It seems strange that in an age when we can reach the moon, bounce signals off far planets, and receive pictures from whirling satellites we have some much difficulty communicating tenderness to those around us. We live in a very aggressive society, Last week the news talked about an older man who jumped on the hood of a car in an act of road rage. The car then sped off down the interstate with the man holding onto the hood for dear life. They were eventually stopped when some of the cars around them forced the car off the road (both people were arrested. We see the movement to stop bullying in our schools, and the constant “me” attitude that permeates our culture. How do we fight the temptation to get caught up in the teachings and practices of our culture? That is where the Fruit of the Spirit comes in, His ministry is characterized by our ability to show kindness to those around us. The gentle heart will weep over the sins of the bad as well as the sacrifices of the good. If a believer lacks tenderness and gentleness, they will be unable to demonstrate the difference that … READ MORE

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