The truth is that we want the reward without the hard work and patience. However, we have been given quite the gift. Christ Jesus has given us the ultimate reward the moment we accept Him and receive justification for our sins.

Jesus describes how He is the True Vine and we are the branches. If we remain in Him, we will bear fruit. As a person gardens, it becomes clear that the different parts of the vegetable plant – the vine, bush, or fruit tree – are reliant on the base.

As you get ready for your wedding day, spend time praying that it will be a time where all who witness the marriage will see the gospel through your commitment to one another. The Lord loves to use marriages and weddings to point others to His eternal love and salvation.

The peace of God helps us to take steps forward when we would otherwise be paralyzed by fear.

Ultimately, we are commanded not to worry about anything. This is such a challenge for those of us who wrestle with anxiety, however with the help of the Holy Spirit we can strive for hearts and minds that fully trust in Him. We do not have to be anxious about anything, but we can pray about everything.

Whether you are new to Christianity and the Bible or have never heard the term “fruit of the Spirit” before, this concept can sound strange or foreign. Many children’s ministries teach them through songs, but whether we know the list, do we understand the meaning? What are the fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit are found in Galatians 5:22-23 which says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” In this passage, the apostle Paul is explaining the difference between living in the flesh and living by the Spirit. There is a daily spiritual battle for believers to live for the Lord or for the flesh. Even though we have salvation through Jesus, there is still a very real struggle to follow Him. Jesus said that this is why it was better that He ascended so that He would send His Holy Spirit to us (John 16:7).

Galatians 5:24-25 continues by saying, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The ultimate goal of the fruit of the Spirit is that we will choose to make decisions with the help of God that produce Spiritual blessings, and not sinful consequences in our lives. We do this by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, daily seeking Him and His guidance, and having Him help us in our weaknesses. There is One Spirit, but many fruits are produced. 

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May we never make an idol out of our bodies or fitness, and may we never neglect our health and taking care of our bodies. Exercise can play a beautiful role in the kingdom of God.

When we think about it, this verse is talking about a continuous pursuit and seeking after, which could be a terrifying situation if evil was chasing after us. However, it is the opposite. This is literally the goodness of God continually pursuing us. This is a blessing and a joy.

Jesus is the Shepherd and we are the sheep.

Think about this, God Himself says that we are dearly loved by Him. He chose us, made us holy, and not only that, He dearly loves us. When I think about this kind of love, nothing compares.

The season of summer is upon us, and kids are ready to be out of school. However, for some this will be the last time that they are in their school. Graduations are right around the corner and many emotions come along with it.

Because Jesus came and died for us and rose, we do not have to go through a priest anymore to get to God. When Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him. God is with us, and we can always communicate with Him. This is a great gift, but often overlooked.

God uses the example of moms to reveal His greater love for us. When we think about how selfless, kind, and sacrificial the love of a mother is, it is a glimpse of the way that our Savior loves us. God reminds us of His loyalty in Isaiah, with the example of a loving mom. We are forever His and He loves us so much.

This message to the disciples is still a command to all believers today. We are called to be the witnesses of Christ to this world. You likely do not live in Jerusalem, so let’s break down what this means for us in this day and age.