I am sharing a paper that my son wrote in November 2005 and just blessed me to read it hope it blesses you also:

My Firsthand Experience of Jesus changed my life forever. It was something very different to my life that I never knew was possible to happen to me. My mom had always told me that have Jesus in my heart and do as He tells me I would always have someone to watch out for me. I was about the age of 11 or 12 and very interested in what my parents were experiencing. I thought that my life was as good as it got for me. One day God Spoke to me and said that life has not even come close to as good as it could become for me. From that day on, I never doubted that God speaks to his people and watches out for them. He has spoken to me all the time telling me how I should not do many things and which was would not be safe for me in the end. God has warned me about some of the “ preachers” I have listened to anytime. I have come to realize that not everyone who speaks some truth is telling the whole truth and that it is harmful to me to even hear what they say. I will always come away harmed in some way no matter what just because it could shake my faith in what I believe and pull out point that I have questions about but not be the right answer. God will also judge those who do these things and knowing that I try to do my best to stay away from false teachers. God will judge the wicked and save/ deliver the righteous. I have come to realize that sin cannot do what it promises to do ever. If I had not come to this conclusion, I would have or could have falling into a real bad bondage called corruption and I could have become a so-called slave to it too. I could also be in a worse situation than just that I could have turned away from the one who could deliver me and be in a worse position than if I had never heard that word at all in the first place. I am glad that God watches out for me and speaks to me on a daily basis. Even though I sometimes reject him, He is always there and never gives up on me. He inspires those around me to help lead me in the right way so I don’t fall into Satan’s trap and keep me on the right track. I thank God for everything He does for me and I love Him deep down in my soul!

We have been focusing on some attributes of  the fruit of Spirit,  God has promised us an abundance of fruit  but often we lose site of these promises. We allow Satan to steal our peace, our joy etc…. Do you realize that we allow it? How? By not concentrating ( thinking) on the promises of God, Satan will talk us into feeling bad about what is going on around us. We have to change our thinking to think on God’s word for our lives. ”  Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009) “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise–dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8. Some versions say “think” on these things,  Verse 9 in the New Living Translation states” Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.|” How do obtain that peace, by putting it into practice! Whew, that seems real simple but how many times have we had to fight just to keep our mind in the right place! More another time, any comments welcomed! Shalom! 

Next, let us briefly look at the attributes of patience and kindness. Ogilvie reminds us that patience is faith in action. We often become impatient when we doubt that God is in charge of our life. Ogilvie bring us into a deeper understanding of how often we move against the unction of God. He tells us how Rabbinic law requires a training yoke for use with a seasoned trains and younger ox. If the young ox goes ahead or behind the leading of the seasoned ox, the young ox’s throat will be rubbed raw and no progress will be made. It is only when he stays parallel with the season ox that he is not injured and progress is made. The season ox is carrying the heavy burden. This is what Christ means when he says his yoke is easy. “All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt 11:29-30 HCSB). Therefore, we need to ask ourselves are we are being like the young ox and not walking with the Lord or are we going against the timings of the Lord. Patience is letting Him be the seasoned leader in our life.
Kindness is what God has shown us in sending His Son to die for our sins. We often condemn ourselves for mistakes and failures in our lives. Ogilvie states, “Christ’s kindness can help us get up when we are down on ourselves. His kindness for us enables a kindness in us for ourselves and for others” (Ogilvie 1980, 92). Frequently, we are unable to show kindness to others because we have not embraced His kindness toward us. We can only share the kindness if we embrace it and allow that kindness to be manifest in us. We then will enthusiastically share the same kindness to others.

Joy is another fruit that as Christians we should have an abundance of in our lives.  God has given joy as gift and God is not an Indian giver.  “So you also have sorrow now.  But I will see you again.  Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy.  In that day, you will not ask Me anything.  “I assure you: Anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give you” (John 16:22-23 HCSB).

Ogilvie reminds us that we should be walking in that joy as God has told us we cannot be robbed of that joy, so why do not we have that joy?  He states that we have unrealistic expectation of what joy is.  Joy is not happiness, it is not subjective to our surroundings, and “joy is an outward expression of grace, God’s unmerited love The Greek word for ‘grace’ is charis and the word for ‘joy’ is chara, they both come from the same root” (Ogilvie 1980, 45).  We have God’s grace in our lives everyday and even in the midst of trials we can walk in joy knowing that God loves us unconditionally.

Peace is another part of the abundance package that God has for our lives.  “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27 HCSB).  We often lose our peace because we lose our focus and become fearful or overwhelmed with life’s challenges.  Satan attacks us and makes us doubt our relationship with God.  Often, we are then focused on our past failures.  We forget we have been forgiven and we cannot make God go against His nature, He forgives and reconciles us to Him.  We must keep our mind focused on Jesus and we can walk in that perfect peace.

I have know for a long time that I love to share the Word of God to help people know the wonders of His vast love for us. I have put it on the back burner long enough. Lately it seems the Spirit of God has been nudging me more as I see people misquote and stretch the Word of God to meet their desires. I hope this blog is helpful and challenges you in your daily walk with God.