Filled With The Fruit #7: Faithfulness

Filled With the Fruit # 7: Faithfulness

 

Read:

Galatians 5:22

Revelation 2:10 (NKJ) “Do not Fear any of those things which you are about to suffer; Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJ) “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

Reflect:

1. Name the most faithful person(Besides Jesus), you can think of and what made that person come to your mind?
2. What does the world think of being faithful?
3. What does God say about being faithful?

 

Remember:

Each fruit of God’s Holy Spirit allows us to live in freedom from our old way of life, under bondage to sin and death. As we are continually filled with the fruits, we can live with a newness of life in Him for all eternity. As we surrender to Him, we are filled with love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness… (Galatians 5:22).

Our flesh does not understand faithfulness; only selfishness. Even when giving of yourself is encouraged in this world, it is with the expectation of getting something from this earthly life in return; money, popularity, a feeling of self-worth. Being faithful in relationships, especially marriages today, is a joke. We live in a do what feels good for the time society. The only way to understand faithfulness is to look to the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus Christ, who for the Joy before Him, stayed faithful to the end. His joy was the result of His relationship with His Father, the almighty God. On our behalves, He remained immovable and unshakable even to the point of death on a cross.

He stays faithful, not dependant on whom we are, but dependant on who He is. Only when we are complete in Him and have surrendered to His goodness can we be truly faithful. If it were a choice between saving my own life, resulting in less earthly suffering, or giving it all up for His glory, would I stay faithful? His love is a love worth dying for, but it’s also a love worth living for…even while suffering. As we are filled with His faithfulness, we can shine brightly for His glory knowing a relationship that is immovable and unshakable.

 

Filled with the Fruit #6: Goodness

Filled With the Fruit #6: Goodness

 Read:

Galatians 5:22(NKJV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, against such there is no law.”

Matthew 19:16-26(NKJV) “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal Life?”

So He said to him, “why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When His disciples heard it, they were astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 Reflect:

1. What do you think it means to be good

2. Would you say that other people see you as a good person, and if so, why?

3. If those same people could see what you are doing, saying, and thinking when they are not looking, would they still think you are good (perfect)?

Remember:

The perfect love of God poured out through His only Son, Jesus Christ, makes a way for us to be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. When we accept His free gift of love and Salvation and enter into a relationship with Him we are filled with His Holy Spirit. The love we know gives us joy and peace everlasting. These fruits make us secure and give us patience through life’s trials, which enables us to put our own wants and needs to the side so we have time to show genuine concern and kindness to others. Kindness cultivates in us the very goodness of God by teaching us to become more Christ-like in all we do.

Any goodness we have is not our own. “No one is good but One, that is God” (Matthew 19: 17). There you have it, from the mouth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not arguing that He was not God and therefore not good. On the contrary, Jesus was pointing out to the man the meaning of the truth he had just proclaimed when he called Jesus “Good Teacher.” God is perfect and is therefore the only One who is good. Christ suffered and became sin that we might become His righteousness (His goodness). The deeper we grow in our relationship with Jesus and understand His truths the more we understand that to bear the fruit of goodness we must surrender our lives, dreams, desires and take up our cross to follow Him. Being filled with the fruit of goodness is becoming more Christ-like, not just in what we do in front of others, but what holds us in the very core of our souls that only God can see. What is God asking you to leave behind to be filled with goodness as you follow Him. His love is worth it.

Filled Wtih the Fruit #5: Kindness

Filled With the Fruit #5: Kindness

 

Read:

-         Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, against such there is no law.”

-         1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

 

Reflect:

1. When was one time when someone was truly kind to you and how did it make you feel?
2. Does being kind come natural to you or do you have to work at it?
3. What does God’s word say being kind really means?

 

Remember:

So far the fruits of the Spirit begin with Christ’s perfect love that fills our hearts with joy, peace, and longsuffering. These characteristics make up who we are as followers of Christ. They shape our countenance which is shown to others around us in the form of kindness. We can love others like Christ when we are sure of God’s hand on our lives and His purpose in it. We don’t have to worry about cumbersome circumstances surrounding us. We can take the extra time to listen to the Holy Spirit inside us softly whisper His desires for us. It is only when we see through His eyes and hear through His ears that we can be truly kind to others. Being kind isn’t doing what I would do to be nice to someone; it is putting my natural instincts to the side and doing what Jesus would do to be nice to someone. Jesus never went somewhere out of selfish ambition or in a hurried upset. He was about His Father’s business, which meant loving others and putting them before Himself, even to the point of death on the cross. Jesus was truly kind to all He came in contact with and we are called to do the same. This selfless, loving, kindness works to perfect the next fruit, and allows us to shine the light of God’s goodness to the world.

Filled with the Fruit #4:Longsuffering (Patience)

Read:

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

James 1:2-4 “My bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 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.”

 

Reflect:

1. Are you a patient person?
2. What is one thing that makes you loose patience easily?
3. What is an area of your life that God might be using to teach you patience?

 

Remember:

When we are filled with the redeeming love of Christ we have joy that is not controlled by outward circumstances. That joy gives us a peace that passes all understanding. Our hope is secure in the unfailing promises of God. Once we know the peace of surrendering to God’s sovereign purposes for our lives we can be filled with longsuffering. Longsuffering or patience is a dying away of the anxieties brought on by life’s trials. Uncertainty in the future causes us to feel anxious and loose our patience. God’s Spirit inside us works opposite the restless feelings. The fire of nerves within us can only be quenched with the living water of God’s good and perfect plan for us…we have to surrender. With God in control there is nothing to be anxious about and patience works to create in us a heart like His. Longsuffering is exactly what it says, times in our lives when it seems our suffering will never end. It’s those trials that push us to a point when we have to look up and realize that God’s purposes are worth the suffering. Then we can rest in His peace and have the patience to get us through.

Filled With The Fruit #3 Peace

Filled With the Fruit: Peace

 Read:

-         Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, against such there is no law.”

-         Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”

-         Romans 8:28- 39 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who have been called according to His purpose…. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 Reflect:

1. When you think of the word peace what comes to your mind?
2. Would you describe your life and personality as being peaceful? Why or why not?
3. How does the Bible say we can have a peace that passes all understanding?

 Remember:

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ we are to be filled with the fruits of His Spirit starting with unconditional love. That love secures in us an overflowing well-spring of joy that is not determined by our circumstances. Having the joy of the Lord brings us constant peace in that He bridged the gap our sin created between us and God and we live free from condemnation. Our security does not rest on us or the world around us but on the perfect poured out and broken body of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

As it says in Ephesians 2:14, “For He Himself is our Peace…” Our peace as Christians does not come and go with the hectic ups and downs in our lives. We can have a sound peace of mind in what God has already done for us on the cross. Even if we can’t see how everything will work out for good in the end, we can trust with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6) in God who can see and gave His only Son so that we might live. Come what may, the one thing we can be sure of is that “nothing will separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). The good news of Jesus Christ is a love that will conquer all, a truth that supplies endless joy, and a security that provides peace to pass all understanding. Be filled with the fruits of the Spirit as you go and live all for the glory of Him who first loved us.

Filled With the Fruit Series #2: Joy

Filled With the Fruit: Joy

 Read:

- Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness,  self-control, against such there is no law.”

- Hebrews 12:2 “looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the thrown of God.”

- James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

 

Reflect:

1. What is your definition of joy?
2. When was a time when you were joyful?
3. How can you have joy in the midst of pain and suffering?

 

Remember:

I sing a song with my children that says, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay.” Is it possible to truly live what we sing? The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:22 that we are to be filled with joy, even when we suffer trials (James 1:2-3). Having the joy of the Lord is not an emotional state of happiness, but it should show in our lives and attitudes. Once we are filled with the first fruit, the love of Christ, we can see a small part of the glory of God. The truth of how much God loves us fills us with joy. It is not a wavering emotion that is tossed and turned with our circumstances. It is an anchored, solid rock of faith in our God, who is unchanging and who is perfect love. Jesus endured the cross because He saw the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). That joy was the glory of His Father, God. We too can count it all joy when we see and know His love for us. It’s a love worth dying for, but don’t give up so easily. It’s also a love worth living with joy for. Joy is what comes when our finite minds grasp a small glimpse of God’s infinite wisdom, His love. To live with joy just keep your eyes off of your circumstances and on God who promises to work all things out for your good (Romans 8:28).

Filled With the Fruit Series Devotion #1: Love

Filled With the Fruit: Love
*The next several devotions will be themed on the fruits of the Spirit.
Read: Galatians 5
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.

Reflect:
1. What is your definition of true love?
2. When is one time that stands out when someone showed love to you?
3. How do you show love to others?

Remember: In this human life there is an obvious governing law of right and wrong. We are trapped by the law because we all are sinners and fall short. Even when we try to do the right thing, in ourselves there is an ultimate selfish gain that drives us endlessly. The world has a distorted view of what love is. It is destined to fail. As it builds on human frailty, feelings, and expectations it is also bound by the law that can never be lived up to in our own strength.
Hope abounds! John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.” With a perfect, selfless act of true love God gave us freedom from the law through His Son Jesus Christ. Christ conquered the law on our behalf. He has given the gift of redemption and freedom to all who would accept it through a relationship with Him.
The love God offers is very different and may even seem foolish to the world around us. It is a choice before a feeling, a give before a take, a gentleness before a rage, a steadfastness before a fleeting passion. It is a love that we can have and share with others through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. We are no longer under the despair of the law (Romans 3:19-26). We are free to be filled with the Spirit beginning with the very love Christ poured out on Calvary. His unconditional, unfailing love sets the foundation for all the other fruits of the Spirit. In order to know and be filled with joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, and self-control we must first be emptied our limited love and transformed by the perfect, limitless love of Christ.

All Things to All People

All Things to All People

Read: 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23
1 Corinthians 9: 22 “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

Reflect:
1. What is one way you have had to change your lifestyle to connect with the culture around you?
2. When have you faced a circumstance in your life when you felt like no one understood what you were going through?
3. What is one way you can use your testimony, what you have gone through in the past, to sympathize with someone else going through a hard time and pray for them? How can your connection through life’s struggles make a way for you to share the hope of Jesus Christ with them?

Remember: The apostle Paul isn’t talking here about compromising any truth in the word of God. He is explaining how he fully surrendered his presuppositions and became willing to experience life from all perspectives in order to share the hope of Jesus Christ with any who would listen. Paul shared in others culture, strengths, weaknesses, and most of all sufferings to be able to connect with them and share the truth of salvation.
Our testimony is so much more than a story to keep to ourselves. What we go through in life is a bridge God will use to open a channel of salvation to others who are without hope. Each trial we go through breaks down our prejudices. It opens our hearts to realizing that we are all nothing without Him, no matter what our culture or background. He died for us all and anything we go through in this life that allows us to share Jesus Christ with others is a blessing greater than we deserve. Embrace your struggles and let Him be strong in your weaknesses.

Forever Forgiven

Forever Forgiven

Read:

- Psalms 103: 10-12 (NLT)

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

- Colossians 3: 12-15

- John 11

 

Reflect:

1.  What is something in your past that you have done and you think it is unforgivable?

 

2.  Is there something that you have done that you haven’t forgiven yourself for?

 

3.  Is there anything you are holding against someone in your past who has hurt you? What step can you take to forgive them and let go of the bitterness you have toward them?

 

Remember:

Martha gave up hope in Jesus’ healing power when her brother, Lazarus, died. Even after Jesus told her to have faith and roll away the stone she made excuses for why it was too late. Jesus groaned to Himself in frustration and then told her to just believe and see the glory and power of God. She rolled away the stone and saw God’s glory when Jesus called to Lazerus and death was turned to life.

God is the Judge, not us. The verdict is in and we all guilty as charged. We have been sentenced to an eternity of torment separated from God. We can do nothing to pardon ourselves but there is a free gift of forever forgiveness from Jesus Christ. He came to earth as all God yet all man and lived a perfect life to die on our behalf and pay our debt in full. All we have to do is believe and accept His gift of total pardon. Then we can live life guilt free and let go of all the anger, resentment, and condemnation we hold against ourselves and others. The price has already been paid. Now the ball is in our court to believe and roll away the stone to see the miracle of life that God can give.

A Step of Faith

Read: Hebrews 11:1, 12:1-2

 

Reflect:

1. What is faith?

 

2. How does faith play a role in our everyday lives?

 

3. What race are you running in life? What is your goal and final destination?

 

Remember:

Faith is where it all begins. We cannot have true joy in life until we trust that God, our Author and Finisher, will work things out for good even if we can’t see it at the time. The moment we give up control is the moment we are ready to run the race. The Author of Hebrews was talking to a group of people who understood clearly what it meant to run a race. They knew that to run the race fast and free they had to take off all that burdened them and held them down. What is holding you down? Is it the control that you are holding onto, to make life what you want it to be? Is it some other sin your so caught up in that it’s disrupting your communion with God. Without a right relationship with Him it is impossible to see the next step to take in the road He has planned for you. Some of the steps we must endure when we are tired and worn down. Jesus endured the cross because He saw the joy that was set before Him and now He sits at the right hand of the thrown of God. The joy before Him didn’t mean he was hurrying through life to finish the race and get to Heaven again. It was the joy He had in His relationship with His Father, God, throughout His life… before He came down to earth, while he was here even as He suffered, and now that He is once again at His father’s side. Eternal life with our Savior and Lord, because of our Savior and Lord is the Joy that is set before us now. Run the race with faith in His plan and look toward Him with each step you take. Live the Joy now that He has given you for all eternity.