DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 22, 2021

The next fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is “patience.” The Greek word means “long-suffering.” Christians are slow to avenge a wrong. Christians are slow to react with anger when there is disagreement. Christians bear pain and suffering without complaining. Jesus is our example. Paul writes describing himself as the “worst of sinners” so that “Jesus might display His unlimited patience (see 1 Timothy 1:15-17). If Jesus showed endless patience to the worst of sinners, we can expect Him to be patient with us!

And we return the favor to others when we are walking in the Spirit. Paul encourages us to “be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We are also admonished to be patient as we wait for the Lord’s return (James 5:8-9). Many Christians report that they struggle with patience. Remember, we cannot work up patience by our own effort.  It is a fruit of the Spirit. As we live by faith with our hearts tuned into the heart of God, the Holy Spirit will work patience in us. Maybe we should not pray for patience. Instead, we should pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us. Patience will be the result.

Father, I do want to live my life in harmony with You. As I do, I know that the fruit of the Spirit will appear in my life. When impatience pops up in my life, it is a sure sign that I have drifted from You. Forgive me and draw me back into Your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.Jump to Toolbar

DAILY DEVOTION,  Oct. 20, 2021

The second fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 is joy. Joy is much deeper than happiness. Happiness depends on our life circumstances. If things are going well and we have enough money, good health. and our favorite team is winning,  we are happy. When we trust in Jesus, receive His forgiveness, and seek to follow Him, we feel joy even if our external circumstances are not good. The things Jesus said and did are intended to bring us joy (John 17:13). He promises to answer our prayers, and that will bring us joy (John 16:24). So why are so many Christians joyless? I suspect because they do not try to follow Him seriously. Joy is for the serious Christain. Those who flippantly profess faith in Jesus but make little effort to “trust AND obey” will not experience the joy of the Lord. Joy illudes those who are not striving to be faithful disciples.  Are you feeling joy deep down in your soul today? If not, I wonder why.

Father, I thank you that when I trust and obey, I feel such a sense of joy in my soul. But, when joy is absent in my heart, please help me to identify the problem. I don’t want to sacrifice joy for the transient happiness the world offers. In  Jesus’ holy name, I pray, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Oct. 19, 2021

Love is the first-named fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Because God is love, you cannot be in a relationship with God without manifesting love.  Love is the primary characteristic of a Christian. John says, “whoever does not love does not know God.” (See 1 John 4:7-12). God’s love has nothing to do with feelings. It is the decision to be committed to the well-being of others regardless of who they are,  friend or foe. Jesus instructed us to “remain in His love (John 15:9). Those who love Jesus love His commandments, His church, His death, and resurrection. In a word, Christians love everything about Jesus! He commands us to love each other (John 15:12), so we are always seeking to promote the well-being of others. As we practice this love for others, “God lives in us” (1 John 4:12).  Whenever we act in an unloving manner, we are pushing God away. So how are you doing?

Father, thank You for loving me. Help me to love others as You have loved me. Forgive me when I act in an unloving manner and guide me back into the right path. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Oct 18, 2021

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  (Romans 5:1-2).

To be justified is to be declared just.  How can we be declared just when we know that we have sinned? We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus, who brings us into a peaceful relationship with God. As believers in Jesus, we have access to God when we approach Him with faith in His Son. Wow! God considers me to be a just person because I have faith in Jesus. God allows me to draw near to Him because I have faith in Jesus. God brings peace into my heart because I trust in Jesus. God gives me hope for a grand future because I have faith in Jesus. I must be a wonderful person if God blesses me in this way. Wrong! I receive all these blessings because of what Jesus has done for me. He is the wonderful Person. Are you trusting in Jesus? A grand new life is waiting for you if you will trust Him.

Father, I am so very grateful for Jesus. I thank you with all my heart for sending Him into the world to justify me. I know I can never thank You adequately, but I do want to live my life in such a way to show how much I appreciate Jesus. May His name be honored and blessed forever, Amen.