From The Father’s Heart…

My Eternal Heart beats for you with compassion and grace. Take My hand and walk with Me ~ I will show you things you have not known and make your life complete. Lift up your eyes to My Throne in heaven where I AM seated ~ where I rejoice over you with singing. I have not forgotten you ~ I know exactly where you are.

None of My children are forgotten for I know each one by name. Seek My Face not just My hand and I will answer you ~ I will not leave you nor forsake you for I AM with you always.  My child, lift up your eyes ~ the circumstances you encounter have no hold over you. You are free in Christ ~ you are spiritually seated in heavenly realms with My Son ~ so you are above your circumstances.

Come to the warmth and protection of a loving Father’s arms, come to where there is peace and rest for your soul. In My Presence there is life ~ Keep your focus on Me. I long to do good to you, for I AM good to all and loving to all I have made. In Me there is no darkness. My Goodness and Grace has been perfectly revealed through Christ.

In Him there is freedom from guilt and shame, for He has paid for the sin of the whole world. He came for you; He came for all people everywhere, across all time. In Him My Heart is seen. I AM faithful ~ I honour My Promises and I honour those who have put their hope in Jesus. Through My Son I have given you spiritual security ~ and I have given you My Life Giving Spirit.

My Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance in Christ. You are secure in Me ~ no one can snatch you out of My Hands. And Jesus continues to pray for you throughout your life. My Holy Spirit is living within you. He teaches and guides you; He helps you to pray and He gives you gifts of service to use to build up The Body of Christ.

Fruit of The Holy Spirit

The Bible verses Galatians 5:22-23 tells us about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  This list of Spiritual Fruit describes the character and behaviour that results from living in the ‘power of the Holy Spirit’.

It is not given as a set of rules that must be followed legalistically, leaving a person feeling ‘guilty’ if this standard is not achieved on any particular occasion. Instead, it is given to help us understand that by relying on God’s Spirit to continue His work within us throughout our lives (Phil 1:6) this beautiful ‘fruit’ will develop and become more evident.

LOVE is a choice / an act of the will to do good to another (1 Cor 13:1-8) God’s kind of Love will grow in our hearts as we grow in our relationship with Him.

JOY is an inner contentment which is not dependant on our circumstances, whether good or bad (Neh 8:10). Instead, it is based on God’s Word, and His Love and care for us in all things.

PEACE is a deep inner calmness, a peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:6-7). A quietness of spirit based on The One who is above all the circumstances of life.

PATIENCE is the capacity to wait and persevere; and choose to continue doing something despite difficulties (James 5:7-11)

KINDNESS is being generous and considerate about other people’s feelings and needs, over and above your own (Titus 3:4-5)

GOODNESS is to have moral conduct (with integrity) that is beneficial to others (Ex 18:9)

FAITHFULNESS is being of trustworthy character, being reliable and remaining faithful to someone or something (1 Cor 10:13)

GENTLENESS is true strength and power under control. It is being caring and compassionate, but with an inner strength and authority (1 Thess 2:7)

SELF-CONTROL is limiting and controlling your own feelings and actions in order to display the character of God for His glory (Proverbs 25:28)

Gifts of The Holy Spirit

The Bible tells us about ‘Spiritual Gifts’ which are freely given by The Holy Spirit to believers. Their purpose is to build up The Body of Christ; to bless and encourage people; they are distributed as The Spirit leads for the good of all. A list of Spiritual Gifts can be seen in the Bible chapters: 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12.

WISDOM (1 Cor 12:8): A ‘word of wisdom’ spoken from the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, which gives a relevant, timely and helpful truth that can be applied to a person’s situation.

KNOWLEDGE (1 Cor 12:8)  A ‘word of knowledge’ (not known by natural means but by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration) which a person can speak into another person’s life, to pray about or help as the Holy Spirit leads.

FAITH (1 Cor 12:9) The ‘supernatural faith’ spoken of here (as a spiritual gift) is given by the Holy Spirit to enable a person to believe beyond themselves for something extraordinary. For example: for a miracle, supernatural healing or the ‘faith to see a mountain of problems moved’.

HEALING (1 Cor 12:9) A gift or empowerment given by the Holy Spirit to heal a person supernaturally. A healing that is attributed to God, as His Power flowing through one of His children to freely bless another person.

MIRACLES (1 Cor 12:10) Also known as the ‘working of miracles’ ~ a gift from the Holy Spirit to accomplish something that is out of the ordinary ~ something supernatural for the glory of God. For example: a miraculous healing or a miraculous provision ~ something that is good.

DISCERNMENT (1 Cor 12:10) A gift or empowerment given by the Holy Spirit to distinguish/discern between a true message from God from that of the deceiver (Satan). Also known as ‘discerning of spirits’ ~ to be able to identify between good and evil / true and false.

PROPHESY (1 Cor 12:10 / Rom 12:6) The gift of prophecy is a speaking gift (empowered by The Holy Spirit) which declares God’s will and His purpose. Sometimes a spiritual knowledge about the future can be involved in the gift of prophecy, but it is not the primary purpose of the gift. God given prophecy is firstly a ‘gift of proclamation’(‘forth-telling’) rather than prediction (‘fore-telling’) which edifies the church. Prophesy will strengthen and encourage people and give comfort. It will be empowered and offered with love, for God is Love (1 Cor 13:2 / 1 John 4:8) 

SPEAKING IN TONGUES (1 Cor 12:10) The gift of tongues is speaking in a supernatural language or a language that is naturally unknown by the speaker. It is given by The Holy Spirit to build up the one who is speaking (as a personal prayer language for the believer). It can sometimes be given in a church setting, to give a message to the church. In this case, there needs to be an interpretation, so that all can be built up through an understanding of what is being said.

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES (1 Cor 12:10) A gift to spiritually understand something a person has spoken in tongues. The Holy Spirit reveals the message of a spoken ‘tongue’ (unknown language) so that an interpreter can convey the message in a way other listeners can understand.

SERVING (Rom 12:7) The Holy Spirit will enable people to help others in a practical way (also known as ‘ministering’). It is the ability to serve and help those in need. The word ‘serving’ is translated from the Greek word ‘diakonian’. It is from this word that some churches choose to call people who serve in their congregations ‘deacons’.

TEACHING (Rom 12:7) The Holy Spirit gives the gift to teach and explain the Word of God to people, to help them understand the context and deeper meanings of Biblical text. This gift helps the listeners to apply God’s Word in a practical and helpful way in their lives.

ENCOURAGING (Rom 12:8) The Holy Spirit gives the gift of encouragement (also known as ‘exhortation’) to strengthen people in their faith, bring comfort, and build people up in God’s Love. This gift gives hope and inspires others, all through the power of His Grace. Encouragement imparts ‘courage’ into another.

GIVING (Rom 12:8) Spiritual ‘givers’ (empowered by the Holy Spirit) gladly give of their time and share what they have to help others (whether financially or practically).  The giver’s primary concern is for the needs of others to be met and looks for opportunities to share as needed.

LEADERSHIP (Rom 12:8) A leader, gifted by the Holy Spirit, looks after and oversees a church, guiding the people in the power of God’s Love and Grace. Gifted leadership directs with wisdom and displays the fruit of the Spirit, as the leader leads by example in their life.

MERCY (Rom 12:8) Like the gift of encouragement, the gift of mercy is being empowered to show God’s compassion and grace to others, in an uplifting way. It may also be helping with resources when required as the Holy Spirit leads.

HELPS (1 Cor 12:28 / Rom 12:8) The gift or ‘ministry of helps’ is an ability given to help and support others. The Holy Spirit enables people to share food and care as needed; He provides so that the church can support those in its care and in the community where needed.

ADMINISTRATION (1 Cor 12:28 / Rom 12:8) The gift of administration is another gift which is often overlooked. It is given to enable The Body of Christ to function effectively. The Holy Spirit enables some in the church to organise and facilitate the day-to-day running of the community.

HOSPITALITY (Rom 12:13) The Holy Spirit is The One who provides the ability to welcome with the love, grace and compassion that God wants His Church to show people. It can be displayed when God’s People welcome others into their homes in a friendly / caring atmosphere

Prayer

Dear Father God, Thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus, who paid for all my sin, for all time. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Your Love and Light, and guide my life for good. Please develop within me Spiritual Fruit and Spiritual Gifts to help others in Your Love and Grace.  May I live each day to Your Glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.