This week we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert, who is a Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA. As I’ve been going through my studies, the one thing that I’ve really been enjoying is using the tools available to me to do word studies. Now, I do have a confession to make.Continue reading “What is Shalom? – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Part 1”
Tag Archives: fruit of the spirit
The “Gate” scandals and the problem of peace – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Preview
You know that image of US President Richard Nixon stepping off the presidential helicopter flashing peace signs with both hands? It’s a classic moment in US history, as Nixon had recently been on a diplomacy trip to China, an extremely rare feat for presidents before and after. It was quite a successful trip, and uponContinue reading “The “Gate” scandals and the problem of peace – Fruit of the Spirit: Peace, Preview”
How to grow joy – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 5
Joy is a deep inner stability from the Lord, gained in his presence. My wife Michelle told me the story of a conversation she had the other day with one of the women she works with. The woman has resettled here in Lancaster, along with her husband and two kids. They fled the African countryContinue reading “How to grow joy – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 5”
When joy is not easy – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 4
Joy as inner strength during trials is not to be confused with a bubbly or outgoing personality. Not everyone has such a charismatic personality, but they can feel joy deep within them. Also, not everyone who is bubbly and charismatic is feeling joy. Extroverts most often seem joyful. Introverts not so much. But we’re notContinue reading “When joy is not easy – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 4”
Joy is a choice and a strength – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 3
Many Christians might wonder, “But what if I don’t feel joy? Does that mean the Spirit hasn’t given this gift to me?” Remember that being led by the Spirit requires action. It is not a series of characteristics that he magically gives to us. While the Spirit does work in, we also cultivate joy, weContinue reading “Joy is a choice and a strength – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 3”
Is there a difference between joy and happiness – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 2
What is joy? When the writers of the New Testament wrote about joy, such as in Galatians 5:22-23, when Paul wrote about the Fruit of the Spirit, he used the Greek word kara. That’s right, the women’s name Kara is the Greek word for joy. The people who study words tell us thisContinue reading “Is there a difference between joy and happiness – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 2”
When “rejoice always” sounds impossible – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 1
I once read the following quote: “There are lots of reasons people cite for their loss of interest in faith, but one of the main reasons I have often heard stems from the perception that God’s people are boring, sad, anxious, narrow. One person said: ‘I just think that life should be joyful; and manyContinue reading “When “rejoice always” sounds impossible – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Part 1″
What is your level of joy? – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Preview
At Christmas we sing “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” The words of that Christmas carol reflect what the angel declared to the surprised shepherds keeping watching over their flocks at night just outside the town of Bethlehem, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will beContinue reading “What is your level of joy? – Fruit of the Spirit: Joy, Preview”
God loves you like Beauty and the Beast, so you can love like that too – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 5
In addition to the word agape, the Greeks had another word for love, phileo, which is defined as “brotherly love.” For example in Romans 12:10, Paul uses phileo when he writes, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” What does brotherly love look like? Brotherly love is sacrificial, the willingness to lay one’s lifeContinue reading “God loves you like Beauty and the Beast, so you can love like that too – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 5”
How can you love others if you don’t love yourself? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 4
This week we’ve been learning about the first quality in the Galatians 5 list called “The Fruit of the Spirit.” That first quality is love. But there is a roadblock to love, and the roadblock can be deep within us. There is a story in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said that the twoContinue reading “How can you love others if you don’t love yourself? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 