HE IS EXALTED...WITHIN THE FAMILY...

I love the family of God! When we are living in His will, we are loving and serving each other. When we are living as God's family, we walk by His Spirit. Just like the apple tree makes apples or a grapevine grows grapes, the THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD grows the fruit of the Spirit inside His people.
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I've thought a lot about what that fruit might be like if it grew on a tree:

• smiling
• rainbow colors
• scrumptiously delicious
• every bite containing all 9 ingredients: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnes, gentleness, self-control

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You know...kind of like this:)

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When we speak of people who are transformed, we speak of people who are allowing the Holy Spirit of God to work in and through them--growing fruit! I think of my family at the Pitman church of Christ who I see growing more and more like Jesus. On Tuesday, I shared about some transformed dads who I am thankful for, but there are more who I want you to know about.
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Recently, we've had a few "issues" at our house: electrical surges, a/c not doing it's job, refrigerator going out, 2nd dryer in 2 years "going out", on-going water problems in the basement, toilet slow leak growing black mold on wall... You know! These things just add up after a while. Although I don't have the pics of the men who came to the rescue, I will show the women behind the men... women who don't complain, nag, or whine when their husbands go spend their Saturday mornings or evenings out serving someone else... women who support their husbands... encouraging them to walk by the Spirit. Like Proverbs 31 says,
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"The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life."

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I have always loved Galatians 5! In fact, it was very helpful for me as a young christian to see how the children of God are different from those who are not. I have witnessed part of this scripture in action recently:

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"You, my brothers, were called to be FREE.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;

rather, serve one another in love.

The entire law is summed up in a single command:

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

... So I say, live by the Spirit,

and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

...But if you are led by the Spirit,

you are not under law...

the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus

have crucified the sinful nature

with its passions and desires.

Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit..."

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Some men go out carousing to get away from their wives. When the men that I am talking about go out, it is often to serve others... to show God's love.
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Alana's husband, Charles, knew we were having some challenges with our house...




so, he called Kelly's husband, Troy (who just happens to be an electrician and they came over together and did some rewiring! Then, they made phone calls and talked to others who might be able to help.
In the meantime, Mandy's husband Brian, was scheduled to put insulation in our attic to see if it would help our house stay cooler. What a job! But he got her done!

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Then, as soon as Jen and her husband Aaron returned from their family vacation, Aaron showed up at our house to see how he could help with the air conditioning. He's been several times and is coming back again!

Now, Jo-Anne's husband Rich has gotten involved. He owns a construction company that will work in our house for the next week until all repairs are complete! Wow! It's great to know so many gifted, Spirit-filled men who love and serve!

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And did I mention our wonderful elders, preacher-men, and other transformed men and women? What a family!

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Take a few minutes today to encourage those men and women, in your life, who are making a huge effort to love, serve, and transform as they walk with Jesus! GIGATTAATTGIG!

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