Beef and Gravy by Michelle Wiles

 

Ingredients

1 ½ LBS STEW MEAT

     
2 SOUP CANS OF WATER

   
2 CANS CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

1 ENVELOPE LIPTON ONION SOUP MIX

 

Directions

BROWN MEAT IN DUTCH OVEN.

MIX SOUP, WATER, AND ONION SOUP MIX TOGETHER.

ADD TO MEAT AND BRING TO BOIL.

TURN UNTIL TENDER.

 

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Planting Seeds by Martin Wiles

How could one tree grow so tall and stout?

While walking our dog one afternoon, I observed something I’d never noticed before. An oak tree at least one hundred feet tall. Since the subdivision we live in was once wooded, it’s doubtful anyone planted this tree. Its beginning no doubt started when an acorn fell from a neighboring tree or when a squirrel planted an acorn. Had the acorn never fell or been planted, the tree would never have existed.

Jesus uses a similar scenario when illustrating how the gospel seed must be planted for it to be effective. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels (John 12:24 NLT).

I plant the gospel seed through specific efforts. Taking part in a visitation program. Sending letters or cards to those who’ve visited my church. Becoming a part of a witnessing training class. Volunteering at a local feeding program for the homeless or at a shelter for abused women. Specific opportunities abound.

I also plant gospel seeds through a general awareness of daily opportunities to speak about my Savior. Maybe to someone I’m waiting in line behind at the local retail store. Or to the salesperson helping me with an item I intend to purchase. Or to the person seated beside me on the plane.

But perhaps the most effective way for me to sow gospel seed is through a consistent godly lifestyle that demonstrates my love for the One who gave his life for my sins. How I talk, what attitudes I display, and how I respond to circumstances speaks volumes without me having to say a word.

Ask God to reveal one way you can sow the gospel seed.

Prayer: Thank You Father for entrusting Your message of love to us. Prompt us to share it daily with those You place in our path.

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Helping Hands by Martin Wiles

The doctor’s words shocked us: “You have one on each foot. I can do one at a time or both at the same time.”

We decided for both, and for the next two weeks I helped my wife recover from planter’s wart surgery. If we went to the store, I pushed her in a wheelchair. At home, I helped her from point A to B by holding one of her arms while she hobbled on her heels. Without my helping hands, she would’ve been confined to her recliner.

Aaron and Hur lent helping hands to Moses as they sat on the mountaintop watching Joshua and the Israelite army fight their enemies. When Moses raised his hands, Israel prevailed, but when he lowered them the enemy succeeded. Without Aaron and Hur’s supporting hands, Israel would have lost the battle. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him (Moses) to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands (Exodus 17:12 NLT).

We all need supporting hands from time to time, and one way I can lend them is through intercessory prayer. My prayers were once self-centered. All about what I needed and what God could do for me and how. As I grew spiritually, I realized life is about loving God more intimately and caring for others more aggressively.

I can also use my hands through my presence as Aaron and Hur did with Moses. Sometimes there are just not any words that can take away another’s hurt and pain, but my being there—letting them share, vent, and even cry, is often enough.

My hands also support others when I protect them against others who would abuse them physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.

Let God show you how your hands can be helping instead of hurting.

Prayer: Thank You God for using us as Your helping hands to demonstrate Your love to a hurting world.

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Free for the Asking by Martin Wiles

He stood behind the pulpit holding a single bill, begging someone to come forward and take it.

Growing up as a preacher’s son, I attended many evangelistic meetings and revivals and witnessed the maneuvers of numerous speakers. One common tactic often occurred during the invitation when the speaker would hold the infamous dollar bill and encourage someone…anyone, to come forward and seize it—no strings attached. Usually some brave child would finally run down the aisle and grab the money from the speaker’s hand…often at the prodding of a mother or father.

The point, of course, was to illustrate that salvation was a gift just like the money. Simon the sorcerer failed to understand this. He was a new first-century believer who thought he could buy the same kind of power God had given the apostles. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power (Acts 8:18 NLT)

Peter informed Simon that this power—and also the salvation he had recently received, was free. A relationship with Jesus Christ can’t be bought or worked for. Since the work pay combination is so familiar, it’s easy to carry that philosophy over into my relationship with God. The dollar bill offered by the evangelist was free for the taking, and that’s the same way I must accept the forgiveness God offers in Christ.

Neither is salvation hereditary. If it was, I’d be in good shape since most of my family— for generations, have been Christians. But what they had in Christ only benefits me when I accept what they had the same way they did. My relationship with Jesus must be personal.

Do you know the one who gave his life so your sins can be forgiven?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we recognize our sins separate us from You. Thank You for providing the forgiveness we need and for making it free for the asking.

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What’s Stifling You? by Martin Wiles

She tended to run on about unimportant things, and when she did his favorite expression was, “Stifle yourself.”

All in the Family was a 1970’s American sitcom featuring Archie and Edith Bunker, their daughter Gloria, and son-in-law Mike. Archie was a typical male chauvinist, white supremist, patriotic citizen, and support-your-government-no-matter-what advocate. Edith was open to new ideas and was the traditional stay-at-home wife and mother. But when she let her tongue outpace her brain, Archie uttered his famous quote. Stifle meant shut-up.

Jesus told a story about a farmer who scattered seed, some of which fell on thorn-infested soil. The resulting plants were soon stifled by the thorns. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants (Matthew 13:7 NLT). Jesus later explained that the thorns represented someone with misplaced priorities whose focus was on the cares of this life and also accumulating wealth.

Fear will stifle me in God’s service. Perhaps he wants me to walk into deeper waters than I’m comfortable with, and, like Peter, I begin to sink when I look at the washing of the waves around my ankles.

Dwelling on my past can also stifle me. I have one, you have one. All God’s children have one. I can’t change it, but neither do I have to relive it. I can learn from it and let God use it in ministry for him.

Sin in the present will stifle me and prevent God from using me. Confessed sin is forgiven, and I can move forward. Unconfessed sin propels me backwards.

Additionally, misplaced priorities will stifle my use to God. When my focus is anywhere except where he wants it, I’ll miss his plan as well as multiple opportunities.

What is stifling you from being all God wants you to be?

Prayer: Give us courage, Lord Jesus, to move beyond what stifles our use in Your Kingdom.

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Baggage Allowed by Martin Wiles

What weight I think I should be able to put in my stowaway bag is immaterial. So is the size of my carry on.

If you’ve flown lately, you know the rules have changed dramatically. Bags going under the plane must not weigh over 50 pounds and ones carried on the plane must be a certain dimension. Otherwise, attendants will turn them—and you, away. And when I reach my destination, I’m also expected to pick up my bags. Flying requires carrying baggage.

Fortunately, when I choose to travel with Christ I can bring the baggage with me without penalty. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18 NLT)”

Overweight or over sized baggage may keep me off a plane, but it doesn’t keep me out of God’s service. God specializes in using people with all sorts of baggage. In fact, he normally uses them as opposed to those with clean slates. When he uses baggage laden people, he draws the spotlight instead of them.

Airline attendants don’t care about my past; they’re only concerned about the weight and size of my baggage. My past doesn’t really concern God either. Even if it has skeletons—which most everyone’s does, he can flesh the bones and resurrect them into something usable for spreading his love.

I’ve never had literal baggage I didn’t want to claim, but there’s some of my personal baggage I’d rather leave behind. But I can’t. My life is what it is, yet it doesn’t have to be in the future what it was in the past. God accepts me and my baggage and he will you too.

Don’t let your baggage keep you from serving God.

Prayer: Thank You merciful Father for forgiving our past, present, and future sins and for not casting us aside even when we come with overweight and excessive baggage.

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Ultimate Hopelessness by Martin Wiles

“A man without anything to lose is a dangerous man.”

Words I heard recently from someone who was diagnosed several years prior with an incurable disease and whose wife of eighteen years had just informed him she didn’t love him anymore and possibly wanted a divorce. There appeared to be no ray of hope in his life.

Job doubtlessly felt the same. In the space of one day, his livestock and servants were destroyed, and a ferocious wind collapsed the house where his children were celebrating, killing them all. Additionally, he had contracted a terrible case of boils. No wonder he wrote: My days pass by without hope, pass faster than a weaver's shuttle (Job 7:6 GNT). Job’s wife encouraged him to take his life by cursing God (2:9).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 38,364 suicides in America in 2010, making it the tenth leading cause of death in the United States with one person taking their life every 13.7 minutes.

Even when my life circumstances have gone completely awry and my emotions are struggling with themselves to make good decisions, God still has a plan. One that will ultimately result in good for me and honor for his name.

Life is a gift from God, and he’s the one who should determine when it ends, not me. I’m made in his image and indwelt by his Spirit’s power. Nothing can come against me that I can’t endure with his strength. I’ve endured quite a few apparent hopeless situations in my own personal life and witnessed many others do the same, and I’ve discovered that Christ can give hope where there appears to be none. And he will.

Instead of looking at your circumstances, place hope in the One who controls them.

Prayer: When life caves in around us Heavenly Father, give us the courage to trust You and the faith to keep going, believing You will deliver us safely through.

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Contentment’s Secret by Martin Wiles

Paul Stutzman met Pathfinder (his trail name) at The Mill Restaurant. He was a celebrity of sorts and a repeat offender on the Appalachian Trail.

Before beginning his thru-hike of the AT, Stutzman followed the travels of Pathfinder. He always wished their paths would cross, and now they had. But Pathfinder was a kindred spirit in more ways than one. When Stutzman questioned why he continually hiked the AT year after year, his answer stunned him: “Well, Apostle (his trail name), my wife died of cancer about five years ago.”

Now Apostle understood.  He too had lost a wife to cancer, had walked away from his employment, and was now thru-hiking for the same reason. Pathfinder continued, “If I’d kept my business and not done that hike, I’d be a rich man today. Instead, I’m happy.”

Contentment. What everyone is after in one way or another. A more ancient “apostle” had the answer in his lifetime, and it still holds true. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it (I Timothy 6:6-7 NLT).

Apostle, Pathfinder—and thousands of others each year, seek contentment hiking a 2,176 mile footpath that begins in Springer Mountain, Georgia and extends to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. For Apostle, it wasn’t the hike itself that brought contentment but his re-connection with his Maker through observing his handiwork in the sites and people he met along the way.

Though I—like many others, often seek contentment through possessions, popularity, and power, the key is quite simple: it’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ. When loving and serving him are the ultimate focus of my life, I discover contentment.

Where is your search for contentment taking you?

Prayer: Gracious God, remind us that ultimate contentment is only discovered through a daily walk with You.

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The Right Path by Martin Wiles

The path meandered between my aunt and grandmother’s houses. I walked it often because I had a direction in mind, and because it was the shortest distance between those two points. Had it not led where I intended to go, I would have ignored it.

Andy Stanley says, “Direction—not intention, determines destination.” As a young boy, I intended to be a preacher and Bible teacher. But as a teenager, I lost focus. Though I eventually reached my intended destination, I took a few detours before arriving at a destination I could have arrived at earlier. I forfeited years of fruitful service for God by traveling the wrong path.

As God’s Old Testament people prepared to lose the leader who led them into the Promised Land, they listened to his challenge to choose the right path. Choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15 NLT).

There are any number of paths I may travel in life—some good, some bad, and some mediocre. And just because I take a path that leads to fulfillment, helps me better society, or aids in helping those who can’t help themselves doesn’t mean I’ve taken God’s path for me.

I can accomplish any number of good things during my short years on earth, but the important thing is discovering what God has in mind. Only when I uncover his specific purpose will I enjoy the abundant life Jesus spoke of.

Are you simply traveling a path, or are you on God’s path? Talk with him in prayer and find out.

Prayer: God of all grace and mercy, guide us to the specific path in life You want us to travel.

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Angels All Around by Martin Wiles

She came when we least expected it, and only a few bags of items and a quiet knock revealed her presence.

My wife and I were enjoying a leisurely evening when a thump caught our attention. Thinking a picture had fallen or the cat had knocked something over, I reluctantly relinquished my comfortable chair to search for the culprit but found nothing out of order.

A few moments later, a knock at the door once again sent me from my evening repose. One of my students was selling coupon books. As I was making small talk with him, I suddenly noticed what our angel left—several bags of items lay on the ground in front of our car. Things we needed but had no money for: body wash, toilet paper, paper towels, sodas, and shampoo.

My wife eventually discovered our angel’s identity. It didn’t matter that she had earlier in the day mentioned to her that our funds were low and we’d soon have to resort to corn cobs and bar soap. Or that our friend couldn’t really fly. 

God has a way of sending angels just when we need them. And, in fact, they surround his children continuously. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go (Psalm 91:11 NLT).

But angels aren’t always winged or supernatural. God promises to supply his children’s needs—and he can use angels to do it, but often those angels come clothed in the garb of human flesh and bones. God will use me as an angel as often as I’ll let him, but it requires a keen sense of spiritual perception on my part not to let those opportunities flutter by.

What are some ways God can use you as one of his angels?

Prayer: Thank You Father for sending angels—supernatural and human, to meet our needs.

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Hope Assured by Martin Wiles

As a child, I had hopes. As an adult, I still cling to some of them, but I’ve also formed others my childhood mind couldn’t comprehend.

I hoped to make it to adulthood where I could enjoy life apart from my parent’s control. I hoped to find a good job so I could live comfortably. I hoped to make good grades in school. (That was an earlier hope. By the time I reached high school, I no longer cared.)

As an adult, I hope to avoid contracting a fatal disease that leads to an earlier than normal demise. I hope my children will serve the Lord. I hope my wife and I will grow old together. I hope, I hope, I hope. But I have no guarantee any of these hopes will actually materialize.

But the hope I place in God is quite different. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).

In Biblical terminology, hope is a synonym for faith. My hope in God is not wishful thinking as it was when I hoped I’d receive certain items or that certain circumstances would materialize. Rather, my spiritual hope is a confident assurance that God’s promises to me are as certain as the sun rising tomorrow and each morning thereafter.

God assures me that in Christ my sins are forgiven if I ask. I believe him. He tells me I can live abundantly now…and I can. He also claims he’s preparing a future home for me. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve read about it. And I believe there’s such a place. My faith engages confidence along with anticipation…and I’ll not be disappointed.

Who or what are you placing your hope in?

Prayer: Thank You Father that we’ll not be disappointed when we place our hope in You.

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God in the Darkness by Martin Wiles

As a child, I feared it. As an adult, it’s still not my favorite thing to walk into.

My dad attempted to calm my fear of darkness by sending me into an unlit yard, explaining there was nothing in the dark that wasn’t there in the light. As an adult, I realize that isn’t always true. Even now when I walk in the darkness, I’m constantly looking behind and ahead of me to make sure no strangers or animals are lurking about.

But there’s another type of darkness, and the psalmist experienced it. You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (Psalm 88:18 NLT). His was the “dark night of the soul.” A time when loneliness, abandonment, affliction, disease, depression, or even death was near.

Regardless of what my darkness stems from, God hasn’t reneged on his promise to never leave or forsake me. He’s as close to me in the dark periods as he is in the times of plenty—even if I don’t feel his presence as intensely.

Nor do my times of darkness confuse God. I’m often puzzled by what has led to the darkness. Is it something I’ve said or done? Is God simply trying to teach me a lesson?

Through prayer and trust, God helps clear up the confusion.
God also isn’t surprised by my darkness. He knew about it before it arrived, and if it’s not sinful in nature it’s even possible he sent it for my benefit. These series of events either fit his purposes for me at the particular moment or will be formed to fit his plan. Either way, I come out ahead, and the darkness eventually evaporates.

When you’re experiencing a dark night of the soul, trust God’s love and plan for you.

Prayer: Eternal and merciful God, even in our times of darkness, we will trust You for the best.

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You Only Live Once by Martin Wiles

I’d never heard the acronym. In fact, it probably hadn’t been invented, but I was doing a fair job of living it out nevertheless.

YOLO. You Only Live Once. A common acronym of the twenty first century reflecting a disturbing mindset I also possessed as a teenager. Since I only get one go round at this life before entering eternity, I might as well grab as much gusto on the one trip as possible. And I did. I lived for myself and did whatever I wanted—which was pretty much everything my parents forbade. Fortunately, I lived through it, and a saner—and more spiritual, mindset eventually settled in.

Paul didn’t have a death wish, but he did realize the next life would be better than his present one. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better (Philippians 1:21 NLT).

When God got my attention, my lifestyle changed. Since I only get one chance at this life, it makes sense to discover God’s purpose on my one journey through to eternity. Only then will I experience happiness and determine why God placed me here in the first place.

Whatever God’s specific purpose is, it will include my investing in others. Not only am I to love him with all my heart, I’m to love my neighbor as well. Like the Good Samaritan, I need to stop long enough to help those with life issues I can soothe the balm of healing and kindness over.

And since I only live once, I realize this journey is going to end in eternity with Christ. That’s the best part. And if I spend my time now loving him totally and others completely, heaven won’t be such a surprise.

Are you making good use of your one time around?

Prayer: Father, give us the power to live with purpose on our one journey through life.

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The Spirit Filled Life Part I by Martin Wiles

GALATIANS 5:22, 23
INTRODUCTION
We might imagine buying a tree. It has no leaves on it or any fruit because it is only a seedling ready to plant. Unless there was a tag attached to it, we would not know what kind of tree it was. Suppose we bought it anyway and took it home and planted it. Soon it would begin putting on leaves. It is possible that we might know by looking at the leaves what kind of tree it was, but it is also possible that we would not. After it grew year after year, it began to blossom and put on fruit. Then it became very evident that it was an apple tree. We would know because we know what an apple looks like. In order for this tree to grow and produce, we would have to plant it and nurture it. It needs the nutrients and water that comes from the soil.

As children of God, we too are like trees planted and rooted in the love of God. When we accept Christ as our Savior, ask his forgiveness and repent of our sins, the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in our lives. We are then rooted and planted in the love of God. It is from this relationship that we receive the nutrients needed to survive as a Christian. Like the tree, people might not know who or what we are by just looking at us. They might see us as ordinary people. How is it that people realize we are children of God? It is by the fruit we produce in our lives. This fruit is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence and working in our life. Paul tells us in this passage what that fruit is. If our lives are not producing this fruit, then there is something wrong. Either we are not God's children or we are not in a right relationship with him.

More and more we discover that fruit is important for our physical well-being. We have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” A well-balanced diet should include fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is also important and even vital to the child of God. The Spirit-filled life will be one that produces fruit for the honor and glory of God.

I. WE MUST PRODUCE LOVE
Love is the supreme virtue of the Christian life. In speaking of it, the apostle Paul says, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:13) The Bible also says, “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Galatians 5:14) A similar passage says; “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10)

The Bible speaks of several kinds of love, but the kind of love Christians are to display is agape’ love. We must choose to display this type of love. It is a love that will lead to self-giving service. It is the kind of love that God shows and has shown to us. The Bible says; “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 6:3) It is a love that will cause one to even die for another. Jesus said; “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13) As he has shown his love for us, we in turn should show our love to others. The Bible also says; “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (I John 3:16) In fact, the Bible says; “How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help.” (I John 3:17) Love is how we know we have new life in Christ. We read; “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another.” (I John 3:14) Jesus said; “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Jesus is the supreme example of this type of love. His love motivated him to leave his throne in glory, come to a world filled with sinful people and give his life for them. In this, he demonstrated the love of God to individuals. As Jesus loved us, we are to love others. This is not an option for the believer but a command. The Bible says; “Live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

A lawyer on one occasion asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. Jesus responded by saying; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Love is not an option but a command for the child of God. This love must extend to all people, for our neighbors are all people who are in need of help. The neighbor lines extend farther than to the person who lives beside us.

The parable of the Good Samaritan provides a good example of loving our neighbor. A man on his way to Jericho from Jerusalem falls among thieves. They wound and rob him and leave him for dead. A priest comes by but refuses to help. Perhaps he was afraid he would defile himself. Then comes a Levite, but he too is unwilling to help. Then comes the hated half-breed Samaritan. He stops and helps the man. He bandages up his wounds, takes him to an inn and gives the innkeeper money to care for him until he returns. This shows us that agape love is an active love that reaches out to others in the name of Christ. Just as faith without works is dead, so love without action is dead also.

We cannot refuse to show love to others because we fear what others might think. We cannot refuse to show love because it will take away from our personal time. We must love in spite of the fact that it might cost us money, time and sacrifice. We cannot afford not to love others. Love is the most important thing in life, and this Paul emphasizes when he says; “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (I Corinthians 13:1)

A young mother and wife had an unfaithful husband. He had left her and gone to live with the other woman. Because of this, she was bitter and resentful. As she began to think of Christ's love for her, she found a new love growing in her for others. This love included the woman who had taken her husband. At Christmas, she sent the woman a rose with a note: “Because of Christ's love for me and through me, I can love you!”

Billy Graham tells of being a young boy growing up in Boston and of having a dear friend named Allan Emery. He tells of how his friend had an experience that made an impression on him. It seems his father received a call telling of a well-known Christian who had been found drunk on the sidewalk. The father sent for a chauffeured limousine to pick the man up. The mother prepared the best guest room for him. The friend watched as the covers were turned down on the beautiful four-poster bed. He protested, “But, mother, he's drunk. He might even get sick.” The mother's reply shows the love she possessed: “I know, but this man has slipped and fallen. When he comes to, he will be so ashamed. He will need all the loving encouragement we can give him.”

II. WE MUST PRODUCE JOY
The word for joy is used some 70 times in the New Testament. It signifies a feeling of happiness based on spiritual realities. It is a sense of well-being produced in a person when they know that all is well between them and the Lord. We experience this feeling when circumstances are good and when they are bad. Thus the feeling is not produced nor does it depend on one's circumstances. It is the gift of God to believers. It is this joy that gives strength. The Bible says; “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) It is the overflow of having received Jesus as Savior and having his continuing presence in our life. We can experience it only when we rely on and are obedient to the Lord.

Again Jesus is our supreme example of joy. The Bible says of him; “Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Joy is commanded of believers. The Bible says; “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) We must learn to revel in this great blessing we possess. In a world filled with so much that is bad, we might wonder how we can be joyful, but we can as a child of God. Even when we face trials, tribulations and temptations, we can still feel joy because we know our God is bigger than anything we might face. Jesus, in the time before he faced the trial of the cross, said to his disciples in the upper room: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) On one occasion, the apostles of Christ were imprisoned for their preaching. That night, the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors. Instead of running they again went back to preaching. Again they were put on trial and asked why they continued to preach when they were commanded not to. Their answer was that they must obey God above humans. Then the Bible says; “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41) We can rejoice because Christ has died for our sins, has risen again, and will come to take us to glory with him. It is a joy that will lift us above the circumstances of life.

Charles Allen said; “Just as all the water in the world cannot quench the fire of the Holy Spirit, neither can all the troubles and tragedies of the world overwhelm the joy which the Spirit brings into the human heart.” Another has said; “Joy is the flag that flies above the palace when the King is in residence.”

III. WE MUST PRODUCE PEACE
Like joy, peace has nothing to do with our circumstances. The child of God can know peace even in the most trying circumstances. The Bible tells us the reason: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We can have peace because we know God is in control of our lives.

Jesus is the one who gives this peace. In speaking to his disciples, he said; “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.” (John 14:27) The believer has no reason to be anxious no matter what the circumstances. Peace carries with it the meaning of unity, rest, ease and security. The Bible says; “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

When others see us living in peace and being at peace in a world of turmoil, they will know there is something unique about us. Charles Spurgeon said; “I looked at Christ, and the dove of peace flew into my heart; I looked at the dove of peace, and it flew away.” True peace is only known in a relationship with Christ.

CONCLUSION
Thomas Edison was the wizard of electrical inventors. He was an Ohioan by birth whose formal schooling was limited to three months. In spite of this, his natural ingenuity has probably never been surpassed. By the age of fifteen, he had learned to send and receive telegraph messages. In 1879, he made a revolutionary invention in the incandescent light. While the arc light had already been devised, it was unsatisfactory for indoor use. He began to manufacture the light bulb for commercial use. Soon houses were depending on it for illumination. Before lonig, electricity was spreading to all parts of society.

We too can find success in the Spirit-filled life when we will show love, joy and peace to others.

Rump Roast and Vegetables by Michelle Wiles

 

Ingredients

4 POUNDS BONELESS RUMP ROAST

2 TABLESPOONS OIL

2 TEASPOONS SALT

½ TEASPOON PEPPER

½ TEASPOON THYME

2 CUPS WATER

8 POTATOES (QUARTERED)

½ TEASPOON PLAIN FLOUR

1 CUP WATER

Directions

BROWN MEAT IN OIL.

STIR TOGETHER SALT, PEPPER, AND THYME.

SPRINKLE OVER MEAT.

ADD 2 CUPS WATER.

BRING TO A BOIL, REDUCE HEAT, AND SIMMER 2 ½ HRS.

ADD VEGETABLES AND COOK UNTIL TENDER.

REMOVE MEAT AND VEGETABLES FROM PAN.

STIR FLOUR AND 1 CUP WATER TOGETHER UNTIL SMOOTH.

ADD TO JUICE IN PAN.

COOK UNTIL THICKENED.

 

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Grace And Future Glory by Martin Wiles

Romans 8:18-30
Introduction:
A. There is a longing in humans that leads them to want something better and to believe there is more to life than experienced on earth.

B. While we don’t necessarily want to die to attain the better experience, believers maintain taking this step is the only way to gain that reality.

C. In these verses, Paul will contrast our present suffering with our future state of existence.

I. God’s Grace Leads Us To Anticipate A Better Day (vv. 18-25)
A. Our present suffering will not compare to our future glory.

1. Believers endure different types of suffering.
2. We can suffer through various types of persecution that come because of our faith stand.
3. We can also suffer emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
4. Much of our suffering comes from living in a world diseased by sin.
5. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the consequences not only affected them and their physical descendants but also the world.
6. Jesus referenced this when he instructed people to store their treasures in heaven where moth and rust could not destroy and where thieves could not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)
7. God also told Adam he had placed a curse on the ground. He would struggle to make a living from it, and it would produce thistles and thorns. By the sweat of his brow, he would produce fruit and then he would die and return to the ground from which he came. (Genesis 3:17-19)
8. It is easy to notice the decay surrounding us. Things don’t last. This results from the effects of sin. We might even lump natural disasters into the group of sin’s effects. Floods, famine, disease, earthquakes, and drought are all parcel to existence on earth.
9. Since believers live in a fallen world, we are subject to the consequences of living here. Yet we look for a future that will be radically different.
10.  Our suffering, which is a sharing in what Christ went through, prepares us for our future glory with him.
11.  Suffering also refines us. When we respond in the correct manner, suffering will lead us to greater dependence on Christ and help us grow in our spiritual walk. God can and does teach us many important lessons through times of hardship and suffering.
12.  God’s Word gives us snippets of what heaven will be like, and there is a stark difference between this description and what we experience here.
13.  John describes the new heaven and earth as void of sorrow, death, crying, pain and sin. (Revelation 21:4-8)

B. Creation also groans for deliverance (vv. 19-22)
1. Even the inanimate object of creation groans for deliverance from the curse of sin. Creation refers to all things beneath humanity: animal, plant and mineral.
2. Creation is not what it originally was or what it will eventually be.
3. After God created, he pronounced all things good. A good God could create nothing less. It was perfect for it had been created by him and for his purpose. (Genesis 1)
4. While God is allowing sin to run its course presently, the day will arrive when believers and God’s creation will be delivered from sin’s curse.
5. Knowing God will eventually bring a new heaven and earth gives us reason for optimism.
6. While we do not worship mother earth, we care for her because we worship her creator.
7. Many theologians, myself included, feel God may not totally obliterate this earth but will purge it of all that is evil and renew it as it originally was. The good elements may well survive the purging process which gives us incentive to care for the earth God allows us to live on. This, by the way, was his original instruction to Adam and Eve.
8. Paul compares the groaning to the pains of childbirth (v. 22). The pain can be severe but the joy that comes afterward because of new life more than compensates for the pain. In like manner, our pain and suffering is temporary, and what lies ahead will far outweigh anything we have to face presently.

C. Believers wait patiently and confidently for deliverance. (vv. 23-25)
1. Like the creation, we also groan for deliverance. It will come at death or at the Second Coming, whichever occurs first.
2. We tend to place all our focus on heaven, forgetting there is a new earth involved too. I think we will probably have access to both.
3. We don’t like the pain or suffering we have to endure because of the effects of sin.
4. To assuage us and help us endure, God has given the presence of the Holy Spirit.
5. God’s Spirit comforts in our times of agony and assures us there is a better day coming. He guides in all our life decisions. He is our comforter, teacher, guide and the seal of God’s ownership. Our eternity is secure.
6. Believers wait anxiously for our full rights as God’s children which includes the new bodies he promises.
7. While we are currently joint heirs with Christ, the full reality of all that entails will not be realized until eternity begins.
8. When we think of all our bodies are subject to now as well as the pain they often give us along with the continual things we have to go through to try and keep them healthy, it is comforting to know that one day we won’t have to worry about diets, exercise and all that consumes us now.
9. The reason we hope for this is because we don’t have it fully now. We don’t look forward to something we already have. We don’t anticipate a vacation we’ve already been on.
10.  When we look forward to something, it always involves patience. If our vacation is scheduled for June and it’s only January, we can’t hurry it up. The hours, days and months have to pass in the normal process.
11.  It may appear God is slow in bringing all this to pass, but we must have confidence in his perfect wisdom and timing.
12.  In Romans, Paul relates the idea that our salvation is past, present and future. We have been saved from the penalty of our sin, we are being saved from the power of sin and we will be saved from the presence of sin.

II. God’s Spirit Aids Believers In Difficult Times (vv. 26-27)
A. Praying in difficult times.
1. Have you even been in circumstances so difficult or confusing that you did not know how to pray, what to pray for or perhaps you did not even feel like praying?
2. Life can cave in on us. Imagine how Job must have felt when he received one discouraging report after another.
3. Paul gives some encouraging news at this point. God’s Spirit, who resides in us, prays for us, and since the Spirit is part of our Triune God, the Father knows what the Spirit is saying. The Spirit pleads for us in harmony with God’s will because he knows what God’s will is.
4. This is also a reminder of the importance of prayer. It is a wonderful privilege believer’s have to approach God’s throne of grace with boldness and confidence. (Hebrews 4:16)
5. We can come boldly because we belong to him and he is therefore interested in the details of our life. What parent is not concerned about what goes on in their child’s life?
6. We come boldly because our position before God has been changed by repentance and faith. Therefore, our sins are forgiven and we are no longer under condemnation.
7. Even in good times, we don’t often know how to pray for we don’t always know the will of God for particular situations.
8. Additionally, there are other things we have to deal with: our minds wander, we are sleepy or tired, we get distracted or are experiencing emotional mood swings, we don’t know what the future holds, we tend to be selfish, and we really don’t know what’s best for us in any given situation.
9. We trust the Spirit of God to take our imperfect prayers and make them perfect to the Father so that he can in turn impress on us his perfect will and we can respond accordingly.

B. God’s assurance. (v. 28)
1. Verse 28 is often quoted by believers to assure ourselves and others  that God is acting in our best interest even in the most challenging and misunderstood situations.
2. It is often misquoted or misunderstood by maintaining everything that comes into our life will be good. Experience teaches nothing is further from the truth.
3. Rather, the promise is that God will take even the bad things and bring good out of them. God is allowed to bring anything into our life that serves his purpose as long as it does not violate his nature. We might term such an occurrence bad, but this is only because we do not see the entire picture as God does. Just as a child may term something bad that his parent enforces on him. The parent, however, knows the desired outcome and the child doesn’t.
4. What God doesn’t actually initiate, he allows (as with Job). But even the things that violate his nature he brings good from. The good in some way witnesses to his glory and our spiritual nourishment.
5. We might not enjoy some things God brings or allows into our life, but with the right focus we can respond correctly and let them work for our good and his glory.
6. This is a wonderful assurance because it reminds us God is working in every detail of our life, not just isolated events. He sees our life from beginning to end and in between and takes all those events and uses them to fulfill his plan and purpose for us.
7. All that happens to us cannot be classified good, but it becomes so after God gets through with it.
8. Nor will all things make us happy, but God is not necessarily after our happiness as much as he is our spiritual growth and our fulfilling his purpose.
9. Nor is this a promise given to all people but only to those who know Christ. The qualifiers are: they must love God and be called according to his purpose.
10.  We may not know the good outcome until eternity. Not all things are explained in this life.

C. God’s Goal (vv. 29-30)
1. God’s ultimate goal in choosing us for salvation is to form us into the image of his Son.
2. All the things he is working together for our good and his glory are for that end.
3. As we become more like him, we discover who we truly are and why we were created.
4. The way this happens is through the normal spiritual disciplines: prayer, bible study, studying the life of Christ in the Gospels, letting his Spirit fill and guide us, and by obedience to his commands.
5. We have right standing with God through our faith in Christ. Our responsibility is to allow God to make us in practice who we already are in position.
6. We are chosen in Christ and we are chosen to become like Christ.
7. The conformation God is after takes place on the inside first and will then manifest itself outwardly.

Conclusion:
A. How wonderful to know the sufferings of this life will end.

B. How comforting to realize God takes everything in our life-good and evil, and works it together for good in his purpose for our life.

The Spirit Filled LIfe Part III by Martin Wiles

GALATIANS 5:22, 23
INTRODUCTION
By now we know that physical and spiritual fruit is very important to our well-being. Doctors are discovering more and more that fruit should be part of our diet if the diet is to be a healthy one. The Food Guide Pyramid bears out the importance of fruit. According to this food pyramid, a daily portion of two to four servings of fruit should be in our diet. I think of going into the grocery store. One of the first aisles you go down usually has fruit and vegetables. There we can find all types of fruits. 

The same should be true in the life of the believer. All the fruits of the Spirit should be seen in our life because of our relationship with God. The fruits are unlike the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts are given selectively. Not all Christians have the same gifts or use the same gift the same way. God matches the gift to our personality and to our uniqueness. He does this after giving the gift of grace which all Christians have. It is this gift of grace that enables us to use the gifts he gives. The fruits of the Spirit are not like this. All of the fruits should be evident in the Christian's life. We all have the power and ability to produce these various fruits and thereby bring honor and glory to God. By manifesting these fruits, we also give witness and testimony to what he has done and is doing in our life.

We have already looked at the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness and kindness. Today we want to finish by looking at the final three fruits of the Spirit.

I. WE MUST PRODUCE FAITHFULNESS
To be faithful is to be loyal and trustworthy. This does not refer to faith as exercised by the child of God. All Christians have already exercised this faith when they trusted Christ as their Savior. It speaks of faithfulness produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian who is yielded to God. This is one of the surest tests of our character.

Jesus is our great example in faithfulness. The Bible says of him that he “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7) What greater example of faithfulness could we turn to? Jesus had all the glory of heaven. He was with the Father. Yet he gave this up for a time because God's desire was for him to come to earth and die to show God's love for humanity. There was a great depth in the incarnation. Paul tells us in Ephesians that before Christ could ascend after his resurrection, he had to descend, and this he did to the lower parts of the earth. He left his throne in glory to come and die for sinful mankind. He was faithful to what God the Father wanted him to do.

Jesus taught the necessity of faithfulness in his parable of the talents. He tells of a man traveling to a far country. He calls his servants and entrusts his goods to them. He gives one five talents, another two and another one. The one given the five puts them to good use and makes five more. The one given two did the same thing. But the servant who was given one dug a hold and hid the money in the ground. When the master returned, this servant drew a sharp rebuke from him because of his actions. The master in turn takes the talent and gives it to the one who has ten. Jesus said; “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29)

Faithfulness also involves adhering to what is right. It means recognizing there is a difference between right and wrong and sticking to the right. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves compromising. It is tempting to compromise our faith in some way if it is to our benefit. In the third epistle of John, John compliments Demetrius because of his faithfulness in word, truth, precept, and practice. Compromise is a dangerous but familiar landmine for the believer.

Faithfulness also entails being faithful to the plan of God for our life. How many times do we know what God wants us to do but do not do it for one reason or another. The full blessings of God can only fall when we are faithful to his plan for our life.

God selected Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. The journey from Egypt to Canaan could have taken only a few months, but because of unfaithfulness on their part, it took much longer. The majority of the spies sent into the land said they could not take the land. A failure to be faithful to God's plan in this matter led to forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

Being faithful also leads to spiritual growth. Many times a young person when they become a certain age will want all privileges that adults have but not the responsibilities. Sometimes we want all the blessings of God, but we do not want the responsibility of being faithful to him. We cannot grow spiritually when this is the case.

I think of the great patriarch Abraham when I think of faithfulness. God called him from his land to go to a land he had never seen before. He left not knowing where he was going. The Bible says of him; “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

We can test our faithfulness in several ways: how much time do I spend in the Word of God, how much time do I spend in prayer with him, how much effort do I put forth to live a righteous lifestyle. Paul was able to say; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who love His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7)

The story is told of a judge who had the awful experience of having his son appear before him for a DUI charge. Adorning himself with his robes, he knew that in his capacity he could not let his own feelings affect his decision. He sentenced him with a fine. But then rising, he disrobed himself and went and stood by his son. Then he paid his fine. He was faithful as a judge and as a father. We need such faithfulness to our heavenly Father.

II. WE MUST PRODUCE GENTLENESS
Gentleness is sometimes translated meekness. It is a humble and gentle attitude that pervades us even when offended by others. It carries no desire for revenge or retribution no matter what the offense committed. The New Testament uses it to describe three attitudes: a submission to the will of God, a willingness to be taught, and consideration for other people. The Bible instructs us in this manner; “As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) It carries the idea of mildness in dealing with others. It does not mean to be weak, timid or spiritless. It is power under control.

God is the source of this as well as all other fruits. Jesus said; “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Jesus showed such an attitude in his actions. In spite of being accused falsely, mocked, spit on, beaten, and nailed to a cross, he displayed a spirit of gentleness all the way to the end.

There are some guidelines we must follow to have this gentle spirit. We must not rise up defensively when others hurt our feelings. We must not have a craving for preeminence but must be willing for God to receive all the glory from our lives. We must not seek  high regard or recognition.

Jesus said of the meek or gentle; “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

To understand gentleness, we might appeal to the iceberg. No matter how high the iceberg rises above the water, the greater part of it is submerged. The iceberg is formidable and destructive as they drift along the sea lanes. The greatest threat to the iceberg is something that is actually very beneficial. It is the sun. As the sun gently places its rays and heat on the iceberg, it will slowly die. It is the gentleness of God's dealing with us that melts what are sometimes hearts of stone so that he can use us in his ministry.

III. WE MUST PRODUCE SELF-CONTROL
This speaks of our ability to restrain passions and appetites. If we are going to know perfect holiness, we must exercise self control. This comes from a Greek word meaning strong, having mastery, and being able to control one's thoughts and actions. Physical and mental appetites destroy this fruit from many Christian's lives.

Alcohol is one thing that appeals to the physical appetite of many. It causes people to kill themselves and others. Many innocent victims are killed from alcohol-related accidents. It leads to the breakup of families. And then there are the physical diseases that can result from too much drink. The Bible says; “Wine is a mocker, Intoxicating drink arouses brawling, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)

We also need self-control in the area of unkindness, gossip, pride and jealousy. Instead we should set our minds on spiritual things. Paul said; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)

We can also speak of the self-control needed in the area of eating. Many bring on physical problems or at least increase their risk because we do not eat right. Self-control must also be used in the area of sexual matters. This too is an area where self-control certainly needs enhancing today. The high number of abortions and out of wedlock births attests to this. Even within the bonds of marriage, there must still be self-control.

In the matter of our tempers, we need self-control. The Bible says; "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)

Just as the athlete must condition his body through rigorous training and practice to be ready to compete, so as Christians we must train our bodies through self-control so we can prepare ourselves for the work of God. John Wesley's mother once said that “anything which increases the authority of the body over the mind is an evil thing.”

CONCLUSION
The Spirit-filled life will produce faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The story is told of a man who glanced at the obituary column one day and in total surprise saw his name there. It indicated that he had just died. At first, he laughed, but then the phone began to ring with friends and acquaintances expressing their sympathy. He called the newspaper editor and angrily reported that he was alive. The editor was apologetic. In a flash of inspiration, he said; “Do not worry, sir, I will make it all right, for tomorrow I will put your name in the births column.” When we have trusted Christ as our Savior and been born again, our life must produce the fruit of the Spirit.

The Spirit Filled LIfe Part II by Martin Wiles

GALATIANS 5:22, 23
INTRODUCTION
Those who study health habits tell us that fruit is a very important part of our diet. They are important mainly for the vitamins and minerals they contain. The acids they contain also help the digestive process. Fruits can be eaten in many ways. We eat some fruits fresh, others canned, some dried and still others frozen. The juice from fruits can be bought frozen or canned.  

My grandfather and grandmother have several fruit trees in their yard. He tells of the blooming peach tree he bought, but to his surprise it bore peaches. Then there is the apple tree that bears up to five different kinds of apples.

Fruit is very important to the Christian life. In fact, it is proof positive that we belong to God. If we belong to God, our lives should be bearing the fruit that Paul enumerates in these verses. We have already considered the fruit of love, joy and peace. Now we want to continue looking at things that should characterize God's people.

I. WE SHOULD PRODUCE PATIENCE
Patience carries the idea of being tolerant and longsuffering when we are wronged by others. It is a calm willingness to accept situations in our life that are painful and irritating. It comes from a Greek word that speaks of a person's steadfastness under provocation. It is when we can endure ill-treatment from others without wanting to retaliate or take revenge because of what they have done. It is when we deal with others in a kind and compassionate manner. It is when we judge the faults of others with understanding instead of criticism.

Since God is slow to anger, we as his children should be also. We are told to emulate the patience of our Lord. The Bible says; “As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

Patience includes perseverance where the Lord's work is concerned. Doing God's work is fulfilling and rewarding, but we cannot take away the reality that many times we grow weary and disgusted in this work. The work itself is not the problem. It is the way many respond to our efforts to do God's work. Many times others are not willing to accept our testimony. Though we want them to respond to the salvation message, they will not. The frustration can also be felt when trying to re-motivate cold and indifferent church members. We hear a million excuses as to why they cannot come to that particular church anymore, yet they do not bother to go anywhere else either. Patience is the ability to withstand all of this while at the same time maintaining a sense of optimism. We must remember that God is in control, not us.

Like the other gifts, God is the source. Paul said; “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 15:5) God proclaimed himself to be patient. He made this statement to Moses. When Moses saw the disobedience of the people while he was on the mountain receiving the commandments of God, Moses threw the tablets down and broke them. God instructed Moses to come up the mountain again and receive new tablets. As the Lord passed before Moses, he proclaimed these words; “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6)

We see the patience of God as he dealt with the children of Israel. There was a pattern in their life that is much like ours. They were committed to God, but the times would come when they would turn away from him. God would send punishment for their disobedience, and they would repent and stay faithful for a while. It would not be long before the pattern would begin again. God would patiently deal with them through their many failures even as he does us.

We see the virtue of patience in the life of Christ. The majority of people doubted his identity. He was ridiculed and tested on many occasions by those who doubted his authenticity. He was falsely accused and put to death on a cross. He showed patience through the testing, suffering, pain and agony. Isaiah said of the coming Messiah; “He was oppressed and He was afflicted. Yet he opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Patience is a result of testing and trials. The Bible says; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2) We should welcome the troubling times because we know that they will result in patience. We think of the patience of Job. He lost his property, children and health. He was ridiculed and rebuked by his so-called friends. In all of this, he was patient, and God rewarded him greatly for his patience. The Bible also says; “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.” (Romans 5:3)

Joseph also gives us an example of patience. He was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongly accused by Potiphar and thrown into prison. His patience was rewarded by God. He was promoted by Pharaoh as ruler over all the land of Egypt.

God is patient with us today. He is patient with sinners as he calls them to repentance. He is patient with his children who often fail him. Because of his patience with us, we need to extend the same patience to others even when they treat us wrongly. We need patience in suffering wrongs and with others.

One has stated; “In the full face of afflictions it is hard to see any sense to things that befall us and we want to question the fairness of a faithful God. However, these moments can be the most meaningful of our lives.”

Paul Little was killed in an automobile accident in 1975. He was an outstanding Bible teacher, theology professor, leader of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and former member of the Billy Graham team. Though Billy Graham tells of asking God why, he tells how Paul's wife, Maria, came to a team retreat a few months after his death. There she manifested a marvelous spirit, sharing with the wives of the team members her victory. She comforted when it would seem she would need the comfort. We need patience in suffering and with others.

II. WE MUST PRODUCE KINDNESS
To show kindness is to show a tender compassion and concern for other people. It is the genuine desire to treat others as the Lord Jesus treats us. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves whether or not we are treating others as Jesus treats us. Our example is the kindness of Jesus. When his disciples tried to forbid the people from bringing the children to Jesus, he rebuked them and allowed the children to come. Jesus invited the weary and heavy-laden to come to him and he would give them rest. The Bible says; “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone.” (II Timothy 2:24) Like the other fruits, this one also finds its source in God.

This word comes from a Greek word that refers to a kindness that pervades and penetrates the whole nature of a person. It involves showing kindness even when others are not showing us kindness. It involves having a heart that weeps over sin and sinners. It involves a concern for all people and then demonstrates that kindness through actions.

Nehemiah speaks of the kindness of God toward the people of Israel. God brought them out of Egyptian bondage, parted the Red Sea before them, swallowed Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea, led them by day and night, supplied them with manna, quail and water, made a covenant with them, and after all this, they still rebelled against him. In spite of this, Nehemiah says of God; “But you are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.” (9:17)

Jesus also showed kindness. During his time, there were few institutions of mercy. It was a world of few hospitals or mental institutions. There were few homes for the orphans and few havens for the forsaken. In this world, Jesus brought kindness. He healed the sick, lame, blind and deaf.

The great king David showed kindness to Saul when he was king. Though Saul admired David at first, that admiration soon turned to jealousy and hate when the people began to pay more attention to David than Saul. He tried to kill David on several occasions, and David had to flee for his life. David had the opportunity to kill Saul on one occasion, but he showed kindness by sparing his life.

The greatest act of kindness was shown by God in sending his Son to demonstrate his love for fallen humanity. The Bible says; "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.'” (Titus 3:4)

We need to tap the source of kindness that is found in Jesus Christ. Charles Hembree, in his book Fruits of the Spirit, says; “In our age of guided missiles and misguided men there is desperate need for us to learn how to share gentleness. It seems strange that in an age when we can reach the moon, bounce signals off far planets, and receive pictures from whirling satellites we have great difficulty communicating tenderness to those about us.”

III. WE MUST PRODUCE GOODNESS
Goodness speaks of moral and spiritual excellence. It is shown by sweetness and active kindness. The key word in the definition is active. It is possible for us to be morally upright and yet not show the grace of goodness. It carries the idea of self-sacrifice. It refers to the quality found in a person who is ruled by and aims at what is good. It is trying our best to be like God. Again the true source of goodness is found in God. It involves doing good because we have a good heart not because we are expecting some medal or reward.

Joseph is an example of a good man. While he was betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus, he discovered that she was pregnant. Since he was a righteous man, he could not marry her, assuming she had been unfaithful to him. Since he was a good man also, he could not bear the thought of disgracing her, so he decided to put her away secretly. This is an example of goodness.

Jesus himself said; “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27)

Tony Campolo tells of going to the wrong parlor of the funeral home to pay his respects to the family of an acquaintance. He saw the body of an elderly man, and his widow was the only mourner present. He decided to stay for the funeral and even drove her to the cemetery. At the graveside service, he confessed to her his mistake. She replied; “I thought as much. I didn't recognize you. But it doesn't really matter. You'll never, ever, know what this means to me.”

Believers are commanded to show goodness. The Bible says; “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

CONCLUSION
Can you say today that you are showing patience, kindness and goodness to others in the name of Jesus?

The Jewish people practice a custom called shiva after there is a death in the community. Friends, neighbors and relatives practically take over the house of the bereaved for a week. They bring their own crates to sit on. They provide food and clean the place up. They in reality force their presence on the mourner. In a highly symbolic meal, the visitors feed the bereaved like a baby with forks and spoons. Wisdom has taught that the mourner needs the presence of others whether the person wants to acknowledge it or not. The message is: “We will not leave you alone. We will bear this pain with you.”