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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Abba, Father – Galatians 4:6

4But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)

God sent his only Son to earth to redeem us. Belief in Christ frees us from slavery to sin and the law. His death on the cross allows believers to receive the Spirit of adoption, becoming children of God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 (AMP)

God sends the Spirit to live in us, his adopted children. The Spirit of His Son moves into our hearts, guiding and helping us communicate with God in prayer, praise, and calling out, “Abba, Father”! God is our Abba, Father; we are not slaves but children of God and heirs.

4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Galatians 4:4-7 (MSG)

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Prayer: God, we thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, who died on the cross for our salvation. As we celebrate His birth, let us realize He set us free from sin, allowing us to be adopted by You and call You Abba, Father. Like the blooms of the Chrysanthemum grow and blossom every fall, let us grow in faith and blossom with love. Amen

Path of Peace: Luke 1:79

78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)

These verses are part of Zechariah’s Song, his joyful song of praise and prophecy after the birth of his son. The previous verses, 76, and 77, are about his son, John the Baptist.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, – Luke 1:76-77

Due to God’s compassion and tender mercy toward us, He sent the rising sun from Heaven. The rising sun; His son, the Messiah, came to earth. To save those living in the darkness, of sin and wickedness, living in the shadow of death. Jesus came, bringing light – directing, reviving light of spiritual comfort and salvation.

Jesus came to save us, transform our lives, direct and guide our feet on the path of peace.

Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
    God’s Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
    those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
    down the path of peace. Luke 1:78-79 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your compassion and tender mercy toward us. Thank you for loving us and giving us Your son Jesus. Let us follow Him and have Him guide us on the path of peace. Like a rose blossoms and grows in the sun, let us blossom with love and follow Jesus, the Rising Sun. Amen

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Reverence and Awe – Hebrews 12:28

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28 -29 (ESV)

The kingdom that cannot be shaken is God’s eternal kingdom. God’s kingdom is given to us when we believe in Jesus. We need to place our hope and trust in His kingdom, not worldly things. This requires us to let go of the things of this world that impede us and fix our eyes on Jesus.

God loves us, forgives us, and guides us. We, in turn, need to show gratitude and reverence and be thankful for all God has done for us. Worship Him with reverence and awe, opening our hearts and lives to Him. Praising God by lifting our voices in gratitude and thanksgiving while living in a way that pleases and glorifies Him.

Verse 29 explains God’s wrath is on those who defy him; he is a consuming fire. His fire burns away impurities, refines, and purifies until all is clean.

28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! Hebrews 12:28-29 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your many blessings. We are grateful for Your grace and for sharing Your unshakable kingdom. We praise and worship You with reverence and awe. Teach us to store our treasures in heaven rather than in earthly things. Like the beautiful hollyhock flowers are open wide to the sun, let us open our hearts to You and follow Your son, Jesus. Amen

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Faithful Stewards – 1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Spiritual gifts are given to every believer by the Holy Spirit. We receive these gifts through the grace of God. Spiritual gifts are special talents and abilities.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

1Corinthians 12: 9-28 and Romans 12:6-8 list the many spiritual gifts. A few of them are discernment, wisdom, knowledge, teaching, serving, evangelism, and mercy. As faithful stewards of God’s grace, we should use our gifts to serve others. We are delivering God’s words when we teach, serve, and speak words of encouragement. By wisely serving and helping others, we are fulfilling God’s will and glorifying His name.

10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:10-11 (NET)

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Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us spiritual gifts. Help us to be faithful stewards and use your gifts to serve others. May we glorify you through Jesus Christ in all we do. Like the clematis blooms are gathered together, let us gather together, sharing our gifts and helping each other. For Yours is the power and glory forever and ever. Amen

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Direct My Footsteps: Psalm 119:133-135

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 (NIV)

Psalm 119 is a prayer. In verse 133, the psalmist asks God to order his steps to make them firm, not halting. Let our steps follow God’s word, guide us, lead us, and teach us to walk righteously. Help us to live a life free from evil and sin, to live a life aligned with You.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. – Psalm 119:134 (NIV)

Verse 134 asks for deliverance from the dealings of wicked people. God, free us from temptation and oppression; let justice and righteousness prevail. We pray for Your divine assistance, guidance, and strength to follow You, Lord, in joyful obedience.

Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:135 (NIV)

Verse 135 is a plea for God’s approval and blessing. Let Your face shine upon me, comfort me, and illuminate the darkness around me with Your light. Direct my footsteps, Lord, teach me Your decrees, and help me grow in spirit and truth. Direct my footsteps to follow and obey Your laws and statutes.

Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live. Psalm 119: 133-135 (MSG)

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Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, direct our footsteps and guide us on Your path for us. Deliver us from evil, free us from temptation, and protect us from wicked people. Let Your face shine on us and help us grow in spirit and truth. Like the Bellflower, blossoms follow the light, direct our footsteps to obey your laws, and follow Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Unseen yet Eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Paul refuses to let persecution and suffering for his faith make him lose heart, for his eyes were fixed on the great hope of Jesus Christ. Temporary suffering will pass, leading us to eternal glory – a glory, much greater than our current difficulties.

How do we go forward through times of trouble and not lose heart? By fixing our eyes on future glory, keeping our gaze fixed on what is unseen, the glory of the spiritual world, which is eternal and will never end. By going forward in faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Having faith in the fulfillment of God’s promise that there is life beyond the grave. Focusing on what is unseen yet eternal – heaven’s glory.

16-18 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us and sending your Son to save us from our sins. Teach us not to lose heart during times of suffering and trouble. Help us grow in faith and not give up but instead fix our eyes on what is unseen but eternal. As the three vinca blossoms are gathered together, let us gather in faith, with thanksgiving for our triune God. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Come to the Light – John 3:21

But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do. John 3:21 (CEV)

To do what is true is to live by the truth, love the truth, and seek the truth. People who live by the truth and embrace what is true come to the light. The phrase, coming to the light, means following God’s truth and living a steadfast, honest, and conscientious life. Truth and light are closely related. The person who obeys God and seeks the truth by praying, reading scriptures, and following Jesus is transformed and comes to the light. In contrast, those who cling to evil hide from the light, Jesus’ light.

Light exposes falsehood and offers hope and eternal life. When we live by the truth, seek light, and follow Jesus, we are transformed; our actions are divinely approved, done in the sight of God.

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21 (NIV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to be transformed, and to come to the light. Guide us and teach us to seek the truth and live by Your truth. Let our actions be worthy and divinely approved. Like the Rudbeckia, bright flowers glow in the sunlight, let us shine brightly in the light of Jesus. Amen

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