Fruit of the Spirit #5- Gentleness

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The fifth fruit of the spirit is Gentleness.

Gentleness- Softness of manners; mildness of temper; sweetness of disposition; meekness. Kindness; benevolence.

Gentleness is sometimes very difficult for me. Well, very often... Gentleness is almost exactly parallel with patience, which I have practically absolutely none of. Gentleness is not weakness. Harshness would be the opposite of gentleness. A gentle person would not want to argue with people but a harsh person does.

2 Timothy 2:24

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Titus 3:1-2

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

In these passages, Meekness is used in the same context with Gentleness. 

Meekness- Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.

As you can see, the definitions are about the same. In Christ’s sermon on the mount, he blesses those who are meek.

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

This is an area I really struggle with. I tend to be harsh and impatient more often than not. Recently, my family watched a sermon by Dr. S. M. Davis, pastor of Park Meadows Baptist Church in Illinois, titled “Accountability” and I have purposed to work on my tone of voice and have asked my sister to hold me accountable.

I keep reminding myself that with God’s help, It is possible to overcome our faults!

Mark 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: FOR WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Fruit of the Spirit #4- Longsuffering

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The fourth fruit of the spirit is Longsuffering.

Longsuffering- Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.

Longsuffering, or Patience, is an important character trait for everyone. Impatience is a lack of tolerance. Nobody enjoys it when someone else is impatient but we don’t seem to think about what our impatience does to others. The LORD should be our example.

Numbers 14:18

The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Bible tells us to what extent to be patient...

2 Corinthians 6:3-6

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Romans 5:3-4  

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

These verses tell us that tribulations and hard things in our life are used to test and give us patience. If we dont bear trials with patience, we are weak. The Bible also uses patience as a sort of definition for self-control.

Luke 21:19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

Life is like a race. If we dont patiently take it one step at a time and let God's perfect will be done, our life wont go as well as it could. If we patiently allow God to take complete control of our life, we will be blessed and would not have to worry about so many things. 

Hebrews 12:1+2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Be patient and let God have control!

Birthday Gifts!

I dont know if i should report this because i may get laughed at etc... but, i DID have my SD card with me... I just didnt look hard enough...

As soon as you stop laughing you can look at the rest of my post. =)

My parents gave me a hope chest. =)

one of my brothers gave me potholders and dish towels to go in my hope chest. 

One of my sisters made me this. 

Another of my sisters gave me these.

Another of my brothers gave me 7 dollar coins. =)

And yet another of my brothers gave me this flashlight. it lights up too! ;P

And i made myself this skirt. =)

I got other gifts but i didnt get a chance to get pictures. To anyone who gave me these, i think this has been my best birthday yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the latest....

I was going to post a long post this time but stupid me forgot my camera AGAIN!!!! I must be getting old... LOL!

Isaiah 40:26  

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Isaiah 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

We all say that this flower poseses beauty, How much more beauty the creator must posess! And his word is FOREVER!!!!

Back to school

This past week was my spring break. I slept in till at least 8 each morning..... gained 5 lbs..... Had a sleepover.... DIDNT get on the internet much..... had fun.... visited with family..... got a couple birthday presents.... and spent money! ;P

Monday was a pretty relaxed day. I wont tell how late i slept cuz its almost embarrassing.....

Tuesday, In the morning dad put some shelves up in our room and later I helped him dig out some lilac stumps and roots and my sister and I made a 10PM trip to a friends house to pick up some movies.... (stuff like that happens quite often....)

Wednesday, I did some painting then we went to church at night.

Thursday, My cousin came over and later we went to church to pack orders and three of my friends came to our house for a sleepover. It was FUN!!!!! =D

Friday, we girls had an easter egg hunt and had a picninc for lunch and went to town. Later, we went to gym.

Saturday, my aunt, uncle, and other cousin came over and spent the night.

Sunday, We went to sunday school and church and had easter dinner. Went to evening service and had a fellowship afterwards(I was able to sit by one of my favorite brothers which doesnt happen very often... =). And i got a reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy AWESOME birthday present... (ill refrain from saying exactly what it was.... ;P)

And that ends my spring break.... =)

Projects update.

I finished several of my projects before spring break even started! LOL! I like head starts... ;P

The front....

My sister out together the front pieces but i did the back, the final quilting, and the border.

This is a tote bag. I LOVE crazy colors and things so this is one of the products of my craziness. ;P

The inside of my tote bag. I tried to see how many pockets i could get in it and i think i got a total of 16. =) 

This is all my excess fabric that i hope to use some of to make another quilted skirt.

My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is my masterpiece- a quilted skirt! I love the colors and the way it turned out! =D