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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: SELF CONTROL

We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. - James 3:2 (CEB)   REFERENCE James 3:1-10   Self-control is the virtue that restrains you from doing things you want to do but which are not in your best interest or that of others, e.g., eating an extra plate of unhealthy food despite the doctor’s caution. It is the power to self-regulate and adjust your responses to avoid undesirable behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals. It is the ability to...
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PARAKLETOS

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” ~ John 14:16   REFERENCE:  John 14:15-26   Jesus gives His valedictory speech to His disciples; the thought of Him dying left them morose, like a child who had just got separated from his parents. That prompted Jesus to tell them He would not leave them as orphans; although He would not be present, He would send them a Helper just like Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Greek for ‘Helper’ is Parakletos.  Parakletos describes the ministry of...
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BE A TRUE FRIEND

"Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel." ~ Proverbs 27:9   REFERENCE: Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:9   In concluding the devotion to fostering friendships, let us focus on being true friends to others. Just as we desire meaningful connections, we must extend the same love, support, and grace to those around us. Instead of wondering if people are good friends, be one; be to people what you would want them to be to you. Be a true friend. Today's verses show the ingredients for friendship; you will be considered a...
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FOSTERING FULFILLING FRIENDSHIPS

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” ~ Proverbs 18:24   REFERENCE: Proverbs 18:24   Some people cringe when they hear about friendship because friends have once hurt them, so they steer clear of it. However, God designed us for connection and community; so, friendships are vital in our lives. Friends have supported, helped, and given people leverage over the years. Friendship is a good thing, and you need good friends around you. Fostering fulfilling friendships is an asset you need on your life’s journey. To have friends,...
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REVIVAL: IGNITE THE FIRE WITHIN

"And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage." ~ Ezra 9:8   REFERENCE: Ezra 9:5-8   Ezra, the scribe and the leader of the Israelites, bemoaned the morally deplorable state they had plunged into. Having spent years in captivity amongst the Babylonians, Israel turned from God to the idols of Babylon. Ezra decided to fast for God to reclaim the...
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STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

"That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." ~ Philippians 1:10   REFERENCE: Philippians 1:9-11 As we begin a new week, let's talk about excellence and what it means to strive for it in all aspects of your life. The pursuit of excellence is not about achieving a specific goal or level of success. The journey requires patience, dedication, attention to detail, and faith. When you strive for excellence, you are constantly growing and improving yourself. You are pushing yourself to be better than you were yesterday,...
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WHEN SUCCESS LOOKS EASY

“Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.” ~ Luke 4:14   REFERENCE: Luke 4:1-15   Have you seen professionals at their game, work, or art? They make it look easy. Ronaldo and Messi make scoring goals in football look easy, Israel Adesanya makes mixed martial arts look easy, Lebron James makes playing basketball look easy, and several other musicians, authors, actors, preachers, scientists, etc., who excel in their vocation make success look easy. Some people seem born to be successful, make money, or excel in all...
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STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS

“Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ­~ II Corinthians 12:10   REFERENCE: II Corinthians 12:9-10   If you can’t find any weakness, ‘disability,’ disadvantage, or flaw in your life, then maybe you are not human; you are a robot, perhaps. We all have an area of our lives that we wish was better, stronger, more beautiful, or better developed. Some desire to be taller, others to look better, be more intelligent, or wish they had a better family background. However, life...
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IF YOUR HEART IS WISE

“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself.” ~ Proverb 23:15   REFERENCE: Proverbs 23:15-16   Our focus verse captures a father’s earnest desire for his son; he expresses the joy he would feel if his son became wise of heart. Why would this be important to the father? It is because wisdom is the principal thing. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 8:1, “There’s nothing better than being wise, knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes and gives gentleness to words and manners.” God, our Father, will rejoice if...
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BEHOLD THE LAMB

“…Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29b   REFERENCE: John 1:29-34 The Baptist’s statement, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” calls us to take a close look at Jesus and discover Him in His fulness as God’s answer to everything that plagues man and the hope he desires. John saw Him as a sacrificial lamb because of His mission to be our substitute at the executioner’s post, dying for our sins. Several prophets and saints beheld Him and spoke glowingly about Him. Today, behold...
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