In the Bible charity means love. Definition: In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
We have focused on the fruits of the Spirit, but without love it is all meaningless. The greatest is love. Love for God, family and others.
Today, let us do something special for the people we love. Then go further and do something special for a neighbor or stranger.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: Galatians 5:22&23
Temperance is Emotional Restraint or Self-Control. Do we ever get angry and loose self-control? We have a temper and it shows.
How do we conquer bad temper? Give it all to Jesus. He wants us to be in control over our emotions.
Is it sinful to be angry? Not necessarily. What is sinful is how we control that anger. If we find ourselves getting angry, it is better to walk away than to shout, yell or worse.
The old saying I’d count to ten before you react. Good advice. Today let us decide to control our temper and give it to the Lord.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: Galatians 5:22&23
Biblical meaning of meekness: Meekness is essentially an attitude or quality of heart whereby a person is willing to accept and submit without resistance to the will and desire of someone else.
What a great definition of meekness. God’s Word tells us to be willing to have an attitude of submission. That is preferring others before ourselves.
Most of all we must have a heart that is submission to God. Allow Him to change our attitude of being right to accepting another’s desire above our own.
(That does not mean we have to be submissive in an abusive situation. If you are in a relationship that you are suffering abuse, get out, pray that God will give you wisdom and show you where to go for help)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22
There is a saying that we hear quite often, “God is good all the time.” That is so true. Can others say that about you or me.
We tell our children, be good. We want them to behave, obey and choose to do the right thing.
How much more should we as Christians do good in our lives. All the time. We want the Lord to be pleased with us, as our children want us to be pleased with them.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22
In God’s Word we are told that we can have joy in every situation. The joy of the Lord is my strength. when we have trusted in Jesus as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He gives us joy.
Joy is listed as the second fruit of the spirit. If you are lacking joy, feel lonely, fearful or depressed, ask Jesus to help you return to the joy you can have by trusting in Him.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
You don’t have to go to church, it is a privilege to go to church to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Remember 2020 when we could not go? In some countries people still cannot go to church and worship freely. We are so blessed in America to be able to go to the church of our choice and worship wherever and whenever we want.
Are you not going because it is more comfortable to stay home? If you can get out, you are not sick, not taking care of someone who is ill or you are working, then you should go to church.
Sometimes we are in a place where we can not pray. We may be ill depressed or discouraged. Maybe we are in the middle of something that is sinful. God knows all of our problems and He is waiting for us to pray.
Be honest with God. He has the answer. Tell Him that you do not feel like praying and ask the Holy Spirit to pray for you. The Bible tells us that Jesus is making intercession for us. We can’t hide our thoughts from God.
But, thank Him for loving you and understanding. God wants our praise even when we are unable to pray.
Soon the time of prayer will return and our relationship with God will be even better.
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