04/19/2025
The Fruit of the Spirit
Love - A feeling; A practice; A give and take; A Commitment – A growing together.
Joy - A deeper emotion than happiness that comes from within – From a sense of purpose and meaning, including finding meaning in suffering.
Peace – The absence of war or chaos.
Longsuffering – Showing patience in spite of trouble, especially those caused by others.
*Patience is endurance in the midst of difficult circumstances – Longsuffering is an attitude or frame of mind that is gained during those difficult times.
Gentleness – Tender; Mild-Mannered; Being considerate in our interactions with others. Treating them with compassion; respect; understanding and patience.
Goodness – Qualities of character. Holy; Pure and Righteousness.
Faith – To Trust; To have complete confidence; Loyalty.
*Loyalty – The quality of keeping a Promise.
Meekness – Quiet; Gentle; Not willing to argue or express in a forceful way; Not easily provoked. *Humility (humble) refers to an attitude towards oneself – a restraining of one’s own power to allow room for others (God). Meekness refers to treatment of others.
Temperance – Quality of moderation; Self-restraint; Moderation in actions, thoughts and feelings. Emotional Restraint
*Proverbs 25:28 – He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
**Acts 24:24-27
Paul could have pled his case of innocence before Felix but instead Paul allowed God to use him for His Glory. Even Jesus, when He went before Pilate…. Witnessed not complained!
Whether your Faith is ever fully understood – may your actions never be disputed! For we know our reward for living faithfully is not found in the acknowledgement of acceptance of people, BUT rather in God’s promise to restore us in the final day!
*2 Timothy 4:8 – Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Dispute – To question the truth or rightness of; Call into question; Quarrel or complain
*Ecclesiastes 7:4 – The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of a fool is in the house of mirth.”
Meaningful Life - Learning to put God at the center of your life; accepting your lot in life and trusting in God through it all!
Suffering develops the Fruit of the Spirit. Suffering doesn’t have to be a punishment. It wasn’t designed to last always – Joy comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)
Book of Job – This was not a punishment this was a Praise unto God! God knew what Job was made up despite what happened! God knew even in the moments of weakness; Job would stand! God knew when he would get buckled kneed; He would still remain faithful!
We hear from God in the beginning and we start on our journey. Then that middle of the journey comes and it will have us questioning everything we thought we heard! Just keep going because the end is worth the journey!!
John questioned Jesus being him while sitting in prison. Matthew 11:2-11
You see in closing:
Our Suffering is the fertilizer used to cultivate and produce the Fruit of the Spirit!!
Krista Bibb
11/13/2024
