-Siblings-

Best friends!

Faithfulness

Isn't it great when God brings someone into your life to teach you a lesson just when you needed to hear it? That's what happened to me when I learned the lesson of faithfulness. I don't remember the exact experience, but I don't think I'll ever forget the lesson.

One morning someone asked me to find out some information for them. I said yes, but then pushed it to the back of my mind. I know that nothing bad would happen if I didn't do it (except for the person having to do it them self and realizing that I was not trustworthy!).

That afternoon I heard a message about faithfulness -- doing what you say you will do. Right away I realized that I was not being faithful in the small job I had been given. I quickly found out what the person needed to know (it wasn't even a hard task) and gave them the information. "Thanks for finding that out, Marissa." "You're welcome."...... yikes. I learned that lesson quickly!

There are lots more things that I could talk about having to do with faithfulness (it's a pretty big topic!), but I'll just leave that for you to think about right now.

Lamentations 3:23b
.....great is Your faithfulness.

In faithfulness to Him,
Marissa

Goodness

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness..." 2 Peter 1:5a

Goodness is described in Webster's dictionary as excellence and virtue. As God's children, we are striving for excellence in everything we do. This means being a hard worker and striving for the best--rising above "average" (which is getting lower and lower). Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Let it be said about you that when you do something (or are asked to do something) it is going to be done quickly, efficiently, and to the best of your abilities.

Kindness

According to Webster's Dictionary, kindness goes hand-in-hand with sympathy. What does it mean to be sympathetic?

Sympathy: 1. A relationship between persons or things wherin whatever affects one similarly affects the others.

This means bearing one another's burdens and feeling the pain of our sisters and brothers in Christ.... being happy when they are happy and sad when they are sad. This is brotherly love.

In His love,
Marissa

Patience

Webster's definitions: 1. Bearing pain or trials without complaint. 2. Showing self-control, calm
Greek-Cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy-enduring, waiting

Patience in Waiting
This goes with the first Webster definition: Bearing pain or trials without complaint. Greek: Enduring and waiting. Patience in trials is difficult. This is where we trust God to let His plan unfold. We all have our own trials that God is patiently waiting for us to be patient about. Often He won't resolve the problem or trial until we have learned to trust Him and be patient.

Patience in waiting also goes for our future spouses. That takes a lot of patience sometimes! Don't give up! Remember that he/she also has to be patient. The best thing you can do when you are getting impatient is to pray for him/her.

Now for the second Webster definition (showing self-control-calm), which goes with the first Greek definition (cheerful endurance). What mainly comes to mind for me is siblings. Being patient with them can definitely be a struggle sometimes! Normally when I am having trouble being patient with one of my younger siblings, it is helpful to me to *try* to look at them from God's eyes. Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3). They are a blessing straight from God! He put each of them in my life for a purpose. Listening to them, helping them, etc. is a diligence exercise and assignment from the Lord.

Patience is another fruit that can help easily define a Christian. Make sure the world sees your patience in everything.

♪ Be patient, be patient,
don't be in such a hurry.
If you are impatient,
you'll only start to worry.
Remember, remember, that God is patient too,
remember all the times that others had to wait for you! ♫

Haha... a song we learned when we were little. :D

In Christ,
Marissa

And we're back!

We missed the blogging world for a couple of weeks there, but it was nice to have a break. Things are slowing down here a little... :D Anyway, we will hopefully be back to our regular posting now, and finishing up the Fruits of the Spirit series!
~M~