May 17, 2022 (Tuesday)
Theme for this week: Important lists in the Bible
The second list in this series: The Fruit of the Spirit
The Apostle Paul lists the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Actually, he first gives us a list of the “works of the flesh,” ugly sins: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-20 ESV).
Paul told us that “they who walk in the Spirit shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Then he tells us about the fruit of the spirit, which describes The Life of Christ, The Christian Life, or The Will of God for every Christian:
1. Love – Doing good for others with no hope or expectation of reward of any kind.
2. Joy – The assurance in our hearts that everything is all right because God lives within us through His Spirit.
3. Peace – Calmness because of the assurance that God is in control.
4. Patience – The willingness to wait on God.
5. Kindness – The desire to help others without being judgmental.
6. Goodness – Reaching out to help others at any cost.
7. Faithfulness – Devotion and loyalty empowered by the Holy Spirit.
8. Gentleness – Having no desire to hurt anyone in any way.
9. Self-control – The strength within to avoid forbidden deeds or thoughts.
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HIGHER GROUND
Words, Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Music, Charles H. Gabriel
1898
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Refrain
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
Refrain
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till H’vn I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Refrain
Theme for this week: Important lists in the Bible
The blogs for Monday, May 16 – Friday, May 20 are:
Biblical lists.
1. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
2. The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)
3. The Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
4. The Defenses of the Christian (Ephesians 6)
5. The Primary Pair (Love God, Love Others)