“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

We Christians are blessed with God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Therefore, these fruits listed above should be displayed in our daily lives. So, the first fruit we come to is LOVE. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) Next, we have JOY. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) Then we have PEACE: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Then of course we have all the other fruits which are: patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. All of these are essential for us to have a sound Christian walk 

So, having said all that, shouldn’t we be examining our own lives to see if we are displaying all the fruits of the Spirit. Because even though we may be doing great works for the Lord, it could profit us nothing if we’re doing it with the wrong motivation. For the Paul the Apostle said: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I shall dole out all my goods in food, and if I deliver up my body that I may be burned, but have not love, I profit nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 DBY)

Yes, everything we do must be with the motivation of love. For Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV) So, brothers and sisters in Christ, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Now we come to the Gifts of the Spirit. For Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 NKJV) Wow, Jesus said that we would be doing even greater works than what he was doing. We can see happening by Paul the apostle where we read: “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:11-12 NKJV) We can see happening with Peter as well: “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” (Acts 5:14-16 NKJV)

Also, during one of Peter sermons, three thousand souls were saved. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:38-41)

Now, all those gifts displayed above are impressive by the early believers. So, I pray that God would help us do the same today as well. For we need to be a people who are willing to step out in faith as the early church did. However, that being said, we must make sure that God gets all the glory and praise in these acts as well.

Now, let’s look at what the scripture says concerning miracles:

• And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18)
• Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22)
• And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (Acts 2:43)
• And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)
• Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)
• Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. (Acts 15:12)
• For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:18-19)
• And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)
• I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:11-12)
• For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:2-4 ESV)
• Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:14-18)

 So, we can see that our lives should be practicing and displaying all the gifts of the Spirit. And let’s remember that miracles are not just to heal and deliver people from bondage, but also to validate what we are preaching. For in Marks gospel, we read: “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20 ASV) So, shouldn’t we also be following not only Jesus our Saviors footsteps, but our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. For all these gifts are still available for us today just as they were back in Jesus and the early church time. So, let’s pray that God gives us the strength to walk in the Spirit and the ability to step out in faith, trusting God to do his work through us. Amen. 

(Scriptures taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted)

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There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:9-11)

When you think of someone that’s resting, what example comes to mind? Could it be a person kicking back under a shady tree with a hat pulled over their face? Or even better yet, could it be someone on a vacation getaway relaxing on a white sandy beach on some remote island? Well, even though these may be a good example, the real truth may be just the opposite of what you think. You see, being under a shady tree or on a get-away vacation doesn’t promise relieve from anxieties, feelings of restlessness or fears. Because no matter where you’re at, your problems will still follow you.

So then, true rest is not that outward condition as we read above, but that inward condition which is of the heart. For it only can come from the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, given comfort and hope regardless of our outward condition. Oh, what peace and joy we have in Jesus, for in him we have true rest indeed. So, why not put all your trust in God and let Him lead the way for you. Remember, the Father truly knows best and he will direct all your paths by his Son Jesus as quoted above.

Below, you will find some scriptures on this topic of peace, hope and rest:

• I sought Jehovah, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)
• Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
• Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)
• Show me thy ways, O Jehovah; Teach me thy paths. Guide me in thy truth, and teach me; For thou art the God of my salvation; For thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4-5)
• Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name. or Jehovah is good; his lovingkindness endureth forever, and his faithfulness unto all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)
• Happy is the people that is in such a case; Yea, happy is the people whose God is Jehovah. (Psalm 144:15)
• Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in Jehovah forever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
• Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke iseasy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
• Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)
• But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27)
• But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)
• For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
• But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)
• If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
• There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:9-11)
• In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
• These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

God’s word can surely keep you on the right path. For we first we must keep our mind stayed on God at all times, trusting him in every situation. For if we will do this, we can be sure that He will fill us with his perfect peace. Next, we must completely rely on Him to show us the way and the path we must take. So many times, we can lean on our own understanding and depart from the truth of God’s word. And finally, it is only through our Lord Jesus Christ that we can find true rest through all of this. We need not struggle and try to work our way into heaven but allow him to show us the way. For we are “a work in progress,” learning the truth as we walk in the Holy Spirit. So, the more we keep our mind on the Lord, the more we can’t help but fall deeper in love with him, and the deeper we fall in love with him, the more we can’t help but keep our mind stayed on him. Amen.

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“Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

According to the “Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon” and “Strong’s Definitions,” the Hebrew word for “he will joy” in the passage above means to get joyful, even to dance, leap for joy or to spin around. Now, we need to remember that this passage is speaking about our God and Creator. So, can you grasp the reality that God our Father does singing and showing this kind of emotion over us? Yet, we read here that he does over his creation whom he loves. So, we should do away with the mentality that believes God is some killjoy who wants to stripe us of all joy and pleasure.

Now, if God shows this kind of emotion over us, shouldn’t we be singing and getting emotional over him as well? We need to be rejoicing over the fact that he is our Awesome God and Creator. For: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) And not only that, but we who are in Christ Jesus will be spending eternity with Him in paradise. Oh, how wonderful that day will be my brothers and sisters in Christ!

“And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” (2 Samuel 6:14)

So, when it comes to worshiping our God, how many of us actually show any kind of emotions for Him? Oh, what’s wrong with us fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Do not believe the lie that we must be reserved when it comes to worshiping our God. We do need to be rejoicing and praising him with our whole being, for our God is so worthy. So, let's truly get excited over our Awesome God and be in love with him always. For as mentioned before, he does joy over us with singing. Amen.

Okay, I know if you totally let loose at your next church gathering, you may escort you out the door. But it only takes a few people excited about God to get others going as well. So, go ahead and start showing a bit more excitement at your next assembly. Who knows, maybe eventually you will have the whole church getting excited while worshiping the Lord. For His joy is contagious and let us pray that everybody would catch it. 

• “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:24-31)

“Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.” (Proverbs 8:30-31)

Now, there are a few learned men who claim that this scripture above is referring to Jesus himself. So, because I don’t see myself as a biblical scholar, I can only show what these “three witness” proclaim as true. And what I do find interesting is that it says: “and my delights were with the sons of men.” Below are the comments of these learned men.

• For Wisdom here has personal properties and actions; and that intelligent divine person can be no other than the Son of God himself” – Matthew Henry.
• Jesus explained to the men on the road to Emmaus that everything that was written in the Psalms (Scriptures) was written about Him (cf. Luke 24:27). In Proverbs He is the wisdom of God” – Dave Shirley.
• The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old,” this is the Lord Jesus, this is Wisdom” - The Late Dr. J Vernon.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Above is another passage that has more than one witness proclaiming its meaning. Below are some learned men who say that this passage above is in reference to the nail scared hands of our Savior Jesus Christ.

• This: ‘I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands,’ quoted above, has obvious and beautiful fulfillment in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. As Jesus told Thomas in a post-resurrection appearance, look at My hands. (John 20:27) When we see the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, we see how He has inscribed us on the palms of His hands. With such love, how could God ever forget His people?” Quoted by David Guzik.
• Yet, methinks, there may be a prophetic reference here to a later writing of the names, when Jesus Christ submitted his outstretched palms to those cruel graving-tools -tools, the nails. Then was it surely, when the executioner with the hammer smote the tender hands of the loving Jesus, that he engraved our names upon the palms of his hands , and to-day y when he points to those wounds, when by faith he permits us to put our fingers into the prints of the nails, he may still say to us — “Deep on the palms of both my hands I have engraved thy name.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon May 31, 1863, From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Volume 9

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21)

In conclusion to all this, let us always remember how much God the Father loves us and in like manner to be in love with him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) So, this being true, let’s have the same attitude as the apostle Paul who said: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s always be aware of God’s Spirit within us. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)Amen. 

"It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around, can warm up to its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you have experienced it, you spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding; the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. That’s how it is with God’s love; once you’ve experienced it, you want to sing “It’s fresh like spring”; you want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I’ve found. You can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re bound. I’ll shout it from the mountain top – Praise God I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on." Penned by: Kurt Kaiser

Scriptures on Rejoicing in the LORD:

• And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)
• Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
• Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)
• Be glad in Jehovah, and rejoice, ye righteous; And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)
• Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous; And give thanks to his holy memorial name. (Psalm 97:12)
• Praise ye Jehovah. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp. For Jehovah taketh pleasure in his people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds. (Psalm 149:1-5)
• Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah. (Psalm 150:1-6)
• To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
• Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
• The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29:19)
• I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)
• Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. (Jeremiah 31:13)
• Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month. (Joel 2:23)
• Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18)
• And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine; yea, their children shall see it, and rejoice; their heart shall be glad in Jehovah. (Zechariah 10:7) * * 

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