Fruit Of The Spirit Printable Hearts

 

Valentines Day is coming up! Add a little love to any space with Fruit of the Spirit heart garland. Just print, cut, add a string or display as you like. 3-page print-ready PDF below. Enjoy! Jesus loves you!

 

Printable Fruit Of The Spirit Hearts 

 

My Jesus Story

I was challenged by my D-Group (my women's discipleship group that meets once a week and we study the Bible, pray and encourage one another in our relationship with Christ) to write my testimony and share it with someone. I've always struggled with sharing my testimony, especially out loud and in person, and I'm still intimidated by the word "testimony". It's always felt so big to me, like it needs to be a monumental story of epic proportions. I've known God as long as I can remember, and my story may seem simple. But, I've taken another stab at writing it down, in a condensed "elevator speech" approach, and I'm calling it "My Jesus Story" because it's all about Him, not me. 

Maybe someone needs to hear this today. Here goes. 

Although I grew up in a Christian home, raised by two Christian parents, and I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t expected to attend church, my relationship with God has been a lifelong journey. For almost 35 years, I’ve been growing and learning who God is. Strong roots took hold in me very early. I remember being just a little girl, praying in our kitchen with my mom, asking Jesus into my heart. I knew that Jesus loved me and that I loved Him and I wanted to follow him. I loved Sunday school and the church that my Dad pastored. But, life isn’t very complicated when you’re 5 or even 9 years old. I remember being baptized in Lake Ontario during a summer church picnic. I knew that I loved God, I chose to follow him and I wanted to be baptized. I was blessed to attend a Christian elementary and middle school, and then a Christian high school and college. It felt safe, and real, and I was surrounded by Christian friends, pastors, teachers and godly examples. I knew the truths of the Bible, right from wrong, and I sincerely desired to please God with my life. I went on youth retreats and even short term missions trips and tried to obey God by following the rules.

There came a point, however, in my teenage and college years, that I started wanting the approval and acceptance of friends and boys, more than I desired clinging to the straight and narrow. I wanted to test the waters and see what I might be missing. I was selfish and more focused on what I wanted, primarily in the area of dating and seeking attention from guys. Always on a mission to find “the one”. In high school, I made non-Christian friends at my first job. And when I turned 21, I experienced going out to bars, clubs and parties with friends. At times, I drank too much alcohol, acted in ways that weren’t the real me and I made regrets. I stayed in relationships that I knew I never should have started. All the while, trying to maintain my “good girl” appearance, compartmentalizing my life, lying to my family and myself. There came a point when it felt like I was living a double life. The girl that my family and church knew and expected me to be, and the girl who was looking for love, approval and fulfillment in the wrong things.

2003 was one of the worst years of my life at the time. It was the year I knew I needed to make changes and decide who I was really going to be. I had to decide if I was going to continue choosing sin and selfishness or if I was going to choose Jesus - for myself. Not because I was expected to, or because of the way I was raised, but because deep down in my heart I knew I needed Jesus more than anyone or anything. I wanted Him to be the leader of my life. I wanted to know God more - really know Him, not just the Bible stories I grew up with. I wanted the peace of God and joy in my heart again. I wanted to become who God wanted me to be, not who I wanted to be or who I thought I needed to be. I wanted my faith to be real.

As I took steps back to God, He loved me unconditionally and was so gracious and merciful. I began to see how deceitful my heart was and that I’d only caused myself pain by turning my back on God in certain areas of my life. I couldn’t see that the entire time, I was so loved and cherished by my Heavenly Father. It was something I knew in my mind, but the depth of that truth hadn’t fully made it’s way to my heart yet. I didn’t need to go searching. He was right there the whole time, loving me, teaching me, and drawing me to Him.

2003 was also the year that I met my husband (although I didn’t know it at the time). Just one example of God’s many gifts to me. When I look back at who I was during that difficult time, part of me longs to go back and do it over again so differently. I’d save my self the pain of having to learn things the hard way. I think about potential situations that God kept me from and circumstances that could have gone much differently, were it not for God’s hand on my life. God is so faithful! I am unworthy of His love. That’s what’s so beautiful about God’s grace. Even my rebellious heart and the mistakes I made were paid for when Jesus died for me. He loved me before I was even born and sacrificed His life to save me. Thank you, Jesus!

I feel like such a different person today than I was back then. I know that I am a daughter of God, loved and accepted, not because of anything I did, or ever could do, but because of Who God is. I don’t have to live up to a set of rules or try to be good enough. Jesus is enough. He is the reason I’m here today. Every day I learn more about who He is and I’m humbled by the way He loves me and cares for me. I am far from perfect, and there are many times I still have to remind myself that I am His.

I’m so thankful for Jesus, His blood that rescued me, and for the security of knowing I will spend eternity with Him in Heaven when my life is over. He changed my life. There have been difficult days, and there will be more hard times, but I know that I can face them all because of Jesus. I’m not alone and He has a purpose and a plan, for everything.

Today, I’m a wife and a mom and I’m learning more than ever what it means to be a follower of Jesus. My faith has grown so much since I asked Jesus into my heart when I was a little girl. The same Jesus has been there all along, every step of my journey, and I know He will be there for all the days to come. He is my everything.

Love

Free Printable

As February, the month of love, nears to a close, I have been studying the topic of love. Valentines Day has come and gone, but what do I really know and understand about love? More importantly, how well do I actually live out love? The Bible has a lot to say about love, and I have a lot to learn. Something as elementary as love, seems like a no-brainer, at times. We love our family, our spouse, our kids, our friends. I love Jesus, and He is the greatest example of real love, in all of history. There is so much more to it than that.

1 Corinthians 13 is known as "the love chapter". It's probably the most popular passage quoted and read at weddings. But do we really grasp the magnitude of what those 13 verses tell us? It's not just a recipe for a happy marriage. It's a recipe for life. At the end of every day, what it all boils down to, is how well I loved, or didn't love. Whatever I do, no matter how good my intentions are, if it's done without love, I might as well have not done it at all. 

1 Corinthians 13 is a pretty amazing list of what love is and isn't. Immediately I realize how much my heart needs to adhere to this list more closely. 

Love suffers long and is kind. 

Love does not envy.

Love does not parade itself. 

Is not puffed up.

Does not behave rudely. 

Does not seek its own. 

Is not provoked. 

Thinks no evil. 

Does not rejoice in iniquity (sin), but rejoices in the truth. 

Bears all things.

Believes all things.

Hopes all things.

Endures all things. 

Love never fails. 

Never fails. It almost seems like an impossible standard to live up to. In fact, it is an impossible standard to live up to - on our own. Have you ever read 1 Corinthians 13 and thought to yourself, I'm going to do that! That's how I want to be! Or am I the only one? And then, less than an hour later, you find yourself snapping at your husband over something trivial, or selfishly thinking about what YOU want, or just behaving less-than-lovely? Why are we so quick to forget? I don't know about you, but for me, love doesn't always come naturally. I often feel like it shouldn't be so difficult, but my heart is filled with selfishness and thoughts of me, me, me. Self. Pride.

When I started thinking about the topic of God's love and reading more about it, I kept running into the same verses, in random places, in the same week. Coincidence? Not likely. I always know when God is trying to press something on my heart when the same themes keep showing up, over and over. I love when that happens.

One of those examples is 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." This verse has always seemed a little unclear to me. But it makes complete sense. The light bulb went off in my head. My whole why-can't-I-just-be-more-loving way of thinking is for a reason. When we look in a mirror, we only see part of the picture and portions of our reflection. It's a pretty close representation of reality, but it's not a real, living, breathing, thing. The love that we experience here on earth, as wonderful and inspiring as it may be, or as disappointing and flawed as it may be, is only a dim reflection of the magnitude of God's perfect, all-encompassing, overpowering, beautiful, true love. Even our best efforts to "love better" will always fall short. But not God's love. The way he designed real love, never fails. Never. 

1 John 4:8 says, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." I think the first Bible verse I ever learned as a child was, "God is love." So simple, yet so profound. God IS love. Love IS God. We will never be capable of fully loving the way that God intended, until we are in Heaven, with Him, face to face. For now, He's given us just a glimpse of what love is about, and shown us the greatest Gift of love, through Jesus Christ, His Son.

So, what can I do now to be a more loving person? 1 Corinthians 13 is an excellent guide. We should cling to these love attributes and strive to live them out in everything we do. Bearing, believing, hoping and enduring all things. ALL things. Will we fail? Of course. Will we mess up and be unloving at times? Yes. Will envy and selfishness creep in, sooner than we'd like? Unfortunately, so. BUT, we serve the God of the universe who created love and who IS love, and HE never fails. Ever. It's only through HIM can we learn what love is, and try to reflect His love to the world around us. 

Next time you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror, remember that we are reflecting His love. And one day, we will see the whole beautiful picture and feel love like we've never known. 

You're welcome to save and share the free "Love Never Fails" printable above. 

Baby Jesus

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

Christmas is just a couple days away. My family and I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God come to Earth as a baby. Who is Jesus? Why does the biggest holiday of the year tell of His story in Christmas music, pageants and yard ornaments? Was the Christmas story just that - a nice story?

It's clear to see that the world we live in is filled with pain, sadness and just plain evil. Especially in recent days. How can we possibly have hope or even celebrate, when all around us is utter chaos? Broken hearts, broken homes, broken dreams, broken people. Lives shattered by any number of reasons. Where does real hope and true joy come from? And what does baby Jesus have to do with that? 

I believe that Jesus came to Earth to rescue the entire world. He's the answer to the questions we can't answer. Jesus IS hope. Jesus IS love. He's the only way to experience authentic peace, joy and lasting love. Real love. Unconditional love. That baby lying in a manger with a golden halo wasn't just a baby, He was, and is, the Son of God. He came to Earth to be our Savior - the ultimate Hero, for all mankind. 

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14

This world desperately needs a Savior. I desperately needed a Savior. Jesus is the reason that I have hope and can navigate this road we call life, in the midst of utter chaos. It's only by his blood that was shed for me - years after he was born as a baby - that I know I'm forgiven and free. I have joy in my heart because when Jesus died, to pay for my sin, and came back to life - that was the most magnificent day in history. Even greater than his birth (what we celebrate at Christmas) was His death followed by His resurrection (what we celebrate at Easter). I know that some day I'll spend eternity in Heaven with Him. What greater hope could there be?

Christmas isn't about a jolly man in a red suit, it's not about trees, lights, or even presents. Christmas is about Jesus and the reason that he came to this world as a baby, so many years ago. It's right there if you listen to Christmas music classics - O Holy Night, Joy To The World, Away In A Manger, Silent Night. Listen to the words and really let them sink in. Yes, He was a baby, but He grew to be a man who gave His life for you. 

My prayer is that you would find Jesus, the real Jesus this Christmas, if you haven't already. He may be hidden behind the latest toys, gadgets, family celebrations, shopping and cookies. But He's there. Waiting to fill your life with joy, peace and unending love. The book of Matthew in the Bible tells the whole story.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, or as I think of it, Happy Resurrection Day! It's not about bunnies, chicks, eggs or candy. It's about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us, when he died on the cross for our sin, and rose from the dead, offering us the undeserved gift of salvation.

Amazing love, how can it be
That you my king would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor you
I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, you're spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

-Amazing Love, Hillsong 

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive!

- Christ Has Risen, Matt Maher

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 16:6

My prayer is that you too, would accept the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for you, when he died on the cross and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, once and for all. Salvation is available to anyone and everyone.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

In the beginning God created

I would like to share something I encountered this week. This post discusses a deep root of my faith. I believe in God. I believe that God created the entire Universe. Including the Earth and all of its life, by speaking it into existence.

The first verse, of the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:1 says exactly how it happened, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis goes on to list in detail, that God created light, day and night, heaven and earth, grass, stars, every living animal, whales, caterpillars, cattle and beasts...and the list goes on.

Then God created man. Humankind. An entity entirely unlike any other part of creation. Not comparable to any animal. Not derived from any animal. Mankind in the image and likeness of God Himself. Genesis 1:26, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness".

This fact, this truth, this answer to the question "Why are we here?" is the foundation upon which I live my life. It's what I believe. There is not a single doubt in my mind that this is the truth.

Phew. I had to say that. If this is the only place that my voice is heard or my words are read, let my words speak the truth.

I don't know exactly when Mr. Darwin's theory of Evolution became accepted as widespread fact. I would like to recall exactly what a theory is: a speculative plan, a conjecture, guess, a proposed explanation of observed phenomena (as stated in my Webster's dictionary that I've had since 4th grade). It's not rocket science to me, but why guess and speculate about something that is already spelled out and accounted for in the Bible? "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1

This theory of a big bang beginning and the evolution of species has infiltrated science books, classrooms and scientific studies for years. I had the privilege of attending various Christian schools throughout almost all my years of education. For the teachers and professors that proclaimed the truth of creation as stated in the Bible, I stand and applaud you. Sadly, even at a Christian college, I found professors who believed and taught a strange mixture of creation-evolution science.

This week, I attended two different professional work related lectures. One focused on innovation and business practices. The other on branding and design. Both referenced pieces of evolution, as if it were everyday fact. Rooms filled with mature professionals, listening to ideas that we evolved from monkeys. That our brains took years to develop into what they are now. That life started millions and millions of years ago. That our relatives are reptiles. As I sat in my seat, I felt like I was living on a different planet. Doesn't anyone believe in God? Does anyone believe that God created us? Does anyone that owns a Bible actually read the account of creation?

Pretend you are an artist. Say one day, you invent the most astonishing product known to man. You also design breathtaking packaging with visual and structural perfection. You create the most incredible branding campaign that takes the entire world by storm, including a mind-blowing logo, tag line, jingle, website, print, television and radio ads. Everywhere you turn, people around the globe see images of the product that you made. That you created. However, you don't get credit for any of it. Your brainchild, that you designed with your ideas and your own hands, never gets attributed to you. Instead, someone starts a story that your invention just "appeared" one day. No thought involved. No purposeful design. No artist behind the art. It was essentially "magic." This story spreads like wildfire and people believe it! 

Would you be mad? All your planning, all your hard work and all the joy that went into your creation, and no one believes that you made it?

I know this lame example pales in comparison to the spectacular wonder of God's creation. But do you get it? Doesn't it burn you when you don't get credit for something you did? This analogy struck me as I was driving home from the one of the lectures. God is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

I want to give God full credit and praise for his miraculous creation. I'm not afraid to say it. I think one of the worst things an artist can do, is take credit they don't deserve, deny an artist the credit they are due, or worse, pass something off as their own when it doesn't belong to them.


Why did I write this? Because I'm tired of the theory of evolution being proclaimed and believed. I'm tired of Creation, by an Awesome and Intelligent God, being dismissed as a fairy tale. Read Genesis for yourself. Open the Bible to the first page. Most of all, I want you to know that there is a real, personal, living God. The God Who loves you and created you. You are not here by any accident.

John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Daughters of the King

 

This is a reminder for all daughters of the King (myself included). Do you realize that we are His princesses? Our Heavenly Father paid the price for us. He loves us. Magnificent God loves little us. He forgives us. No matter the cost, Jesus already paid it. We are heirs to His Kingdom. We are His daughters. His Daughters. It's up to us to wear the crown or not. To act like the princesses He made us to be. (Image Source: Veer.com)

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons [and daughters] of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." 1 John 3:1 (KJV)

The Message reads: "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to."

Maybe you know this. Maybe you've heard it before. But let it sink in. This is a truth I was reminded of tonight. Our church is having a week long event called One Thing, a time of worship, teaching, freedom, restoration and basking in God's presence. Tonight at the women's service, one of the main points was to realize who we are in Christ and the potential we have as His daughters. Stop living in the past. Release the guilt and disappointments that have been holding you back. Accept His grace and forgiveness. And step into His loving embrace. That's where true freedom lives. 

Our God is a God Who saves. He wants to know you. He wants to welcome you in. He created you and destined you for a purpose.

Will you wear the crown?