In the previous post, I mentioned that unkindness has power. We humans can wield unkindness as a weapon to benefit us. And we often do. Yet, in the process of being unkind, we leave a trail a bodies. What is the antidote to unkindness? As we continue our study through the Fruit of the Spirit,Continue reading “The antidote to unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 2”
Monthly Archives: May 2022
The surprising efficacy of unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 1
My wife recently shared a prayer request in a group text, and one person texted back, “No praying!” Then a few seconds later the person wrote, “This phone has been killing me lately with autocorrect…that was supposed to be ‘NOW praying’.” How many of you have had text messages auto-correct to something crazy? Something unsavory?Continue reading “The surprising efficacy of unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 1”
The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview
“Just be kind!” I can’t tell you how many times those three words have been uttered inside my house. The reason why we have said those words so often over the years is because people in my house are not treating each other with kindness. Usually this bad behavior is the outflow of sibling rivalryContinue reading “The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview”
Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5
As we walk in step with the Spirit, we will have the Spirit’s empowerment to live patiently. That means we will be patient with others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul writes, “[W]e urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Wait, Paul…everyone? What Paul isContinue reading “Forgiveness as necessary for patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 5”
Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4
In Colossians 1:11 Paul writes a prayer that includes an important teaching about how to become more patient. Paul prayed that the people would be “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” Now that’s interesting. Thankfulness andContinue reading “Growing patience through thankfulness – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 4”
How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3
What does growing patience look like? In Proverbs 19:11 we read that “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Patience is rooted in wisdom. Proverbs are illustrations of what is a wise course of action almost all the time. There will be exceptions to the rule whenContinue reading “How to grow patience – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 3”
Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2
Remember the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine? In that culture of honor and shame, running out of wine would have been a significant embarrassment for the father of the bride. So Jesus’ mom, Mary, goes to him, asking what seems to be a totally innocent observation, “They have no more wine.” But hersContinue reading “Jesus’ patience with his mom – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 2”
Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1
I recently started using my phone to pay at the store. At the checkout, all you have to do is double tap on your phone’s fingerprint sensor, hold the phone up to the credit card reader, wait a second for the lights to flash green, and you’re done. The receipt comes flying out of theContinue reading “Better to be a late bloomer, than a flash in the pan – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Part 1”
The agony of waiting – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Preview
In December my daughter turned 16, and we went to the PennDOT Driver’s License Center at East Town Mall so she could take her permit test. We walked in the front door, and she received her number from the receptionist. At the far side of the large waiting room, we found seats near the bankContinue reading “The agony of waiting – Fruit of the Spirit: Patience, Preview”
How to grow peace in your life – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Part 5
This week we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert, who is a Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA. What I hope is that you will be able to walk away from these blog posts about peace and have peace; to be at peace with God. How do we do that? First, inContinue reading “How to grow peace in your life – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Part 5”
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