For many years, my mother adopted and daily cared for a small, neglected, historic cemetery in California, USA. On days of celebration — Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veteran's Day — she and another couple set out American flags on the graves of veterans.

Through her 80s and into her 90s, she worked clearing and burning winter debris, raking, cleaning, weeding, and mowing. My son helped her repair the damage done by vandals. She enjoyed remembering the pioneer families as she took care of the cemetery grounds. She purchased many small chunks of granite and had names engraved on them as headstones for unmarked graves, their names known only to the cemetery district. What bothered her the most was the toll that erosion took in wearing down the names, so that some were illegible. But she always remembered that Scripture states that those who believe in Christ have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation 21:27 – But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (NKJV)

There is a place secure and safe in our Saviour's love. From eternity past, our Father wrote in the Lamb's Book of Life the names of those whom He knew would become believers. If we are living life through Christ's righteousness, we desire to act in loving obedience to God's will. While we live our lives for Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit becomes an obvious part of our spiritual nature, and we treat others with the fruit of the spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

Because we miss the mark sometimes, we can go to Jesus with a penitent heart, ask forgiveness, and take care not to miss the mark the next time. Because of the grace that He has shown to us, what joy there is in following Christ with love, while being confident that wind, water, and temperature cannot wear down our names in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Let's examine our lives and hearts to make sure that the fruit of the Spirit is being shown to others. If there is any area where we need to grow, or any confession that we need to make to the Lord, let's do it now.

Prayer: Dear Father, may we hear the whispered call to obedience by the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the victory in Jesus, and may it bring us to obedience in every little thing that would be impossible without the power of Christ. Thank You for calling us to be Your children, safe and secure in all Your love. Help us to allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow and flourish in our lives, all to Your honour and glory. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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