It's the Fruit Stupid

 

First off, please don't be offended by the title.  It's a take off of "it's the economy Stupid". In politics,  the economy is used to evaluate the health of a country. In a relationship with Yahusha, in this Christian walk, Following the Way, your fruit is how you evaluate your spiritual health. 

 A simple google search gives this result: "fruits of the Spirit" are a list of nine qualities or virtues that the Bible says are produced in believers' lives by the Holy Spirit. These fruits, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

We can go deeper, I Corinthians 13:1-13 gives us a detailed definition of Biblical love. The Psalms are a treasure trove of wisdom concerning peace, joy, and faithfulness. The Proverbs guide us through patience, self control and many other virtues.  You can find counsel concerning good fruit throughout the canonized books and the extra biblical books. 

Knowledge of the Fruit of the Spirit and operating in these virtues are two different things. These are Fruits of the Spirit. These virtues are a result of abiding in the Holy Spirit. Allowing the Ruach (Spirit) to change you, grow you, chastise you, and heal you, will bring about this good fruit. 

Have you ever interacted with a person and then were surprised to learn they claim to be a Christian? Why do you suppose their faith wasn't apparent? Could it be that you didn't see the good fruit? Perhaps you noticed some rotten fruit? I hear people quote Scriptures all the time and turn right around and act unkind. I've been using those moments to self evaluate: I don't want to see that rotten fruit in myself.  

Take a good look at your fruit! Others are. Your good fruit can be a witness to others. Your bad fruit will also witness, just not in a way that blesses. 

A work in progress 

Teresa

A Little Jesus

 

A few weeks ago at work a little girl gave each staff member a little Jesus figure for their operatory. "This is her ministry" reports her mom beaming with pride. It was very sweet.  The office was buzzing with chatter about the little Jesuses ( is that plural for Jesus?) for days. Since then little Jesuses were ordered for our office toy chest. You get a prize if you're a good helper,  and now a little Jesus can be yours.  

When the Jesus figures first showed up, I had a few thoughts that always occur to me when looking at a Jesus painting, how does this fit with Exodus 20:4  “You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under heaven"? If we're not worshipping the image are we still in violation by just having it? Did Christianity ever have a taboo on images of heavenly things? Seems like history shows us art has tried to reflect heavenly things throughout the ages.  

When we received our shipment of Jesus figures, it was commented that they were all a little different...hmmmm funny it seems that in reality everyone has a little different perspective of Jesus, Jesus can be as varied as the number of people who worship Him.  One lady jokingly said she wanted a different Jesus...hmmm you get the Jesus you get and you don't throw a fit. Lol 

I suspect the little Jesus figures will give us some interesting moments as time goes by.  We have a very diverse clientele. Some will love the Jesuses, some will hate them, some will ignore them,  and some will have no idea. 

Here is my disclaimer for any Torah Terrorists or Doctrine Dictators out there: it's not my office,  I only work there.  I have little control over the decorations, and we are always seasonally decorated. When you work in the world, be in it and not of it.  

A work in progress 

Teresa

For The Long Haul

 

I have known Yahusha/Jesus and His Father since I was a little girl. I never hesitated, never doubted, even those years when I went my own way,  I always knew He was there.  I was aware that I put Him on the back burner, not the other way around.  I believed His promise that He'd never leave nor forsake me. 

I've been Torah pursuant for over 25 years.  I asked for truth and Yah has been faithful to deliver.  Digesting the fact that I had inherited empty traditions, half truths and lies was (and still is) a bitter pill to swallow.  Sorting thru what I thought I knew, keeping what has proven to be true and discarding falsehoods, pouring over Scriptures,  and dictionaries to get to the real deal is exhausting and rewarding.  Yah has been 100% faithful to show me. He carries me along regardless of how slowly I move. 

This brings me to what I really want to mull over. There is a younger lady I have "followed" on social media who made a statement lately about her faith walk. She was raised in what has been called "The Hebrew Roots Movement". I have identified with this movement over the years.  It seems to explain how Yah has revealed His Torah to a whole group of people.  The young lady expressed that a desire to return to the roots of her faith led to spiritual exhaustion. The many debates on calendars, names, days and doctrines were overwhelming.  Oh boy do I get that.  I've heard so much about the calendar debate that I kinda glaze over when the topic comes up and can only hear bla bla bla. 

Connecting with other Christians on social media is a challenge.  No one. I mean NO ONE seems to be on the same page.  Each has their own pet doctrine to push, and frequently forget to act Christlike. They forget that we're known by our love. Torah Terrorists and Doctrine Dictators will berate you, and make you feel like running away from it all.  Just remember,  they are not Yah. He is still faithful to bring you along.  If He wants me to know which is the right calendar,  He will show me.  If He wants me to say His name a particular way only,  He will show me.  If I am wrong about a certain doctrine He will show me,  He always has,  He always will. I am exactly where I am supposed to be in my spiritual walk. 

I'm kind of a loner, so I don't fall prey to the peer  pressure of my fellow believers to accept their pet doctrine.  If it's legit, Yah will lead me there.  At the Feast of Sukkot, we have believers of all sorts: hair covered, not covered, dresses only, anything as long as it's modest, beards, no beards, homeschool, not homeschool ect. And we don't all agree on every point of doctrine, calendar,  nor pronunciation. I hadn't noticed any tension or pressure for everyone to be just alike.  We kindly listen to each other and prayerfully consider what was said.  Perhaps we are a unique group. I know I'm thankful.  With this group love is stressed. How we treat each other is way more important.

If I'm feeling overwhelmed, or pressured, it's because my focus is off. I'm in this walk for the long haul. No Torah Terrorist, Doctrine Dictators, or anyone else can trip me up or make me doubt. He's in it for the long haul too. There's plenty I don't know or understand, but Yah is faithful and will show me what I need and guide me to walking in His ways. 

Dear Sukkot Family,  thank you for your love and acceptance.  

A work in progress 

Teresa