Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
But the fruit of the Spirit is … patience …
Summary: We take another look at the English translations for “makrothymía” because there are subtle differences that reveal insights into the nature of God’s presence in us.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22e(2) – Cause and Effect”But the fruit of the Spirit is … forbearance …
Summary: Forbearance is a banker’s word. When we find out why, we discover another aspect of God’s love for us.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22e – If God Were a Banker”But the fruit of the Spirit is … peace …
Summary: Happiness comes and goes but God’s peace is forever.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22d – Peace Like a River”But the fruit of the Spirit is … joy
Summary: When God comes to live in us, surprising things happen!
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22c – Letting God be God”But the fruit of the Spirit is … love …
Summary: Paul begins describing how the Spirit of God changes us by describing those changes as “fruit.”
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22b – Apple Sauce”But the fruit of the Spirit is …
Summary: As Paul begins to teach us about the fruit of the Spirit, it is worth taking a moment to consider why God’s Spirit changes who we are and how others see us.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22a – A Special Kind of Giving”I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Summary: In all things, it is important to remember that our enemies are spiritual forces, not people made of flesh and blood.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:21b – Fight!”The acts of the flesh are obvious: … and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
Summary: As we finish Paul’s list of the “obvious” acts of the flesh, we look at the less obvious sins that occur out of the public’s view.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:21a – The Acts of the Flesh Part VII: The Thin Thread Line”The acts of the flesh are obvious: … dissensions, factions …
Summary: Dissension and factions are not only “acts of the flesh,” they are also an indicator of the absence of our Lord when they infect the church.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:20e – The Acts of the Flesh Part VI: The Mark of Jesus”The acts of the flesh are obvious: … fits of rage, selfish ambition …
Summary: Rage and ambition are a toxic emotional brew. They bring nothing but hurt to those around us when we fall victim to the passions of our own flesh.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:20d – The Acts of the Flesh Part V: Rage & Ambition”