Roots Are Needed for Life & Strength

Working in the garden, planting . . . or pulling weeds?
Here's something to consider . . . 
        
        Roots, not seen -- but so necessary,
        The life link for flowers, crops, trees;
        I know I need to be rooted in Christ,
        That’s the only way my life will please.

        LORD, root me wide and root me deep   
        in our relationship’s inner place;
        I give all glory to God as I dwell 
        secure from life’s storms, safe in His grace.

        Others are looking for substance and food,
        I want the fruits of the Spirit growing;
        What a blessing to others and to me
        When my love for Jesus is showing. 

A New Look at That Fruit

        Take a look at some challenges and consequences of those famous fruits of the Bible, listed in Galatians 5.
        Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness -- sounds very passive, very submissive to the noise and misbehavior of the people in the world. Does it mean we are to exhibit these traits so that the world will notice how agreeable we try to be, but how weak we really are?
        How do we view the “fruits of the Spirit”? Have we missed some important aspects from the list in Galatians?

My Completely Wonderful Blessing

Heavenly Father, I come with a quiet heart,

ready to receive a completely wonderful blessing today.

In honesty I acknowledge my sin and weakness,

In gratitude I receive Your forgiveness,

In gladness I speak Your blessing over myself.

LOVE: I bless myself with a growing, glowing realization

of what love is and Who loves me.  It is You,

Almighty Father, Creator of All, Savior, Lord!

JOY: I bless myself with joy that does not depend

upon circumstances that surround me — the past, present, future.

Joy that fully trusts God fills my needy heart.

PEACE: I bless myself with an abundance of peace,

an appreciation of the awesome presence of God.  You are here,

telling me that trouble is a temporary test.

PATIENCE: I bless myself with patience that says, "Yes," to God.

I am released from relying on my own ideas.  I calmly accept uncertainties

because Your wisdom teaches, reminds, and empowers me.

KINDNESS: I bless myself with contentment,

as I learn to listen to Your kindness and mercy.

I reflect Your kindness as I bravely reach out to others.

GOODNESS: I bless myself with the satisfying fulfillment

of Your goodness, nourishing my hungry soul.

Your plan for my life is very good.

FAITHFULNESS:  I bless myself with confidence that embraces me.

You are faithful in Your Word, Your promises, Your love.

Your faithfulness enables me to stand strong in the storms.

GENTLENESS:  I bless myself with Your gentleness

that is healing me, body and soul.  Thank You for

giving me quiet times for restoration.

SELF-CONTROL:  I bless myself with awareness of self-control,

the perfection of the touch of Your hand upon my heart.

Fear, stress, anger, confusion cannot stay in Your presence.

Lord, Your grace produces wonderful results, fruits of the Spirit.

By faith I declare myself completely blessed for today!

by Elaine Hardt ©2008

(Considering Galatians 5:22, 23; Philippians 4:8; Matthew 28:20)