to know that I am a minister of the Gospel (I was in pride) Was it because I looked ragged? (I had no makeup on, and was dressed in my most raggedy/comfortable kind of clothing). “Or, was it because I’m black and they have a prejudice or racist view of blacks?” (This was an obviously predominantly white area) “Did I say something foul while shopping? (I was sure that I had not) “Or, did my countenance look mean, sad, or un-Christian like? (whatever that means- but countenance could be an issue)

Once getting in the car, I relayed the incident to Arthur and began to ask those questions of him and the boys. “Why do you think they thought I needed a tract?” They attempted to console me letting me know that they thought that I was a “good person” with Arthur saying that maybe the Holy Spirit just wanted them to give it to me perhaps to meditate on one of the Scriptures and not to think anything more of it or anything negative about it. After our short fishing trip and once home, I asked my daughter (Vickie) the same question. She responded by saying that it is probably just a confirmation to me about the fruit of the Spirit since it is something I emphasize (I gave detailed information about the fruit in my book-African American Family Life, It’s Time To Get It Back).

I am sure by now, you are probably saying to yourself something like, “Why so sensitive-do you have a fruit problem?” Or, why didn’t you just pray and ask God if there was something to it?” Or, forget about it, the young couple were just evangelizing! I did finally let it go, but to the Lord, asking Him about it. Did God answer? Not directly. But for the next few days the Holy Spirit made me more sensitive to when I was not walking in the fruit in my interactions with others or in my thought life. I found myself repenting for attitudes, behaviors, words or thoughts that do not reflect God’s Spirit. Because God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is holy. And, His Spirit lives in me to help me (and us who believe and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) to be holy. That is, to walk out the fruit of His Spirit on a daily basis.

So, for whatever reason the couple chose to give me the tract, God used it for my good! Complacency comes to all of us, especially when you are one walking with the Lord for a number of years and used of the Lord over a period of time. Though I spend my time counseling others by the Word and praying them through their issues, I am reminded by this incident that I have to, on a throughout the day basis, allow the Holy Spirit to flow in and through me, because I can, like many of you, just know what to do and how to do it. Or, can allow the Holy Spirit to flow on the behalf of others (for ministry purposes) but not allow the work of the Spirit to get to my own issues or life challenges therefore cutting off the fruit and the flow of the Spirit in my own life.

So, “Got Fruit?” I will be more sensitive to the Spirit as I live out my days because it is the fruit of the Spirit of God empowered by the Holy Spirit that is Jesus in earthen vessels doing the “greater works” that Jesus said we would do. (John 14:12) I hope that my experience will help you to be more willing to accept correction from the Holy Spirit and make needed changes so we all can live and walk as lifestyle evangelists that cause others to want to know “the hope that is within us”(I Peter 3:15) and bring much glory to God!

See the tract at: http://www.gospeltract.org/christiantest.html

UNITED WE STAND...DIVIDED WE FALL

I’ve been thinking for a few months now about unity and its impact on our lives and relationships. The thought was stimulated by a few scenarios. Firstly, the continuing debate between the Republicans and Democrats, whom are both Americans (from the United States of America). Then, family members who treat one another as each others enemy; family in many cases are the ones there for you almost no matter what, when others give up on you, let you down, put you down, etc. Lastly, people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, yet being divided, is the most amazing to me of all. Christians who hold offense against their brother or sister in Christ or disassociate with another or other Christians for an array of reasons that when it boils down to it are man made or self focused reasons and not pleasing to God.

I have had occasion not to click so well with another Christian brother or sister. However, a part of my maturity in Christ (and I didn’t say perfectly mature, but pressing on toward the mark)has been learning to obey the Word of God regardless of my feelings or human nature (human nature is bent toward sin). That is to honor God and to please Him rather than give any glory to Satan, the devil and enemy of God. I realized years ago that either I am aligning myself with God or with Satan in the way that I live and behave toward others. One Scripture says “Give no place to the devil.” Another says, “Whatever you do, do it to please God and not men, because it is the Lord God who you serve…and Him who will give you your reward.” Actually, Jesus was the one who said “united you stand, but divided you fall.” So, unity is of utmost importance.

Unity is what allows purpose to be fulfilled (it takes more than you to accomplish your purpose for existence). Whether we are talking about the United States of America, family members, or believers in Jesus Christ, the key to our destruction is to allow disunity to operate within us; being divided. This is a great opportunity for “the enemy” to slip in on us and begin the process of kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

If we do not see and understand this and understand that unity requires that we step out of selfishness and self-focused opinions or decision making, we are bound to experience destruction taking place in our lives and relationships. Allowing pride, anger, offense or other negative emotions to dictate what we will or will not do makes us unbelievers in the power of God or in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the Cross. This is why it is so important for us to “pick up our cross and die daily.” This means that daily, we must choose to bear the difficulties that have come our way giving them over to the Lord to give us what we need so we can handle them in a godly (Christ-like) manner.

We must be willing to forgive and release people who have hurt us (intentionally or unintentionally), or those who we disagree with on some point or who disagree with us, choosing to go beyond ourselves, loving them with the love of the Lord while praying for God’s divine intervention in the situation and/or in our hearts. God is on the throne and is always watching us, longing to pour more of Himself into us (which is the character, behavior, or attitude we need at the moment). Unity versus disunity will not only affect us externally in our relationships, but also internally, in our souls (mind/thoughts/intellect, will/choices, and feelings/emotions).

Anyway of ours that is not God’s way will not be for our good. As we choose God’s way of doing things and relating to others, we will experience good and see the positive taking place in our lives and relationships.

To end this thought, I plead with you to ask the Lord to show you if you have a wrong relationship (or wrong attitude toward another or others) in operation. As He shows you, repent, forgive, release them and ask for His healing if necessary. If it is possible, go to the person and make amends (you be the better person and be ye reconciled!!). This doesn’t mean that they are right and you are wrong. Nor does it mean that ungodly behavior is being condoned. It means that you are obeying God/following Jesus, not giving place to Satan and God will work it out for good! If it is not possible to go to the person (they may be dead or too mean to approach), know that God hears you and you are okay with Him.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

HANDLING FRUSTRATION

I want to share an acronym that can help you when you are dealing with a frustrating moment, day, situation, person, etc. If you choose to follow these suggestions (an act of your will is required/a choice), the frustration will begin to dissipate and you will begin to feel better and will be able to think more clearly. Here it goes:

Forgive others (so u too can be forgiven)

Release others (don't carry baggage)

U look at yourself & examine u, forgive u, etc.

Stay in God's Presence (He will never leave but we at times leave Him)

Talk openly, honestly & freely to God (Psalm 142)

R est in the Lord (maintain His peace/engage in Sabbath)

Always praise & worship the Lord

Tell of God's goodness, faithfulness, love- (His character)

Implore God (as much as you need to-this means to seriously call upon Him)

O bey God's Word (even if it kills you/Romans 8:13; Col. 3:5-10

Never give up (don't quit)

Doing these things will carry you and me through tough seasons, save us from defeat, and protect us from hard heartedness.

(c)2009 Rosalind M. Stanley

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF in 2009

As we close out 2008 in our checkbooks, our activities, our hearts and minds, let’s remember our God who has brought us through to 2009. As I reflected on several of my years on this earth, I couldn’t help but remember some really difficult times, and yes, a number of them occurred in 2008. But as the song sung by the Kurt Carr singers pronounces, “God’s mercy kept me, so I wouldn’t let go.” And I am grateful to Him for His grace and mercy. Hopefully you are, too. When I think about some of those difficult moments and how God carried me through and out of them, I am humbled to tears. You may not be in any way like I have tended to be. Sometimes I whine or pout. Other times I have found myself in a depression. At times, just through. But, “only because of His grace” I am here to testify of His goodness. I know that he has been good to you, too. We tend to keep our focus on the negative or on the difficult situation or circumstance. However, just as Paul admonished Timothy, there are times when you must “encourage yourself” as the song sung by The Donald Lawrence singers suggests. My plan for 2009 is to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord, meaning to rejoice in all circumstances knowing that God will never leave me helpless. He has taken me a mighty long way (as the old saints used to say) and not to leave me, but to bring me right into His will on a daily basis. What about you? What do you plan to do? As you decide, just remember that wherever you go and whatever you do, if you choose God as your means of support and not yourself or anyone else, your progress will be greater than what you could have ever accomplished yourself. So, don’t let go, don’t quit and as much as you need to, encourage yourself. You can do it! God is on your side. Just make sure that you do what he has for you and not just seeking what you want or want to do. If you follow God, your joy will be greater. Try it and see. I plan to. These are the songs that I mentioned. Take a few moments to listen to them and let them minister to you: I Almost Let Go by Kurt Carr Singers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4W5G1kt3pY&feature=related Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yhgFxDQMw&feature=related

DUE PRAISE

Four Generations:

Grand-daughter, daughter, me and my mother.

Let us praise our God above,

for He is God, God of Love.

Let us give the glory due His name,

yes, He is Worthy, worthy of our praise.

Let us speak of His holinesss

He is Holy so let us be the same;

"Be ye Holy as I am Holy,"

this is not an option, it's how we

win the game.

Do take time each day and

be sure to give Him praise;

It is due Him for the Life He gave...

He gave so we could live,

He gave so we could give;

praise brings His Presence

down to our earth.

Praise causes demons to be in a lurch -

to flee, to leave, a reminder of

Jesus's birth.

So, do give Him praise,

the praise He is due -

It makes Him happy and

it extremely blesses you!

(c) 2008 Rosalind M. Stanley

Thank you to you out there who read my blogs and forward them to others. Your reading and responses serve as an encouragement. I'll be shooting them out all of 2009 as the Lord prompts me with a thought, a word, etc.

Trusting that Christmas was full of fun and love and the joy of the Lord! Though, some are reminded of the absence of a loved one at this time, some a very recent loss. Others have problems and issues that did not go away with Christmas day. And many of us are seeking to know God's direction as we quickly approach a new season in time/2009.

My suggestion is what I am focusing to do, and hopefully you, too, is to give God regular praise, to look for the good and be grateful regardless as to what a day brings. I encourage you and me to keep your perspective clear; to allow the vision of eternity present and future to lead your decisions, relationships, actions, and attitudes. Our job here on earth (for those of you who have received the free Christmas Gift of salvation) is to "represent" as slang goes. To represent our Lord being real in our humanity while living out our faith.

I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR FULL OF (the recognition) GOD'S GRACE to you!

LOVE: Let's Preach it, Let's Be it

One of the problems that I have noticed over the past almost 20 years of counseling is people who want emotional healing and who want a deep relationship with God, however have not come to experience the love that God has for them. Not because He isn’t making His love known. Not that He has not already demonstrated His love through Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and resurrection (Romans 5:8).

But, partly because many ministers are not teaching about this Great Love. Many sermons don’t focus on the power of the gospel, leaving people to live out Christianity in their own strength. Or, to see Christianity as just another club, activity or gathering.

Another reason is that the hurts and pains of life keep people in bondage, unable to experience the inner freedom that life in Christ provides. To receive emotional healing, requires that we be vulnerable. To be vulnerable we need to feel safe and protected. True safety and protection comes through an accurate knowledge of God and a revealed knowledge of His love for you. When we know God’s love for ourselves we can trust Him with our hurts and pains knowing that He is our Healer and desires to bring healing and freedom to us (Isa 53:4,5; I John 1:2).

The main problem area comes about though when people do not have a healthy or clear understanding of love as God intended it. Much of media leads us to think of love as what the Greeks term eros, a sensual, romantic, surface love which tends to be fantasy like versus the love that God has given the world through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection to save the world from ultimate destruction (John 3:16, 17). The Greeks term this love agape.

Agape love is the love that comes from God to us and through us to others. It is covenant love; love that loves because it wants to love you and is full of commitment. Love that says “I will never leave you or forsake you; I will always be with you and will have your best interest in mind.” It is a forever love. Us humans can engage in it by an act of the will; that is, choosing to accept God’s love. Then choosing to show agape love and being loving regardless as to the disagreements, challenges and storms of life. It is a love that is determined to work all things together for ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

It is a selfless love. It cares to give love more than the desire to get love, though through covenant/commitment it will receive love. It is a healthy, godly love that never quits and bears much fruit (I Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:22). Agape love can be learned and applied; however, the ultimate of agape is recognizing God’s love extended to you, receiving it, and then choosing to allow His way of loving to flow from you. This happens by the work of the Holy Spirit who moves upon us inviting us to partake of God’s love or moving upon us as we seek after God (Psalm 42:1,2) .

So how do we begin to know this Great Love, Agape? Begin by finding a church that has discipleship classes, classes that help you to understand the Bible and in developing a relationship with God. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord is #1 in importance and opens your heart and mind to understanding and knowing God. If you attend church regularly and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, start praying on a regular basis. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you. Tell Him that you want to know His love. Read the Bible on a regular basis. Ask God to reveal Himself to you as you read and as you pray. Choose to obey His Word. This obedience says to the Lord that you love Him. The more obedience, the more He will reveal and the stronger in Him you will become.

Then when difficulties of life come your way (we all have them), or if memories of the past that produce hurt and pain present themselves, you can trust that the One who loves you so much that he died for you, will be there for you and will bring you through!

God's Message Through A Homemade Sign

As I drove down a busy street toward an even busier intersection, I noticed a lady standing on the corner with a homemade sign. The sign read,

IT'S PRAYING TIME

As tears flooded my eyes I honked the horn at her and gave her thumbs up. She acknowledged with a smile. It seemed that my response gave her fuel to turn into the intersection with her sign a bit higher. I could feel the Presence of the Lord upon me as I held back my tears (I had my stepson and a few grandchildren in the car with me-which the oldest reminded me of stating “grandma you can’t cry now, you’re driving.”:)

Why in the world did a homemade sign touch me to tears? Because I knew that the sign was for me, if for no one else. This is a message that the Lord has been speaking into my heart for some time now. It served as a confirmation that God is speaking loud and clear. It also served me notice that I need to follow through on my pursuit to increase my level of prayer and intercession. I am grateful that in this season the Lord has lead us to a church whose focus is relationship with the Lord, living it out, and prayer & intercession as a lifestyle. This is helping me to recharge and to deepen my Christian walk and prayer life. Not there, yet, but joyfully and sometimes painfully, on the road.

But, back to the sign: “It’s Praying Time.” I am sure that many would agree with this sign. Some because of the upcoming election. Some because of the war that our country is currently engaged in. Others because of the economic crisis that our nation and world are facing. Many others have relationship problems or sickness or other personal crises that they would like to be resolved. But is this what God’s message about prayer is all about? Perhaps yes to all of these. However, the truth is that everyday of the life of a Christian is praying time since prayer is one of the main channels of a sincere relationship with our Lord.

Also, though on another level, we are in the time of the end (or endtimes) that requires much prayer in order to know the daily and moment by moment will of the Lord. If we don’t pray we will not have the staying power that comes from God, which is so needed in this time. Our spirits (the inner man that will live for eternity) need the connection and communication with the Lord to stay strong.

Another reason that “it is praying time” is that we have an automatic adversary whose tactics, schemes, and attacks are intensifying and becoming more targeted and openly visible and in some cases, accepted. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, God raises up a standard against him. However, we, the people that God works through, need God’s power (which comes through prayer and revelation of the Word) in order to stand against the adversary with confidence and authority that we have in Him. So, for me, definitely, and probably yes for you, too:

“IT’S PRAYING TIME!”