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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: KINDNESS

And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome… - Acts 28:2   REFERENCE Acts 27:41-28:2   Kindness is being considerate, tender, or warmhearted towards others. A kind person has a gentle nature, is always ready to help others, and occupies himself with finding ways to bring happiness to others. Doesn’t that sound like Jesus? As a kid, we sang in Sunday school about Jesus: “Everywhere He went, He was doing good….” He was tender, warm, ready to do a favor, and was about alleviating the burdens of others. His kindness was...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PATIENCE

Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. - I Peter 2:23   REFERENCE I Peter 2:19-23   Webster's dictionary says Patience is "To be able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people." It can be arduous since such an expression of Patience contradicts (our fallen) human nature. We often beat traffic lights, are unwilling to stay in queues, become harsh and impatient with a slow motorist with the 'L' sign...
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PEACE

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” – Mark4:39   REFERENCE: Mark 4:35-41   Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]….” (AMP). Peace is another fruit of the Spirit that believers are to manifest; “To this peace indeed you were called….”   This peace comes from intimacy...
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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: JOY

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23   REFERENCE: Galatians 5:22-26   Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit reflects spiritual maturity in our Christian walk; it shows a life yielded to and led by the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, just as a fruit derives from the roots. Showing the fruit of the Spirit is the hallmark of true believers; it should be our Christian goal. We will study the fruit of...
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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: LOVE

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23   REFERENCE: Galatians 5:22-25   Still, on the Holy Spirit, we will spend the coming days getting acquainted with the fruit of the Holy Spirit – the virtues the presence of the Holy Spirit in us will produce. The objective is that our lives will manifest every one of them. We will begin today with love. ‘Love’ means different things to different people. However, the love described in our text is ‘Agape’ in Greek. It...
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THE SPIRIT ON A ROD

"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding…" ~ Isaiah 11:1-2   REFERENCE: Isaiah 11:1-5   Prophet Isaiah earlier prophesied about a Son that would 'be given,' upon whose shoulders the government shall rest and whose name shall be Wonderful, Counselor... He was referring to the offspring of Jesse, Jesus Christ. This prophecy hinted at a dark period in Israel's future when the tree of David's royal line would be cut down. Jesus would...
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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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THE SIGNAL IS FOR CHANGE

“When birth pangs signaled it was time to be born, Ephraim was too stupid to come out of the womb. When the passage into life opened up, he didn’t show.” ~ Hosea 13:13 (MSG)   REFERENCE: Hosea 13:12-13 (AMPC)   This imagery is quite disheartening; Ephraim sinned against God, and He brought the tribe into distress and trouble – intense sorrows like the pangs of a woman about to give birth. The plan was that the distress would signal the need for repentance to Ephraim and that a new nation would be born. However, Ephraim did not see that but remained...
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