Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
October 3, 2024, 2024

Today we come to the ninth fruit of the Spirit; Self-Control. The Greek word, Enkrateia, means to have a great force under control. In our common English, it means “control of one’s feelings, desires or actions by one’s own will” (Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary). There is a big difference between the Greek understanding of self-control; which the Apostle Paul uses in his letter to the Galatians, and our American English understanding of self-control. The difference is in who has the control.

To be in relationship with Christ Jesus is to be willing to submit to the control of the Holy Spirit. This is the counselor and helper that Jesus promised his followers (John 14:25-26). Apart from that relationship, we are on our own and have only our own willpower to overcome temptation. One of the many temptations humans face is the way we speak with and about others. James, the brother of Jesus, writes; “With our tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).

I found a little poem by Louisa May Alcott that puts it very well; “A little Kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well. I do not ask for any crown but that which all may win; Nor try to conquer any world except the one within”. I will end this meditation with the prompting of Paul’s words in Galatians 5:25; “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”.

Amen!

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
September 24, 2024
Genesis 1:31, Revelation 4:11

Genesis 1:31 tells us; “Now, God saw all he had made and it was very good”, not just good but “very good”. In the book of the Revelation we read; “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being”. So, what happened? Why does everything seem so messed up? One answer I have been given was that in His infinite mercy, God gave humankind the gift of free will. Some might say that this proves why they don’t believe in God, why should they if He, who knows everything, is everywhere present, and all powerful lets his own creation destroy itself. Tough one, for sure, but I have hope.

Lewis goes on to say; “Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently He thought it worth the risk. Perhaps we feel inclined to disagree with Him. But there is a difficulty about disagreeing with God”. What comes to your mind when you consider what this difficulty might be? Are you thinking that no matter how we feel about what God is or is not doing, He will do what He sees best anyway? OK, makes sense, but it doesn’t help me feel his love. C.S. Lewis puts it this way; “He is the source from which all your reasoning power comes…when you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on”. Notice he did not say that arguing with God is bad, he just said that it is a useless and maybe even harmful activity, and yet I believe God would much rather have us arguing with him as not communicating with Him at all. Yes, I have been there many times, and most likely will be in the position of disagreeing with God in the future, but hopefully as I draw closer to Him in His word, in prayer and in worship, I will find less and less reason to argue with Him.

How about you? When you find you are angry and arguing with God, keep the conversation two way; in other words, take time to listen to Him. Listen for His Holy Spirit to guide you through the trouble. Feeling guilty about disagreeing with God doesn’t help you hear from Him. Simply speak with Him. He’s as close as the air you use to argue with Him.

Amen!

FYI – next week I will pick up on the final fruit of the Spirit in our series “Nine Fruits of the Spirit” by Robert Strand. We will look into the fruit of “Self-Control”.

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
September 18, 2024
Matthew 11:28-29

Today we are looking at the Fruit of The Spirit known as Gentleness. Another word that is often used is Meekness. The Greek word for this means to have an attitude of kindness, not harshness. A Quiet and peaceful presence. Gleaning from the little devotional I have been using these past weeks; “Nine Fruits of the Spirit” by Robert Strand, I came across this description which I think phrases it well: “Gentleness is not weakness! The truly meek person is one whose life has been empowered by the Spirit of God which comes from faith that has been energized by the Word of God!” Strand goes on to explain how this particular characteristic is very attached to our relationships. I would say it is in the day to day dealings with those around us that offers the greatest opportunities to either be fruitful or fruitless. Here’s another tidbit from Robert Strand; “This is not a spineless kind of wandering-about in relationships, but a solid force which causes us to stand and do the will of God in the face of every obstacle…gentleness/meekness is not putting down of self with an affected false sense of humility, rather it is a tough, free, confident kid of characteristic”.

Jesus said; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. I love this passage as a comfort and opportunity. A reminder for me to stop looking at the things that burden me as temptations to harden my heart, or be critical of others, but to look to Christ and his example. When I do this, I find myself praying less, “Lord, fix this for me”, and more praying “Lord, fix me in this”.

“Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by”. I bet some of you could finish this little chorus from the Hymn “Count Your Blessings” written by Johnson Oatman Jr.

Sing On!

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
September 11, 2024
Hebrews 10:23-25

Today is a day of remembrance for many in our nation. A day to reflect and pray on the events resulting from horrible acts of terrorism, as well as the outpouring of love and faith in acts of mercy and care from complete strangers as well as family and friends.

It is fitting then, that this is the day we take a closer look at the fruit of the Spirit known as Faithfulness. The Greek word for this is an active word that demonstrates steadfastness, loyalty, and trust. It is in faithfulness that God demonstrates His unending and unwavering commitment to His children. Hebrews 10:23-25 gives us a directive in how to live in Faithfulness; “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”.

Robert Strand gives this little nugget of wisdom concerning Faithfulness in his little devotional “Nine Fruits of the Spirit”; “God is the source and standard of faithfulness which He has demonstrated in His dealings with the human race. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ models this same kind of faithfulness in relationships with His followers. The Holy Spirit is ready to bring this trait of character to full maturity in your life and mine so that we, too, can be counted on to be faithful in all circumstances with all our relationships”.

In my youth, I heard a song entitled “Find us Faithful”, and as I have aged and hopefully matured, it strikes me even more as a challenge. I hope you catch a bit of this same challenge in the chorus; “Oh may all who come behind us, find us, faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh may all who come behind us, find us faithful”.

Amen

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
September 4, 2024
Acts 10:36-38, Romans 7:18, Matthew 12:33-35

As we look at the Fruit of the Spirit today; the fruit of Goodness, I would like for us to take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to each of us what good there is around us, and then ask what good can we, as individuals, share with those around us. Pause and Pray.

Now, let’s define Goodness. The Greek word that was originally used in our texts for today is Agathos, which means, to have a character or constitution that will be beneficial in its effect on others. Our text from the book of Acts states that Jesus went around doing good. He was actively engaged in healing and meeting true needs of the people. Our text from Romans 7 has the Apostle Paul crying out: “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out”. Jesus give the remedy for this dilemma in our text from Matthew 12; “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit”. I am finding a connection here with a life verse my Grandson recites; Psalm 1:1-2; “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers”.

Robert Strand reminds us in his devotional Nine Fruits of the Spirit: “ I remind you that fruit is something that grows under cultivation of the Spirit in your life. It’s a process, a daily commitment, a daily discipline, a daily application of the biblical truth. Every day, in some small and sometimes very significant way, we should all be changing into His likeness” (Goodness - pg. 36). You and I are trees planted by streams of living waters when we receive Christ as Lord and commit ourselves to follow Him. If you feel as if you have been uprooted by something, the Master Gardener, the creator and sustainer of all things can transplant and transform you. I know because He has done that for me time and time again. Life has some serious storms that can pull you and me away from His plan, but the good news is He can and He will and He does respond to our request to plant us firmly again and that is sooooo Good!

Amen

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
August 28, 2024
Eph. 4:32

The Greek word for Kindness means; To have a gracious demeanor. I think to be gracious, I would need to remember that it is the grace of the Lord that makes it even possible for me to be truly gracious and kind. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is God’s response to Paul’s complaint of a persistent malady; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness”. It’s this amazing grace of God that is sufficient to meet every need, to guide us in the power of the Holy Spirit and for our study today; to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit that is Kindness.

The Apostle Paul understood how difficult this could be. It is not a typical characteristic in a world that, in Paul’s day and in our own, can be very selfish and harsh, caring little for the needs of others and more about personal wants and desires. He writes in Ephesians 4:32; “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. My husband and I were discussing the topic for today’s midweek meditation and I asked; “What do we say every Sunday that is reflective of this idea of how we should forgive one another”? He responded; “In the Lord’s prayer, where we say; ‘and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us’”. Praying this prayer is a constant conviction that we should forgive each other because God forgave us and even sent his Son to provide forgiveness of sins, and it took the Cross to do it.

I will close with a poem quoted by Henry Burton and repeated in the little study guide: Nine Fruits of the Spirit by Robert Strand; “Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; ‘Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years, Let is wipe another’s tears, ‘Till in Heaven the deed appears…Pass it on”

Amen

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
August 22, 2024
Colossians 1:9-14

Of all the fruit of the Spirit that the Apostle Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23, there are two that are particularly difficult for me; Patience and Self-Control. Come to think of it, without patience I can’t have self-control, because to be disciplined in monitoring my thoughts and behavior takes a great deal of patience. What do you think?

When we read the New Testament, we are reading words, that for the most part, are translated from the original Greek and our word for today comes from the Greek word; Makrothumia which means to have forbearance, fortitude and long-suffering. When do you suppose your patience is challenged the most? Is it at work, in your family, your friendships, your church? If you said “yes” to any or all of these, then you see where I am going with this. Patience is often most challenged within the context of our relationships. Isn’t is awesome that God’s greatest desire is that we be in a close relationship with Him first and then with others! That’s the key to loving God and loving others as Jesus explained when He was asked what was the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).

In our Scripture text for today, Paul is explaining how he prays for the people to have “great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light…” (Col 1:11b-12).

I found a great quote from Philips Brooks in the little devotional; Nine Fruits of the Spirit by Robert Strand; “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle but you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God” (pg.14). I will close with another encouraging word from the Apostle Paul throughout all of his letters to the churches; “Grace and Peace to you from God our father, and the Lord Jesus Christ”!

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
August 12, 2024
John 14:23-27

I have experienced some of my most peaceful moments when I have held sleeping babies, or when I sat listening to a gentle rain on a metal roof. Still, I had to let go of my plans, thoughts and worries while experiencing these events and just tell myself; “stay peacefully in this moment”. In fact, I am trying to do that right now as I have a peaceful moment to write this knowing a busy week awaits. Hence a midweek posting at the beginning of the week.

Our text for today comes during a teaching and counseling time Jesus was having with his disciples. They did not like hearing that Jesus would be leaving them, and Jesus sometimes confused them by reminding them to obey his teachings. After all, many of the followers had left everything to follow and learn from Jesus. It’s easy to see from this side of the resurrection that Jesus was preparing them to change the world, and that would take loving obedience to the teachings of Christ in loving God and loving others. It would take a daily discipline to leave self out of the picture and choose to follow Jesus.

As we continue this journey in The Fruit of the Spirit, today we will look at the amazing peace that is available if we will choose to be still and live in the moment with the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word we translate as peace, means “a quiet rest, to be set at one with yourself again”. Robert Strand reflects on it this way;” The peace that Christ gives is not only in good circumstances of life, but it is a deep, abiding, inner tranquility in all kinds of life circumstances”. Strand tells the story of a friend who visited an elderly person who was terribly crippled with arthritis. When He asked the elderly person; “Do you suffer much? She responded, ‘Yes, but there is no nail here,’ and she pointed to her hand. ‘He had the nails, I have the peace’, She pointed to her head, ‘There are no thorns here. He had the thorns, I have the peace’. Then she touched her side and said; ‘There is no spear here. He had the spear, I have the peace” (Ralph Turnbull – quoted by Strand in Nine Fruits of the Spirit 1999 edition, New Leaf Press, Green Forest AR, pg.13).

In John 14:25-27 Jesus tells them that his heavenly Father would send a counselor, none other than the Holy Spirit, to teach and remind them of all that Christ himself tried to teach them while with them on earth. He encourages them that this would bring peace; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid” (vs. 27). May you find comfort in God’s Word today, and may you experience peace right where you are. Take a breath and stay in the moment with the Holy Spirit.

Amen!