Faith to Faith – Romans 1:17

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” Romans 1:17 (NET)

The gospel tells of God’s “good news”; everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is saved and gets a new life. Faith starts with belief in Jesus Christ, realizing He died for our sins; He is our Lord and Saviour.
Faith spurs spiritual growth and transformation. The righteous will live by faith, an ongoing process of growing spiritually and learning to trust God. It is a continual journey that shapes our thoughts, priorities, and actions. From faith to faith, we grow spiritually, learning to trust God by having faith in His promises and righteousness – by starting in faith and ending in faith.

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Romans 1:17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace while we were still sinners. Help us grow in spirit and faith. Guide us, transform us to be more Christ-like. Like a rose blooms from bud to flower, let us grow from faith to faith. Amen

Pray in the Spirit – Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. -Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus, in prior verses, urging them to take up the full armor of God to stand firm against evil. This verse stresses prayer is important in spiritual battles. Prayer is our way of communicating with God and connects us to the power of God.

Praying in the Spirit is praying in the power and as directed by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to pray in a way that is contrary to the Word of God.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

Prayer is not just for our needs and issues; it is also important to keep praying with all kinds of prayers and requests for God’s people.

Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We must be alert, pray often with perseverance, and pray without ceasing.

God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

-Ephesians 6:18 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, teach us to stand firm against evil. Guide us to put on your full armor of protection, stand strong in faith, and pray in the Spirit. Help us to pray often and with perseverance. Like the flowers on the rhododendron, gather together; let us gather together in love, praying for one another. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Paul is explaining behaviors that Christians should have in their lives when they let the Holy Spirit lead them. These behaviors or attributes reflect Christ. Nine characteristics make up the fruit of the Spirit. They are not separate fruits but one indivisible spiritual fruit.

These nine traits or behaviors are found in a child of God and display the nature of Christ.

To live by the fruit of the Spirit believers, have power and compassion to lead with love, and serve others with patience, kindness, and goodness. Spiritual joy gives strength and rejoicing during difficult circumstances. Peace is inner tranquility, freedom from anxiety found through faith. Self-control is not being easily provoked but being patient, forgiving, and forbearing. Gentleness is being kind, tender, and caring for one another. Faithfulness to others is being reliable, dependable, and honorable to others. These spirit-filled attributes make up the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the fruit of the Spirit, being motivated by love will lead us to care, kindness, goodness, forbearance, self-control, and gentleness, in service to others.

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and love. Help us to follow Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit. Let us be Spirit-lead and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Like the geranium grows and flowers in the light, let us grow in faith and spread Your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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All Things – John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. – John 3:35 (ESV)

God (the Father) has an eternal extravagant love for His Son, Jesus. Jesus was born of Mary but came as a divine messenger from heaven. He is a teacher, healer, and miracle worker. He is our Saviour; He died for our sins.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved and have eternal life. Jesus is God; the Trinity is composed of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. A person must accept Jesus for salvation; He is the one and only way to heaven and to God the Father.

God the Father has given and entrusted all things into Jesus’ hands. He has the full authority of the Father over all things.

34-36 “The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that”. John 3:34-36 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and grace. For You so loved us that You gave us Your only Son, Jesus. We are saved and blessed for He died for our sins, and we realize You have placed all things in His hand. Like the camellia flowers glow and shine against winter skies, let us glow with love and shine with Your light. Amen

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