Living a "Fruitful" Life

I read a blog post the other day that really spoke to me so I wanted to share. It was short and sweet but a great reminder.

Here's the link...
http://www.equipandempower.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/14/known_by_fruit?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChristineCaine+%28Christine+Caine+%28blog%29%29

To sum it up though, what is important to God is that we produce "fruit" and what's key is us knowing what "fruit" is. It's not our accomplishments or our talents or our gifts...it's the 9 fruits of the spirit...

love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self control.

I don't know about you but I think I get this wrong sometimes. I start thinking that my "works" are my fruit. What am I doing in ministry right now? How do I get more involved to touch more lives? Why am I not seeing results like other people?

That's not it at all. Am I producing those 9 things listed above in my life? And am I producing ALL of them..even the hard ones like patience (road rage comes to mind) and self control (over-indulgence in food seems familiar lately)? The beautiful thing is (and possibly frustrating at the same time), is that I can't TRY to produce this. The Holy Spirit produces this in me as I draw closer to Jesus. If I'm not producing these fruits, I reach out to Jesus more. I ask for more of Him in me. I don't try to put the pressure on myself to go and produce this fruit. It's not about works at all. It's not about me.

So this season as I find myself yelling at other drivers on the road and worrying about if I got someone the right gift, I'm subsequently getting closer to Jesus. I'm finding more time to spend in His word and talking to Him. Because I want to produce this fruit. I know this is what really matters. And I know I can't do it in my own strength.

And if I don't get the chance to blog again before Sunday, Merry Christmas friends!!

I Love Being Pregnant

I love being pregnant.

There are the little things...
I love not having to suck in my stomach or fit into my "skinny jeans."
I love maternity pants and really wish I could get away wearing them even when I'm not pregnant.
I love feeling him move inside me every day.
I love that I'm getting a ton of sleep - at least 8 hours every night.

And then there is the big thing...
I love this precious gift from God. I love that I get to carry His creation inside of me. I love the miracle that conception and pregnancy and labor is and I give Him all the glory for it. There is no way this could happen without His control over every little detail of it. I'm constantly in awe of Him and this gift he has blessed us with. I don't take it for granted for a second.

I know people experience some miserable things during pregnancy. Fortunately things have been fantastic for me since day one, but even if they take a turn, I'm committed to not letting that overshadow the miracle that is going on inside me. I'm so grateful for this pregnancy and this precious baby that is growing inside me.

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

I'm believing that things don't have to go downhill in the 3rd trimester. I'm believing that labor doesn't have to be painful. I'm believing that pain and sickness aren't associated to pregnancy and labor. I'm believing to not fear labor. My God tells me that he doesn't give us a spirit of fear. He tells me that by his Son's stripes, I am healed. He tells me that I live under a new covenant because of what Jesus did for us.

I think so much "worldly" perspectives and advice has creeped into this miracle. People love to tell you how painful labor is. They love to tell you that your life is over once you have kids. I really have to tune this stuff out. None of that is from the Lord. Why don't we talk more about what a blessing it is?! The verse that comes to my mind is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I can't stop people from telling me their stories, but I can believe differently. I'm believing for greater things, for greater experiences. It's scary to write it down and to say it because what if it is painful and I do experience sickness or whatever...but that's faith...believing in the unseen.

I am so grateful to Jesus for this gift inside of me.