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THE ORANGE LEAF
Copyright 2014
Saturday, October 15, 2016
PRAY PRAISING
Even when you don't feel like it. Not really easy to do. The last thing you feel like doing, when you're down and out, is being happy. Sometimes, the difficulties need to be finished off with misery and a downcast face. I might want to wallow around. And sulk.
But God sends the rain on the wicked and the believer.
Even when you don't feel like it. Not really easy to do. The last thing you feel like doing, when you're down and out, is being happy. Sometimes, the difficulties need to be finished off with misery and a downcast face. I might want to wallow around. And sulk.
But God sends the rain on the wicked and the believer.
He causes his sun to rise
on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:45b
The Bible tells us to endure hardship as discipline. Maintain your confidence in God. Hang in there. Keep praying. And then there's one step further, praising God even in dire conditions and extreme hurt.
About midnight
Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God,
and the other prisoners
were listening to them.
Acts 16:25
This past week has been a difficult one for me, here in my neck of the woods. Rain falls here too. Pain is as prolific as the falling colorful leaves of the autumn season. Hurt falls on me like dead leaves to the ground. But, confidence gained is not thrown away. All I need do is see that perfect orange leaf—to trust Jesus and His faithfulness, and rely on His word.
Praise God in prayer for many things. What has He done for you lately? What did you notice He did? Did you catch that last miracle? Did you know He answered your prayer, even though you think He didn't because the result you want hasn't happened? Brainstorm things to praise Him for. It might start off slow, due to lack of practice and a very poor, grumpy disposition. But before long, I think you'll be sounding like Paul and Silas. At the very least, at least try.
Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
Psalm 65:1-2
Pray praising, through good times and bad, through sun and rain, through peace and war.
Thanks be to God for His love.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Fragrant Fruit
What fragrance do you love?
What smells are wonderful to you?
Happy October! The Fall season is underway around here in my neck of the woods. I can smell the decaying leaves and plant life. Fall has its distinct fragrances—apples, rain, cool mornings, candles burning inside and more frequent cups of coffee and tea.
I love the fragrance of love and forgiveness. I think of the woman who anointed Jesus. She opened her alabaster jar and the whole house in Bethany was filled with a pleasing aroma. God, in the Old Testament, was pleased with the aroma of sacrifice. And He was very pleased in the New Testament! He sent His Son to die for our sins. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. He made purification for our sins, His blood covering our sins.
What does the Holy Spirit produce? It produces fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. They're always correct.
Pray, then, for:
F antastic love!
R idiculous joy!
A bundant peace!
G reat patience!
R eal kindness!
A bove-all goodness
N ever-without faithfulness!
C ompassionate gentleness!
E ven-keel self-control!
Pray the nine fruits of the Spirit for yourself and your family. Pray that you would have these fruits abundantly, indeed, over-flowing!
What fragrance do you love?
What smells are wonderful to you?
Happy October! The Fall season is underway around here in my neck of the woods. I can smell the decaying leaves and plant life. Fall has its distinct fragrances—apples, rain, cool mornings, candles burning inside and more frequent cups of coffee and tea.
I love the fragrance of love and forgiveness. I think of the woman who anointed Jesus. She opened her alabaster jar and the whole house in Bethany was filled with a pleasing aroma. God, in the Old Testament, was pleased with the aroma of sacrifice. And He was very pleased in the New Testament! He sent His Son to die for our sins. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. He made purification for our sins, His blood covering our sins.
What does the Holy Spirit produce? It produces fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. They're always correct.
Pray, then, for:
F antastic love!
R idiculous joy!
A bundant peace!
G reat patience!
R eal kindness!
A bove-all goodness
N ever-without faithfulness!
C ompassionate gentleness!
E ven-keel self-control!
Pray the nine fruits of the Spirit for yourself and your family. Pray that you would have these fruits abundantly, indeed, over-flowing!
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5b
Ask the nine fruits for your family and friends. Pray that God would give your distraught friend ridiculous joy—overwhelming joy! Ask God to give abundant peace to your friend who is heartsick over his lost family. Pray that God would soften the heart of your rough daughter with a sense of real kindness. Ask God to give your short-tempered spouse great patience. Pray that God would give your teenage son living in today's days steady self-control.
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do
not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for
us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the
saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit,
but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 7:17
What fragrance do you leave behind? What lingers?
May it be a fragrant, wonderful aroma pleasing to God! (It will probably be pleasing to others, too.)
Keep following the way of love.
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