Maintaining the Garden of the Heart!
Maintaining the Garden of the Heart!
Lets look at the heart as a garden. If we don't maintain it, it will be taken over by weeds. (Weeds of the world, of the mind and heart)!
So in God's word, he instructs us as to what resembles a flower (good fruit) and what is a weed (sin) that needs to be pulled out (literally out of our life) in order for the garden to thrive. And remember to daily water the Garden of the Heart with His LIVING WATER! Without His LIVING water the bloom of life will shrivel and die. John 4:10 Jesus answered her, "if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have gen you "Living Water."
Jeremiah 2:13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Can we allow God to mend our broken cisterns (Hearts)?
How often do we take a close up look at the definitions of each one of the fruits of the spirit! (The spirit of Love "GOD", His son and the Holy Spirit) to see what is involved in the development of the fruit of the spirit. These titles and names are considered nouns, but at the same time should be used as verbs......acting (living) out the characteristics of God, in and through ourselves and toward other people! He is the REAL DEAL - He is the VINE and we are the branches! John 15:5
Galations 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Does our heart and mind reflect these characteristics as we live through the comfort and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As long as God tarries; this should be the focus of our journey, but is it?
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LOVE
The definition in the bible for Love: Is our salvation. John 3:16 - He loved us (so much) enough to give His entire Life! He was born for the primary purpose of having intimacy with the heart! He ultimately guards and gardens our heart! The more we allow him to garden and guard, the more beautiful it becomes. If we ignore the gardener of our heart, or refuse to let him garden; the weeds will soon overtake our heart and soul. Oh what deep affection He has for us! His devotion is constant, He will never leave or forsake us. His passion surrounds us, if we only listen to His still, small voice.
The definition of our dictionary:
- 1.an intense feeling of deep affection."babies fill parents with intense feelings of love"
synonyms: deep affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment,
endearment;
Matthew 7:15-20New King James Version (NKJV)
God said you would know them by their fruit, not what church they go to or what they look like or what they are wearing on the outside. He compares it to a fruit tree. An apple tree does not produce anything but apples, or a cherry tree, cherries. You will never see an apple tree produce pears, or cherries? So why is it that we as Christians often do not really display the "fruits of the Spirit"?
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
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JOY:
The next fruit of the spirit is:
A definition in our Bible about Joy: You will also see below the definition from the dictionary of what joy is.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
I Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
There are over 100 verses in the Bible that talk about and express Joy!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
I Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
There are over 100 verses in the Bible that talk about and express Joy!
noun
- 1.a feeling of great pleasure and happiness."tears of joy"
synonyms: delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation,rejoicing,
happiness, gladness, glee, exhilaration, exuberance,
elation,euphoria, bliss, ecstasy, rapture; More
- With Joy from assurance that God is in control, comes peace!
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Peace
Peace gives us "Freedom" from the disturbances; even in today's society and around the world! We are constantly reminded of turmoil, earthquakes, wars, ISIS, murder, riots, derailments, poverty, impurity and death. God says in the last days it would be like this. Men lovers of men, proud, boastful, disrespectful! 2 Timothy 3:2 - For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. How can we experience God's peace in a world of turmoil? Knowing and believing we have a constant protector, leading us beside still water, restoring our soul! Psalms 23 - Cling to the Shepard (Our bodyguard) Click below to read another article on Peace for today!
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
pēs/
noun
- 1.freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility."you can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion"
synonyms: tranquility, calm, restfulness, peace and quiet, peacefulness, quiet,quietness; More
- 2.freedom from or the cessation of war or violence."the Straits were to be open to warships in time of peace"
synonyms: law and order, lawfulness, order, peacefulness, peaceableness,harmony, nonviolence;
formalconcordwe pray for peace"
For·bear·ance
Genesis 29-20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
Romans 8:24-30
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
More Than Conquerors
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
fôrˈberəns,fər-/
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Kindness
kind·ness
ˈkīn(d)nəs/
noun
- the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
synonyms: kindliness, kindheartedness, warmheartedness, affection, warmth,
gentleness, concern, care; More
- a kind act.plural noun: kindnesses"it is a kindness I shall never forget"
synonyms: kindliness, kindheartedness, warmheartedness, affection, warmth,
gentleness, concern, care; More
II Kings 13:23 But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence. There are many scriptures showing God's compassion (Kindness)
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Romans 2:4
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Goodness:
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good·ness
ˈɡo͝odnəs/
noun
- 1.the quality of being good, in particular.
exclamation
- 1.(as a substitution for “God” - It isn't a substitution for God, it is God!)
"You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, And You gave them water for their thirst.
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
- Luke 18:19
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
So it is NOT our effort to be good, loving, kind, Joyful and full of peace. Even Jesus questions those who called him good, and he told them that it came from God. (No one is good, but God) It comes from the effort of God giving us His son (out of LOVE), so we could then be saved through His life and have victory over sin.
1 Corinthians 15:21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. And His name is Jesus!
Faithfulness:
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- the quality of being faithful; fidelity.
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
2 Timothy 2:13
Our God is always Faithful, even when we are faithless!
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gentleness:
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the quality or state of being gentle; especially : mildness of manners or disposition
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Psalms 18:35
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be in treated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Mathew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Thessalonians 2:7- But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.
Self-Control
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The last of the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit is self-control, certainly not the least of the fruits! Wouldn't you say that the other fruits of the spirit are really worthless unless we practice self-control. I personally, always need to point up, need to direct those that seek - to a Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord! We can do nothing without him and ALL things through Him who strengthens us!
2 Peter 1:6
nd to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness ...
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness ...
Proverbs 29:11
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Self-Control#sthash.gRxgTu48.dpuf
Titus 2:11&12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, -
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. - See more at:
Here is a link on more "self-control scripture:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Self-Control
self-con·trol
noun
- the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations."Lucy silently struggled for self-control"
synonyms: self-discipline, restraint, self-possession, self-command, willpower,composure, coolness; More
May the Lord bless you as you read His word!
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