June 29, 2007
“Sweet, Sweet Summertime!”
Part 2
Today’s truth
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Friend to Friend
Hey girlfriend! Yesterday we began to take an expository look at the fruits of the Spirit. We looked at scriptures concerning love, joy, peace, and patience. Today we are journeying to see what God’s Word says about the other five: kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Did you try to memorize all nine? Stop for a moment to review them in your heart.
Remember, just as fruit from the earth benefits our physical bodies and contributes to our overall wellness, the fruits of the Spirit enrich our overall spiritual health and strength!
Let’s look together at what the Bible has to say about the final five fruits.
KINDNESS
2 Peter 1:5-7 “For this very 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.”
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Proverbs 14:21 “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”
GOODNESS
Ephesians 5:8-10 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Romans 15:13-14 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Minister to the Gentiles, I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”
FAITHFULNESS
Proverbs 3:3 “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.”
Proverbs 20:28 “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.”
3 John 1:3 “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.”
Joshua 24:14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”
GENTLENESS
Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
1 Peter 3:15-16 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
SELF-CONTROL
Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
As we endure scalding summer days and enjoy sweet summer treats, let’s be sure to embrace the fruits of the Spirit. We need to be intentional about this. God bids us each to come to Him for help.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thanks for Your Word that teaches me how to live. I am desperate for your help today. Please help me to live out your kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help me to be set apart from the world as I live by your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now it’s Your Turn
Memorize the fruits of the Spirit – be able to list all nine!!
Can you think of someone who could use a little kindness today? How about a little goodness and gentleness?
Are you struggling with self-control? If so, in what areas of your life? God can help!! Go to Him right now…He’s waiting for you.
More from the girls
C’mon GiGs! We need more healthy summer recipes! Email me with your favorite, healthy summer recipe. I will select my three favorites and post them on my myspace blog next week for everyone to see. Oh, this is so much fun! I love doing life with you! Gwen
For fun music to play at your next barbecue, order Gwen’s CD – Show Me The Way.
Originally published Friday, 29 June 2007.
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