Matthew 7:16-20

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.  Matthew 7:16-20

So what is “good fruit?” 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

As part of my family tradition, we put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.  As I pulled each ornament out of the container, I thought about when it was purchased, made, or given to me.  There is a story that goes along with each one, and I love to tell as many of them to the kids as I can.  One in particular is a bit unusual, though.  It’s a pear.  A beautiful, glittery pear.  It was given to me by one of my Sunday school students about eight years ago. The note she gave with it said something to the effect that the fruit represented her own spiritual growth because of my teaching.   The pear is just another reminder to me of the impact I have on those around me, especially my children and other students I work with, at home, church, or school.  This year, the pear brings out a bit more meaning as I am leading our Ladies Bible Study using the book, Golden Fruit, by Julie Maschof, which goes through each fruit of the Spirit.  It seems each lesson was written just for me, and the timing of each so perfectly matches the trials and dilemmas I have encountered these past few months.  So this Christmas season, as I stare into the tree and listen to my favorite music, I’m pondering the gift God gave to us through Christ’s death…His Holy Spirit, and to work on exemplifying “good fruit” …. love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Titus 2:3-4

The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children. Titus 2:3-4

I probably should have begun this blog with a post like this.  It’s basically the reason I write this blog, to teach my children, and someday, Lord willing, my grandchildren, the good things….the wisdom God has given us in the Bible.    

Just as we might receive recipes from grandmothers and great aunts, and then pass them down to our children and grandchildren, we also need to share our own life lessons.  I wish my grandmother had had a love of writing.  Thankfully, I spent a lot of time with her and was able to listen and now, recollect.   As we would wash dinner dishes together (she scrubbed and rinsed, I dried), I was always regaled with stories and lessons on how to live a godly life.  She exhorted on simple things like not to brag, remember that God is always watching, when Christ returns to make sure you are someplace that would be pleasing to Him.  I can’t help but smile as I reminisce about those times in her kitchen. 

My own kids make fun of me on how I like to “lecture” them.  I do it in the car when they can’t escape. Sometimes it irritates them, and can come out as nagging, but I do it because I love them.  They know that, too, thankfully.  I don’t leave out the hurts I feel, either.  They see my tears of sorrow as well as those of joy.  They know my weaknesses and the sins I struggle with each day.  As I get older, and perhaps one day see them leave the nest, they’ll have learned from me, and remember me as not only their mother, but also their teacher of good things.  

Psalm 96:1-2 (Favorite Hymns)

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:1-2

I love to sing.  And although I’m not that good at it, I still enjoy it.  I love that we are commanded to sing (“Sing” or “Singing” is mentioned 166 times in the Bible - New King James version). Here are just a few from the book of Psalms:

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2

Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,

And His praise in the assembly of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;

Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise His name with the dance;

Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory;

Let them sing aloud on their beds. Psalm 149:1-5

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; Psalm 92:1

Just as I gave my top five favorite books in this post, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite hymns.  However, after sitting down and going through my church hymnal, I realized that I have more than five favorites.  Several more.  After I counted over fifty, I stopped….I’ll stick with five today.  Since I’ve already shared some favorites in these posts (For the Beauty of the Earth, I Know Whom I Have Believed, & How Deep The Father's Love For Us), I’ll choose different songs.

When my children were babies, Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us, brought tears to my eyes.  When I would get to the stanza, “Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will,” I would silently pray that these would be the words of my own kids, that I would be able to teach them God’s ways, and that they would never stray from Him.  Now as they are well into their teenage years, I pray this every day.   

Be Thou My Vision is another hymn that I love dearly.  Daily, my focus in life gets challenged.  My daily tasks, running my kids around to various activities, and ungodly responses to small “mole hills” all muddy my focus on God.  This song reminds me to keep my vision on Him in everything that I do.

God places events in our lives to build us up, to strengthen us, to draw us nearer to Him.  A Mighty Fortress is Our God is one that has always given me great comfort and peace during those storms.  He is in control of everything and will never fail us.   

The song, Take MyLife, and Let it Be, is convicting. As I sing this song I am asking God to use me for His glory, for His praise.  Where I go and what I say is to be pleasing to Him. All I do is to be done for God.  Sadly, it isn’t.  Sin ensnares me.  This song reminds me of my purpose in life.  I need to sing it daily.

Finally, Be Still, MySoul is a song that holds me in times of grief.  A few weeks ago, a dear friend’s son lost his life.  I wrote the words to this song, as well as several Scripture passages, in a card to her to give her comfort and peace that can only come from God. 

While I won’t write about them, here are a few of my other favorites that rank right up at the top of my list, too:

I Will Sing of MyRedeemer

Hallelujah, PraiseJehovah

How Great Thou Art

It is Well With MySoul

Children of theHeavenly Father

Blessed Assurance

Amazing Grace

Great is ThyFaithfulness

  

Philippians 3:20

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

While we watch the summer XXX Olympics in London, we see hundreds of athletes representing their home country from around the world.  Patriotism is strong as each person dons apparel with their home flags and names.  Those who do well are bringing honor to their homelands.  However, those whose conduct is unsportsmanlike, bring shame to their countries.

As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven.  Our actions, too, represent the Kingdom of God.  Am I bringing honor or shame?  Sadly, I bring more shame than honor.  Thankfully, it’s not my merit, but God’s grace…Christ’s death on the cross, that has made me righteous before Him and given me that citizenship in heaven.  As a citizen (just like my U.S. citizenship), I have responsibilities.  I belong to God and must live my life for Him, not for myself.  My actions are watched by others.  In all I do, I need to be like our Olympic athletes who recognize that the world is watching. 

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13

When my husband, born and raised in Canada, become a U.S. citizen a few years ago, he had to promise to "absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which [you] have heretofore been a subject or citizen."

As a citizen of heaven, I too must serve only one Master…God.  I need to “abjure” (avoid, shun, deny) my allegiance to “myself” (satisfying my own wants). And just as the athletes in the Olympics work hard to represent their country well, I must also fully devote my life to representing Christ here on earth, and bring glory to God.  

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

I ran a half marathon last spring.  It was grueling, to say the least.  Not only was the race long (13.1 miles/21 kilometers), but the training that was required was time consuming.  Now that it is over, I’ve reflected a lot on the parallels between running and the Christian life. 

To run with endurance, you must train consistently.  I spent 45 minutes to an hour each day and 2-3 hours on Saturdays, running & speed walking as well as exercises to strengthen my knees.  As a Christian, I also need to consistently spend time reading the Bible and praying, training myself in God’s ways.  

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

While I wasn’t a fast runner, I did strive to do my best.  I set a goal to not stop and walk during the race (knowing that if I stopped I probably wouldn’t be able to go back to running).  And although I did exercises to help my knees, the pain I endured was excruciating.  In life, we face trials and pain, emotional and physical.  We are able to withstand them when we pray and have God’s Word implanted in our thoughts. 

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16

Just as I knew that I would eventually reach that finish line, as a Christian, I know that Christ is the victor and through Him, I will win the race.  I can’t lose heart and give up.  My priorities must be aligned with the teachings of Scripture.  My labors won’t be in vain.  

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

Okay, I admit, I have been hurting, which is probably why I have been away from here for over three months.  Within those three months, and even prior, I had been rejected over and over regarding my search for a teaching position.  Many applications and interviews later, I am still where I was before. 

Pride, humiliation, anger, discontentment had all been warring in my heart and mind.  Slowly, I addressed each through Scripture and prayer.  Because I had been thinking that I was hurting mostly from discontentment, I began working on counting my blessings:  I have a job, my children are healthy and enjoying their schooling.  They are doing well regarding grades and extra-curricular activities (track, soccer, piano, guitar, our oldest son earning Eagle Scout, and turning 16 & acquiring a driver’s license).  My relationship with my husband is wonderful.  He has a job.  My husband and I are both healthy.

Yet, even after pouring over Scripture, verse after verse, counting my blessings, and praying for contentment, I have been left with a feeling of confusion and wondering why I was still grieving the loss of what I had considered my dream, with the pain in my heart still rather sharp.  I kept saying to myself, “Be content!” 

Then one day, as I was driving in my car, a song came on the radio (KLOVE station) called “Losing” by Tenth Avenue North.  These lyrics hit me square between the eyes and I realized why I haven’t been able to shed the pain…. Oh Father give me grace to forgive them...Cause I feel like the one losing.

Bitterness and my lack of forgiving those who did not hire me, not discontentment, was killing me.  Oh, I’ve plastered on the smiles, and have managed to get through each day fooling those around me (not really my husband, bless his heart), but when I clued in to what God was teaching me, I finally began feeling the peace and contentment I was desiring. 

I have also learned not to give up on my dream.  I am just finishing teaching five weeks of summer school (Reading to 4^th and 5^th graders as well as some fun Daily Challenge classes to 6^th-9^th graders).  Grueling at times, but, oh, so rewarding.  I love to teach.  Perhaps one day….all in God’s perfect timing.  I’m truly at peace.   

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

I drive my kids to school each day. As we head down the driveway, I turn off the radio and pray (with my eyes open, of course : )). We then listen to KLOVE, a Christian radio station, so that the songs in our minds throughout the day are pure and praiseworthy to God. After school, when all of us are together again, I ask each of them how their day went, if they have any homework, and what their favorite part of the day was. I added the last part just a couple of months ago. Usually, because we are all rather fatigued, the answer to the first question is only a short word, “fine, good, okay”. Now, they think about the good parts of the day and our conversations on the way home are much more enjoyable.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Many years ago, I was listening to a devotion and the teacher said to put your name in the place of the word love as you read this passage. These verses became much more meaningful. I need to be looking at myself to find these virtues, and not looking for them in others. Be love to others today on Valentines Day.

Hebrews 13:4-5

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:4-5

It breaks my heart to hear that a married couple is separating or going through a divorce. I know there a many variables and problems in marriages that run deeper than just "not being content." But many times, discontentment in a marriage is where it all begins. It's like a small thread which, as it gets pulled and tugged on, causes a whole sweater (marriage) to completely unravel.

To keep the grass just as green on my side of the fence requires care: watering, feeding, pulling out weeds, and getting rid of pests and varmints. It is work. Hard work. But isn't it a comfort that God will always be there with us to do that work?

Matthew 2:11 & Isaiah 1:13-18

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Each Christmas, we give our children three gifts to remind them (and us) of the three gifts brought to Jesus, which helps to keep everyone focused on why we celebrate Christmas. But as I was reading Isaiah a few days ago, I pointed out to the kids that even though the gifts the wisemen brought were rare and expensive, they aren't what God wants from us. He wants us to live for Him, to turn from evil, do good, seek justice, defend orphans, and help widows. Why do we do this? Because He washed our sins away and made us white as snow.

Isaiah 1:13-18
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
16 “ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;[a]
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
18 “ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,

“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."