Spiritual Discipline

Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause the fruit of your spirit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Steady ripening

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) The final characteristic on this familiar list stands out rather negatively in relation to the others. Self-control is an attribute that has become increasingly out of vogue in our North American … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) Patience and gentleness are two peas in a pod. In his book, Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, Christopher J. H. Wright contends that, “if patience is the ability to endure hostility and criticism … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) Beloved theologian and author, the late Eugene Peterson called faithfulness “a long obedience in the same direction.” Faithfulness is long-term commitment to our beliefs – knowing what we want to live … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) It’s quite natural that goodness follows after kindness as a characteristic of spiritual fruit. At first glance, the two may seem synonymous. Kindness, goodness – what’s the difference? Aren’t people … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness