March 2022

*Note…this devotion is a little longer. I am finishing this devotion series by looking at self-control today… as well as a summary of the series. Be sure to read it to the end.

For the last few days, we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS.

Now today we will look at self control.

The dictionary defines self-control as the ability to control oneself, in particular, one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

A Biblical definition is self–control is listed in the Bible as a Fruit of the Spirit – a sign that Christ is in us. If we let our desires lead our decisions, our lives (and our bodies) can quickly spin out of control. Self–control is a discipline that God grows in us when we continually choose to die to our flesh and live in Him.

While his wife sang in the church choir, Mr. Nelsen took the couple’s infant son to sit with him in the worship service. And, as children are so adept at doing, he let out a terrifying scream right in the middle of the pastor’s sermon. Mr. Nelsen got up, took the child in the hallway where he was overheard saying, “Okay, John, just take it easy. Don’t get excited. it’ll be okay. Settle down. Whoa now. Just relax. Relax, John, relax.” When the service ended, the woman who overheard Mr. Nelsen’s conversation with his infant son, remarked to Mrs. Nelsen, “I certainly admire your husband’s patience with your baby John.” “My son’s name is Chris. My husband is John,” the woman replied.

So…How are you doing with self-control? How about in regard to food and drink, anger, foul words, smoking? Stop reading for a minute and quietly ask yourself…what area do you struggle with self-control issues?

Titus 2:11-12…For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

I think that we would all agree that the world is out of control! But the bigger question for you is “are you out of control?” Do you feel like a car with a broken steering wheel, bouncing off curbs?

Proverbs 25:28… Like a city whose walls are broken throughis a person who lacks self-control.

I want us to focus on a verse found in 1 Corinthians 9:25… Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

We all sin…fall short! The wages (results) of sin is death. A broken relationship with a Holy God. On our own we will perish! And yet, thankfully, God Loves YOU so much that He sent His Son Jesus to fix the problem. He died in your place. He restored your relationship with God. YOU are saved! You have a crown of righteousness in our future.

2 Timothy 4:8… Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

But there is still a problem. We keep on sinning! In our sinful state we lack self-control. That’s where God steps in with the fruit of the spirit including a self-control empowered by God’s Power.

Our verse above about athletes says they go into strict training. How do we go into training to be more Christ-like…to have more self control?

Number one is to read God’s Word daily! Don’t just nod and move on reading this…schedule a time every day to hear what God has to say to you in His Word.

We need to pray for God to guide you and equip you to accomplish His plans for you.

Be active in His church…worship regularly! Use your gifts to serve those in need.

In addressing a need for self-control…admit your problem. James 1:14… but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. What area of your life is out of control? Do you rationalize why it’s ok? Do you blame others for your actions? Do you say “everyone else is doing it” or “it’s just a little sin” “I could quit anytime.”

Does this sound like you? Romans 7:18-19… For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. That’s our sinful nature showing….but God wants to move you past those things…to make Godly choices.

Ask God to give you more self-control! Galatians 5:16 (gnt)… What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

In this series we have looked at the virtues and characteristics that God is producing in us…through the Holy Spirit. Here is a short way of remembering them: Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Patience is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.

I thought the best way to finish this series of devotions on the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT was to use this illustration!

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code-named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been identified as “Subsequential Internal Non-morality,” more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:

1. Lack of self control
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
10. Loss of direction

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call P-R-A-Y-E-R and ask for Jesus.

As we all look at the upside down world we live in…we tend to wonder what would God have us do today. 1 Corinthians 10:31…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Many people have asked me “what can I do to help with the racial tension that has struck in many cities.” Obviously, we all need to pray…in faith… that God will bring good out of every situation, that His Peace will prevail…. But I challenge you to… be who God created you to be… in the places He has placed you to be… to every person you have an opportunity to be the Light of Christ to. What I mean by that is to treat everyone that you come in contact with as if they were Jesus. Just as the pandemic gets transferred thru contact person to person…. God’s Love can do the same. If “each one reaches one” and that person does the same the same…before long, we will all treat each other with respect… and as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

For the last few days we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, FAITHFULNESS.

Today we will look at GENTLENESS.

The dictionary defines gentleness as the quality of being kind and careful. Your gentleness with a frightened stray dog will eventually convince her to let you feed and pet her. The noun gentleness is perfect for describing the way someone acts when they are soft and calm and sweet to other people.

What is the difference between kindness and gentleness?

It would seem that kindness is more of a singular action, whereas gentleness is more of a “way of life” or method. … I do believe that gentleness embodies kindness – that a person who is gentle is almost certainly going to be kind to others. (note…both are included in the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT) 

I read about a guy who took his kids to a fair where they (unfortunately for dad) won 4 goldfish. Not wanting to spend a lot of money on a tank for the fish, he got an old one from the garage. He spent a few hours cleaning it and put the fish in. All is well! Next day one fish died, then the next and soon all 4 were dead. It didn’t take him long to discover the problem: He had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. His efforts had destroyed the very lives he was trying to protect. Sometimes in our zeal to clean up our own lives or the lives of others, we unfortunately use “killer soaps” like: condemnation, criticism, nagging, fits of temper. We try to force our ideas…using a loud voice and abusive words. We think we’re doing right, but our harsh, self-righteous treatment is more than they can bear.

That’s were gentleness comes in. The Biblical definition of Gentleness is Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love.

What does the Bible say about gentleness?

• We are to be gentle like Jesus! Matthew 11:29…Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Paul was gentle to believers! 2 Corinthians 10:1…By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!
• We are to be identified by our gentleness…even when dealing with others. Ephesians 4:2…Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
• We are to treat others gently! Galatians 6:1…Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

According to Bill Farmer’s newspaper column, J. Upton Dickson was a fun-loving fellow who said he was writing a book entitled Cower Power. He also founded a group of submissive people. It was called DOORMATS. That stands for “Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls if there are no objections.” Their motto was: “The meek shall inherit the earth if that’s okay with everybody else.” Their symbol was the yellow traffic light.

The devotional called “daily Bread” said, Mr. Dickson sounds like he’d be a lot of fun, doesn’t he? What is disturbing about all of this, though, is that many people assume that the ridiculous ideas behind DOORMATS and Cower Power represent the quality of meekness set forth in Matthew 5:5…Blessed are the meek,  for they will inherit the earth.. Many think that to be meek (gentle) is to be weak. But the opposite is true. What the Bible is talking about is a powerful virtue. The slogan “strong enough to be gentle” comes close to defining it. True meekness (humble and gentle) is best seen in Christ. He was submissive, never resisting or disputing the will of God. His absolute trust in the Father enabled Him to show compassion, courage, and self-sacrifice even in the most hostile situation.

Now let’s apply this to ourselves. When we are meek (gentle), we will bear insults without lashing out in proud resentment or retaliation. We’ll thank God in every circumstance, while using every circumstance, good or bad, as an occasion to submit to Him. Meekness would be a weakness if it meant yielding to sin. But because it stems from goodness and godliness, it is a great strength.

The need for gentleness (a gentle spirit) shows up most when dealing with people who disagree with us. A book called “God’s Power to Change Your Life” looks at 6 points:

• Being understanding…not demanding. Philippians 2:4 (lb)…Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. Try to understand their motive and situation. Put yourself in their shoes.
• Being gracious…not judgmental. Galatians 6:1 (niv)… Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Wait for the right time, place…and for you to have the right purpose and attitude before approaching them. Don’t have a “holier than thou” attitude. Accept those who have a weak faith without passing judgement. Pray for God to mend their hearts.
• To be tender without surrender. Proverbs 15:1 (gnt)… A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up. One of the best tests of spiritual maturity is how you handle people who disagree with you or are harsh with you. Maintain your right to an opinion but respect their right as well. Remember that yelling and arguing never accomplishes anything good…nor displays gentleness!
• To be teachable…not unreachable. James 1:19-20 (phillips)… In view of what he has made us then, dear brothers, let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper. For man’s temper is never the means of achieving God’s true goodness. It’s a great recipe to gentleness…Be quick to listen…slow to answer…then you will have control of your temper!
• Be an actor…not a reactor. Romans 12:17,21 (niv)…¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone…..²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Strength is found in gentleness. Jesus would call it “turning the other cheek.” No knee jerk reactions to others’ bad behavior. Don’t let others control your emotions!
• Be respectful.1 Peter 3:15 (niv)…  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. Share what God is doing in your life (especially with those who do not know Jesus as Savior) …do it gently and respectfully…Let the Holy Spirit work through you!

So…now what?

• Spend time going over the verses above. Assess how you do with gentleness…at home…at work…with neighbors…with those with different values and lifestyles.
• How do others see you based on the verse in Philippians 4:5…Let your gentleness be evident to all. Do others see Jesus in you by the way you respond to issues?
• Stay rooted in God’s Word and Pray for the Holy Spirit to produce gentleness in you.

For the last few days, we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS.

Today we will look at Faithfulness.

We are all too often like the little boy whose mother asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup. The little boy didn’t want to go into the pantry alone, and he said, “Mommy, it’s dark in there, and I’m scared.” “It’s all right, Johnny,” she said, “You go in there and get a can of tomato soup. I need it for a recipe.” He said, “But Mommy, it’s dark, and I’m too scared to go in there by myself.” “It’s okay, Johnny,” she said again. “Jesus will be in there with you. Now you go and get a can of tomato soup.” Johnny went to the door and opened it slowly. When he peeked inside, it was dark, and he was scared. His hands began to tremble, but he got an idea. He said, ”Hey… Jesus, if you’re in there, would You hand me that can of tomato soup.”

The definition of faithfulness…is a quality of being faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute, to be firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. Faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. Even when going into a dark pantry!

The most famous geyser in America is OLD FAITHFUL! It’s not the biggest geyser in America…nor the most powerful. What makes it famous is it’s faithfulness! It runs like clockwork…dependable! But that’s just a geyser. What about us?

Biblically Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is a confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” As a Christian, it is important to be faithful to God. It is one thing to simply believe in Him, but another to be faithful to Him.

Right about now, you may be saying to yourself… “Dave, these devotions are nice, but I feel overwhelmed! I can never live up to all of these virtues we have been looking at!” Well, That’s a good place to be! On your own, you can not master any of these characteristics of a Christ follower. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. The more time we spend with God through prayer and in His Word…the more FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT will show up in your life. How do I get faith? The Bible answers that question… faith comes from the Word of God. (Romans 10:17…Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.) Fruit grows and matures when it is rooted in God’s Word and watered in prayer. (Colossians 2:6-7… So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.) Use this verse to picture a tree… nourished and held in place by strong roots…built up and growing… strengthened by the sun and rain…overflowing in fruit. You are God’s tree! Be grounded in the Lord!

Our role model for faithfulness is Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:9…God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Joshua 21:45…Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

2 Peter 3:9…The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Look up, focus on the words, and sing “How Great is Thy Faithfulness”

We have faith in the faithful one…and the Spirit fills us with faithfulness!

So…it makes sense that if we want to be faithful (full of faith), we need to have a growing faith. I heard it put this way….if you do not use your right arm, it will eventually lose all its power to move. Its muscles must be exercised to stay alive. If you have faith, you must exercise this also. If you don’t, it dies.

Faith in God seems easy on the good days…but it is tested and grows stronger when life gets tough. Faith is a gift to you from God!

A widely known professor in a New England university started out as a practicing Christian, a man of faith. Over the years, however, this all changed. He became known as an agnostic, or an atheist even. He said, concerning that change, that he never consciously abandoned faith. He said, “It was as though I had just put it away in a drawer, and later when I looked for it, it wasn’t there. “God never stopped reaching out to the man but… the man had let faith die for want of exercise.

If you have faith, keep it out and keep it active. Faith does not survive packed in an old trunk or kept in cold storage. Some fine musical instruments must be played to survive; leave them idle and they will no longer make music for you. Use the faith you’ve got, and it will grow stronger; fail to use it, and it will weaken and perish. Exercise your faith!

There are many ways of doing this: helping others, loving them; forgiving others, living a noble life; firmly holding high ideals and staying the course God has planned for you. But your faith is best exercised when you ask it to do the thing it alone has the power to do, when you ask it to lift up your soul for the touch of God. This you do when you truly worship him.

So…now what?

• How would you rate yourself in the area of faithfulness? In your home / family life? In your job? In keeping your promises? In the use of your time, talents, treasures?
• Are you faithful in your spiritual life, prayers, Bible study, worship, serving?
• Stop and thank the Lord for giving you eternal life thru faith in the faithful one.
• How would others rate your faithfulness?
• How would God rate your faithfulness?

I have shared a prayer with you that I say every morning for my family. I think it is a prayer that we should share for all people.

Lord, may we be men and women of God… men and women of integrity…may we know you as Lord and Savior… and live accordingly!

I pray this for everyone. For all people, races, social-economic class, age, location, political choice. That God’s Peace would prevail.

For the last few days we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS.

Now today we will look at GOODNESS.

We all like to look good and feel good! We try to be good! We love things that taste good! We want good weather and a good report card!

I bet when you were young, your parents told you to “have fun…but be good!” To a kid, (and maybe still for you today) that may seem like a contradiction.

The dictionary defines goodness as the quality of being morally good or virtuous.

The Bible uses the word differently. God uses the word good and goodness 619 times…I guess God thinks it’s an important word, virtue, and FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

Biblically…In Greek, the word goodness, “agathosune,” means“an uprightness of heart and life” … In addition, Jesus is called the “good shepherd” in Scripture, because He laid down His life for His sheep. We are called as Christians to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ.

I saw a devotion that went like this…Once, during the hours of a quiet, starlit night, above the hills of Bethlehem, from a strange voice there came an announcement this world will never forget. To a few shepherds then – and to all the world eventually – that voice said, “Behold! I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be to all people …” We cannot be sure what language that messenger spoke – perhaps Hebrew, maybe Aramaic, or possibly some language never named and not understood except by a few. But the message heard that night has been translated into almost every language spoken on this planet. When the message reached primitive England, there it encountered an old Anglo-Saxon word, “godspell,” which meant “good news” and thus the message became the “gospel” and so it has remained ever since. “I bring you good news!” From whatever source, these are welcome words to most people most of the time. But this particular piece of news is especially good because it is good for all people in all times. For almost 2,000 years it has occupied an uppermost place in human thought.

We sin…that’s bad news!

God loves us and sent Jesus to die in our place…that’s good news!!!!

In response to this life giving gift…we are to make good, God pleasing choices! We also know that when we get our roots planted in God’s Word fruit will grow…Fruit of goodness!!!

And yet that is not as easy as it seems:

Gal 6:9….. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

So why would we be weary doing good?

First of all, it’s against our sinful nature! Sin is self-centeredness by definition. It only thinks of what’s best for ME! Left to our sinful nature we think bad things…desire bad things…are attracted to bad things…and choose bad things. And yet God calls us to goodness.

Second, Satan wants you to get weary trying to be good. He will tempt you to give up…to say “let someone else do it!”, to make not so good (bad) choices instead.

The danger is always present that we will judge before all the facts are known to us. A few years ago “good news, bad news” stories were going around. A man meets a friend and says, I won a thousand dollars in a contest.” The friend replies, “That’s good.” “No, I spent it on a skiing trip to Switzerland and broke a leg.” “That’s bad.” “No, while I was in the hospital I fell in love with an attractive nurse and married her.” “That’s good.” “No, it turned out that she didn’t like the United States and insisted that we had to live in Europe.” “That’s bad.” “No, we set up a home in Paris and I got a job with an export firm.” “That’s good.” “No, the firm went bankrupt and we were soon reduced to poverty.” “That’s bad.” “No, under those difficult circumstances I examined my goals and values and discovered that I was living for the wrong reasons.” “That’s good.” The dialogue goes on and what we discover is that the good and the bad grow side by side. Our judgment at a certain moment often does not take into consideration all the facts.

So…How do we know what is good?

Simple…we test it with God’s word.

Philippians 4:8-9…Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I like the Good News translation of that verse… In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are goodand that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you.

Henry Thoreau said, “Be not merely good; be good for something.” That was Jesus’ challenge to the man who wanted to know what he could do to inherit eternal life. He had been good at making money, in being morally upright and keeping the commandments; but that is not the ultimate good: he must also give of himself and what he has in behalf of others. He needed to also realize that, “The gift without the giver is bare.”

I think a great way to live is by this motto: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, At all the times you can, As long as ever you can.

Someone else has expressed the ideal of goodness in a wonderful way, saying, “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore, that I can do, or any goodness that I can show to my fellow creatures, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Goodness…a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT… is a characteristic of a Christian…it’s a way to live, think, and be. The more time we spend with God in prayer…and in His Word the more goodness others will see in us!

So, now what?Go back over the 2 translations of Philippians 4 above. Read them slowly. Think about each word. Are there character weaknesses in your life that would conflict with any of them?

Spend time in God’s Word and prayer…Ask the Holy Spirit to produce goodness in your thoughts, words, actions.

Ask for God to reveal who could be the recipient of that goodness?

Let us start today with a prayer:

Lord…We humbly come to you in this time of need! You created a paradise and yet sin has tainted the beauty of your creation. We look around and are overwhelmed by images of a broken world. Galatians 5 reminds us that we see “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, and factions.” The front pages are filled with stories of bigotry, anger, and violence. Lord, heal hearts and bring about unity and change. Lord, guide leaders to lead with wisdom, compassion, integrity. Help each of us to take a close look inside ourselves so that we individually would assess and confess our sinfulness…to repent of our thoughts, words, and actions…to look for opportunities to build bridges…to pray for and to point others to you and your Love. Let us each reach out to someone who is hurting. Lord, fill us with your Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Lord be with those who are impacted by the pandemic…and those that are impacted by the violence and rioting that has emerged this weekend. Lord we seek peace in our land…and yet it begins with your Peace in our hearts. Amen.

For the last few days we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY, PEACE, and PATIENCE.

Today we will look at KINDNESS.

• Have you ever had someone send you a card thanking you for an act of kindness?
• Did you notice the look on someone’s face when you showed them kindness?
• Have you ever called, texted, or sent a card thanking someone for their kindness to you?

We looked at “love” the other day….and kindness is love in action. It is being supportive and sympathetic. It is looking out for the needs of others, especially those that are hurting. To reach out to comfort, help, pray for them, and to walk alongside them (and that is exactly what our nation needs right now!)

Sam was invited to his friend John’s home for dinner. John had been married to his wife for nearly fifty years, so Sam was pleasantly surprised at the kindness that John showed his wife. John preceded every request to his wife by endearing terms, calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. John hung his head and whispered, “To tell the truth, I forgot her name three years ago.”

SO…that is not what the fruit of KINDNESS is all about!

• Kindness is defined in the dictionary as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. While kindness has a connotation of meaning someone is naive or weak, that is not the case. Being kind often requires courage and strength.
• Biblically Kindness is selfless, compassionate, and merciful; its greatest power revealed in practice to our enemies and amongst the least of these. We are called to Love your neighbor; show kindnessto EVERYONE. For a perfect emblem of Biblical kindness, we need look no further than Jesus! He came that ALL would be saved.
• Kindness is a garment that you are to wear…. something that can be seen.

Col 3:12-14… Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  

Did you notice that it says to “clothe yourself” with these virtues…many of these words are included in the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT section that we have been looking at! We get up in the morning and choose what clothes to put on…what we will wear…what others will see on us. So, do you put on kindness. Do others see and hear kindness in your words, actions, motives, passions, and purpose in life? Do you show kindness without expecting anything in return?

Philip McLarty writes…In 1976 I helped lead a youth group on a trip to Washington, D.C.  We called it the “Citizenship Seminar.”  It was an effort to help high school students make the connection between the world of politics and religion. One of the high points of our trip was a visit with Senator John Tower who, at the time, was Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  He received us into his office graciously and addressed our questions candidly.  One the students asked him about world hunger and the United States foreign aid policy.  I’ll always remember what he said.  He said, “Food is our Number One political weapon.”  Then he went on to explain that, in exchange for grain and other commodities, we expected cooperation and certain concessions from developing countries. I was shocked and dismayed by what he said, and I told him so.  He was diplomatic and polite and, in so many words, told me I was naïve.

Perhaps he was right.  Only this I know: Acts of kindness with a hook are anything but kind.  True kindness expects nothing in return, except the satisfaction of doing what’s right.

I can’t help but think of Jesus’ kindness for the lost, the hurt, the sick, the poor! If we are to become more Christlike each and every day…then we need to treat all people the same as Jesus would!

Julia Carney wrote these words in the mid-19th Century.  They still speak to us today:

“Little drops of water, little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean and the beauteous land.
And the little moments, humble though they may be,
make the mighty ages of eternity.
Little deeds of kindness, little words of love,
make our earth an Eden, like the heaven above.”

I like to think it’s the little acts of kindness that often go unnoticed that have the best chance of transforming the world around us into the kingdom of God.

So…as always, these devotions are meant to impact you, to draw you closer to the Lord and His Word:

• Who do you know that needs an act of kindness from you? Maybe a smile across the path as you walk? Maybe some help with their yard work? Maybe an offer to shop if they are staying in place? Maybe a surprise plate of cookies? Maybe a phone call to break up someone’s day and to let them know that you care?
• When you think of “kind” people in your life…who comes to mind? Learn from them! Let them know that you appreciate their kindness.
• Be open to God nudging you to random acts of kindness.
• Pray for the Spirit to produce Fruit of the Spirit in your life including more KINDNESS!

For the last few days, we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE, JOY and PEACE.

Today we will look at PATIENCE! I find it interesting that as God lists the fruit of the Spirit…He makes us wait to get to patience.

When I have talked with new members in our “Life with God” sessions over the years, I hear that patience is one of their biggest struggles. I must confess that I struggle with this one as well.

It’s not an excuse but the world that we live in doesn’t help:

• Because of our impatience…we invented microwave meals!!
• Faster and faster computer speeds. (we feel that we need to call a repairman if we have to wait 2 seconds for our computer to respond to our keystroke.)
• We have Minute rice…instant coffee…fast food, etc.
• We looked at LOVE 2 weeks ago, well, 1 Corinthians says that “Love is PATIENT”
• Throughout the Bible we see people having to wait.
• Noah waited 120 years for the flood!
• Moses and the people wandered 40 years before entering the promised land!
• Abraham waited for a son, Jacob waited for Rachel, Joseph waited in jail, mankind is waiting for the Savior to return. (how many more can you come up with?)

One Sunday morning a pastor’s wife was teaching her class of small girls the subject of patience. She asked, “What is patience?” One little girl raised her hand and said, “Patience is when you are sitting in church and the preacher is preaching. You’re just sitting there, and he is preaching. He keeps preaching and you keep sitting there. That’s patience.”

OK…One more funny one!

A couple with three children waited in line at San Francisco’s Pier 41 to purchase tickets for a boat trip to Alcatraz. Others watched with varying degrees of sympathy and irritation as the young children fidgeted, whined, and punched one another. The frazzled parents reprimanded them to no avail. Finally, they reached the ticket window. “Five tickets, please,” the father said. “Two round trip, three one way.”

I heard it said that…Patience is letting your motor idle while you want to burn rubber!…..We find ourselves  saying “Lord…give me patience…and hurry up!”

So…We understand having patience as we wait at the grocery store checkout…or the drive through at Starbucks….but what are some situations that we need the Holy Spirit to fill us with PATIENCE?

Waiting for:

• The chemo to do its thing!
• My job to resume…or business to reopen!
• For live church and small groups to resume!
• For my marriage to get healthy again!
• For the Lord to call me home…and Him to return!
• What situation do you need GOD’S PATIENCE____________?

I saw a sermon by James Merritt that looked at 3 areas of patience, I want to share them (and some of his thoughts) with you:

I. A Patience with Difficult People. We all have been there! I call them the EGR (Extra Grace Required) people! They can test our patience.

James 5:7-8…”Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the lord is at hand.” The word patient is the same word sometimes used for longsuffering. In this section…James illustrates patience with the picture of a farmer.

A farmer plants, weeds, waters, cultivates. Every day he does two things: he watches, and he waits. Because he knows that you cannot hurry the harvest, but he also knows that the harvest will come in due time.

II. A Patience with Demanding Problems. God tells us that “in this world you will have troubles.” We face many problems in our daily lives…and many more due to this pandemic.

James 5:10-11…”My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

Now why does he mention Job? Well, think about what Job faced. First of all, he faced destitution. He lost everything that he owned. Then he faced death. His children and grandchildren were wiped out. Then he faced disease. He was covered with terrible sores and boils. Then he faced desertion. Even his own wife basically turned her back on him. Just like Job, every one of us are going to face demanding problems. Just as you cannot hide from difficult people, you cannot run from demanding problems. Now understand that problems are not meant to defeat you, nor are they meant to depress you, nor are they meant to discourage you. They are meant to develop you. Problems are not tools to tear you down, they are tests to build you up.

III. A Patience with a Definite Purpose.

Now why does God allow difficult people and demanding problems into our lives? It is to develop maturity. James 1:3-4…”knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

The word for complete here means mature. God’s goal for you is maturity, and patience may be a bitter plant, but it always bears sweet fruit. For full- blown patience makes for a full-grown Christian. Troubles and troublemakers are in your life to develop longsuffering, and you will never graduate to maturity until you go to the school of hard knocks and learn the discipline of longsuffering, which is patience, perseverance, and persistence.

So….You see, it is by patience that we see God’s work in us, and it is by perseverance we learn God’s will for us.

So…when you are feeling impatient…ask God to slow you down…to trust in His timing…to focus on … Isaiah 40:31…”Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

——-

This was a long devotion but if you want one more funny illustration:

This first grade teacher, and her class of thirty-two first graders, had watched it rain all day long. The last bell had rung, it was time to go home, and this teacher began putting galoshes on all thirty-two of those first graders.

She came to the last little girl and she was so excited that she was about finished with this dirty chore, and she began to put the galoshes on this little girl, and they were unusually tight. She struggled, she strained, she pulled, she tugged, she grunted, she groaned, and finally got the galoshes on that last little girl. Just as she finished snapping them into place, the little girl said: “You know what teacher? These aren’t my galoshes.”

The teacher couldn’t believe it. She struggled, she strained, she pulled, she tugged, she grunted, she groaned, until glistening with sweat, she finally yanked the galoshes off those little girl’s feet. Just at the moment she finally snapped them off, the little girl looked up at her and said: “They’re my sisters and she lets me wear them.”

For the last few days we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We are talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short… And yet we celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I am going to take each of these characteristics one per day. So far, we have looked at LOVE and JOY.

Today, I want us to look at PEACE.

Brett Blair tell this story…..One of the best newspaper cartoons of all time is Calvin and Hobbes. One day Calvin and Hobbes come marching into the living room early one morning. His mother is seated there in her favorite chair. She is sipping her morning coffee. She looks up at young Calvin. She is amused and amazed at how he is dressed. Calvin’s head is encased in a large space helmet. A cape is draped around his neck, across his shoulders, down his back and is dragging on the floor. One hand is holding a flashlight and the other a baseball bat.

“What’s up today?” asks his mom.

“Nothing, so far,” answers Calvin.

“So far?” she questions.

“Well, you never know,” Calvin says, “Something could happen today.” Then Calvin marches off, “And if anything does, by golly, I’m going to be ready for it!”

Calvin’s mom looks out at the reading audience and she says, “I need a suit like that!”

That’s the way many of us feel as we see the news and deal with life. Sometimes this world seems quite violent and people seem to be at each other’s throats, we deal with upended economies, and odd family dynamics. A suit like that might not be such a bad idea! And yet, GOD’S PEACE can protect you from whatever this world throws at you! How about you? Can you say with Calvin, “Whatever may come my way, I’m going to be ready for it! Bring it on!”

Well…I don’t think we need to wear a suit like Calvin, but we can have a PEACE in our lives that’s even better. John 14:27…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Did you catch the phrase that says “Not as the world gives.” The world promises peace through the rule of law. Law and order are the only way for a society and a people to experience earthly peace…and oddly enough, law and order must be kept by the aggressive use of force. That is the only way that the world can bring about peace. (which by the way, since Cain and Abel earthly peace has never existed)

But here is how Jesus will give you peace. You ask Him for it! You trust in Him as your Lord and Savior. His peace will make its home in your heart. The world’s peace is peace through strength. The Lord’s peace is peace through surrender to Him and His unconditional Love and strength.

We have all been asked: “if you could have any wish what would it be?” I think the most common answer given is world peace.

World peace would be great, but God offers a peace that is beyond understanding! What’s that all about?

God, His Word, and angels often (over 300 times) said “peace be with you”. When people face the toughest circumstances…God says, “Peace be with you!”

God’s Peace is a Spiritual Peace! Rom 5:1-2…Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Our peace with God is a product of our relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit producing fruit in us. It’s a peace that lives deep in our hearts as we trust God with our life and our circumstances.

God’s Peace is an emotional Peace! Col 3:15-17… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful……HOW DO YOU DO THAT….. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. We have talked about fruit being a result of deep roots. Are your roots deeply into God’s Word and prayer? Go back and re-read this verse a few times.

God’s Peace is a relational Peace! Rom 12:17-18…..Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. It’s hard to have peace when there is relational conflict in our lives. Who do you need to make peace with? We can mend broken relationships by taking on the character of Christ. To see past the indiscretions, and see the person that God created and forgives.

So… Ask yourself…What is robbing you of peace. Is it health, family issues, finances, guilt, grief…? I suggest you turn it over to the Lord…ask Him for His peace that is beyond our human understanding.

We have all been walking through this pandemic over the last few months. It is very real and has caused many issues including, loneliness, depression, financial issues, relationship battles, and many more situations that can threaten to rob us of peace. I saw an illustration (ironically from long ago) about a different condition that spreads from God to and through contact. It speaks about a very powerful condition spreading in epidemic proportions. The condition originates by faith in Jesus as Savior…it is called “God’s Peace“. Here are some signs and symptoms of God’s Peace:

+ An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

+ A loss of interest in judging other people.

+ A loss of interest in conflict.

+ A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a powerful symptom.)

+ Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

+ Contented feelings of connectedness with God and with others.

+ Frequent attacks of smiling.

+ An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others…as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

There is a painting titled “Peace.” It depicts waves crashing against the jagged rocks. It portrays the violence of a crushing storm. It seems anything but peaceful. But down in a small corner of the painting, tucked away in the rocks, is a little bird sitting on her nest totally oblivious to the raging storm. That is peace!

Picture a massive hurricane raging over the ocean. On the surface of the sea the violent winds whip the water into giant waves and create a scene of havoc and chaos. Yet, a mere twenty-five feet below the surface, the waters are clear and calm. The fish there go on living their lives totally unaware of the thunderous tumult just above them. When there is “depth,” there is peace.

I encourage you to re-read the above verses. Get deep into God’s Word! Ask Him to give you HIS PEACE…on good days and when the storms of life are all around you. Ask Him to hold an umbrella over you during every financial, relational, physical, spiritual, emotional storm you encounter.

As we work our way through the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. I pray that God will produce PEACE in you…as well as through you to others seeking His Peace. Who do you know that is in the midst of chaos? Who needs you to share the peace the God offers?

For the last few days we have been looking at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We have been focusing on Galatians 5:22…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. The fact that God loves us anyway! “Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I would like to take each of these characteristics one per day. Yesterday we looked at LOVE.

Today, I want us to look at JOY.

In the year 1806, a well-dressed man in his twenties visited a doctor who was renowned throughout London for being able to treat what nowadays we’d call depression, but back then was called melancholia. The patient explained that he felt overcome by a terrible sadness, that he didn’t want to get up in the morning. He could not see any point in his existence. “With your condition I would normally prescribe a course of my patent powders,” said the doctor, “but it so happens that I have recently come across something which will alleviate your condition much more quickly .“You must,” he continued, “go to the Covent Garden theatre to see the pantomime, Harlequin and Mother Goose. This is the happiest thing I have ever seen performed on a stage, tears of laugher ran down my face. Why, sir, I can almost guarantee that watching Grimaldi the clown will cure you completely!”…..“Ah, but doctor,” said the man sadly, “I am Grimaldi the clown.”

Have you ever felt like that man? Sad…hopeless…depressed…your situation has sucked the joy and happiness out of your life?

Or conversely, maybe today you might say….I am happy because things are going my way…It’s sunny out, I won the lottery, I am going on vacation soon. I act happy…talk happy…look happy…and maybe even smell happy!

But then tomorrow you find yourself back saying, I’m sad because things don’t go my way…I lost my job…my sports team lost…it always rains on my parade.

Happy and sad are dependent on our situation. It’s like riding a roller coaster of emotions, up one day and down the next. By the way God wired us with those emotions.

And yet, JOY is different…it’s an inside job. The Holy Spirit working in and through you. We have JOY on good days and the not so good days. Why is that? Because God Loves you! Our Hope is in Him. Romans 5:1-5… Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You can be full of JOY knowing that God is with you…working good in every situation.

You may say…I have a lot of issues stealing my JOY!

And yet, Paul who wrote these words was falsely imprisoned, flogged, shipwrecked, endangered, hungry, thirsty, (read about it in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Those were awful situations (just like you may be facing) and yet he was filled with the same JOY that God wants to give you…the JOY of knowing that God is with you and Loves you, and has a plan for your life here and into eternity.

Joy is based on who we know (Jesus as your Lord and Savior)! My favorite section of God’s Word is…Phil 4:4-7……Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Did you notice that it says “always”? Not just when things go your way! Our JOY is a condition of our heart…How do we get that JOY?…. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  JOY IS OUR ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

So…now what?

• Don’t be anxious! Be concerned about issues you face. Do what you can and then leave the rest to God. Worry will rob you of your JOY and never fixes the problem anyway.
• By prayer and petition. Talk to God, listen to Him respond to your concerns. Let Him give you action steps. Find your Hope in Him. The more time you spend with God…the more JOY you will have in your life!!!!
• With Thanksgiving…Being thankful changes everything! Count your blessings. If you lost a job…be thankful you had one in the first place. If you lost a friend…be thankful that you had a friend. No matter how dark life seems, be thankful for your many blessings and for your loving Lord and Savior. Count you blessings!
• What does all of that give you….JOY…and God’s Peace! We will look at Peace tomorrow.

I hope that you had an awesome Memorial Day weekend….That you worshiped with us…that you took time to reflect on those that gave their lives for our country…and that you focused on the Love of Jesus who gave His life for your salvation.

On Friday I had us take a look at the FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. We looked at: Galatians 5:22-25…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

We’re not speaking of spiritual apples, grapes, pears, or peaches here. We’re talking about what’s going on in the orchard of your life. We acknowledged that we are all sinful and fall short…. And celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway!

“Christian character” follows faith and is produced by the Holy Spirit…not by merely trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces faith and Christian virtues. If the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. I would like to take each of these characteristics one per day.

The first that we will look at is LOVE!

Here is a test for you…which phrase seems out of place?

• I love pepperoni/double cheese pizza.
• I love to watch basketball games.
• I love walking beside a creek.
• I love my wife of 47 years.

I assume you would see my point. We use the same word for loving pizza and loving a spouse?

We romanticize the word love with song lyrics like… “All you need is love”, “love makes the world go around” and even “love stinks”. Can that be what God means when He says He loves you?

The Greek (New testament) language has many words that further describe love.

• Storge…natural affection like a mom’s love.
• Eros…A physical/ sexual love
• Philia…An emotional / friendship love.
• Agape…Unconditional…God’s Love.

Let’s look at God’s (unconditional) Love.

A new lawyer came to town. New town…new office…No clients. When he saw that someone was coming to his office, he immediately picked up the phone and said, “I’m flying to New York in the Timmons case. It looks like a biggie. And bring Paul in from New Jersey on the Pettus case. Gotta go now, someone just walked in”. With that he hung up the phone, turned to the man, and said “now, how may I help you?” The man replied, “I’m here to hook up your phone!”

The good news is that you do not have to impress God…He loves you with all your short comings!

• God loves you! We sin and disobey God…and what does He do to us in return? He loves us!
• John 3:16…For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• I know that you have heard that verse 100 times…but stop and focus on what it says!
• God Loves YOU! So much that He died in YOUR place (YOUR wage of sin is death). Forgiveness and eternal life are YOURS simply by faith.
• He loves YOU in spite of YOU! It’s a free gift from God to YOU personally!
• As a matter of fact…He has to love you because it is who He is! 1 John 4:16…God is love. What a short and yet so powerful verse.

So…God loves you…now what? In response to His love we are called to love others. And the Holy Spirit wants to produce LOVE in us.

• 1 John 4:19-21…..We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Look at it this way: God loves you…which produces the fruit that we are looking at (Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.) And the Holy Spirit fills us with love for God and love for those we interact with. When we strengthen the vertical (with God) relationship…then the horizontal (with others) relationship will follow! Want to be more loving, spend more time with God. His Love will wear off on you!!!!

So what about these verses on love? John 15:13-17…Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other.

Yesterday, on Memorial Day…We focused on unconditional love. Men and women who gave the ultimate act of love by giving their life…for you. For families that have suffered the loss of loved ones who served their country.

It also points back to Jesus giving the ultimate act of love on the cross! He willingly died so you will have eternal life.

So if God is Love and we are to be Christlike….The Holy Spirit produces fruit including Love for us to share with others. Jesus was asked of all the commandments which is the most important? Mark 12:30-31…….Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

So…I challenge you to focus on a few things:

• Thank the Lord for loving YOU in spite of your sinfulness!
• Thank the Lord for those who gave their lives for your freedom to worship the Lord!
• Devote time every day to prayer and study of God’s Word.
• Reflect and assess on how the Fruit of Love is growing on the tree of your life?
• Do people see God’s Love shining through your words and actions?
• Who can you reach out to today? Perhaps a relationship that has gotten tense recently…too much time isolated together. Perhaps someone lonely, depressed, and isolated in their home. Perhaps someone having financial issues due to the coronavirus world we are living in. Perhaps a neighbor that would love a wave, call, act of kindness.

On this Memorial Day I want us to focus on a verse. John 15:13-17…Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. We will dig deep into the fruit known as LOVE tomorrow, but 2 applications of this verse are appropriate for us on this Memorial Day:

• We live in a great country with countless freedoms…including the freedom of religion. That freedom came at a great cost! Today, take some time to reflect on those who in love “laid down their lives” for you. Ask yourself, who/what do you love that you would lay down your life for?
• We have a Loving God who sent His Son Jesus to “lay down His life” for you. The most incredible part of this is Romans 5:8…But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! Now that’s unconditional love! Take time today to thank the Lord for His unconditional Love for you. Who do you need to show that kind of love to?