October | 2020 | Miss Ann Says

Monthly Archives: October 2020

The apple store

Posted at 12:47 pm by missannsays, on October 23, 2020

My grandsons’ love to go to the apple store. They are too young to understand why I always chuckle when they mention the apple store. Oh, not the place that sells iPhones and has a Genius Bar, but the farm stand down the block from their house. As inviting as the Apple Store is with its shiny electronics and gadgets, it can’t match the colors and smells of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The book of Galatians contrasts two lives – one lead by the sinful nature and one lead by the Spirit. The author, Paul, gives us two lists. Galatians 5:19 -21 and the other in Galatians 5:22-23. I have included TPT – The Passion Translation and the NIV translation. Both translations show such stark contrasts.

“The cravings of the self-life are obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior.” Galatians 5:19-21 TPT

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patiencethat endures,
kindnessin action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.^” Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

I found this beautiful explanation of the fruit of the Spirit by Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Joy is love’s strength.
Peace is love’s security.
Patience (forbearance) is love’s endurance.
Kindness is love’s conduct.
Goodness is love’s character.
Faithfulness is love’s confidence.
Gentleness is love’s humility.
Self-control is love’s victory.

Lord, thank you for the yummy fruit that fills my belly but thank you even more for your Spirit that fills my life.

Disclaimer: I am not saying The Apple Store aka where they sell iPhones is sinful just want us to be clear on that. Thanks.

Photo by Maria Lindsey Multimedia Creator on Pexels.com

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged apple atore, kid stuff

Hope vs Cope

Posted at 4:02 pm by missannsays, on October 13, 2020

I recently came across a blog post I had written for Laced With Grace back in October of 2016. I felt it was still relevant today so I tweaked it a little and decided to share it with you. My reference to Laurie’s post is to another LWG writers post just days before my original post.

Laurie in her post Cast Your Cares so beautifully stated: “God does not want us to cope with our troubles, He said give it all to Him. The thing that I see happening whenever we try to cope is that we end up trying to accept things as they are, or we try to hang on for as long as we can. Coping is like a rope; given enough weight or pressure, it WILL break or unravel. Coping is nothing but a rope, just waiting for things (us) to come unraveled.”

What a great word picture. Laurie’s post resonated with me and reminded me of what God had taught me about the word cope. “How are you coping?” was the question asked numerous times by friends, neighbors and even reporters after my husband’s line of duty death on September 11, 2001 that same question in a slightly different form is still asked today. My response then and now is “I am not coping. I am hoping in the promises of God.” The whole situation was so overwhelming that I felt I had no choice but to hope instead of cope. There was nothing I could do.

I think that we all have had circumstances in our lives when we think cope, are you kidding me?!? How do I cope when this is so unbelievable? As Laurie said “Coping is nothing but a rope.” To me coping is trying to hold on, believing that I can take care of things. Cope/can but God wants us to hope/Him. He wants us to trust Him. The difference is a single letter.

Hoping in God’s promises means I believe that God will handle things for and with me that doesn’t mean I am not doing something but it means I am seeking wisdom from Him. An interesting side note, the word cope isn’t in most versions of the Bible. I can do a word search for hope or I can search His promises but a word search of cope yields no results.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b NIV

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 NIV

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Many times, even if it is just in my head I have repeated the words to that old hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.

“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Hope, September 11

Miss Ann Says

Monthly Archives: October 2020

The apple store

Posted at 12:47 pm by missannsays, on October 23, 2020

Hope vs Cope

Posted at 4:02 pm by missannsays, on October 13, 2020

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