NOTE: This month’s letter is longer than usual. I recommend reading it over a few days instead of in one sitting. I cover the nine fruits of the spirit, so I suggest you read the first three fruits one day, then three more on the next, and the last three on the third day. This might help you absorb the information better. Just do whatever works for you. Remember, you have a month before receiving the next newsletter. 

Dear Grandchildren:

Our topic this month is: How can you become the person you are meant to be? Have you ever stopped to think about the person you’re becoming? I know I never did when I was growing up. Regardless of your age, you can begin to see the person you’re becoming. Some of your traits are positive and some are negative, but the neat thing about growing up, you can change the things you’re not happy with. That’s why I’m writing these letters—so we can learn together about principles that can help us improve our lives.

Today, I want to talk about your attitude for the second time and how we think about others, God, and ourselves. Your attitude is probably one of the most important components in your life. As I have observed people, I’ve discovered a healthy attitude is the difference between a happy Christian and an unhappy one. Before I understood that I could be in charge of my attitude from day to day, I allowed my attitude to be whatever my feelings felt that day. You could say my attitude was up and down based on my circumstances and experiences depending if they were positive or negative. Today, I use my greatest power (my choice) to determine my attitude regardless of my circumstances (well, at least 90% of the time).

Many Christians do not realize the power of having a positive, winning attitude. And they do not fully grasp the teaching of God’s Word about this word attitude. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus, as we know, led a perfect life, so he always demonstrated a perfect attitude using the nine fruits of the Spirit. I’d like to share these nine fruits along with my commentary of how we see Jesus living them out with his disciples. If we got serious about applying these nine words (fruits) to our lives….WOW! We would really impact our attitude in a positive way.

• Our first word is Love. Everything Jesus did was motivated by his love for people. That’s why he came to the Earth to die for our sins because of his unconditional love for people. He has asked us to love like he did. Here’s a good question: Are my relationships motivated by love for others? Remember, no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

• Our second word is Joy. Jesus lived in the joy of his Father. He knew where he came from and where he was going and his joy was unshakable. Do you and I exhibit an unshakable joy regardless of the circumstances? I’ve always looked at the three letters in J-O-Y to help me focus: J: Jesus first, O:others second, and Y: yourself last.

Happiness comes from circumstances, but joy comes from the Holy Spirit, so the world can’t give it and the world can’t take it away.

• Our third word is Peace. Sounds like a peaceful word! Ha Ha. Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. Regardless of his circumstances, he walked in the peace of his Father and said to others, “…my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27) Do people see my inward peace as I live my life? The world longs for peace, but after two thousand years, we are reminded that the Bible says peace only comes to us through Jesus. When we receive the salvation of Jesus, we receive wholeness in our mind and soul and his peace. Now that’s a good deal!

• Our fourth word is Longsuffering. Jesus demonstrated this word when they crucified him on the cross. I don’t think this is a popular word for Americans. We want results now. Do I wait patiently for others when they seem to have a different time schedule? 

• Our fifth word is Kindness. Jesus was always showing kindness to the people who were considered the poor and downcast. Even on the cross, he extended mercy to the thief who believed in him. Ask yourself this question: Am I caring and understanding to everyone I meet? This doesn’t mean we can’t disagree with others when we have a different opinion; it means we don’t have to be disagreeable while we disagree.

• Our sixth word is Goodness. Jesus attracted people everywhere he went because he did good things for everyone. He healed them, sometimes fed them, and encouraged them with words from his father God. Here’s a good question for you and I: Do I want the best for others and do I encourage others with my goodness? Since we’re not perfect, we have to continually check our motive if we want to grow in this area. 

• Our seventh word is Faithfulness. Jesus was always faithful to his father in everything he did. He often said, “I only do the things my father asks me to do.” That would be a good place for us to start— ask God to guide us before we start anything. Other questions to ask ourselves are: Do I keep my commitments with others? How faithful am I in keeping my word that I make to others in my life? Am I a trusted worker and trusted friend? If you’re really serious about having a better attitude, you may want to ask others how faithful they think you are.

• Our eighth word is Gentleness. Jesus was a gentleman. He had the right words to say, and he knew when to take the right actions. Jesus displayed gentleness when he talked to the Samaritan woman (in John 4:1-26). He knew her lifestyle, but never condemned her. He gave her words of wisdom and encouragement to help her overcome her sin. Consider these questions: Is my strength under control? Can I be both tough and tender when I need to be? 

• Finally, our ninth word is Self-control. Jesus was disciplined to live his life as a sacrifice for us even unto death. Wow! Ask yourself this question: Am I disciplined to live my life as I believe I should live in my mind? Many people talk a good life, but do they have the discipline to deliver? The only person in all of life that you can control is yourself. Believe me when I say this, it will take your lifetime to accomplish that goal.

The Bible says these words are called the fruit of the Spirit and are like seeds in your life when planted. When you begin to use these words and apply them into your life, you will produce fruit. This fruit represents outward, visible behavior which others can see. The Bible states that people will know you by your fruit. Every Christian should embrace this marvelous list of inward qualities. 

Here is the important factor in living the life I have just described. After Paul talked about the fruits of the Spirit, he said this: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit,” (Galatians 5:25.) The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us to help us live the life of Christ. 

For you need the Holy Spirit to infill you to produce the life of Christ in you. Many Christians forget this part and try to produce the Christian life on their own. The Bible says, “it’s Christ in you that produces the Life of Christ.”

So how about you today? Do you want to produce good fruit? Do you want to have a winning attitude that works for you? Let me suggest three things.

One: you need friends with a good attitude who will help you with yours and hold you accountable.

Two: you need to make a decision and a commitment to yourself if you’re serious about improving your attitude. It won’t change unless you take the steps necessary to produce the changes. And you won’t realize the results until the people around you start making comments about you and your attitude. 

Three (the most important): Allow God to help you with your attitude. By his power and grace, he can help you change but you need to invite him into your life and allow him to lead you.

Well, there you have it! As you can see, I love talking about our attitude. Again, I always appreciate your feedback and thoughts regarding these letters. And as always, pray for Grandpa that he will practice what he writes.

Love, 

Grandpa