THINK ON THESE THINGS

As we enter the New Year and begin a fresh start, we can put on the sweet juicy Fruit of the Spirit. It's truly sweet and lovely to the taste, and so spiritually nutritious.

JUICY FRUIT

EXAMINING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

LONGSUFFERING

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

We are 1 Body. Why would we compete with one another, or tempt one another? It would be like stabbing ourselves in the arm, or putting our hand over the fire to see how long it takes to burn through. Sound gory?

How does GOD see from HIS perspective what the Body does to one another for worldly gain, for recognition for self-alone, and for glorification of one's own earthly name? Let’s stop making it easy on the devil.

Yes, our brothers and sisters “get on our last nerve” sometimes. Sometimes they’re wrong—sometimes it is we, who are wrong. Do we take the time to pray, to ask God to see from HIS perspective? We should. If we could only see that God is working on you and me, and them. . . ! If only we possessed more patience and LONGSUFFERINGness we could love one another more. What a lovely possession to ask God to add to our spiritual assets! For some unearthly reason; for HIS OWN cause, for JESUS’ sake, God has had mercy on and LONGSUFFERING with us. Consider:

God requires that we love one another as HE has loved us. Jesus received love from The Father, and HE loved HIS disciples. As we receive love from JESUS, let us love one another too. Love trickles down—let us be responsible for trickling love down, rather than the opposite. Whatever we sow produces and reproduces. And we ARE RESPONSIBLE for the seeds we sow. Why keep wondering, “Why this is coming to me?” How about “Why is this coming BACK to me?”

Psalm 103 “A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His BENEFITS:”

The word “BENEFITS” is translated from the word “gemuwl,” which actually means “recompense.” It is payback. Other instances “gemuwl” is used: (Judges 9:16; Psalms 28:4 & 94:2; Proverbs 19:7; & Isaiah 35:4) The word indicates, actually, “payback of what is deserved;” so if we have given well, FORGET NOT that we will be repaid. And if we have done evil, FORGET NOT the gemuwl” recompense for our services. Lamentations 3:64 & Obadiah 1:15 also, see the word gemuwl is good if we have done well and if . . .

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His <<<<<<PAYBACK>>>>>>:”

When you see it PLAYBACK, remember—it’s PAYBACK!

Psalm 103 cont.:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,   4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies,   5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness, and justice for all who are oppressed.   7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.   8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.  

Do we deal this way with others? If we know someone closely, we are usually more LONGSUFFERING with them, as we understand more why they do the things they do, even when wrong. We don’t want to believe the worst about them. When rumors against them reach our ears do we say, “I don’t believe it,” or “I won’t hear it.” Even, “How dare you say that about them!” Even then, we trust that they will change with more love. We protect them from judgmental folks and defend them (hopefully not their acts—but them) from attacks. Sometimes we may be guilty of enabling, even co-dependency.

But when rumors come against someone we love less, does our degree of LONGSUFFERING come up with, “Yes, I know that’s right. I always knew something was off about them.”?

We may want to pray to see our part from a Heavenly perspective, since God has made it available to know personal and particular-to-the-situation information (James 1:5). Do we give the mercy we hope to receive? We will receive the same judgment we mete (Matt 7:2). This is not the happiest message in the world, unless one was inclined to have wanted a spiritual bath. But, we are going into a new year and a new season. Here is the cleansing water of the word (Eph 5:26).

“9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.  10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;  12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.  13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.”

Thank YOU, Heavenly DADDY, for YOUR mercy upon us today, for YOUR LONGSUFFERING toward those of us who will soon repent and turn from all wicked ways!! Bless us with the reward of the righteous, the Spirit of Truth and the divine love of GOD toward all, and especially those You favor to receive it. Selah!