Unleashing the Holy Spirit's Power: Guided Christian Meditation

[@joecissell4674]

We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Lord, sometimes I feel as if my larger purpose gets lost in the shuffle of life. I start to look at my daily accomplishments and wonder how valuable they are. When I don't feel a clear purpose or direction in my relationships, tasks, and activities, l need you to remind me that one of the most meaningful things I can do in this life is to point others toward you and your love. 🙏🕊️🇺🇸

[@amysedivec]

I needed this today

[@MaureenPeck-x6v]

Thank you for this wonderful meditation, “ I do nothing on my own”

[@ChristianMeditation]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@Captain_Shine]

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!! So happy for this!!! I LOVE YOUR BOOOK!!!!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@ChristianMeditation]

So happy to hear that. :) Blessings to you!

[@johanneskkropfl7885]

First time here and I really enjoy your meditations!

[@ChristianMeditation]

Welcome! So glad to have you here. :)

[@joecissell4674]

Fruit of the Spirit Many people accidentally confuse the Gifts of the Spirit with the Fruit of the Spirit. Notice that Gifts is plural while the Fruit is singular...they are separate and distinctive elements. In Galations 5:22-23 we read that "...the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperence: against such there is no law." Now, although there are nine things listed, they are all different aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit. Each aspect builds upon the previous one, drawing the individual closer and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's look at each one individually. 1. The first aspect listed is love. This is the most important one since the Bible tells us in 1 John 4:7 that God (Christ) is Love, and without Him within us, we have no eternal salvation. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read that " ...the greatest of these is Love." The Bible teaches us that there are several types of love. Agape (God's unconditional), Eros (romantic/sexual), Philia (friendship/brotherly) and Storge ( family/empathetic), but Agape will be the only one discussed here. Agape, or Charity, is the love God has for mankind and is considered to be the highest form of love. It is intentional, sacrificial, not self-serving or selfish, is fathomless and pure. In fact in Romans 5:8 we read that "God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 2. Biblical joy and happiness are quite different. Happiness is a feeling of good cheer and can be quite bubbly, however, joy has a much deeper and fuller meaning. It is one way that God imparts and shares with us His goodness. Unlike man's concept of joy, the joy that comes from the Almighty is deep-rooted and unshakable. It is our strength as Nehemiah 8:10 and Psalm 28:7 state. According to Psalm 16:11, in God's presence is the fulness of joy. Romans 15:13 tells us that joy comes through believing. Other characteriscics of the Lord's joy is that it is constant, is untroubled, inspires creativity and is not understood by man's ken. To the Believer, joy is the quiet confidence that God is in control of all of the aspects of his life; the heavenly assurance that no matter what may happen on this earth, the presence of God will NEVER depart from him and the strength necessary to recognize and enable him to give thanks to God in every situation. 3. Jesus promised to give us peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16), not the temporary stilling of wordly circumstances (John 14:27), but a special gift from God's heart to ours. Specifically, it is spiritual peace which overflows into the mental, emotion and physical areas of our lives and beings. Philippians 4:7 reassures us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 4:8 states that we will lie down and sleep in peace because of the Lord's protection. In Romans 5:1 we read that we have peace with God through Christ since we have been justified through faith. Furthermore, when our mind is under the control of the Holy Spirit there is life and peace (Romans 8:6). 4 Most people consider tolerance to be the same as longsuffering, however; in actuality that isn't completely accurate. The patient endurance of numerous hardships and seamingly ceaseless offenses is the best definition for this attribute. The positive attitudes of thankfulness, restraint and graciousness occur when we recognize the truth of Isaiah 55:9, that God's thoughts and ways are far above ours. Deliberate submission of our will, views, emotions, thoughts, indeed our whole selves, necessitates the subjugation of any pride, resentment, anger, argumentative tendencies and any feelings of self-importance and judgemental legalism. As John 3:30 teaches: He (Jesus) must increase and I must decrease. 5. Gentleness is evidenced in the manner of our speech towards others and to ourself, the readiness with which we forgive the known transgressions of others and the way we view our sins through Christ's Saving grace. We are instructed in Galations 6:1 to correct those who have strayed from God's truth in His spirit of gentleness. We must be clear, specific, scriptural, lovingly firm, and encouraging. Above all, we needs must exemplify His holiness as it says in 1 Peter 1:16 "..You shall be holy for I am holy." 6. Goodness is the English translation of the Greek word Agathosune and literally means "uprightness of heart and life." It is also classified as a virtue and is the proof of holiness in action. The desire to be a blessing to others combined with selflessness and deeds that are motivated by righteousness are good indicators of this aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, although the expressions of goodness are extremely varied and creative. In James 1:17 we read that everything good cometh from above. Without God we cannot be good since it is not able to be manufactured. Matthew 5:16 assures us that others see our good works, they will praise our Heavenly Father. Only through the Holy Spirit are we able to evidence goodness. 7. Faith has 79 Biblical references, yet is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Fruit. Hebrews 11:1 explains that "...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In 2 Corinthians 5:7 we are told that "...we walk by faith and not by sight." James 1: 6 states that our faith should not waver, whilst Hebrews 11:6 directs that "...Without faith it is impossible to please Him..." Galations 2:20 tells us that we "...live by the faith of the Son of God." In other words, it is NOT our faith in Jesus by which we live but by JESUS' FAITH IN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER! Since our faith is not strong enough, we have been given Christ's faith...the unending, unwavering faith of the Son of God in the Alpha and Omega! 8. Meekness does not mean weakness, timidity, shyness or bashfulness but rather can be best defined as strength under control and dramatically impacts all with whom it comes in contact. Coming from the Greek word Prautes, it's characteristics include patience, forbearance, kindness, wildness and friendliness. The person who is meek has learned to submit his will to the Lord. The Holy Spirit enables the meek to refrain from tantrums and piques. The person may actually be used to soothe the situation and bring healing to the hurting since it is the attitude that is under control. Meekness can be described as an attribute of behaviour and human nature, such as : righteousness, humbleness, teachability, patience under suffering, the willingness to follow the gospels teachings and an attribute of a true disciple... in other words: being quiet, gentle, righteous and obedient. There are 157 Bible verses about meekness, and all of them are positives. Never once does the Lord condemn the meek, instead, He promises His salvation, blessings, inheritance, guidance and forgiveness. 9. Temperance comes from two Greek words: en which means in, and kratos, which means power. Quite literally then, enkratia means in-power of, self-control of or restraint of one's passions, appetites, physical urges and desires. Moderation, balance and constraint are evidenced in the one in whom temperance manifests. Indeed, 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God gives us a spirit of self-control...and only through Him are we able to become overcomers. The Gift of the Spirit is just that...a gift. There is nothing we can do to deserve it, nor can we dictate the order in which it is given. We can, however, lift our hearts and voices in praise to our Wonderful Heavenly Father whose love knows no end! We know that He is working in our hearts, minds and lives by the way in which we control our thoughts, words and actions... growing in Him and becoming conformed to Christ.

[@joecissell4674]

Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 When we grow discouraged, God, raise our eyes toward spider webs spun in a corner and remind us that no hope is too small. At first glance, the webs look like fragile, insignificant strands, but, in fact, they have amazing strength. And consider what those webs do for the spider. They bring it sustenance. Help us twist our own tiny strands of Hope into sturdy ropes of commitment when we take the next step toward the tasks you are calling us to. Amen. 🙏🕊️🇺🇸 🎃