Pineapple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rezg4jYFoj0

Fruit of the Spirit

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ~ John 14:27 AMP

I like pineapples. From the hard and prickly outside, you wouldn’t know how tender and juicy they are inside. To save money, I decided to buy whole a pineapple and cut it myself. The first time was a flat-out fail! I didn’t own a sharp enough knife. But then a friend gave me a knife that was supposed to “cut through anything.” And it did, including the pineapple!

Waiting on answers to life’s circumstances can sometimes feel like trying to cut into that pineapple. The tender, juicy fruit feels unreachable without the proper tools. We’ve been waiting on answers to some things going on in our lives. Nothing health-crisis related, but still, things we’d like to get answered, so we know how to proceed. When I read today’s scripture, I realized I’ve been missing peace. When I’ve got peace, everything else works itself out, including waiting for answers.

I’ve been trying to crack open these problems to get to the desired results, but I forgot to strap on my peace. The best part about having the fruit of the Spirit is not that there are multiple to choose from for each situation. Scripture says the fruit of the Spirit is…  We get them all for every circumstance we face. Are you facing some circumstances where the answers feel far away? Take a moment and review the fruit of the Spirit. Which attributes haven’t you been operating out of, but really need to bring along? God has given them all to us, shouldn’t we honor Him and utilize them all?

©Heather Potts 2019

With You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91KliTa1ksY

Through All of It ~ Colton Dixon

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. ~ John 14:26 AMPC

I want to tell you about my dream. I was playing on the playground and Jesus was there. He caught me at the bottom of the slide, and even when I jumped off the monkey bars. He smiled at me and said He loved me and even that He liked me. ~ Elizabeth, age 5

Doesn't it give you peace to know you're not in it, alone?

Shortly after we moved to Wisconsin, I took a survey which listed a series of events that could happen in life. Each event was given a value. The events included changes in job, health, family size, where you lived, etc. The total values of events within a year affected your mental, emotional, and physical health. Because of all the major changes at that time, I scored pretty high. While it was good to see how the changes were affecting my life, they didn’t have the final say.

There have been many changes and challenges throughout my life. But in each season, I had the opportunity to realize that I’m not in this alone. Just as God gave Elizabeth a gift by sending Jesus to play with her and reassure her of His love, He sends the Helper—Holy Spirit—to walk daily with us. Today’s verse describes Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

What challenges, changes, or other life events—either good or bad—are you facing, today? God wants to walk closely with you and have you walk closely with Him. Regardless of what you’re facing, ask God how He wants to step into your circumstances and what He wants to be for you in your current life events. Remember, it was God’s design to send you Holy Spirit: your Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Strengthener.

©Heather Potts 2019