Devotional

Seven Spirits and Bearing Fruit

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord…” ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭3‬)

This prophecy from Isaiah describes how Jesus will come as a descendant from the family line of King David.  More significant is the description of Jesus bearing fruit and being empowered by the seven Spirits of God.

First let's address the seven Spirits.  When I first learned of this I was truly confused about the ‘seven’ Spirits as you may be also.  There is only one Holy Spirit yet the reference here is describing seven distinct attributes of the one Holy Spirit as shown in the visual.  What’s so powerful is noting that each one of these attributes or manifestations are also available to every Spirit filled believer today if we ask.  Remember Jesus said that if we ask the Father, He will give us the Holy Spirit:

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬)

The second thing to note in this scripture is the agricultural reference describing Jesus as bearing fruit, as though He is a vine.  Sound familiar?  In John 15, Jesus uses the same analogy as He tells us we must likewise abide in Him, the true vine, as the only way to bear much fruit, fruit that will last.    

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬)

What fruit you might ask?   

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” ‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22)‬

Note it is ‘fruit’ and not ‘fruits’.  All in one.  The Holy Spirit produces all nine in us as we abide in Jesus and bear His fruit.

So, let's ask God for the manifestation of His Holy Spirit - the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, so we can go and bear fruit that will endure through eternity.

Financial Update

Housing Supply Trending Upwards

As we near the end of Q1, some trends are standing out more than others, such as the shift from under to oversupply of housing inventory. This news comes as relief for many across the nation who may have been outpriced from purchasing a home over the past 5-6 years, and some say even a decade.

While inventories remain tight compared to historical data, the recent uptick is the largest relative increase in several years, and it’s already influencing buyer behavior and pricing trends.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales plunged by 8.4% in January, reaching an annualized rate of just 3.91 million units, the lowest level since late 2023. 

According to FRED data, the median DOM (days on market) in the U.S. was 78 days, where just a few months ago, in September of 2025, it was sitting at 62 days. During the same period, total inventory, the number of homes listed for sale, rose modestly compared with the previous year, but remains below balanced-market levels. Economists generally consider 4.5 to 6 months of unsold inventory a sign of equilibrium; however, the current market sits well below that benchmark, indicating ongoing supply constraints.

While we’re not trying to dramatize the numbers or push any specific narrative, what stands out to us is the sentiment shift from what we’ve all experienced over the past few years, going from a market that seemed like nearly every home listed were receiving offers above the market listed price, and where home inventory was the lowest the nation saw in perhaps decades. 

At the same time, mortgage rates have eased modestly from recent peaks, adding an intriguing twist to the picture. After years of elevated borrowing costs, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have drifted lower in early 2026, offering some welcome relief for buyers and slightly increasing affordability. This rate drop has helped the National Association of Realtors’ housing affordability index improve, marking its best reading in years.

Lower borrowing costs usually signal to buyers that it's time to step in, giving sellers confidence in listing, as it’s assumed housing listings will be absorbed. However, that hasn’t been the case just yet. Many seeking to purchase a home claim that interest rates will have to continue to decline before they would even consider stepping back into the market.

That, combined with a recent Nerd Wallet survey that 34% of homeowners consider themselves "house poor," and 62% report that homeownership is more expensive than expected, could be the catalyst causing potential buyers to demand more affordable conditions.

We could potentially see a slow normalization of the market, with more balanced supply and demand if this trend continues. That would reduce upward pressure on prices and give buyers more negotiating leverage, particularly first-time buyers who have been sidelined in recent years.

Again, we’re by no means signaling fear or a market crash, just pointing out a clear transition in sentiment which could help both buyers and sellers make more informed decisions in the months ahead.

Tech Update

Memory Shortage

There is a current crisis in the technology industry that is having a rippling impact across broader industries.  Computer memory chips, specifically DRAM and NAND, are in shortage driven by surging AI data‑center demand and limited capacity growth from a few dominant suppliers. Current estimates indicate a severe, ongoing shortfall of both types with supply growth lagging demand by 10-30% or more in 2026.

Analysts predict that the shortfall will exist for years to come as the building of new fabrication plants is costly and takes years to onboard. It is also projected to shrink PC sales by 9% and smartphone sales by 5% in 2026 alone pushing prices up about 20%. Other industries impacted include automotive, telecom, gaming and consumer electronics.  As consumers of these products be prepared for rising prices to continue.

DRAM, or Dynamic Random Access Memory, is the main working memory in computers, servers, and other devices that stores data temporarily for quick access by the processor during its operation.

NAND flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage that retains data without power, unlike volatile DRAM. It's widely used for long-term data storage in devices like SSDs, USB drives, smartphones, and memory cards.

The top 3 suppliers of DRAM and their market share are: Samsung Electronics (40-45%), SK Hynix (30-35%) and Micron Technology (20-25%). These three firms produce nearly all advanced DRAM used in AI servers, PCs, and mobiles. 

It is interesting that the smallest of the top 3, Micron, gets a lot of news because its revenue is growing very rapidly, estimated at 80+%.  Another factor is Micron, based in Boise, Idaho, is the only leading U.S. supplier, as the other two are in South Korea.  This is looked upon favorably as President Trump and the U.S. administration is focused on onshoring technology to become less dependent on foreign suppliers.

Health Nuggets

MINDFULNESS - The Power of Positive Biblical Thinking

Positive thinking should be at the forefront of our everyday life. Especially when we have a God-centered thinking. When we adopt a mindset rooted in faith, anything becomes possible.

One scripture we should have on our refrigerator, mirror, and on our computer screen, is the following: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:17)

The voice of our Great Physician is the voice we should be listening to. God’s voice is bigger than our condition. According to the Bible, not only do we have the ability, but we also have the responsibility to take every thought captive. Proverbs 23:7 states “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The mind defines our experiences, so we must think carefully about the experiences we want to have.

The more we learn about who God is and his faithfulness, all negative thoughts we have are replaced with God’s truth. According to research, optimistic people live up to 15% longer than pessimists. Optimists tend to handle stress better, lead healthier lifestyles, and take proactive steps, especially in difficult times. Optimism is rooted in a mindset that thrives despite challenges.

Take Action

Identify negative thoughts.  Think about what you are thinking about. When you catch yourself thinking that you’ll always be tired, sick, or overweight, stop! Replace that lie with the biblical truth that God “heals all your diseases.” Speak life over yourself. Remember that your tongue holds the power of life and death. Trust and thank God that He will do the rest!

(Source: The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe)

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

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