S.O.A.P. for 09-20 Free indeed!

S:Galatians 5:13-16

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.


O: The moral standards of the law are not discarded or violated by Christians who are free from the law. For "the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good" (Rom 7:12). Freedom from the law is not license to break the law and pursue every selfish desire. No, freedom from bondage to the law is experienced by those who believe in Christ and are led by his Spirit. They use their freedom to serve one another in love. And in that loving service the high moral standards of the law are fully realized in their lives. Though the law is holy and good, since it is God's revelation of his moral standards for our lives, the law provides no power to overcome sin.

Only the power of the Spirit at work in us can enable us to overcome sin and fulfill God's moral design for our lives through loving service to others.

A: Apparently God is really wanting this "message" to write itself on my heart...something must be right under my nose and I've not seen it...Apparently He's trying to get my attention. Have I been too "busy" with the "things I should do" to make Him happy? Other than focusing on the Spirit, and what comes next in this passage.?. Have my eyes and heart been blind to the freedom? It would seem so, even though I feel nothing but gladness in serving Him, I feel as though my heart would burst with joy in my love for Him, and to talk with Him brings tears to mine eyes..it would seem, as I said, He's trying to get my attention..

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Fruit of the Spirit, I know of them, I've memorized them, but where am I with them?

P:
Love - Oh yes there is love. It is evident in every fiber of my being. Love for my Father, in how I live my life for Him, worship Him, Praise Him. Love for my family, my children. The deep and abiding love I have for my husband, who I feel more in love with now than ever, and I know it's because of the foundation we share. Love for my neighbor, love for my church, love for the needy, the poor, the downtrodden. My cup runneth over in love, and I thank Thee Lord!!

Joy - yes, joy is very evident in my life, I have truly found a way to find joy in all things.. There is much laughter, and much smiling, and delight in my family, and delight in You. For this I thank You Lord!

Peace - Peace, I would say I'm close...because it's not always evident. I would confess that my human side lets the troubles of this world "get to me" and I forget the peace that can only come from Him.. SO I will pray for more peace...

Patience - whoa, now this one is a tough one. I've prayed for patience, then had to put the brakes on, lol... Patience is hard!!! Patience is challenging! So apparently, more patience is needed. This too, will I pray for, but one at a time, there's only so much one can take on at once.

Kindness - Kindness makes me smile, kindness fills me, makes me happy. Could I use more of it? I'm fairly sure, because something very sad that I've noticed, but is very very true, is that we are kinder to strangers than we are to those closest to us. I do not want to be that way anymore. I don't want to feel "comfortable" with being "real" with my children and spouse. They are more deserving of my kindness than anyone else. How easy it is to let go of that with the ones you are most comfortable with and claim to love the most.. I must pray for this to be completely and not just partially fulfilled in my life. I think I would like this first...

Goodness - Inherently I feel that I am filled with goodness..I look inside and I know it is not perfect, but it is there. It is part of the love I feel for others, for the love I feel for my family, and for just taking this life as a way to serve and show God how thankful I am for all He's given me, by taking care of it, by nurturing it, and by loving it.

Faithfulness - Yes, faithfulness, just saying it makes me heart smile.. I search for more faithfulness. I pray for more faithfulness. I want more faithfulness. For here is something indeed I feel that I have, but in completeness? I would have to say no. For I know there are times when I lose sight of "who is doing the doing"...when I think "where are you Lord, in this thing?".. SO yes, another aspect revealed to me of something I definitely need more of... Okay Lord! Not too much at once, now, okay? But a healthy dose of Faithfulness would please my heart, and I pray for the Spirit to instill in me a stronger sense of Faith. And I pray that the Spirit never cease on this until I have achieved the Faith of a Mustard seed, for it would seem that this much even, I do not have...but apparently this much would be enough to great things with You... Lord I am not saying that I would stop there, only that it would be amazing enough to get to that point, and if and when I ever get there, Lord, we can bring this topic back to the table :)

Gentleness - Yes gentleness is at work, and I've seen changes over the years, but they've been slow... AHH!!! See? There it goes again, not gentle. I am a fiery spirit, I have energy, and joy, and excitement abounding, so how does one reign this in? Lord help me "understand" this thing before I ask for more of it. Help me see HOW You would have this be evident in my life..and help me see exactly WHAT gentleness is, for I'm afraid I've not been exposed to it, not seen it very much. Maybe I have it and don't know it? Maybe it's okay to be as exuberant and as most people reference it "bubbly and infectious". As long as infectious is a good thing I guess that's okay, but that's up to You. Lord, bring me a greater understanding here, because I truly need to know where this would take me, and what it means...

Self Control - Ahhh yes, self control... I would have to say that above and beyond most of the others, this is the one that has become the most obvious change in my life. No longer am I easily "distracted" by things.. No longer can I be swayed without it going to my "heart" first for a decision. Lord I Thank You for this, but at the same token, You have made me look inside once again, and see that not all is as it should be. My Anger Lord. It has come a long way, blame it on my Hispanic blood, but I have a problem that when I see something wrong, I am quick to flare up. Not against me, Lord, but when I see people wrong each other, or my children wrong each other, I fear that I do not have Self-Control in those areas, and I run in with both barrels blazing, ready to "nip it in the bud" and "lay down the law"... Did I just say the law?? Seriously... ok... I'm getting it..
More love, more understanding, less law...
Lord I pray for Self-Control to handle situations that need "discipline" according to Your will, Your way, Your grace, and Your love!! Lord I pray for this in Great supply, as these little children are Your children Lord, and I want Your help in raising them to be strong men of God. Do not let me mess this up, God!! You only give me one chance...help me in this area that You have once again, lovingly revealed to me.
All Honor and Glory to You,
Your faithful and "learning" servant,

Amen.

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly
*Sanctus Real*