Category Archives: Fruit of the Spirit

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 29, 2014

Posted under

Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Worry

The Peace of God is Promised

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. [Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)]

When Paul told the Philippians to be sure to present their requests to God in prayer, it’s important to note that he never said they would get exactly what they’d requested. What they would get, he told them, was the peace of God.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. [Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 20, 2014

Posted under

Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Trusting God

HOW SAFE ARE OUR HOMES?

If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert. [Psalm 127:1 (GW)]

A Naples, Florida, real estate ad recently touted a house with a 35-camera security system “set up so if you travel or leave your kids with a sitter, you would have peace of mind.” Another exclusive neighborhood brags about their 24-hour private security patrols and surveillance cameras. One home in that neighborhood is notable for having doors that can withstand the force of a rocket propelled grenade. Do these people truly have security and peace of mind? What does it take for us to feel safe in our homes?

Gated communities, security patrols, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, bullet proof glass and fortified doors can’t protect anyone from Alzheimer’s, addiction, floods, heart-break, cancer, depression, the loss of a child or spouse, financial ruin, or our own death. These things will happen to believers and non-believers alike. The Book of Job makes that abundantly clear. Those who have faith, however, will be sustained through their difficulties. Only in God do we find a true guarantee of security and peace.

My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. [Isaiah 32:18 (GW)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

November 19, 2013

Posted under

Fruit of the Spirit, Obedience, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

Let There Be Peace

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [Colossians 3:15 (NLT)]

The only way to let peace truly rule our hearts is to surrender to God and allow him to rule our lives. It is His presence in our lives that will give us peace in the midst of turmoil, sorrow, or stress.

Oh Lord, let your Holy Spirit rule my life so that your heavenly peace rules my heart. Only then will I, indeed, be thankful in all circumstances.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

October 31, 2013

Posted under

Fruit of the Spirit, God's Plan, Spiritual Gifts, Trusting God

So We Can Bear Fruit

2013-10-31Then Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father takes care of the vineyard. He removes every one of my branches that doesn’t produce fruit. He also prunes every branch that does produce fruit to make it produce more fruit. [John 15:1-2 (GW)]

Pruning is good for plants: it encourages new growth; removes damaged, dead or diseased branches; shapes the plant; and encourages it to blossom and bear fruit. I’m not sure the plant appreciates it when the gardener snips off its branches. An author doesn’t enjoy it when an editor removes words or whole passages from his work. If a piece of wood could speak, it would probably complain as it is sanded; yet the carpenter sands it to remove the rough edges. Pruning, editing, and sanding are all done to make the final product better.

God prunes us by removing those things from our lives that hinder our growth and we rarely enjoy this pruning process. Like a good gardener, however, God shapes us so that we, too, will bear fruit, the fruit of the spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. [John 15:16 (GW)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

June 2, 2013

Posted under

Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit

MAY WE BE FRUITFUL

2013-6-2I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. [John 15:5 (ERV)]

O Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can blossom and flourish and live the abundant life you have planned for me.