Prayer is spiritual fruit

The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) This fruit is evidence that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. However, God shows me another one this morning. Notice the contrast between these two passages. In the first, the people are praying and boldly speaking the Word of God . . .

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)

In the second, they are not . . .  

When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” (Exodus 15:23–26)

Instead of being thankful (another sign of the Spirit at work), they were grumbling and complaining. The rest of the passage hints that they were not listening to God, disobedient, and possibly often sick. From these two passages, it is easy to see that prayerful reliance on God goes along with being filled with the Spirit.

Of course, He helps me pray regarding the content of my prayers . . . “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27)  . . . but I never thought before that He also is at the root of prayer, the One who prompts it as well as directs it.

My best example is my husband. When someone describes a problem in their life, he is quick to offer prayer and prays for them on the spot. I’m more apt to offer solutions or a promise to pray for them later. I’ve asked God to change that response so I will also be quicker to pray. From these verses, I can see that my deeper need is to be less full of my own ideas and instead filled with the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Spirit is not just for situations that require prayer. Paul wrote about the need for Spirit-filled prayer all the time and in all circumstances . . .

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:16–20)

From his words, obviously Spirit-filled prayer is necessary to fight the suggestions and deceptions of Satan, to uphold and support other Christians, and to ask God to give words and boldness that His people might speak the gospel boldly and with clarity.

I can also see that when I am grumbling or even just feeling needy, I must obey God, not complain about my lot in life, or try to fix my problems or the problems of others without Him. Obedience requires the Holy Spirit and the fullness of His presence. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4) and I know that I cannot do anything, even properly pray, without His presence and power. 

How to comfort others

One of my favorite cooking magazines is called “Light Comfort Food.” Perhaps everyone has her own version of what foods are comforting, but so far, every recipe in this collection does it for me. (Maybe I just like all food!) 

When it comes to people who comfort, the Bible has some suggestions for a recipe. This one is in the closing of one of Paul’s letters and uses an unusual word for ‘comfort.’

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. (Colossians 4:10–11)

The normal biblical word for comfort is one used for the ultimate Comforter, the Holy Spirit. It means to come alongside another person. However, this verse uses “paregoric,” like our English word for a medicine. In the Greek root, it seems to combine the idea of coming alongside someone with the use of consolatory speech, perhaps even a public scolding. (Only a very mature person would see that as a comfort.)

“Paregoric” in English refers to medicine that mitigates or alleviates pain. Paul said that his coworkers were like that. What I want to know is how did they do it? Being a “pain” to others is easy, but it is not so easy to be one who alleviates pain. In the context of Paul’s writing, he is not talking about physical pain either. More likely he refers to the pain of hard work, confusion, struggles, loneliness, feeling empty and being misunderstood.

Sometimes others give us that kind pain without intending it. They could even mean well. Actually, the same thing can happen with giving comfort. I have one friend who does that every time I talk to her, and I’m certain she is unaware that she is being like medicine to me. 

What did Paul’s fellow workers do to comfort him? The text does not say but there are a few hints in the rest of this epistle. Chapter one tells of Paul’s joy to hear about the faith of others. Who told him? No doubt some of those comforters in his life who were just as delighted to hear the same news. APPLY: Share with Christians good news about the faith of other Christians. Pass it on.

Then Paul said he rejoiced in his sufferings for his readers. He hints at being delighted with fellow workers who shared in his ministry and very likely in his suffering. They were like-minded and that harmony of heart was a comfort. If others reject our ideas and mission in life, and our dedication to that mission, there is no greater loneliness, but when we are supported and helped, it is like medicine. APPLY: Support and encourage spiritual leaders and workers. No matter how successful they might seem, Satan constantly tries to discourage Christians. All of us need the medicine of faithful supporters.

Also, Paul’s co-workers were actually alongside him, physically with him in what he was doing. They did not leave him alone in his efforts or say “I’ll pray for you” when they could be helping him. Being there is important. When anyone struggles with a tough job, or with life’s blows and others show up, those suffering often say, “Thank you for coming.” Having someone standing at our side is a comfort. APPLY: Be there for people.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)

While I can discourage others without intending to do so, I can do the same with comfort — when I have a joyful heart. This is not my own doing but fruit from the Holy Spirit. Paul may have used a different word than the one describing the Holy Spirit, but He is the ultimate Comforter. He gives God’s people grace and courage to bear burdens, our own and that of others. He also gives His people a joyful heart and is behind all true support and encouragement. 

APPLY: Be filled with the Spirit. Listen to His prompting and obey what He says. When I do that, I will have what is needed to be good medicine and a comfort to others.

Practicing Love

Today’s devotional reading asks a rhetorical question: Isn’t life full of opportunities for learning love?
 

As someone who does not work outside the home and whose children have grown and have their own families, how can I practice love? What opportunities does God give me? I want to be in that schoolroom learning those lessons of love, but how can I develop this in the quiet of where I live?

The love of God is not about emotions. Rather, it is an expression of a Christlike nature that could be emotional, but more often involves action. As today’s reading says, this love is built up by daily practice and aided by the biblical assurance that love “never fails.”

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

What can I do to practice this incredible gift from God so my life bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit and glorifies Him? Scripture defines love by what it is and what it is not.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7, 13)

These verses give me some ideas. While many of these are more about attitude than actions, those attitudes will come out as opportunities arise. With that in mind, here are some ways to practice love:

Patient – means long suffering, so showing patience without blowing up — with everything from untangling a ball of yarn to that repair man who keeps making mistakes, to disappointment and failures, including my own.

Kind – to the clerks in the grocery store, the sales people who call, and to my family who can bug me at times.

No envy – of others who have “bigger, better, more” so as to build my life around keeping up to the status quo, or of others whom God is blessing when I do not feel blessed.

No boasting – about what I have that others do not, or about God’s blessing on my life without humility and remembering I deserve none of it.

No arrogance – thinking myself better than others, putting down others, or dwelling their faults.

Not rude – not even to telemarketers and pushy sales people, or to family members whose feelings can be taken for granted.

Puts others first – letting traffic into my lane, giving my husband the best piece of pie, listening instead of talking, praying when issues come up instead of when it is convenient to pray.

Not irritable – when the neighbor’s dogs bark and bark, or when a talkative clerk takes forever with the person in line ahead of me.

Not resentful – when I am in the middle of something and am interrupted, or when someone cuts me off in traffic.

 

Rejoices not with evil but with the truth – not fascinated by daily disasters, instead praying for those in need.

Bears all things – listening to a lonely person on those days when my to-do list is exceptionally long.

Believes all things – remembering that God is my supply so I can sacrificially give without anxiety that I myself will lose out, and so I can pray with assurance that He is listening.

Hopes all things – eagerly expecting God to answer my prayers and reward love in many ways.

Endures all things – means to stay under, abide in situations that tempt or test me.

Some day God will judge me for what I have done and neglected to do, but I doubt that He will consider my theology or how often I attended church or how much money I gave. Instead, He will focus on how I have loved Him and loved others. 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12–17)

Marked as His?

Sometimes it takes a while, yet if I spend enough time with people, I can usually discern whether or not they have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gave clues to look for. The plainest one is about love.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34–35)

This is about loving other Christians. It also is not an emotional sentiment. Christian love is action and wanting the eternal and present well-being of other believers. It is enjoying one another’s presence. There is a comradery that goes beyond any other common interest and a fellowship that is unknown to anyone outside of faith in Christ. We connect — because Jesus lives in us.

Another indicator is the attitudes in a person’s life. Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).

This fruit is described in Galatians 5 as the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23).

The last phrase means that spiritual fruit is not produced by duty or keeping rules. The fruit of the Spirit grows in the life of a Christian simply because we belong to Him and He does it. When I see those traits, I know where they come from, again remembering that Christian love, joy, peace and so on are not like the qualities described using the same words by those who do not believe. His fruit is unique and cannot be imitated. 

A third mark of a true Christian is obedience. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36, italics for emphasis).

I see two important truths in this verse. One is that eternal life is a present possession of those who believe in Jesus. The other is that Jesus links faith with obedience and unbelief with disobedience. This is further emphasized by John later on in the Bible. 

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:4–6)

Jesus lives in His people. We have the ability and power to walk as He walked because of His abiding presence. We can disobey, and sadly often do, but obedience is a characteristic that grows in us by His saving power. We are like a living tree — we cannot help but grow and to become more like Jesus because He is our source of life. He is who we are.

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Lord, sometimes I meet a person and their personality is strongly good. I hope that they believe, but in time am disappointed because there is no love for Your people, no spiritual fruit and no desire to obey You. Other times I meet someone that, at first, seems just like everyone else, but then I begin to see qualities that belong only to You and to Your people. What delight to realize we share Your Spirit and are both walking with You.

I know that the rest of the world is confused. Some people go to church, give money, talk God and act religious, yet they are without love, spiritual fruit and obedience. Others are Your children but are in what we call a backslidden state. They act like everyone else, except that Your love shines through now and then, and so does the fruit. No wonder that at the end of this age, You will have to separate the sheep from the goats. Even the most discerning among us could not do it with certainty.

My prayer today is that Your people, me included, would act like it. Help me be more loving and increasingly fruitful. May I obey You in all things. Whatever else people think of me, I want to be marked as a genuine Christian.

Desiring Jesus

Perhaps everyone has this experience. I’ve not heard it said or talked about, but it is something that happens to me. As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a bonding relationship, one that is deep and face-to-face. I didn’t always call it that, but recognize it now.

I looked for it in family, with friends, with the men in my life. This is not a physical bonding, nor the “one flesh” bonding of marriage, but a soul to soul “I know you and accept you completely” relationship. Some friendships have come close, but they were always flawed in some way, or came to an end because of relocations or other factors.

After I became a Christian, it took me a few years to recognize that this longing is a deep desire for God Himself. It cannot be satisfied by people, partly because people are flawed and do not love and accept one another like He does. Besides that, God is zealous for us and wants our undivided devotion. We cannot get that bonding relationship from others; He reserves this place for Himself alone. Jesus said,

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

There is more to this than just the closeness of abiding in Christ. As wonderful as it is to know He loves me unconditionally and cares for me like no other, abiding in Him is also about being alive and productive.

When I am aware of Jesus, walking close to Him, thinking continually of Him, His presence and His life have a deep effect on me. However, instead of continually wanting that satisfaction for myself, I have it! I am wrapped up in it. Jesus gives it to me — and sets me free to want it for others. I want all of His people to know intimacy with Him. As for those who do not know Him, my heart hurts as I pray that He would reveal Himself to them.

Not only that, as the vine and branches illustrate, the life of Jesus Christ is freely flowing from Him to those who abide. He wants me to cling to Him just as much as I want that closeness. When I do, He can pour Himself into my life, then through me into the life of others. This is amazing. His life is seen in the fruit of the Spirit. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

These things cannot be forced. Unless I am abiding in Jesus, they are not present. When I am, I cannot turn them off (unless I sin). 

*****

Oh Lord, lately I’ve felt increasing desire to be close to You. It is almost like hunger, but has that aching heart feeling that is more difficult to describe. This is not about wanting to bear fruit, even though that is also pleasant and worthy of desire. It is like I want to crawl into Your skin, to be so “in Christ” that I disappear and when people look at me, all they see is You.

Lead with joy

My back ached with spasms from repetitive activity. I’d overdone it and was paying the price. But I learned something during that experience more than thirty years ago. I learned that pain and joy are not mutually exclusive.

The pain was severe, intense enough to put me in bed. Any movement made things worse. I stayed still. I was a fairly new Christian and began praying and thinking about God and all that He had done for me. The strangest thing happened; my heart was filled with joy. The pain didn’t go away, but the joy became increasingly intense and my pain seemed like nothing in comparison. This was an important lesson for me. From that experience I learned that James was not out of his mind when he wrote this:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

There have been other experiences since when the joy of the Lord bubbled up from within, even when the occasions were far from happy, even exceedingly difficult. Even though joy made no sense, God gave it to me.

Today I looked up the word count. It can mean consider or reckon, but it can also mean to lead, as a general leads an army or as someone leads others in respect of influence. I like that definition. The joy of the Lord is the preferred leader, particularly when times are tough.

How is that possible? I don’t know. Joy makes no sense when your parents die, or a child is in trouble, or your body is in pain, but God’s joy is there. It is produced by the Holy Spirit, and does not depend on circumstances. Like love, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, joy is a gift. The Holy Spirit produces these things in Christians, apart from our efforts.

Love is the same. Love means putting other people first, but my sin nature will not do that. Only the Holy Spirit can make that happen in me. I need to let Him fill and control my life, but on my own, love, peace and so on will not happen or be consistent. I’ll always have some selfish reason or motivation when I am happy, but the Holy Spirit’s reasons are never selfish, not me-me-me, yet not even for Himself. He does not act with Himself in mind either. 

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-14)

His focus is on glorifying Christ, not Himself. He is an incredible example of how to do it, and if anyone wonders about being Spirit-filled, the evidence is not necessarily emotional highs or any extreme outward behavior. The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself, but points others toward Jesus.

When my back hurt, the Holy Spirit led me to think of Christ. As I did, He filled me with joy. Instead of pain being the star player during that trial, joy ruled over the pain and God showed me that it is possible to be joyful during trials.

Two kinds of spiritual fruit

Jesus illustrates my need to abide in Him by comparing it with the need of a branch to abide in the vine. As the branch draws its life from the vine, He is my source and resource, my very life also. I wrote yesterday about the fruit that comes from such a branch. It can be typical of its old nature (selfish and fleshy) or typical of the life of Christ. His fruit makes me like Him.

Today, God reminds me that Christ not only produces spiritual fruit in me, but He produces two kinds of fruit: action fruit and attitude fruit.

So which comes first? Do I act because of my attitudes, or do my actions produce my attitudes? A friend says sometimes you have to do the right thing and the right attitudes will follow. I’m more inclined to want my attitude right in the first place lest what I do is hypocrisy.

Our “which comes first” debate could go on forever, but on one thing we do agree; spiritual fruit includes both. God produces attitudes and actions that I would not otherwise have or do because of His presence in my life. Notice the combination of both of these in Paul’s prayers for the Christians at Colosse.

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

He prays they will have full knowledge of the will of God (no one can think right or do right without it) along with wisdom and understanding so they can live right. Philippians 1:11 says, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Doing right is the same as righteousness, and this is spiritual fruit that glorifies God.

Paul also prays for the Colossians to live by God’s power. This power will produce in them the attitudes of patience, endurance, joy and thankfulness. When those are present, what they do is pleasing to God. It is also pleasant for us, that is, we enjoy our actions because of His attitudes.

Today’s devotional reading describes action fruit that includes giving, leading others to Christ, and expressing thanks to God. These and other actions are Christian virtues exemplified in our lives.

The attitude fruit is listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Both action and attitudes come from God, but how do I get them? I don’t believe I can “act my way” into them, but must be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to think right and live right. Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Many times over the past few weeks I’ve heard said that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a choice. I need to yield control of my life to God. I need to turn from whatever my flesh or self-centeredness might want and say YES to God. When I do that, His Spirit will permeate my life and produce the proper fruit, both attitudes and actions.

My part as a tree branch

If a branch from a pear tree was grafted to a peach tree, it would still produce pears. If an apple branch was grafted to an apricot, the rest of the tree would bear apricots, but that branch would only produce apples.

Not being a horticulturist, I’m not sure about the success of any of these grafts, but I do know that just because a branch can draw sap from the main tree, that does not mean its character will change. An apple or pear branch will not become or produce anything else but apples or a pears.

Not so with God’s branches. When He grabs hold of a person and grafts them into Himself, He first gives that person His life. That is, the branch takes on the nature of the main tree. More than drawing sustenance, Christians are given the very life of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Yet that new life is a very dependent life. I am a new creation, but still need to rely on the main tree as my source. I think about this every day, particularly this year as my verse for the year is the one in today’s devotional reading.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

This verse is not about being grafted in; that has already happened. It is about bearing fruit, about producing that which can only come from the vine. However, the odd part about this type of grafting is that the branch that has the life of Christ is able to produce fruit from that life but also from the former life that it had before it was given God’s life. This becomes a challenge as well as a command to stick close to the vine and draw life from Him.

Jesus says that without Him I can do nothing. Most of the time this is taken to mean that He is speaking in eternal terms. In other words, whatever I do apart from Him has no eternal value. However, my understanding of the sovereignty of God goes so far as to say apart from Him, I could not draw another breath. He is in total charge. No matter what I do, it is because He either permits it or promotes it.

For me, sometimes I struggle figuring out which is which. Two options may present themselves. Neither seems evil. I want to do one but not the other. Is it God pointing me in that direction so that I might bear fruit, or do I just want to go there for personal reasons?

Knowing that isn’t as important as knowing that whatever choice is made, in that choice I am responsible for abiding in Him, staying close and obeying Him. He wants me filled with His Spirit and trusting Him no matter what I am doing.

Meek is not weak. . .

Recently our Sunday Bible class studied an unpopular word—meekness. Most newer translations recognize that most people think doormat or wimpy when they hear this word, so they changed it to ‘gentleness’ to accommodate modern misconceptions.

I say misconceptions because meekness is a great word. Moses was meek; Jesus was meek. God values those who are meek, and in His dictionary, meekness is not at all weak, wimpy or doormatish! In fact, meekness is a powerful attribute of God Himself, and much to be desired, but indeed rare in these days of assertive independence.

The Bible definition of a meek person is someone who trusts God so much that they never feel as if they have to defend themselves or fight back. Since my class is all women, we first had to clear the idea of how this fits for someone who is being abused. Abused women are fearful and allow themselves to be walked on, not out of meekness but because they are afraid. If they were meek, they would have the power to do what is best, not settle for the worst nor enable their spouse to keep on sinning. Meekness is not fearful weakness.

That being said, meekness is the ability given by the Holy Spirit to stop demanding my own way. It is being set free from the tyranny of always wanting what I want, and right now. It is knowing that God is taking care of me and being deeply contented and serene about what He is doing.

In our study, we looked at many Scripture passages and examples, but the one that prompted the most discussion was a section of 1 Peter that talks about the meekness of Jesus, in that “when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously . . . .” Jesus went to the cross trusting God for the horror of it, and for the outcome. Because He was meek, we have eternal life!

As we read that, we saw the value of meekness and the total trust that accompanies it. But I asked the ladies to keep reading. The next few verses talk about the role of wives. We are to be, and this is another loaded word, submissive to our husbands, especially those who are not obeying God. This word means much the same as meekness. In fact, a few verses later, we are told not to focus on outward beauty, but on “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

I’m thinking of all these things this morning as I read Ephesians 5. It repeats this directive to wives, then tells husbands their role. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

If married women chafe at their responsibility to stop demanding their own way, married men chafe also at their responsibility to sacrificially love their wives in the same way Jesus loves them. Jesus wants me pure, clean, lovely in the sight of God. My husband is supposed to help Him with that task.

I can’t demand any of this. My responsibility is to trust God so much, that I don’t live a life of fear (which is also spelled out in 1 Peter 3 and becomes the bottom line of having a submissive spirit).

My husband was not a Christian when I married him, and I was very new at it, far from meek and quiet. Over the years, God is teaching me the great value of these qualities and showing me how impossible they are on my own. My sinful flesh wants just the opposite, but if I allow His Spirit to fill and control me, meekness is possible.

I asked God this morning to clarify His goals for my life, and this is what He gave me. My conclusion is that He wants me holy and without blemish, that He will use my husband to help accomplish this, and I’m supposed to drop my feistiness and cooperate.

His Joy - my privilege

Today’s reading could be God is saying Amen to what I wrote yesterday. It is from Philippians 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

The joy of the Lord is produced by the Spirit of the Lord. It does not depend on circumstances, but is His delight, His over-flowing joy. God is a happy God, and because He lives in my heart, I am capable of experiencing His emotions of joy.

What makes God so happy?

John Piper wrote a marvelous book called The Pleasures of God. In it, he describes God as being delighted in Himself. Lest that sound narcissistic, think about it. God is perfect, without sin, flaw, short-comings in any way. He is the only perfect being. To delight in anything less is nonsense.

I know a little of what that means. When I obey Him and know that I’ve done something right and good, I’m pleased. I’m pleased with God, and I’m sure that pleasure comes from the Holy Spirit who lives in me, but at the same time it is a sort of pleasure with myself. I’m being what I was created to be and it feels good.

Besides that, God is exactly who He is. There is no pretense or pretension. He is all that any being can be and more. There is no darkness in Him, no evil, no lies, no imperfections. If I was like that, I’d be happy with myself too.

When I think about Him and the glory of Him, even as I write these words, the sense of His joy bubbles up in me. Rejoicing in Him is as simple as turning my thoughts away from everything else and just thinking about who He is, what He does, the beauty of Him.

God let’s me see Him—another reason to be joyful! People who don’t know Him cannot see Him, or fathom the grandeur that is in Him. He must reveal it, but He does not make Himself inaccessible. As Scripture says, He can be seen in creation; “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19). Doesn’t the beauty in the natural world tug our hearts into a smile?

He can also be seen in His Word, the entire Bible being a revelation of who He is and what He has done, both in history and in those who believe in Him and those who do not. He says that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” If we read it, our eyes are opened to who He is, what He is like.

The plainest revelation is in Jesus, “who (is) the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person . . . .” Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, the very expression of God in a human body. All I need to do is look at the person of Jesus Christ and I rejoice.

I see God in others too, but not always, and not in everyone. He is visible in those who know Him and who allow Him to fill them with Himself (instead of selfishness, self-rule and sin). He reveals His glory in His people, a glory that isn’t seen nearly as often as it should be or could be, but nonetheless is there, waiting for us to let Him have the preeminence.

One way I can do that is by rejoicing in Him, just letting His joy be seen and heard for what it is, the fruit of His Spirit and the strength of my life. This is a good way to begin today.