Stan and I were again at the Twelve Baskets Cafe enjoying breakfast together. He mentioned that last night he’d been watching a reality television show where the host said something that was the exact opposite of what he’d heard at church last Sunday. I asked him to explain.
“During the program,” Stan began, “the announcer said something about the dangerousness of what one of the contestants was going to do, and to be sure to not try the same thing at home.”
“Okay,” I responded, “Probably some pretty good advice for something dangerous. But what’s the opposite of what you heard at church?”
“The pastor’s message,” Stan replied. “He message was on one particular aspect of the fruit of the Spirit,”
“Which one?”
“Patience.”
“Patience,” I repeated. “I can sure use some help with that. What’d your pastor say?”
“Do try it at home,” Stan replied with a smile. “Don’t just read or hear about it, but actually practice it. And the best place to start is at home!”
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Bible verses to consider:
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience. Galatians 5:22.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you, too, for the gift of the Holy Spirit and His fruit that is to be manifested in and through me. I confess that too often it’s not what I choose to practice in my life. Please forgive that foolish approach to living the new life you’ve given. Help me follow every step of your lead in actually practicing what you intend for me to be. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you manifest the fruit of the Spirit in and through your life because you have Him living in you? If no, why is that choice? Why have you not accepted God’s provision of a new life that begins here and will continue forever. If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with manifesting the fruit of the Spirit? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to actually manifest the fruit of the Spirit in and through your life? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?