Sweets of the Spirit

Today's reading: Galatians 5-6

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5: 22 NRSV

When you hear the word "fruit" you might picture the produce section of your grocery store. Healthy, or on a diet may be the second thoughts that come to mind. We need to change our thinking about fruit!

Fruit must have been a very desirable treat in the lands of the Middle East.   Although we might picture apples, bananas, oranges and pears, Paul and his contemporaries probably were thinking figs, dates, pomegranates and grapes. Most of these would have been served at the end of the meal. The only other form of sugar would have been honey, so I imagine fruit for them was actually a type of desert.

We again might see fruit of the Spirit as a healthy alternative. Wouldn't it be more enticing to have Spiritual sweets? For Paul fruit was desirable and sweet, not just good for you! When we look what happens when we are producing behavior and thoughts in line with the Holy Spirit, we need to be thinking about candy, cookies, cakes, donuts and ice cream! These are good things, desirable and celebratory.

Sweets of the Spirit? Bring 'em on!

God, help us to see how Spiritual sweets can be a desirable way of living in the spirit! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims

The Lord Left Him

She let him fall asleep on her lap; and she called a man, and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. He began to weaken, and his strength left him. Then she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" When he awoke from his sleep, he thought, "I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Judges 16: 19-20 NRSV

He did not know that the Lord had left him.

Do you even believe the Lord is with you now?

What does that feel like for you?

Is there anything in your life that you must keep to have the Lord with you?

Is there anything in your life that would have to be removed for the Lord to leave you?

What would you do if the Lord left you?

Would you know if the Lord had left you?

What would that feel like?

How in your life do you depend upon the Lord?

God, may we depend upon you and your Spirit at all times. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Statement of the day: God is with you!

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

Supernatural Spirit

 They said to him, "We have come down to bind you so that we may give you into the hands of the Philistines." Samson answered them, "Swear to me that you yourselves will not attack me." They said to him, "No, we will only bind you and give you into their hands; we will not kill you." So they bound him with new ropes, and brought him up from the rock. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him; and the spirit of the Lord rushed on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that has caught fire and his bonds melted off his hands. Judges 15: 12-15 NRSV

As we begin this morning, I have two apologies: the first is for being so late again today - Wednesdays are usually my day to compose and set these up so that they post overnight but this didn't happen yesterday. The second is for any misspelled words: I changed my compose settings and can't seem to find the spell check - although it is underlining my mis-spelled words it isn't giving me any options and I am the worst speller!

Today what really speaks to me in this passage is the spirit of the Lord that rushes onto Samson. The Hebrew would be ruah which is also translated wind or breath. Somehow I can almost see this breath/wind blowing over Samson, melting his bonds. What supernatural happening! I have an almost graphic novel kind of imagery here with Samson's long hair flowing, and his bulging muscles all tied up with ropes. Then the next frame shows the wind of God rushing on him. This is followed by the ropes falling off as he begins to stand up to defend himself against the mass of Philistines that are upon him.

I can't tell you how many times in my own life that I have been tied up and thrown in the midst of my enemies, fervently wishing for God's wind to blow through and melt my bonds. "If only God would get me out of the this situation so I didn't have to face the consequences of my own actions!"

Wouldn't it be great if we could call on God's supernatural power every time we got into a difficult (if not life-threatening) situation?

But God is not a super-power genie in the sky. God is our source of Spirit and power but for God's kingdom, not as our own tool to get out of situations that we have gotten ourselves into. In fact, God's Spirit is the guiding power to keep us out of making stupid choices and actions. God's Spirit sustains us rather than saves us when we are in dangerous situations.

Thank you, God, for your life-giving, guiding and sustaining Spirit! Amen.

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

Road Kill; Sweet!

The spirit of the Lord rushed on him, and he tore the lion apart barehanded as one might tear apart a kid. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. Then he went down and talked to the woman, and she pleased Samson. After a while he returned to marry her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion and honey. He scraped it out into his hands, and went on , eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion. Judges 14:6-8 NRSV

I can honestly say that the spirit has never led me to tear apart any living creature. Nor have I ever seen honey in the body of an animal on the side of the road (not that I'm looking too closely). And I don't think I would eat it in any case.

So, we have a story of an impossible feat followed by a supernatural occurrence - perhaps both can be considered supernatural. And both things are actually kind of gross when you think about it: blood, guts and a whole hive of stingers. Not telling his parents about the lion is one thing. Not telling his parents where the honey they are eating came from is quite another. Mom: "Son, did you wash your hands?" Samson: "Well, not exactly..."

This is a big set up to what happened next but there is more to the story. I think what we are to see is that Samson is open to the Spirit, he is incredibly strong, and he keeps important details of his life from the ones he loves.

These elements will be important for the rest of his story.

God, we praise you and give you the glory! In Jesus' Holy name. Amen.

Question of the day: What important details of your life are you keeping from the ones who love you?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

Deliverance Comes from God

But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the Israelites, who delivered them, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. The spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel; he went out to war, and the Lord gave King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died. Judges 3: 9-11 NRSV

Besides the pattern of the relationship between God and the Israelites, there is also something to be observed about the relationship between God and each judge.

God raises up the judge as deliverer.

The spirit of the Lord comes upon the judge.

God gives the judge victory.

Because of God's intervention, the land has a period of peace.

So often I take things on without waiting for God's nudge, spirit or blessing. Why wait for God's help when I am capable of handling things myself?

But if I look at Judges, the outcome is so much better for longer periods of time if I wait upon God's call, God's direction, God's Spirit and God's intervention.

Only God can give true, lasting victory.

God, help me to wait for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: Do you wait for God or go ahead and do it yourself?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

The Full Armor of God

Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 NRSV

I put on the full armor of God every day during my devotional time. But for me, it isn't just a bit of metal or even a safety harness. Each part of this armor not only protects but also demands something from me at the same time.

It means that I have to stick to the truth even when it hurts.

I am committed to being in right relationship with God.

I move with the intent of sharing the gospel of peace rather than repentance.

I place around me a shield, knowing that people will say and do things to hurt me but I will remain steadfast in who I am - I won't be wounded and I won't strike out in anger.

I acknowledge God's claim on me as God's child.

And I have a weapon that is sharp yet brings new life to all whom it pierces.

I stand firm with God's help while also being accountable to God's holy power in my daily life.

God, place on me your full armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, whatever will help my feet share the message of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. In Christ's name. Amen.

Question of the day: Will you take up the full armor of God everyday?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims