Good morning, beloved friends, I live on a long dusty dirt road. Our neighbors have cows, horses, and goats. The goats are so precious and often are escape artists. I would say that more than one time a week a goat gets stuck in the fence. So, when that happens, we call the owners of the goats for a goat rescue. Yesterday, a goat was out on the road, and one was caught in the fence, so, we were glad we traveled the dusty road to be able to assist the animals. What do you do on a daily basis that helps others?
Teaching
Beloved, have you ever tried to memorize these verses in Galatians 5: 22-23? I have often tried and many of you may have memorized the verse with the word long-suffering as the word patience. Let’s take a look at it.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. NKJV.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! NLT
There are many methods of studying the Bible, and one such way that I participate is called S.O.A.P.
- S–Scripture- write out the scripture
- O–Observation–what do you observe, what does a different translation say.
- A–Application–how does this apply to our lives
- P–Prayer–write the verse as a prayer to God.
A non-profit organization Love God Greatly . They are an amazing organization of sharing God’s word through Bible studies using this method. For a donation each month, I get the studies.
Currently, we are doing, “Where He Leads I Will Follow, a study that has blessed me.
The reason I shared this is I feel strongly about writing God’s word. As you know, I write my prayers, I try to write God’s word daily. And what prompts me to do this–The Holy Spirit.
In Chapter 6 of Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, The Holy Spirit You May Not Know, he writes about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He shared a concept of this verse that I had not seen before.
When we accept Jesus as our savior, we receive love, joy, and peace. This allows us to accept the love of God, give love to others, and share the love of God. The joy we have is given by the Holy Spirit, the joy of the Lord is My Strength. Then the peace we have is a God given gift.
Dr. David Jeremiah stated that God speaks to us through His Word. He warns us too not to procrastinate, claim God’s peace.
Then he explains that the next three items, long-suffering, kindness, and goodness is for our relationships with other people. Long-suffering is another word for patience, and the words kindness and goodness are self-explanatory. Often times, the old saying if you don’t have something kind to say, just don’t say anything at all applies. Perhaps, capture the thought and change it before the words escape your mouth. How can you pay goodness forward?
Lastly, the last three are for personal growth. Faithfulness, meekness and self-control are our gifts from the Holy Spirit.
As I think about applying this verse, I now have a new appreciation for the work of the Holy Spirit. What area do you need to grow?
Dusty Road
On the way home tonight, a baby goat was on the road, a mama goat’s head was stuck in the fence. It gives us the opportunity to be a good neighbor. My husband would love to be the one to rescue the goat, but he has been banned from doing this as the last time, he took a fall.
Conclusion
What are you studying? What scripture are you writing? Perhaps, follow Love God Greatly. Many of you have purchased the book of Dr. David Jeremiah, have you started reading it.
Beloved, we are loved with an ever lasting love.
Father God, thank you for the Holy Spirit and the love, joy, and peace that we receive. You are all knowing, all loving, and all caring. Please help us demonstrate patience, kindness, and goodness. Faithfulness, Meekness and Self-control, may we grow in ways that please you. In Jesus’s name, amen.
