The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Yesterday we thought about how the fruit of the Spirit is both easily detectible and delightful. Clare and Cindy were discussing the recent decision Cindy had made about trusting the Lord Jesus to be her Savior. “Cindy, you will discover that the Holy Spirit not only came into your life when you trusted Christ, but He also wants to produce wonderful fruit in your life as well. You will find that the old ways you used to live will start to change as you read the Word of God, invest time in prayer, ask the Lord to help you to put into practice what you learn, and worship the Lord daily as well as with His people on Sunday. Your new life as a Christian will become stronger and stronger,” Clare said. Cindy responded by saying, “I think the process has started already. My husband told me he is seeing a new me.” How about you? How is the fruit of the Spirit being demonstrated in your life?

For today: The Spirit’s fruit produces joy to yourself and blessing to others around you!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

How wonderful it is to belong to the Lord Jesus. When I asked the Lord Jesus to become my Savior, I had no idea of just how wonderful He would be in the days ahead. Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that we will never have problems and never have hard times as Christians. I am saying, however, that the blessings that result from the decision to trust Christ are amazing. One of the great blessings is that the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to make His abode with us. He produces fruit in the life of the believer that glorifies the Lord and makes us easier to be around. Ultimately this helps us to a blessing to others. Do you see the fruit of the Spirit being produced in your life? We’ll talk more about it tomorrow.

For today: The fruit of the Spirit is not only easily detectible in the life of a Christian, it is delightful.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).

I have been saddened to see Christian institutions of higher learning changing their policies when it comes to alcohol. From time to time Karen and I sent a small donation to one particular school because of the good preaching that we enjoyed and appreciated. When I heard that the prohibition on alcohol had been lifted on their faculty and staff, I could not believe it. I personally wrote to the president. My letter was kind and gracious. I asked him about their policy. One of his vice presidents wrote me a cordial letter explaining that culturally today when their staff and faculty had dinner with friends, they didn’t want their staff to be embarrassed that they couldn’t drink. I nearly had a seizure. Personally Karen and I will never send another donation while this is their policy. Over the years in my pastoral counseling ministry as well as in the lives our precious children that we have adopted, I have been an eye witness to the effects of alcohol. That’s why I am so strongly opposed to the notion that a Christian should be able to drink. For my two cents, I don’t think it is wise.

For today: Thanks for letting me share my convictions and my “two cents.” Ask the Lord to direct your decisions always.

“I have given them Thy Word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).

Someone on the radio was making the observation that Christians have always been hated. I believe that statement is absolutely true. However, I also believe that we are living in a time when we are seeing a growing animosity toward the followers of Christ. Christian brothers and sisters around the world are being hunted down, tortured, imprisoned, even murdered, and their properties seized. Here in the United States a pizza worker (not the owner, not the manager!) was asked a hypothetical question about whether their pizza would be served at a homosexual wedding reception. What a ridiculous question to ask a young worker! For her answer, the owners of the pizza shop received death threats. Yet a reporter was video recorded visiting several Muslim bakeries that flatly refused to bake a wedding cake for such a reception. Nothing happened! There was no outcry, no protests, and no lawsuit. What a double standard! There is no doubt in my mind that the world hates us with a growing hatred. I want you to know that my heart aches for the many believers who suffer greatly for Christ, and I want to earnestly pray for them. I want to be gracious, but I also want to be bold in my stand for Christ. How about you?

For today: It is an honor to be hated by the world but loved by the Savior!

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Mark and his wife Betty drove home and chatted about the evening. As the floor supervisor for his department, Mark and his wife just attended the second retirement party in less than two weeks. “Those two retirement parties couldn’t have been any more different from each other, could they, Honey?” Mark asked as he looked at his wife. “Surely couldn’t,” she responded. As they continued driving Mark said, “Ralph was always arrogant. He was more than willing to take credit for things that were not his idea. Wasn’t he arrogant tonight at his retirement party as he touted his accomplishments? On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hank gave such a sweet tribute to his wife, his co-workers, and most of all to the Lord for his success in the company. It makes me think,” Mark continued speaking to his wife, “of the children of Israel. God told them to always remember that He made it possible for them to be successful.” You and I can learn from this. Though we must be diligent in our work, it is ultimately the Lord that enables us to be successful.

For today: John the Baptist had a good perspective. He said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”