golsen posted on November 18, 2011 17:48
I don't know about you, but since I wrote the Buzz on patience a few weeks ago God has really been testing my patience. Computers have been the challenge in my life lately and I am sure I have failed several times in this regard. I have a friend who says that the devil made computers to try the souls of men (and maybe women too J). But building the Fruit of the Spirit into our lives is a matter of taking baby steps-you know two forward and one back and so forth. So keep up the good work and remember that they are Fruit of the Spirit and we need the Holy Spirit's help every day to become more like Jesus in this way (Gal 5:22-23).
The next one that we want to work on this coming week is "goodness." It means what it says and no word study in the Greek is needed. However, two aspects of this facet of the Spirit in our lives should be noted. The "ness" on the end of the word means that it is a condition in our lives that is to be on going: that is, we should be good in the very core of our being. The second thing to note is that we should do "good deeds." We can be good in our very personalities because we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God! We have God of very God dwelling within us through the Holy Spirit and we need to listen to Him all the time. As far as doing good there are lots of opportunities in this world we just need to look for them and set out to do them. This is what the Book of James says throughout as we learned this past summer at BFC. We are to be "doers of the Word and not hearers only" (Ja 2:14-18). God's Word reminds us the "We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works . . ." (Eph 2:10a). This is who we are in Christ and this is what His will is for us!
Let me suggest at least two ways to look at "goodness" working itself out in our lives. First, practice it at home and at work. Look for little ways to help others without being asked-dump the trash, clean a sink, open a door, smile real big even if you don't feel like it. Plan a good thing like a spontaneous party that doesn't have to cost much or may only cost you a little sweat. Put up some happy stuff around your home or office like flowers or nice pictures or really good slogans and the like. You can be creative and think of Ephesians 2:10 when you do and give God the glory through your goodness. Second, go outside of your normal routine and volunteer to spread goodness around the church or community. Youth for Christ is looking for volunteers in tutoring kids after school at their City Life Youth Center down town. They could use people of all ages to help with recreation and they are looking for skilled helpers with ROP kinds of trades like building and construction and things like that. They are also looking for folks to go on campus once a week and just be a "good influence" for our kids. I have a friend who is doing that at one of the Middle Schools and loves it. Ask the Lord to help you look around and find ways to practice "goodness" and let me know how it is going, I'd love to hear from you!
Pastor Gil