Fruit of the Spirit



But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23).

So many believers think of the fruit of the spirit as little more than a passive list of pleasant qualities that can help improve their personalities. But they're far greater than that! They're pure spiritual power.

Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails. Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit. Temperance is so powerful it can master all the unruly desires of your flesh.

The fruit of the spirit are not weak; they're strong. So strong all the demons of hell can't stop them. So strong that if you'll let them flow out of you, they'll correct the problems in your life.

They'll keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They'll keep you on your feet when governments fail and when the storms of life come.

We are living in dangerous days. There's only one way you can make it through in victory. You must begin to release those powerful fruit of the spirit God has placed inside you. Believe me, if you're born again, they are there. Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-10

GOD FEAR 3





Fearing God is "the conscious awareness that God is watching everything and evaluating everything I think, say and do." God sees all. He knows all. He's evaluating all.

Now that does one of two things in your heart right now. That either strikes incredible confidence: Yes, Lord I'm a clean vessel. Thank You Lord that You, by Your grace, are making me whole. That You, by Your grace, are making me Christlike.

Or it makes you feel very uncomfortable-guilty. You might be able to fool others, but you can't snow God. He knows what your attitude is, deep down inside you.

Have you ever noticed how people begin to obey the law when they spot a policeman driving down the freeway? Speed demons suddenly lose their heavy feet and spend a few miles driving at the speed limit-until the policeman is no longer in sight.

God is much bigger and has more authority than any policeman with a radar gun. He knows exactly what you're thinking right now, and whether Christianity for you is just a spare tire or an iron lung. He knows what your real values and attitudes are.

On one hand, God's divine authority and presence in my life is a terrifying thing. But it is also liberating. We are created, after all, for this moment-by-moment relationship with God. When you have a clean conscience, you are able to enjoy His love and freedom.

Remember, you're never alone. God is watching and waiting to spend time with you. Practice His presence moment by moment in your life.

GOD FEAR 2




Jeremiah 32:38-40 And they shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.

Here we see that God wants to do us good, and promises He will not turn away from us. But He also does not want us to turn away from Him. Let's look at a few reasons why:

First, the fear of God is the fountain of life for the believer. Proverbs 22:4 says the fear of God, along with humility, leads us to wealth and honor and life. And Psalm 111:10 says that it gives us skill in life and provides wisdom. A healthy respect and fear of God is the key to life.

Second, the fear of God builds faithfulness in the believer. That passage in Jeremiah tells me that the fear of God has been riveted into our souls by the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful. The true test of a man or woman is not what you do when everyone is looking. The real test of a man or woman is what you would do if you knew no one would find out.

Fearing God means I practice His presence in my life daily-nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. I can't hide in the darkness and sin. I can't sneak away from His all-seeing eyes or omnipotent mind. And, yes, that does keep me faithful.

GOD FEAR 1


The fear of God is reverential awe and respect for Him. It is a heart-felt conviction that He is not only loving and personal, but holy and just.

Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death" (NIV).

Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of divine punishment, of incurring divine wrath. I look at the headlines in our newspapers today and lament that our nation has lost its fear of God and divine punishment.

The fear of God is the foundation for developing a godly character. I believe the leadership crisis we are facing today in America is really a crisis of character. There never has been a time in our history when we had perfect leaders. But the difference today is that many "leaders" deny there is anyone to whom they are accountable.

The result: Arrogance, being above the law and outright deceit all mark many of our political, civic and spiritual leaders. All of this is because men no longer fear God, and they are convinced they can get away with most anything. If we aren't accountable for our lives to God then why be accountable to our fellow man for our actions today?

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.