Monday, November 8 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 “What do you prefer . . . discipline and scolding, or . . . quiet love and gentleness?” In this passage, Paul speaks of his relationship with the Corinthian Christians as that of a father with his children. To the majority he gives a warm fatherly directive… Read more about Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
The Spirit Richly Provides
Monday, November 1 1 Corinthians 12:18-21 “God has put each part just where he wants it” Body parts are interdependent, not independent of each other. The New Testament does not affirm individual or “lone-ranger” Christians who are not attached to some local Christian fellowship. That is not to say it is impossible to be… Read more about The Spirit Richly Provides
The Spirit Gives Every Member Their Part
Monday, October 25 Ephesians 4:14-16 “As each part does its work, it helps the other parts grow” Paul wants his readers to become mature through the use of spiritual gifts so that they will not be carried away by wrong teaching. Immaturity is described as being “tossed back and forth” and “blown here and… Read more about The Spirit Gives Every Member Their Part
Diversity of the Spirit’s Gifts
Monday, October 18 Ephesians 4:7-13 “Christ is the one who gave gifts to the church” Every Christian shares in Christ’s gifts given to his body, the church, by the Spirit. No one is without a gift; thus no one can be considered useless or negligible in the life of the church. One church puts… Read more about Diversity of the Spirit’s Gifts
Our Unity through the Spirit
Monday, October 11 Ephesians 4:3-6 “We are one” We, who by faith accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, are united in the Spirit and called to live a life worthy of being in Christ. The signs that we are living such a life are humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace. When these are… Read more about Our Unity through the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
Monday, October 4 Lamentations 3:22-26 “Great is your faithfulness” Three wonderful qualities of God are given in these verses. First is God’s hesed which is often translated “great love” or “unfailing love.” The term in Hebrew also carries the meaning of kindness and loyalty, springing from the character of the one who acts.… Read more about Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Monday, September 27 Matthew 19:16-26 “Only God is good” The encounter of the rich young man with Jesus appears in three of the gospels (our passage, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:23). Addressing Jesus with a title of respect (“teacher”) that acknowledges the help he can receive from Jesus’ learning and mastery of Scripture,… Read more about Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Monday, September 20 Hosea 11:1-4 “I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love” Hosea portrays two contrasting images: God the loving Father and Israel the stubborn, unrepentant son. When Israel was young and in need of tender care and guidance, God loved his people by delivering them out of Egypt.… Read more about Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness