THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LOVE, JOY, PEACE.

Most of the time I have found it an easy thing to walk in the Spirit. Here lately with all the situations, circumstances, events,occurrances, and such, that have come up in my everyday life, I found it necessary to do a check. I lovingly refer to it as a fruit - bowl check. To see if all the fruit are there bearing witness that I am a reborn spirit. Not that I am questioning the FACTS but as I said recent events have made me suspicious. I will admit that I have said more 4 - letter words in the month of May than I have in quite some time.( I know what you are probably thinking, )but I am honest if nothing else. The words "I'm sorry Lord", or "Forgiver me God", became a part of my daily vocabulary,much more than normal. So as I type I stand before you reader, a perpetual repentant spirit ever seeking to walk in the Spirit.  So I went to The Love Letter and into the Fruit of The Spirit chapter in Galatians 5:22-23kjv (although 24-26 I will also check). Love, joy, peace longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: the Bible says these are the evidence that your spirit man has been reborn, and there is no law to govern these. I am so much like Paul in the Bible that it is amazing.When he talks about sin in Romans 7, I can certainly relate to verses 14 - 25nlt. Sounds like the sinful nature comes out at times,  and inspite of WANTING to walk in the Spirit at all times,  there will be those times when I will stumble,  what about you? Thank God for His amazing GRACE and the new MERCY He gives everyday,  cause I for one KNOW I have used up yesterday's mercy, probably before noon. The Fruit Of The Spirit is what I want to focus on , particularily the first 3: love, joy, peace.  The Bible talks about Love's attributes and in 1 Corinthians 13(the love book)   it states that love is patient(one of the fruit) and kind and how we are commanded to love others especially the ones I refer to as unloveable. You may know the type, they are also refered to as enemies, we have to love them as well. I can feel the 4 - letter words come to mind when I think of mine.(Help me Holy Spirit). I am a work in progress. But we are to love them as well. I will need help with this one, but it is do - able. God is Faithful. Love is easy when it is returned and given to those who love us, but it becomes an olympic size challenge when given to an enemy.  I have discovered that I have to step outside myself to accomplish this. I would like to claim responsibility for that statement, but I heard my daughter say it when she was asked to do something she thought was unpleasant, but necessary. I give it to God and then allow Him to walk me through the mine-field step by step, and it works, Glory!!! Joy is my favorite fruit because it can be so deep. By that, I mean, for me through all that occurs, Nehemiah 8: 10 is still true: ....the joy of the Lord is my strength. I need strength every day and it comes as I spend time in praise and worship (Psalm 35:27) (Philemon 1:20kjv). The Love Book says I can obtain gladness and Joy and sorrow and sighing(frustration) shall flee away ( Isaiah 35:10kjv). That sounds wonderful to me and I shall stand on this WORD.  Joy must be a powerful fruit cause Jesus,  my Lord and Savior,  endured the cross,because of the Joy that was set before Him.(Hebrews 12: 2). GLORY TO GOD!!!  He knew what was awaiting Him on the other side, Praise God!!  Peace is a fruit that we shouldn't want to live without.  Peace in relation to this war torn world we reside in yes, but it can and is deeper, more firmly established than that. The Bible says that The Lord will fight for us (those who claim Christ as Savior) we can hold our peace( Exodus 14:14). I have recently experienced this myself having gone into a battle that God fought for me and WON, Praises!!!! I stand in awe of my Heavenly Father and His Fierceness on this girls behalf. He is my JEHOVAH NISSI  and SABAOTH  my victory and my deliverer, PRAISE GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!! Jesus said in John 14: 27nlt  that He is leaving us a Gift and it is His peace, much different than the world's peace (thank God)  it is peace of mind and peace  in heart. When all else around is in turmoil, Jesus peace rules in your heart if you accept Him. Glory!! He said we can have peace IN HIM( John16: 33nlt) while here on earth there will be many trials and sorrows. I know about that. Thank you Jesus for Peace, Your Peace.  The Bible talks about our feet being shod with the preperation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians6 ;15kjv). Sounds abit like walking in peace at all cost. Paul talked about preaching peace to those who were near and far away, perhaps believers and unbelievers (Ephesians2:17kjv). I love the Peace of God that passeth all understanding Paul talked about in Philippians 4:7kjv.It shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Isn't that Good News?  I am typing and rejoicing in my heart for this amazing gift of Peace that keeps me. I have experienced this as well and more so in light of recent occurances in my life. I would have lost it if it had not been for God and His MERCY for His girl.(Luke 7:50, Luke 8:48kjv).  I can say that as I walk this walk down here,God 's promise to never leave me alone  is solid ground for me. He has shown time and again even in all the fall down,stumbling around I do daily, He has shown me that He still loves me and forgives me each and every time, I ask. He is not mad at me or holding a grudge against me. What kind of Love is that? I love that each time Jesus greeted the discilpes after his Passion, He said to them "Peace Be unto You", John 20: 19, 21, 26. He had that purpose in mind for them and for us as we live for Him.  Love, Joy, Peace all seem to intermingle with each other and are each needed to support or substantiate the others.  Glory to God!! The rest of Galatians 5:24-26 we  can't leave that out.Since I belong to Christ I must nail the sinful desires to the cross and trust God to help me when I miss it or fall down. I do rely on God for that cause I am dirt - bound daily. Falling happens. I shall get back up again and again. It is imposssible with out Christ at the helm, but He is in charge , so all things are possible with Him. So I shall close saying walk in  the Love of God my friend, Allow the Joy of the Lord to strengthen you, and Peace unto you. I love you! God loves you!!! Job 42.