December 2021 Week 3
Friday
Lesson Objective: To understand how we must integrate the Fruit of The Spirit into our daily life. Today special emphasis is on self-control.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
There was a comedian named Flip Wilson who had a famous line “The devil made me do it”. While it was funny, it was far from the truth. We most often do things because we want to. We may find excuses to explain away our actions but in reality, we do things because we choose to do them. We must learn to harness our actions that are non-biblical and to develop actions that are more consistent with the Christian lifestyle. In summary, it takes time for fruit to grow.. seeds, weeding and cultivating. Also pruning. What keeps the fruit from growing… weeds Galatians 5:26.
Thought for the day: Remember we are always in control of our actions.
Thursday
Lesson Objective: To understand how we must integrate the Fruit of The Spirit into our daily life. Today special emphasis on faithfulness and gentleness.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
More often than not, we discuss faith as having faith in someone else and demonstrating that faith with our actions. However just as important is being faithful which means that someone can truly trust you and have full faith in you. We discuss having faith in God but the question is also can God have faith in us. The story of Job is one where Job demonstrated faith in God but let’s not forget that initially, God demonstrated faith in Job by telling the Devil to try Job. So how faithful are we and how much faith can God and others have in us. At all times we must be gentle and meek in all of our interactions with others. This is shown by how we talk and act even in disagreements. Always letting go of our ego in the process.
Thought for the day: If you say you are going to do something then do it and keep your word.
Wednesday
Lesson Objective: To understand how we must intergrate the Fruit of The Spirit into our daily life. Today special emphasis on kindness and goodness
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
There are very few things in life that cost nothing and can result In huge benefits. Kindness and goodness are a sample of things that cost nothing but they are quite beneficial in life for it is said that one can get further in life oftentimes with kindness than with money. A simple smile and warm hello are much appreciated by most people. Saying thank you or please lets people know much about you and who you represent. h
Thought for the day: I challenge you to show kindness by greeting folks with a smile and see what happens. I guarantee that you will feel happy.
Tuesday
Lesson Objective: To understand how we must integrate the Fruit of The Spirit into our daily life. Today special emphasis on peace and forbearance.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
Peace is one thing that we all long for as we live in a world that is constantly in an uproar with people fighting all over the world. Peace is learning to be calm even when it is a storm. Storms will come but we learn how to remain calm and know that God is in control. Part of this lesson is not just learning how to get through a storm but learning how to dance in the storm. Being at peace is driven by having patience and being long-suffering. Too often we try to make everything like a microwave. While a microwave may be great for warming things us, it cannot take the place of cooking something in the oven that can be juicier and smells so good. As we know patience is required of us all and is a virtue. We must be willing to wait on God and allow fruit in his season.
Thought for the day: Cooking something at a high temperature so that it cooks quicker oftentimes leads to being burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.
Monday
Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson Objective: To understand how we must integrate the Fruit of The Spirit into our daily life. Today the special emphasis is on love and joy.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
It is interesting that love is the first one noted in this scripture. If one had to pick a central theme for the New Testament, it may be love. The great commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the importance that Christ gives to the word love. This importance is also demonstrated by the question asked by Christ of Peter. “Do you love me”? This love is shown by how we treat each other. The second is Joy. Joy can only come from love. Joy is a result of having love in our lives. Joy is not based on circumstances but comes from within. As the song says “ I have the joy down in my heart”. .
Thought for the day: Make sure that everyone around you can see the love and joy as you walk around today.