Encouragement

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Assurances


Each and every day of my life I am challenged by God to live by the two (2) great commandmenets for a wholesome sustainment of my earthly life with the promise and fulfillment of an eternal life to come. The two greatest commands are: To love God with all of my being and; To love my neighbor as I do myself.

I am helped in this quest by taking advantage of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

 Love. Is unconditional with the expectation of receiving nothing earthly in return for my daily work in God.

 Joy. Is the appreciation of what situations, circumstances and abilities God has given me as well as avoiding the temptations of desiring or coveting what gifts others have been granted. To rise up from my failing and never judge others outside the tenets of God.

 Peace. Is living in concert with those around me even though we may not agree. For if there is to be peace, peace must begin with me forgiving those who injure me in word or deed in a prayful and loving response

 Longsuffering. Is to reject the empty promise of the world, devil and flesh. To view challenges as faith enhancing moments, as opportunities to praise and thank God for ALL of the known and unknown gifts he has afforded in happiness and joy not as punishment.

 Gentleness. Is to be kind to those in the face of their anger as they are fearful, lonely, hurt, tortured or abused. For they need my prayers, concern and unconditional love to be healed and grow in the knowledge that they are loved by a God who understands their pain.

 Goodness. Is the view that everyone I meet or have contact with is an image of God with personhood regardless of talent or skill level. They are my equal and deserve my respect and prayers for all blessing and good things to come their way.

 Faith. Is that the acceptance and love of God is first and foremost in my life above all persons. It is a free gift that I do not deserve.

 Meekness. Is that nothing in this life is gained through force or arrogance. Nor is anything gained through being fearful and giving into evil and actions that are morally wrong just to be loved by others or to be popular in social settings.

 Temperance. Is that living the Christian life according to the Word of God has never been popular or accepted at any time. Yet being disciplined in the ways of God ensure happiness, peace and joy with no fear of death when my earthly life is ending or ended.

To these fruits of the Holy Spirit, I render my life with Blessed Assurance of eternal life, forgiveness of ALL sins and eventually total and complete happiness forever!

Stephen A. Peterson
© 2011

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