We will skip next week - enjoy your Thanksgiving!! Here is a handout we reviewed Tues night:
7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom – enables us to judge the things of this world from God’s perspective
Understanding – the mysteries of God/our faith enough to accept them
Counsel – advise us what to do
Fortitude – “wise” courage; allows us to overcome fear of the world and remain steady through whatever challenges we face.
Knowledge – about what we believe
Piety – the habit of living the faith, praying, church, and doing good even when we don’t feel like it.
Fear of the Lord – fear of God is not the fear we think of these days, which involves the threat of punishment of some kind. Instead, it is a very high level of awesome respect. Think of someone you hold in very high regard who also holds you in the same regard – someone who you would not want to disappoint or lose their trust. The fear of offending such a person is what is referred to when we say “fear of the Lord.”
9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit
“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galations 5:22-23
Love/Charity – the love of God in means that we put God first in our lives, which itself translates to helping everyone He would help.
Joy – Inner happiness that cannot be taken away, and comes from realizing that, between good and evil, God has already won. We are here to do our part in that victory and help as many others as we can find the same path.
Peace – The peace of the Lord is the greatest peace and, without it, worldly peace will be transitory. It is an inner calm that becomes our foundation, and helps us be most helpful to ourselves and others when storms hit.
Forbearance – patient endurance of hardships, offenses, or injuries.
Kindness – the habit of choosing acts of kindness
Goodness – we commit to speaking good and doing good regardless of the pressure. We recognize our own failures, admit them, ask forgiveness for them, and strive to do better.
Faithfulness – the grace to be faithful to God and also faithful to others (stand by your word, keep your commitments/promises…)
Gentleness – how you behave/act with care towards others.
Self-Control (also called temperance) – self-restraint in action, particularly when anger is close by; also the habitual moderation in the indulgence of one’s desires.
Lord, thank you for the lives we have, our relationship with you, for your wisdom that draws us to you, and for the opportunity we have to serve you every day. Bless our families, our friends, our work, and especially all those who are in need - the poor, the imprisoned, the addicted, the lonely, the sick, the dying, the persecuted, the elderly, and the children around the world who are alone and without love. Be present to them all, Lord; may your healing grace shine down on them, comfort them, and let them know you are there with them.
Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving!
Ron
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