I Am a Fruit Bearer

God’s love in me is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  Jesus assures in John 15:4 that I will bear the fruit of God’s love as I remain in Him: 

“Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4 AMP)

This love doesn’t depend upon anyone’s actions toward me. I make the decision that remaining in God and bearing His love is my chosen lifestyle. I don’t always hit the mark, but the Holy Spirit teaches me and encourages me in this process of growth.

I love this life!

Copyright 2013  Leah Lambert Smith

Faith Hope Love

1 Corinthians 13 (known as the love chapter) ends by teaching that faith, hope and love remain and the greatest of these is love. 

This is how I check my love for others:

1) Do I have faith in them? Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Do I see as reality the good God created in others (though it may not be apparent at the moment)?

2) Do I have hope for them? Do I live in expectancy that positive change can occur in people at any time?

3) Do I show love? If I have faith and hope, I desire to do good toward someone. I don’t want to “do good” out of a desire to people-please or fix someone’s life. The truth of God’s love is so much greater than what my mind could imagine love to be.  I need to be Spirit-led.  Sometimes I am to show love through prayer, an act only God sees.

Fulfilling others expectations is not love. Showing the love of God goes above and beyond expectations. The acts of love shown through God’s love honestly meet the needs of giver and receiver.

By the way, I also apply faith, hope and love to myself.  I am to love others as I love myself (Matthew 22:39).

I LOVE THIS LIFE!

Copyright 2013 Leah Lambert Smith

Stuck in Religion?

When I was younger that I felt I couldn’t do something because, as a Christian, I had been taught it was wrong.  As I was praying during one of these times, it dawned on me that God doesn’t run a prison. I was free to do what I wanted.

The question was – what did I really want?

I scheduled some alone time and researched possible consequences. The process taught me a lot and was liberating as I carefully weighed pros and cons.

I could do this because I'm not stuck in some religious prison.  Jesus died to set me free!  My relationship with Him certainly influences my actions, but He is not a dictator forcing me to behave in a certain way. 

Of course, one of the blessings of this life is that I have access to the wisdom of the ages (thank you Holy Spirit).  It’s certainly a wisdom I’d want to access during my decision-making.

I love this life!

Copyright 2013  Leah Lambert Smith
Note:  This blogpost was drawn from a response I made to a comment on my post entitled Restraint

You know you love me.

“…God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 ESV)

God loves me. 

God's love includes abundant love for me. 

If you are born of God, His love has been poured into your heart.

Therefore, there is abundant love for me poured into your heart.

 

I love this life.

Copyright 2013. Leah Lambert Smith