During the snow storm a couple weeks ago, I was traveling back from Lima, and when I was almost home, I got behind a car that was traveling less than 20 MPH. I had to remind myself that they needed to be safe on the roads, but was struggling at times with the temptation to be frustrated, as I in my 4-wheel drive knew that I could travel a bit faster than they were. Then in the midst of this struggle, I remembered the message that I had planned for Sunday, from Galatians 5:22-23, and the three-fold characteristics for an other’s focus: Patience being the first of that triad. That reminded me that I needed to pray and ask the Lord to give me the ability to drive behind this vehicle recognizing they needed to be safe. Patience is often closely related to testings or trials in the Bible. We may be patient in ordinary life, but how do we react when trials come? trials force us to draw more and more upon the source of all strength, producing more of this characteristic is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is the regular exercise of patience … READ MORE

Moving back to the Fruit of he Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, we saw how that the first three characteristics: Love, Joy, and peace was a development of our upward focus toward God. The second triad of characteristics focus on our outward focus toward others. These three characteristics: longsuffering, kindness, and goodness, help us as we engage the people that God brings into our paths. One of the things that makes us different as believers is that we recognize the value of those around us. No matter who they are and what they do, we recognize that they have the same right to life that we do. They are often different, and at times they come across in hurtful ways, but our response to them must never be a reaction based on our emotions or feeling, but rather a response that is built in by our walk in the Spirit (seen in Galatians 5). We must realize that our response is not “natural” but supernatural, and therefore, we must not assume that others will respond as we do, but their response must never dictate how we interact with those around us. These characteristics grow out of our heartfelt desire to … READ MORE

Only the Holy Sprit can give us peace on the midst of the storms of restlessness and despair. When we yield to worry, we deny our guide the right to lead us in confidence and peace. One of the key characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit is Peace: Peace with God, and peace in our circumstances. Peace is rest in the face of difficulties. Isaiah 26:3 says “You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, rather it is the deep, abiding comfort only the Holy Spirit can bring to our hearts, by understanding God’s sovereign control in our lives. We must understand that we can not have the peace OF God if we do not first of all have peace WITH God! Because of the death and resurrection of Christ the war has been won, and the possibility of peace has come. The Penalty for sin was satisfied and the debt we owe can be cancelled! Though people continue to seek peace, they will never find it until they come to the simple realization that “Christ is peace”. Paul gives … READ MORE