The Fruit of the Spirit

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The Fruit of the Spirit

Andrea Lende • September 28, 2022

Galatians 5:22-23

The Fruit of the Spirit

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/The-Fruit-of-the-Spirit-e1ogd1m

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Gentleness, (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

We are blessed to have God’s Spirit reside in us.

His Spirit doesn’t just live in our hearts and rest though.

He is at work in us continually to develop a spirit in us that is closer to God’s image.

Paul lists the fruit His Spirit attempts to bear in us: love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I see the beauty of God in all these things.

He is love.

He is our true joy.

He is peace.

God is kind.

He is good.

He is faithful.

He is gentle.

And He has all the control.

As we lean into the Lord, diligently seek Him, and love Him with all our hearts, He changes us to be more like Him.

Ah, to be more like Him every moment of the day.

If you are anything like me, you lose your peace, or patience, and sometimes joy during the day.

Sure, there are times I can hold it all together.

And thankfully those times are getting more frequent and last longer than they used to.

But I can still come unraveled more easily than I’d like to.

However, God never stops showing us better.

How to live better in Him instead of being wrought up in the world.

He is at work in us continually to bring forth change in us.

He will never stop bringing us higher.

I am so thankful He doesn’t give up on us.

He will never turn His back on us.

He’ll keep compassing us about in love as He teaches us more about Him and how to live for Him.

Today I choose to allow God to work in me and change me so I can be more like Him.

May you find the Lord is doing a work in you and will never stop showing you the way to love, peace, joy, gentleness, and self-control.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit into our hearts to help us become more like You. Thank You for continuing to do a work in us. Father, help us give Your Spirit the reigns. Don’t let us fight the work You plan to do in us. Help us bend to You and Your will. Develop the fruit in us You desire for us. Help us experience more love, peace, joy, gentleness, patience, and self-control within ourselves. May we be a better reflection of You every day, Lord. Keep us seeking more of You. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

Response: I AM doing a work in you. Receive the gifts I offer you.

Answer: Help us receive all You have to offer us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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By Andrea Lende • December 30, 2022

We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.

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By Andrea Lende • December 29, 2022

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By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.

The Kingdom of God

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.

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By Andrea Lende • December 27, 2022

Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.

God Will Be Our Guide

By Andrea Lende • December 26, 2022

This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.

Unto Us A Child Is Born

By Andrea Lende • December 24, 2022

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By Andrea Lende • December 22, 2022

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By Andrea Lende • December 21, 2022

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This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas

God's Power

By Andrea Lende • December 20, 2022

Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.