Grant me, patience, Lord, but hurry. How many times in your life have you prayed that simple phrase? Yes, patience seems to be in short supply in the world these days. Instant gratification, road rage, same day or next day delivery, and speeding are examples of our need to have it NOW! We cannot wait. Therefore, we run ourselves ragged. As a result, we are stressed, anger, and … [Read more...] about Grant Me Patience, Lord, But Hurry.
Fruit of the Spirit
Passing the Peace – Fruit of the Spirit
"It's time for passing the peace." I cringe every time I hear those words in church. It’s my least favorite part of the service. But I dutifully stand up, shake hands in the radius of parishioners who surround me, smile and say “Peace be with you,” or reply “And also to you,” if they say it first, sit down, grab the pew Bible, and look up the day’s verse. I pretend, usually, … [Read more...] about Passing the Peace – Fruit of the Spirit
Joy Versus Happiness – Which is Better?
Maybelle Crabtree here. The US Constitution guarantees us the right to pursue happiness. But what about joy? Do we have a right to pursue that? Why can't we seem to find joy? And why can't happiness be enough? Sometimes the pursuit of happiness can lead to emptiness and an unsatisfied life. The problem is we confuse joy with happiness. Joy, as the second element of the Fruit of … [Read more...] about Joy Versus Happiness – Which is Better?
Love is the Most Important Element of the FOTS?
Love is the first element mentioned in the Fruit of the Spirit (Click here for FOTS post). Why is that? Why did Paul the Apostle mention it first? My answer: it is. Paul states that in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, we have nothing and are nothing without love. In the King James version of the Holy Bible which I grew up with, the word used is "charity." But no matter which word you use, … [Read more...] about Love is the Most Important Element of the FOTS?
What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23 Back when I was a child in Sunday school, on one of the walls was a cork board with a construction paper tree on it - just the roots, trunk, and branches. The above verses bordered the corkboard. A … [Read more...] about What is the Fruit of the Spirit?