God's Word on That

Tag: christianity

  • We Rely On God’s Faithfulness

    I will give thanks to Thy name, for Thou hast worked wonders, plans for men long ago with perfect faithfulness (Isaiah 25:1).

    But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

    The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

    I will not take My love from Him, nor will I ever betray My faithfulness [let My promise to him fail] (Psalm 89:33).

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection (Psalm 91:4).

    [Jesus] was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house…  Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future.  But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house.  And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. (Hebrews 3:2, 5-6)

    He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God… (Hebrews 2:17)

    Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

    Abraham… was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise (Hebrews 11:11).

    Your words are trustworthy, Lord, and You have promised (2 Samuel 7:28).

    Jesus Christ … is the faithful witness (Revelation 1:5).

    There before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful And True (Revelation 19:11). 

    A bruised reed He will not break; and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.  In faithfulness He will bring forth justice (Isaiah 42:3).

    Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist (Isaiah 11:5).

    Love and faithfulness meet together. Righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness [from Jesus] springs forth from the earth and righteousness [from the Father] looks down from heaven (Psalm 85:10-11).

    He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers (Revelation 17:14).

    The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness (1 Samuel 26:23).

    A faithful man will be richly blessed… (Proverbs 28:20)

    Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

    Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. (Matthew 24:45-46)

    His master replied: well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share in your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21, 23)

    So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19).

    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).

  • Study On Gentleness

    Gentleness is defined as the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered; it is softness of action or effect (as in “the gentleness of his touch”). What is the Bible definition of gentleness? The sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. In the Old Testament, gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isaiah 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth (Songs 7:9 ).

    Gentleness is the quality of being kind and careful. The noun gentleness is perfect for describing the way someone acts when they are soft and calm and sweet to other people.

    … See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation; gentle and riding on a donkey… (Matthew 21:5)

    Take My yolk upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).

    He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11).

    We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

    Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, godliness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).

    But you, O man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).

    Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near (Philippians 4:5).

    Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

    The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11).

    The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise Him (Psalm 22:26).

    But with righteousness He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:4).

    He has shown you, O man, what is good!  And what has the Lord required of you?  To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

    Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

    Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

    Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8).

    Your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, … is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4).

    Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently… (Galatians 6:1)

    A gentle answer turns away wrath… (Proverbs 15:1)

    But the Wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).

    Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone (Proverbs 25:15).  [Gentleness can do the impossible!]

  • God’s Kind of Self-Control

    God’s definition of self-control is to be strong in a thing, masterful and temperate; it involves temperance and discipline.

    Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding (Proverbs 23:23).

    He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored (Proverbs 13:18).

    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).

    He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17).

    For these commands are a lamp, this teaching a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23).

    A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (Proverbs 15:5).

    Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).

    When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so we will not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

    And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.  Because the Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as sons.”  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and every one undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children.  And not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respect them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Heavenly Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11).

    Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline… (Revelation 3:19)

    Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you (Psalm 32:9).

    Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so became a laughing-stock to their enemies (Exodus 32:25).

    They turned their backs to Me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again they would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 30:33).  

    Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 17:23).

  • Study On Self-Control

    God made us to have control, but the devil perverts this in us so we think we are to control others and all things.  God wants us to only worry about controlling ourselves.  Our spirit should control our body.  Satan has no material body and wants to use ours for his wickedness.  Therefore we must give our spirit total control.  Satan is an extremist – God is not.  Satan offers pleasures but they always come with a price.  User your spirit to renew your mind, then use your mind to control your body. 

    We develop discipline by being faithful in small things and gradually moving on to bigger things.  Be patient; discipline takes time.

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

    When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.  What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? (Romans 6:20-21)

    For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. (Romans 7:5)

    The mind of sinful man is death.  But the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace…  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you… (Romans 8:6, 8-9)

    … Let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled…  Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love… (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8)

    The proverbs of Solomon… [are good] for attaining wisdom and discipline, for understanding words of insight, for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair. (Proverbs 1:1-3)

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)

    He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:23)

    A wise son heeds his father’s instruction… (Proverbs 13:1)

    Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. (Proverbs 25:28)

    Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit but godliness is profitable for all things… (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last.  But we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

    That each of you should control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable. (1 Thessalonians 4:4)

    … Then come together again so Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5)

    But the man who has settled the matter in his own  mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will and who has made up his mind… this man also does the right thing. (1 Corinthians 7:37)

    Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

    The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so you can pray. (1 Peter 4:7)

    For this reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

    For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)

    Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:13)

  • God’s Vineyard Remains

    It is very difficult to read this list of fruits in GALATIANS 5:22-23 and not see all the ways we fall short.  But before you start beating yourself up, try to look at this list from the point of view of the One who gave up His life out of love for you.  To do this, imagine your heart is an orchard full of many kinds of fruit trees, and picture yourself walking through this orchard, with Jesus.  As you walk together, you notice Jesus looks happier and happier – and that makes you nervous.  How can He not see the scraggly bushes that stick out like sour thumbs – moments when pride or moodiness overtook you?  What about that time when you said the wrong thing and ended up hurting your neighbor’s feelings?  Surely He can see that event, ugly as a tall weed!

    But then He stops and tells you how much He is enjoying the walk.  He starts pointing out all the fruit He is seeing on the trees – fruit you never really noticed.  He sees the way you held your tongue when you wanted to lash out at a co-worker.  He sees the way you went out of your way to help a friend and the way you serve your family.  As you see this orchard through His eyes, you are amazed at how much fruit there really is.  Yes, He sees the occasional weed or bad specimen of fruit, but He doesn’t look too worried.  “This doesn’t bother Me too much,” He tells you.  “I love you, and I’ve been helping you to grow all this fruit for so many years.  I haven’t stopped working in your orchard and I see all the different ways you are welcoming Me.  With the power of My Cross, with the grace of My indwelling Spirit; it’s only a matter of time before the good fruit overtakes the weeds.  Now just imagine how much more fruit you would bear if you spent just a little more time with Me every day!”

    In days and generations to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and send forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit [of the knowledge of the true God]. (Isaiah 27:6)

    Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. (Isaiah 37:31)

    And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. (2 Kings 19:30)

    For the palace shall be forsaken… until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is valued as a forest. (Isaiah 2:14-15)

    May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful… (Genesis 28:3)

    … Your fruitfulness comes from Me. (Hosea 14:8)

    Peace, peace to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near, says the Lord; I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise]. (Isaiah 57:19)

    The earth is satisfied and abounds with the fruit of His works (Psalm 104:13).

    My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and My increase than choice silver (Proverbs 8:19).

    Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

    Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor… (Psalm 128:1-2)

    Already the reaper is getting his wages [he who does the cutting now has his reward], for he is gathering fruit unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together. (John 4:36)

  • Good Fruit or Bad Fruit?

    Make a tree good and its fruit will be good; or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad.  For a tree is recognized by its fruit (Matthew 12:33).

    For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decaying (worthless, sickly) tree bear good fruit.  For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit… (Luke 6:43-44)

    You will fully recognize them by their fruits.  Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.  A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit (worthy of admiration).  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.  Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16-20)

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life] (Proverbs 18:21).

    A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil] (Proverbs 18:20).

    From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him [as a harvest] (Proverbs 12:14).

    Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his Master shall be honored (Proverbs 27:18).

    [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits [one of the first to receive a share of the crops] (2 Timothy 2:6).

    But you have planted wickedness.  You have reaped evil.  You have eaten the fruit of deception because you have depended on your own strength… (Hosea 10:13)

    Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord… they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes (Proverbs 1:29, 31).

    You have planted them and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit.  You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts (Jeremiah 12:2).

    Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing evil upon this people, the fruit of their thoughts (their schemes and devices) because they have not listened and obeyed My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19).

    The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit (Matthew 21:43).

    I, the Lord, search the mind; I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).

    And I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the Lord… (Jeremiah 21:14)

    Great [are You] in counsel and mighty in deeds, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to reward or repay each one according to the fruits of his doings (Jeremiah 32:19).

    Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]…  Already the ax is lying at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:8, 10).

    Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance…  Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees, so that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire (Luke 3:8-9).

    A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard.  And he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this tree and haven’t found any.  Cut it down!  Why should it use up the soil?”  “Sir,” the man replied, “Leave it for one more year and I will dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine.  If not, then cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9)

    The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fruitage] (Proverbs 12:12).

    Discipline… yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness – in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God] (Hebrews 12:11).

  • The Way of Fruitfulness

    You cannot operate in the Gifts of the Spirit before you first operate in the Fruits of the Spirit.  Fruits are for the good of all the Church.  Everything God created was created to give forth fruit.

    Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them, on the earth”; and it was so.  And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind and trees bearing fruit, with seed in them, after their kind, and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)

    And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:22, 28)

    Likewise, my brothers, you have undergone death as to the law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that now you may belong to Another – to Him who was raised from the dead – in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)

    Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain, it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone.  But if it dies, it produces many other seeds and yields a rich harvest (John 12:24).

    And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit – some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much (Mark 4:20).

    As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:23).

    But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).

    And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (Psalm 1:3)

    The (uncompromisingly) righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].  Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.  [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [trust, love, and contentment]. (Psalm 92:12-14)

    Say to the righteous it shall be well with them, for they shall enjoy the fruit of their deeds (Isaiah 3:10).

  • A Study on Fruits

    Every child of God has the same identity in Christ Jesus and opportunity to grow.  When our identity is firmly established and we have matured to the point where the fruit of the Spirit is evident, we will feel fulfilled when we use our gifts and talents to edify others.  God has not distributed gifts and talents equally and for that reason alone we can be assured that our sense of worth isn’t based on what we do.  God has known us from the foundation of the world.  He has entrusted us with certain life endowments.  He will certainly lead us in a way that makes use of those gifts and talents.  It is our responsibility to take advantage of every opportunity as it arises.

    The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then … full of mercy and good fruit (James 3:17-18).

    You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit… fruit that will last (John 15:16).

    This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples (John 15:8).

    I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.  However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:5).

    He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so it will be more fruitful…  You cannot bear fruit unless you remain in Me (John 15:2, 4).

    Now [God] who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity] (2 Corinthians 9:10).

    May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11)

    And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord, and may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10).

    Through Him therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name (Hebrews 13:15).

    The fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).  Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (Galatians 5:22-23)

    For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.  And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].  Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness… (Ephesians 5:9-11)

  • Fruits of the Spirit

    The Fruits of the Spirit should be our main concern:

    • Love – affection, unconditional concern, benevolence
    • Joy – cheerfulness in all situations
    • Peace – worry-less-ness, quietness with confidence
    • Patience – not with things as to endure, but with people as interruptions; for handling interruptions is life
    • Kindness – attitude, disposition, tenderness
    • Goodness – not attitude but energized nature towards good works and godly deeds
    • Faithfulness – trust, fidelity, assurance, belief, loyalty
    • Gentleness – responsibility with power, inward grace
    • Self-control – wall of protection to reduce vulnerability

    Because all the Fruits of the Spirit are God’s by nature.  Since we are of God’s nature, these fruits belong to each one of us all the time.

    What would you accept in trade for the fruit of the Spirit?  What material possession, or amount of money, or position on the ladder of success would you exchange for Love, Joy, Peace, or any of them? 

    How can you know if you are being led by the Spirit?  If you respond to any situation by exercising any one of these gifts, then you are following the Spirit’s lead.  Walking by the Spirit is a moment-by-moment / day-by-day experience.  If you are trying to keep up a front of Christian Perfection in order to encourage saints and win sinners – forget it!  That will never happen.  But when you openly admit and ask for forgiveness for fleshly choices, you model the kind of spiritual growth which will touch both saints and sinners alike.

     How do we walk by the Spirit?  If I answered by giving a rigid formula, you would be back under another law.  Walking by the Spirit is a relationship issue, not a legal issue or a ritualistic exercise.  Relationships are more important to God than achievements.  After all, Jesus declared the two greatest commandments are to love God and people.  We can actually stand our ground on moral issues without violate Spirit fruits!  If you cannot do something with love and self-control, maybe it is better left undone.  Don’t lose control over the only person you can control!

    The following sections contain God’s words on the various fruits of the Spirit.  Where applicable, I used the Amplified Bible version of the verse to clarify some of the wordage used in hopes that it would help in the study.  In other places, the Amplified seemed to muddy the waters instead, so I used a simplified version in those instances.  And I tried to place the verses in an orderly fashion, after praying for wisdom of course.  Now I pray that these verses and choices and sections provide some comfort and peace and, if possible, zeal for those reading them.  May our God bless you on your journey to understand His Word and His ways.

  • Encouragement For The Seeker

    In approaching God, the seeker discovers that the Divine Being dwells in obscurity, hidden behind a cloud of unknowing. Nevertheless, he should not be discouraged but set his will with a naked intent unto God. This cloud is between the seeker and God so that [the seeker] may never “see” God clearly by the light of understanding nor feel Him in the emotions. But by the mercy of God faith can break through into His Presence, if the seeker but believe the Word and press on. (John M. Watkins)

    Let us keep seeking to come closer to our God.

    That God can be known by the soul in tender personal experience while remaining infinitely aloof from the curious eyes of reason constitutes a paradox best described by Fredrick W. Faber: “Darkness to the intellect but sunshine to the heart.” (A. W. Tozer)

    When coming to know God, reason must stand at the door while the heart ventures forth.

    “You feel unsafe; you’re frightened and fear limits the joy you experience in your life. What are you afraid of? Pain? Rejection? Being killed? Did you know that I am at peace always? Did you know My Spirit — the same Spirit that is in Me — is in you? I have built a wall of protection around you so that the invisible dragons of the night will not harm you. I save you from the dangers of the daytime. I am for you. Who can be against you? But you worry because of past experiences. I care for you. Every hair on your head is numbered!” (Christ Jesus)

    God is for us, who can be against us? God is for us, we are not alone! God is for us we are for each other — Alleluia! God is for us! (Billy Crocket)

    Throughout the expanse of creation, God has hidden things for us to discover, to enjoy, and with which to perceive the nature of our Creator. No one can understand all the ways of God. However, by studying the Bible and His creation, we can serve Him and find fulfillment in our work.

    Our God is a God who not merely restores, but takes up our mistakes and follies into His plans for us and brings good out of them! This is part of the wonder of His gracious sovereignty… This is God’s promise. This is how good He is! No matter what you feel, God is always good. Today, don’t make excuses for yourself. Turn from a focus of how bad things are to how good God is. Let today mark a new direction in your life.

    O Light of the Word, help me to stay so close in touch with You that I will be able to accurately reflect Your Brightness.