Hi everyone! Regarding this week’s discussion, it is very near and dear to my heart. Throughout my walk with Christ, I have learned to see God’s love in a plethora of ways. In my late teens to early twenties, I struggled to see God as my Father. During that period in my life, I had a very strained relationship with my dad, which negatively influenced how I saw YAH. My perspective of God was misconstrued by comparing Him to the shortcomings of man. As my faith grew, I learned that I couldn’t compare God to man. His nature is not the same. I realized we do ourselves a disservice when we make that comparison. No good comes from it. Instead, it causes what could be a flourishing Father-child relationship to be distant and fear-based. But in reading the Word and personal experience, I could see God correctly. I could come to a place of belief that He is loving, and as His child, I can approach Him. I do not have to avoid Him trying to distance myself from a place of fear. But I can come boldly to Him.
At first, it was difficult for me to grasp the fullness of His love for me. With God’s patience and reassurance, He showed me what real love looked like. When I was finally able to receive God’s love, I was overwhelmed with gratitude, that I am a child of the Most High God loved immensely by my Heavenly Father. I am not unloved or unlovable. This is only part of my story; there is so much more I could share. I will share that seeing God correctly and receiving His love allowed me to extend grace in areas where my dad had fallen short in the early part of my life. While receiving YAH’s love, I could more freely give love to others, but more importantly, I was more inclined to showing it to my dad.
It’s my hope that my story will help those who have struggled to receive God’s love and see Him as their Father. You may not have had a strained or non-existent relationship with your natural father. But through other factors in your life, it can cause you to see YAH incorrectly. After this discussion, I pray you will divorce yourself of any misconceptions and embrace the love God has for His children. In today’s discussion, we will: discuss the depths of YAH’s love, the ways God’s love is displayed, and how we embrace the Father’s love.
The Depth of YAH’s Love
The first area to discuss is the depth of YAH’s love for His children. Romans 5:8 shows believers how much we are truly loved by God. This is one of my favorite scriptures. I often paraphrase it as, “When we weren’t thinking about God, He was thinking about us. While we were living in sin, His love was shown by willingly giving His Son to bear the sins of the world.” And of course John 3:16 is one, if not the most, commonly known scriptures. In verses 16 and 17, we see the benefits of believing in Christ. When we believe that Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, we receive eternal life. We are not condemned but granted salvation through Christ. And, lastly in the latter portion of Romans 8, it shows us that no matter the opposition we face, it isn’t great enough to separate us from God’s love. The scripture reiterates that YAH’s love is expressed through Christ. It is vital for those who believe to understand there is no greater love than Christ laying down His life for all.
Even though there are individuals who would deny Him and choose not to accept the free gift given to us. We have to remove the former ideologies we’ve held within ourselves. We may have encountered people who could not love us genuinely, and it was either conditional, transactional, or not at all. But, in order to receive God’s love, we must believe it. It’s a matter of believing God’s Word for yourself. Someone can share the gospel with you. That is an expression of God’s love; but, it is up to each of us coming to a place where you read His Word and believe it is true. It is all about whether you believe or not. That is what we all must consider in our lives.
Displays of God’s Love
Once we’ve come to a place of understanding, believing the depth of YAH’s love, we then can see the various ways that God’s love is expressed. Listed below are some, not all, of God’s characteristics along with scriptures to support them.
God is Merciful
Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm (Definition from the Oxford Dictionary)
God is our Protector
God is our Strength and Sustainer
God is our Chastiser
God is our Provider
Embracing the Father’s Love
Now that we have discussed the depths of YAH’s love and some of the ways it is expressed, I hope it makes it easier for us to embrace the Father’s love. We are not orphans, left fatherless. We are sons of God [sonship]. We no longer have to be fearful and avoidant. Instead, we are able to confidently come to our Father and receive His love. Through the Word of God, we discover YAH’s character, which allows us to walk in Truth and remove any lie we once believed. Additionally, as our relationship grows, we are strengthened in our perception of God as Father.
Closing Thoughts
From this discussion, I hope you have gained a better understanding of God’s love and see how it has impacted your life. I would suggest rereading the provided scriptures, as well as discovering others to increase your faith in this area. Lastly, I pray that His Spirit would show you any areas that has hindered you from fully receiving and walking confidently as a child of the Most High God.
**Scriptures taken from the authorized King James Bible and the New King James Bible
**Definitions from dictionary.com, the Merriam-Webster, and Oxford dictionaries
Hello everyone! Last week, we finished our nine week discussion on the Fruit of the Spirit. If you haven’t read those blogs, I would recommend you explore each one. Today, we are shifting our focus to humility. In our walk with Christ, it’s important that we maintain a posture of humility. In order to achieve this, we must address any prideful desires and actions we have and seek to remove them from our lives. As children of YAH, we should live humbly seeking to do the will of our Father, not driven by lust and the prideful things of this world. We shouldn’t be caught up in the materialism that permeates our society. Instead, as children of the Most High, there should be a distinction between us and those in the world. We should be known for our modesty and humility.
In today’s discussion, we will: (1) gain an understanding of humility, (2) learn the enemy of humility, (3) explore the believer’s example of humility, and (4) discover how we can walk humbly.
Understanding Humility
Humility is…
Humility is not…
Now that we have an understanding of what humility means we can move on to discuss the enemy of it.
Pride: The Enemy of Humility
“Ways that pride can show up in our lives”
In our efforts to pursue a lifestyle of humility, we must address the areas of pride in our lives. When we operate in pride, it hinders us from walking in humility. There are many scriptures that show the consequences of pride. Listed above are some scriptures that mention the consequences as well as the benefits of being humble. Pride and humility are like oil and water; they simply do not mix. To maintain a posture of humility, we must remove pride from our lives. This area can be very tricky, and we may find ourselves unaware that we are operating in it. It requires us to seek God to examine our hearts and allow Him to reveal anything hidden in it. We must be willing to confront whatever He reveals. It’s not always an easy task to allow the Holy Spirit to shine a light on this area; but, it’s necessary. We can not be children of the Most High God and walk around in pride. We are called to live a lifestyle of humility.
Pride can show up in various ways and forms within our lives. It can be on a small or grand scale depending on the individual. Pride is very evident when boasting about your possessions (house, vehicles, clothing, etc.) or flaunting your wealth to look appealing to others. Pride is in operation when individuals put their worth in their accomplishments. They find their identity in their education, college degrees, or career. They operate with a superiority complex, believing they are better than individuals with less formal education. There is a greater emphasis on titles over Godly character. They may view others with lesser paying jobs or careers as beneath them. The issue isn’t about obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher; neither is it about having a career that pays well. It’s a commendable achievement to further your education, which allows you to expand your career endeavors. But in doing so, it should not cause you to look down on others who do not have the same opportunities. A college degree does not make you better than a person who only has a high school diploma or GED. Having a successful high-paying career does not make you a better person than an individual with a lesser recognized and paid career. We should not boast about our achievements and possessions. As children of the Most High God we shouldn’t seek validation through worldly standards, it should come through YAH alone.
Pride can also manifest itself through vanity, in which we become overly concerned with our image. I would explain it as taking self-care to the extreme. It’s like a person who first started working out with the goal of staying physically active while maintaining a healthy weight. Then, it turns into an obsession with having to look a certain way or to gain attention from others. A prime example would be people who post “thirst traps” on social media. Instead of sharing authentic fitness content, it simply creates a stumbling block for others. As believers, we should be aware of what we post and how it can be perceived by others. It’s not wise to allow the desire to be noticed and affirmed by others cause us to operate in vanity.
Also, in the quest of self-care and self-love, we should not become enamored with ourselves, which turns into self-absorption. We can take care of ourselves and look nice without going to extremes, drastically changing our image. With our new life in Christ, we no longer live for ourselves, but we live by the faith of Jesus Christ whose Spirit dwells on the inside of us. We should love ourselves but not become consumed by it. As we mature in our faith and discern the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will alert us when this is operating in our lives. It’s not condemnation but conviction to make the necessary changes. It comes from a place of love and care not to shame us but to bring correction.
Our Example of Humility
As believers, Christ is our model of humility, service to others, and obedience to the Father.
In this section, we will discuss our example of humility. We don’t have to look far. We look to our Savior to show us how we ought to walk in humility. Philippians Chapter 2 gives us a clear understanding that believers should be likeminded, of the same love, on one accord and of the same mind. We are not self-seeking, only concerned with ourselves and our needs. We collectively should be seeking to do YAH’s will. This is not a place of selfish ambition and self exaltation. There are no big “I’s” and little “you’s.” Each member within the body of Christ serves a purpose in accomplishing God’s will in the earth. Verse 5 states, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” As followers of Christ, we should have the same mindset as Him. He displayed a lifestyle of humility, service to others, and obedience to the Father. In order for believers to replicate this, we must remove pride from our lives.
When pride is in operation, it prevents us from following Christ’s example. We can not have an air of self-importance, which inhibits us from humbling ourselves to serve others. As believers, we should never view serving as beneath us. If our Savior modeled it for us, we need to do the same. Likewise, in the same manner in which Christ obeyed to the point of death, we must die to our flesh and its lustful desires. To live a life pleasing to our Father, we must have a lifestyle of self-denial. It is not a life of convenience, indulgence in pleasure, and materialism. It is one of seeking to do God’s will no matter what it costs.
How to Walking in Humility
Submission to God
The first step to walking in humility
Making the decision to lay down your will to submit to God’s will
Allow Him to reveal areas where you are operating in pride
Admittance
Moment of Honesty: After the area(s) of pride in our lives are revealed, we must admit that it is there and address it.
No avoidance
Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Allow the Spirit of God to help you to operate with humility rather than pride
Make the decision to live humbly
We can choose to continue walking in pride or allow humility to replace it.
Seeking God to give you the ability to overcome pride rather than it ruling over you
When we operate in humility, YAH gives us more grace.
Make it Applicable
In respect of your accomplishments/achievements
Sharing and celebrating them with your loved ones without boasting
When sharing online, being mindful of your reason for sharing: Is it genuine, to prove something to the naysayers, or an attempt to draw the praises of people?
Do not become so wrapped up in titles that you miss the importance of Godly character and producing spiritual fruit
Regarding vanity
Taking care of ourselves and looking nice and presentable without going to extremes changing our image.
Choose not to become obsessive with our appearance or fixated on our beauty
1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV [9] In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness [modesty, bashfulness] and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; [10] but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Choosing not to seek external validation regarding our image.
**Scriptures used from the authorized King James Bible
**Definitions used from the KJV, Oxford, and Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
Week 9 Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control (Temperance)
We’ve made it to the final week of our discussion on the Fruit of the Spirit!! 🎉🎊🎈I hope you have enjoyed this time of exploring each fruit. If these posts have been helpful to you, please share them with others. This topic is beneficial for all believers whether you are newly converted or have been saved for many years. In our journey as followers of Christ, it’s important that we walk in the Spirit. When we do so, we will not fulfill the flesh’s lustful desires. We must have the awareness that what our flesh desires is contrary to what the Spirit desires. The two war against one another. As believers who walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit of God, we are able to produce spiritual fruit. In John 15, Christ lets us know He is the True Vine and his followers are the branches. When we, the branches, remain in fellowship with Him, we are able to bear fruit. But if we are separated from Him, we are unfruitful. In everything that has been discussed, I pray that you will be reminded of that fact and stay connected to the One who enables us to bear fruit.
In today’s blog, we will go over what self-control means and examine how we can exercise it our lives when overcoming temptation and in difficult situations.
Understanding Self-Control
Self-Control is…
Self-Control is not…
Examples of Self-Control
Overcoming Temptation and Exercising Self-Control
When we are mindful of the situations and places we put ourselves in, it will help deter us from falling into temptation. If we are maintaining a lifestyle of sobriety, it wouldn’t be wise to hang around people who live an ungodly lifestyle ruled by alcohol and drug usage. That would be counterproductive in having a set-apart lifestyle. That’s why it is important to CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT. When what had you bound is readily accessible, it makes it easier to return to your bondage. But when you are in a new environment, free from your former vices, it helps to prevent you from going back to alcohol and drug usage.
Another area to overcome is sexual temptation. This area is for both single and married believers. It doesn’t discriminate based on marital status. Whether you are married or single, the enemy will bring temptation to lead you to sin. As believers, we must address anything that threatens our sexual purity. For those who are single, we must be more aware of what we receive in our lives that stirs up lust and can lead us to engaging in fornication or other types of sexual immorality. It’s important to examine the people in our lives: who we associate with, who we call friends, and who we are dating/courting. We should ask ourselves: Are we equally yoked in these relationships? Or, do they cause us to be tempted to sin? Do they indulge in the activity that we are intentional about abstaining from? Are they a stumbling block in our journey of walking in purity?
These are just some questions to consider when examining the associates, friends, and romantic partners in our lives. Also, it’s necessary to examine ourselves so we do not serve as a stumbling block for others, tempting them to engage in sin. Our focus should not be one-sided, only fixated on others’ behavior. We need to be mindful of our conduct to ensure we are not leading anyone astray. Next, we should analyze what we receive through entertainment (TV shows, movies, music, etc.) and social media. Anything we consume on a regular basis can shape our perspective on a matter. So, we should be aware of the messages we are surrounding ourselves with.
For married believers, they can also face sexual temptation. This type of temptation is not just exclusive for the unmarried. The enemy will send his minions (as I like to call them) to sow seeds or bring about the destruction of a marriage through adultery. Some come in the form of friends and associates who sow seeds that make adultery look harmless. They justify behavior that can lead to adultery or is flat-out adulterous. These individuals do not value the sanctity of marriage and diminish the consequences that come with this sin. Also, there are Satan’s minions who serve as the temptation. They’re not the seed sower; instead, their purpose is to get you to commit adultery with them. That is why it’s crucial to be self aware of what can arouse lust in you and who around you can feed into it. Outside of your marital union, it is vital to recognize if your relationships with associates and friends are equally yoked. Otherwise, they could be harmful to your marriage and sexual purity.
Additionally, for both single and married believers, we must hold ourselves accountable for overcoming temptation. We can not solely put the blame on others. We must do our part when temptation arises in our lives. When it comes, we must recognize and flee from it. No matter how great or small, the temptation should be addressed, and we should actively look to remove ourselves from it. Temptation is not something to play with. We shouldn’t allow it to stir up lust enticing us to sin. That is why we need to recognize it and remove it from our lives. Depending on the situation, we may not be able to completely remove ourselves from it, but we should be intentional in providing a substantial amount of distance between ourselves and the said temptation. This includes matters in which we still have to work or have some basic interaction with the tempter. It would be beneficial to use Godly wisdom in these situations.
We also have the reassurance based on 1 Corinthians 10:13, that when we are tempted, our Father gives us the willpower to overcome and provide a way of escape. We can rest in the fact that when temptation arises, we are strengthened by God to overcome it. And, not only that, He will give us the opportunity to be freed from it. That is a win-win. But in order to be successful, we have to exercise self-control, not giving in to the temptation. We should be deliberate in looking for the way out that our Father will provide for us.
The third area to exercise self-control is overcoming the temptation to overeat. We can not say we have self-control if gluttony is running, or rather, ruining our lives. We can not allow food to consume our lives. We should eat to live, not live to eat. I can admit this area hit home for me. I can say there were times when I used food for comfort more than anything else. I was living to eat instead of eating to live. I was using it for emotional support, covering up the real issues I was facing. Over time, things have improved, and I am taking it one step at a time. I don’t want food to rule over me. Instead, I decided to make better food choices with healthier alternatives.
To make it applicable to each of our lives requires a change in mindset. We are not just changing how much we eat but also what we eat. Moderation is important as well as healthier alternatives. One change I’ve made is no longer deep frying my food. For certain foods, I still pan fry them; but, for the most part, I use my air fryer. If I do have something deep fried, it’s occasionally when I purchase it from the grocery store or a fast food restaurant.
Another way to exercise self-control and prevent overeating is portion control when going out to eat. This is especially helpful at buffets. Instead of piling our plates with food that we may not eat or can cause us to overindulge, we can choose smaller portions. We put enough food on our plate that we know we will finish. And if we are not full, going back for seconds only if needed. There are other ways we go about eating in moderation. But what’s important is understanding why we overeat and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in making better decisions that will lead to healthier outcomes. We must remember that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should be responsible for taking care of them. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can eat to live, not live, to eat.
Exercising Self-Control in Difficult Situations
In the previous section, we discussed physical actions to practice self-control. Now, we will focus on our emotional responses during difficult situations. In life, certain circumstances are unavoidable; we will face difficult situations and people. Regardless of what or who we encounter, it’s important to handle the matter the right way. As believers, we can not resort to old habits and behaviors when dealing with difficulty. We are new creations in Christ, the old has passed away and all things are made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Being a new creation calls for a new response to the trials and challenges of life. We are a new creation that has a new nature led by the Spirit of God, no longer ruled by our sinful flesh.
When we are spiritually renewed, our emotional reactions should reflect who we belong to. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to manage our emotions during difficulties. I’m not saying we will never have intense moments that cause us to react with emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear. Instead, when that happens, it should not overtake us. We can’t stay in the state of being ruled by our emotions. As children of God, we can bring it to our Father who will help us. He will not leave us in the condition we are in. His Spirit comforts us, and He strengthens us, giving us the willpower to endure through it. He may not always change the situation we are in; but the Word guarantees us that He will give us the ability to persevere through it. It is YAH’s wisdom that helps us navigate through the challenges and trials in our lives.
As we mature in our faith and allow the Spirit of God to lead us, our responses change and reveal a greater level of emotional maturity. When we’re able to control our emotions rather than allowing them to rule us, it shows growth. As difficult situations arise in life, we are able to express certain emotions without it taking us out of our Godly character. On our jobs when dealing with instigating coworkers who are constantly meddlesome looking to stir up drama and discord, we have to remain even-tempered and allow God to fight on our behalf. We are God’s children; we don’t match people’s “energy.” We don’t repay evil with evil.Our response to difficulties should not mirror the world’s response. When the unbeliever is eliciting a reaction from us, we should not give them that satisfaction. If dealing with a person or group of people who are disrespectful and insulting you, we don’t respond in the same manner.
We must recognize that in these situations and similar cases, it’s not wise to behave in the same manner as the world. No matter how great or small the situation may be, we are still Christ’s representatives. We can not effectively represent Him if our emotional responses are irrational, impulsive, and reckless like the world. We have to be willing to put our flesh in check. We can not afford to say what’s on our mind with no thought of the damage it does to the recipient. We are not called to “check” someone and put another person in their place. There is a difference in speaking up and addressing a matter at the right time and place. But when we do, it should be done in the right spirit, not lashing out at the individual or group driven by unchecked emotions.
As believers, when engaging with others, whether positive or negative, we should remember who we represent. We are set apart and the light of the world. How we handle conflict and difficulties should be a noticeable distinction from the world. From our emotional responses in challenging times to everyday reactions, we should reflect who we are (children of the Most High God) and who we belong to (YAH).
RECAP
**Scriptures used from the New King James Bible and the authorized King James Bible
**Definitions used from the following dictionaries: Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, Oxford, and Webster’s Dictionary 1828
Hello everyone!! We’ve made it to the 8th week of our Fruit of the Spirit discussion. This has been a great learning experience that has shown me how important each fruit is in the lives of believers. We can not produce them in our own strength but only by the Spirit of God. As I previously mentioned, these spiritual fruit are cultivated in our lives as we abide in Christ. To bear fruit, we must remain in Him. And remaining in Christ allows the Father to prune us, removing anything that hinders our ability to produce spiritual fruit. I hope that we will use these discussions as a means to reflect on our daily lives and interactions with others to examine the fruit we are producing. And, if there are any areas where we’re lacking, we would allow the Father to prune us in order to be more fruitful.
In today’s blog, we are exploring the fruit of gentleness. We will discover how we can use Godly wisdom to maintain gentleness in our conduct and conversations with others.
Understanding Gentleness
In order to walk in gentleness, we must have an understanding of what it is and what it is not.
Gentleness is…
Gentleness is not…
With the definitions, synonyms, and antonyms listed above, we should now have a clear understanding of what gentleness means. Based on this information, we can look at our lives and examine if we are walking in gentleness or if we need to improve in this area. For some, this comes easily, while others of us need more work. No matter which end of the spectrum you find yourself on, we can ask God to help us to be consistent and authentic in our walk. It’s a privilege that believers have, not having to depend on our own strength. Instead, we have our Father who empowers us in doing so. He does not force us, but when we decide to walk in gentleness, He gives us the ability to do so.
So I pose the question: Within the various areas of your life, is the fruit of gentleness evident? On your job, would you be described as gentle or rough? In your home, would your spouse describe you as aggressive, argumentative, and rigid? Would your children consider you to be unkind, harsh, and demanding? Do those outside your home receive a more gentle version of you than those you live with? There’s a time and place for everything. We can find ourselves in situations where it’s necessary to be firm in our approach, choosing to be stern with our actions and words. But everything should be said and done from a place of love and consideration of the other person, not with the intention of mistreatment through belittling and degrading.
During times of correction and discipline, children should know–even though they may be upset–that they are still loved. The discipline they receive should not be used as a form of abuse or mistreatment but to correct bad behavior and lead them down the right path. In our relationships–not only in marriages–when we disagree or there is something the other person may have said or done that bothered us, we shouldn’t become aggressive and unkind turning the matter into an argument. These are just a few areas to take into consideration to recognize whether or not we are displaying gentleness. In the next section, we will discuss how we can learn to walk in gentleness.
Learning to Walk in Gentleness
To walk in gentleness takes intentionality. It’s a decision we have to make. It is important that our way of thinking is renewed in the Word. Oftentimes, how we operated prior to salvation or what we experienced in childhood shapes our interactions with others. But now, as we read and meditate on scripture, we learn how we should live as believers. We’re able to see the correct way to interact with others that reflects our identity as a child of God and our regenerated nature. It’s a process of unlearning old ways of thinking and doing and, in return, relearning through the Word aided by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth. And, He will lead us into all truth. To walk in gentleness, we need His assistance. We may encounter times in which we have resistance in extending gentleness, but the Spirit of God serves as a gentle reminder to respond or act with gentleness.
In James 3, it discusses the two types of wisdom: one is earthly, sensual, and devilish, and the other is from above (Godly wisdom). Godly wisdom brings us to a place of maturity, allowing us to operate in a manner that is peaceable and gentle. God’s wisdom will lead us to handle matters the correct way. We won’t be driven by our feelings, allowing our flesh to dictate our reaction. When an issue or conflict arises, we are not reactionary. We are soberminded and handle it with wisdom. Being even-tempered gives us the ability to offer a gentle response in the midst of a difficult situation. Proverbs 15:1 shows us that a soft or gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words will stir up anger.
To walk in gentleness, we need the ability to endure longsuffering. We have to be forbearing with one another. When difficult situations arise, it will test our patience to see if we can still display love and gentleness to the other person. It takes Godly wisdom to restrain yourself from saying or doing something that is not Christ-like when involved in a heated matter. People may intentionally instigate or agitate you to elicit a negative response. As believers, it’s imperative that we be prepared for these situations and respond in a way that is pleasing to our Father rather than satisfying the other person.
Lastly, in our daily conversations, it is necessary to put off the old man and its former conversations. The way we talk now should be edifying, not tearing down. Once we are born-again, we should no longer continue talking in a manner that is harsh, confrontational, belittling, disrespectful, or is flat out degrading. Our nature changes when our inner man is regenerated. Through the process of sanctification, the Holy Spirit works on the inside of us, making us more like Christ. Our conduct and conversations are changed, reflecting the inward change that has taken place.
RECAP
Understanding Gentleness
Gentleness is…
The quality or state of being gentle especially : mildness of manners or disposition
The quality of being calm, kind, or soft
Similar words: tenderness, kindness, meekness, and softness
Gentleness is not…
Aggressive
Argumentative
Callous
Demanding
Harsh
Rough
Unkind
Within the various areas of your life, is the fruit of gentleness evident?
Learning to Walk in Gentleness
Being renewed in the Word
Unlearning old habits and ways of thinking and relearning through the Word, aided by the Holy Spirit
Having Godly wisdom
Endure longsuffering, being able to fobear with one another
Putting off the old man and its conversations
**Scriptures used from the authorized King James Bible
**Definitions used from the Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
Next Week’s Blog: The Final Week of the Fruit of the Spirit
Hello everyone!! I pray the past 6 weeks have been beneficial in helping you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your lives. As believers, we should examine ourselves to pinpoint areas where we may be less fruitful. With the help of the Holy Spirit, He enables us to produce more fruit. As well as when we abide in Christ and He abides in us, we are capable of bearing fruit. It is important for us to recognize our need to remain in Christ in order to produce all nine spiritual fruit.
In today’s blog, we are exploring the fruit of faithfulness. We will examine Hebrews 11, which is commonly called the Hall of Faith. Within this passage, we will highlight 5 faith figures who are listed in the Book of Genesis and discover what we can learn from each of them.
5 Faith Figures
(1) Abel (Hebrews 11:4, Genesis 4:1-10)
Our first faith figure is Abel. He is the secondborn son of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 4, he is compared to his older brother Cain. Abel was a shepherd (keeper of the sheep), and Cain was a farmer (tiller of the ground). At a certain time, the two brothers each brought offerings to YAH. Cain brought some fruit from the ground. Whereas Abel brought the firstborns of his flock and the fat from them. In the text, it shows that God had respect unto Abel and his offering. This meant both Abel and his offering were acceptable in the sight of YAH. But as for Cain and his offering, God had no respect for them. This caused Cain’s disposition to change.
Instead of seeking to present himself and a better offering to the Father, He became very angry and his countenance fell. YAH questions Cain about his response. In doing so, we see how important it is to do well. I can imagine the heart posture behind each brothers’ offering was different. For Abel to give the firstborns of the flock and the fat from them is a sign of giving God the best portion. With Cain, there was no mention of the fruits of the ground being the firstfruits. He may have randomly chosen some fruit with no real thought of giving the best to God.
◇Lessons Learned from Abel◇
What we can learn from Abel is to give God our best. No matter what capacity it may be, we should seek to do what is right and acceptable in the sight of YAH. Though we are no longer offering burnt sacrifices, instead, we should be a living sacrifice seeking to do the will of the Father. When we have the opportunity to do good, we should do so. We should remain faithful to our God and continue to give Him our best.
(2) Enoch (Hebrews 11:5, Genesis 5:18-24)
Our second faith figure is Enoch. We are introduced to him in Genesis 5. He’s the son of Jared, the father of Methuselah, the grandfather of Lamech, and the great-grandfather of Noah. He was a righteous man who lived 365 years before being taken by God to heaven, never experiencing death. His testimony was that he pleased God. [Hebrews 11:5] It is mentioned in verses 22 and 24 of Genesis 5 that Enoch walked with God, signifying a close relationship with the Father. It’s an amazing testimony to not only be in close fellowship with YAH but to be spared from facing death.
◇Lessons Learned from Enoch◇
From Enoch, we see the fruitfulness of walking with God. By his commitment to serving YAH, not only was he blessed, but so were his descendants. He left a legacy of righteousness that was passed down throughout the generations. His example would no doubt be a great impact on his son, Methuselah, who would become Noah’s grandfather. While we may not have the same end result as Enoch, we should have the testimony that we pleased God. By the end of our life, our desire should be to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
After discussing his great-grandfather, it’s only befitting to now explore the faith of Noah. Noah’s genealogy can be found in Genesis 5 and 1 Chronicles 1. In these accounts, I want to focus on the fact that Noah is the grandson of Methuselah– the longest living person in the Bible, having lived 969 years. And, we can not forget that Methuselah’s father was Enoch. Noah came from a lineage of righteous men. But in spite of Noah’s upbringing, he was surrounded by a society filled with wickedness. In the midst of corruption and violence, Noah was found to be just and perfect in his generations. During this time, the sons of God (angels) had taken wives among the daughters of men (women). As a result, they produced hybrid offspring, which were giants (or Nephilim). Due to the magnitude of man’s wickedness and the thoughts of their hearts being continually evil, YAH repented that He had made man and He was grieved in His heart.
The creation that He had made was corrupted and replaced with these hybrid creatures. He sought to destroy man and all living creatures from the face of the earth. But Noah found grace in sight of God. He was given the exact instructions on how to construct an ark. Additionally, God established a covenant with Noah, that he, his wife, his sons, and his sons’ wives would come into the ark to be saved from the impending flood set to destroy all flesh. God instructed Noah which types of animals to bring into the ark and how many of each kind and to gather food for his family and the animals. Noah obeyed YAH’s command, and his family was kept by God during the flood. It rained on the earth 40 days and 40 nights. After the waters receded, the ark landed on Mount Ararat.
Once the ground was dry, Noah, along with his family and the animals, went out of the ark. He built an altar unto YAH and offered burnt offerings from every clean beast and bird. God was pleased. He blessed Noah and his sons, instructing them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. YAH established a covenant with Noah that He would never again destroy all flesh with a flood, neither would there be a flood to destroy all the earth. The sign of YAH’s covenant was a rainbow in the clouds. As a result of Noah’s obedience and faith in God, he was spared from the destruction of the flood. He and his sons were blessed by the Most High for heeding to His commands. Going forward from Shem, Ham, and Japheth, their descendants would replenish the earth.
◇Lessons Learned from Noah◇
With Noah’s life story, we can learn how great of an impact it is to heed God’s command. While society was corrupt and full of wickedness, Noah remained faithful to God. In doing so, he and his family were spared. They did not suffer the same fate as the wicked. Likewise, we should do the same. As we live in a time where wickedness is being accepted and celebrated, we must take a stand for righteousness. Even though we are not building an ark preparing for an impending flood, instead, we are building up our faith to be able to withstand these evil and dark days. It is up to each and every one of us to have faith to endure. In times of weakness, we can call on our Father, who will strengthen us. We must be like Noah and remain in fellowship with YAH. By trusting in Him, we will find safety and reassurance. We will face being ostracized by those around us who continue to promote and/or indulge in sin and wickeness. But that is expected to happen in the lives of believers. No matter the opposition, it is vital that we stay committed to obeying God and completing the work He has called us to do. Don’t allow the allure of sin to draw you away from God; instead, remain faithful to Him.
(4) and (5) Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8-11, 17-19; Genesis 11:26-32; Genesis 12-25:11)
Our next faith figures are Abraham and Sarah. We first encounter them in Genesis 11. At this time, their names are Abram and Sarai. Abram is from the lineage of Shem and the son of Terah. Sarai is his wife. They are from Ur of the Chaldees. In the next chapter, YAH instructs Abram to leave his country, his family, and his father’s house to journey to a place where God will lead him. God prophesies that He will make Abram a great nation, He will bless him and make Abram’s name great. Those who bless Abram, YAH will bless. And, those who curse Abram YAH will curse. Through this one man, all the families of the world will be blessed. He heeds God’s command, and at the age of 75 he leaves his father’s house in Haran along with Sarai and his nephew Lot. While on his journey, Abram is prosperous. In Chapter 12, the text tells us Abram was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold. It is evident that YAH’s hand was on his life. Regardless of the highs and lows of his travels, he was kept by God.
(Genesis 15) By this point in Abram’s life, he and his wife are childless. But YAH appears to him in a vision. It is foretold that Abram will have a child of his own as well as descendants too numerous to count. Abram believes, and it is counted to him for righteousness. YAH instructs him to make an offering, and Abram obeys. While in a deep sleep, Abram learns the fate of his descendants. They would be afflicted, held captive for 400 years, serving another nation in a strange land. God would judge the nation, and the people would come out with great sustenance. (Prophecy of the Israelites’ captivity in Egypt and their Exodus from the land of Egypt journeying to the Promised Land) YAH made a covenant with Abram that his descendants would be given the Promised Land from the river of Egypt unto the Euphrates River.
After Abram’s encounter with God, he and his wife still have not conceived a child. Sarai, being well past childbearing age, believed she would not bear children for Abram. She suggests that Abram have a child with her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar. He complies with his wife’s suggestion. They have taken matters into their own hands. As a result, Hagar conceives, and this causes conflict within the household between the two women. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. But he is not the promised child, which YAH prophesied would come from Abram.
By Chapter 17, YAH appears to Abram, who is now 99 years old. He establishes His covenant with Abram that he will be a father of many nations. Additionally, his name is changed to Abraham. This covenant will be unto Abraham and his seed in their generations. The land of Canaan is the promised land for them to receive as an everlasting possession; and, YAH will be their God. The sign of this covenant was male circumcision. All who keep this covenant were required to be circumcised from 8-day-old babies to those who were born in the house or had been purchased with the money of foreigners. In the same way that Abram received a name change, so did Sarai. The name given to her was Sarah. God tells Abraham that He would bless Sarah and foretold of the promised son whom she would birth. She would be a mother of nations, and kings would come from her.
Abraham laughed at the thought of conceiving a child at his and his wife’s old age (99 y.o. and 90 y.o). God reiterated that she indeed will give birth to a son, and his name will be Isaac. Through this promised child, YAH’s covenant would be established to him and his seed thereafter. Even though Isaac was the promised son, Ishmael will still be blessed and fruitful. From him will come 12 princes, and he’ll be a great nation. The promised son, Isaac, was prophesied to be born at the set time next year. Abraham’s response was obedience to YAH’s command. He took all the males in his household and circumcised them. When Sarah learned of the prophetic word concerning conceiving a son, she laughed to herself. Once she recognized the seriousness of the matter and that nothing is impossible for God, she denied laughing about the situation. Just as God said, Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac at the appointed time. Through Sarah’s faith, she received strength to conceive and birth Isaac, though she was past childbearing age. She knew God was faithful to do what He said.
Lastly, Abraham’s faith is evident when he was instructed by God to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. This was the promised son that YAH had prophesied about, the heir to the promises of God. But now Abraham was being tested to see if he would give his son to YAH as a sacrifice. Abraham was in the process of preparing Isaac to be sacrificed when God intervened. YAH saw Abraham’s obedience, choosing not to withhold his only begotten son. And, in place of Isaac, God provided a ram that was caught in a thicket. So Abraham offered the ram as burnt offering. With Abraham’s willingness, he passed the test.
◇Lessons Learned from Abraham and Sarah◇
With Abraham and Sarah, there’s much that we can learn from them. In the beginning of their story, we see their willingness to follow God when YAH tells Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father’s house. Abraham departs with his wife and his nephew Lot. While Abraham is faithfully following YAH, he is very prosperous. At one point, he and his nephew have amassed numerous possessions, so much that there’s not enough land for both of them. Abraham and Lot amicably separate from one another. After Lot leaves, YAH makes it known the future plans He has for Abraham and his descendants. We can learn from Abraham that there is a time when separation is necessary. What God was doing in his life, he had to be removed from among his family. There are times in which our environments and the people in them are not conducive for what God needs us to do. They can be stumbling blocks that stifle our growth in God or draw us away from Him. If God has us to separate ourselves, it is important that we follow his instruction.
Next, with both Abraham and Sarah, we see the importance of holding on to our faith until what God promises comes to pass. We saw this with the birth of their son, Isaac. At first, they took matters into their own hands when Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to conceive a child. The child was blessed by the Most High, but he was not the promised son who was foretold. That seed would come through Abraham and Sarah, not Abraham and Hagar. When God prophesied of Isaac’s birth, it took faith for the couple who were past childbearing years to believe for the word to come into fruition. They had to trust God to see the promise fulfilled rather than leaning on their own understanding. To apply this level of faith in our lives, we need to believe that what God said it will come to pass. What may seem impossible is possible with God.
Lastly, we see how great Abraham’s faith was to willingly offer his son as a sacrifice to God. That requires strong faith that is built by trust in God. For the average person, it would be difficult to wrap our minds around the fact of offering our child as a sacrifice. Even though we are not tested in the same manner, there are other areas that may require sacrifice. It can be our time. There are times that we set apart to commune with God. We are still in which we remove any distractions to be able to hear His voice more clearly. Instead of binge watching our favorite tv show for several hours, we can dedicate time for prayer and studying the Word. In the time we use enjoying entertainment, we can replace it with service. We can look for ways to extend kindness and goodness to others (serving/ volunteering) rather than being wrapped up in indulging ourselves. I’m not saying, never take the opportunity to relax and enjoy certain activities. It can be done in moderation while still utilizing time to serve others.
Also, sacrifice can come in the form of giving our possessions to those in need. We may have clothing, household items, or other possessions that we can donate rather than hoarding them for ourselves. If it can be used by someone else, it is better to freely give it away instead of keeping it.
Brief Summary of Faith Lessons
(1) Abel
Give with the right heart posture
Give God our best
Present our bodies as living sacrifices that are acceptable to God and seek to do His will
(2) Enoch
Walking in close fellowship with the Father leads to fruitfulness
Leaving a legacy of righteousness
Our life’s testimony should be that we pleased God.
(3) Noah
Remain faithful to God, choosing to walk upright, regardless of wickedness being accepted and celebrated in society.
Take a stand for righteousness
No matter the opposition, stay committed to obeying God and completing the work He has called us to do.
(4) and (5) Abraham and Sarah
Trust in YAH to lead you when He separates you from what is familiar
Trusting God with the unknowns and uncertainty–Find peace and reassurance in YAH
Remain faithful to see the promise come to pass
The conception and birth of Isaac at the set time as mentioned by God
Put it into Practice
Are there areas in your life that are causing you to struggle with remaining faithful?
Challenge: Read the story of Joseph analyzing how he remained faithful to YAH and displayed the fruit of the Spirit throughout family conflict, imprisonment, serving in Egypt, and the reunification with his father and brothers. (Genesis 37, 39-50)
Hello everyone!! We’ve made it to week 6 of our discussion. There are only 3 more fruit to explore. Throughout my time of preparation for each week’s blog, it has been fascinating to be able to learn and grow while sharing with you all. I hope that as you journey along, you are gaining new insight on each fruit of the Spirit. I have found it interesting to see how the various fruit are intertwined with one another. But the most noticeable is love. It is love that bonds everything together. Choosing to operate in genuine love that comes from the Father is the key that enables us to produce the remaining eight. Our previous discussions should bring awareness that all nine are a packaged deal. We shouldn’t produce only a few while neglecting to have the others. All should be displayed in our lives.
In today’s blog, we will discuss goodness. By examining the scriptures, we are able to see how we can seek to do good toward others. This discussion will challenge us to have a greater level of selflessness. We can not seek to do good to others while we are full of ourselves, wrapped up in selfish ambitions and our own needs. In the next few sections, we will go over the call to do good toward others, how to persevere in goodness, and how we can show goodness to others.
The Call To Do Good Toward Others
Vainglory: inordinate pride in oneself or one’s achievements; excessive vanity (definition from the Oxford Dictionary)
As believers, we must understand that we’re called to do good toward those within the body of Christ as well as unbelievers. Christ gives us clear instructions in Luke 6. In verse 25, He tells us to love our enemies and do good to them, which hate you. Then, in verse 35, He reiterates that same command to love your enemies and do good. That paints a crystal clear picture that love and doing good are not subject to only a select few. It’s not a suggestion. We don’t have the option to only do good to those who treat us well. If we are born-again believers, we are required to love and do good with no exceptions to the command. Additionally, Christ instructs us to bless those who curse you and to pray for those who despitefully use you. This takes maturity on the behalf of believers. There is no room for holding on to offense. But most importantly, it leaves no place for us to be vengeful seeking to retaliate for the wrong done to us. Romans 12:21 informs us that we are not to be overtaken by evil; instead, we overcome or conquer evil with good. Once we are born-again our behavior should no longer be dictated by our former sinful nature. We have to put our flesh in check and yield to the Spirit of God.
When we walk in the Spirit, it prevents us from fulfilling the lustful desires of our flesh. We put off any hatred and wrath. We are not reactionary, looking to repay evil with evil. Instead, we give room for YAH to handle the matter. We can rest in the fact that vengeance belongs to Him, and He will repay. What we believe to be a form of retaliation has no comparison to YAH’s wrath. So we need to heed Christ’s command to love and do good. In observing verse 31 in Luke 6, we see that you should do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. We’re to treat others the way we want to be treated. Furthermore, it leaves no excuse for us to mistreat anyone regardless of what they have said or done. It causes us to be responsible for our own actions and prevents us from casting blame. It guarantees that we have to do the right thing and treat people the right way.
With our call to do good toward others, there is a need for selflessness and generosity. We can not fulfill this command if we’re only concerned about ourselves and our own needs. We should look out for one another. Those who have the ability and resources should use what they have to meet the needs of others. We should not hoard all our resources when we have the capability to assist someone else. If a person has a need, those who can should be ready and willing to help the individual.
Persevering in Doing Good
As believers, it’s possible for us to become fatigued as we give and pour into others. The above scripture serves as a reminder to not grow weary as we seek to do good. While in pursuit of doing good, it’s vital that we, ourselves, are refreshed. Those who pour into the lives of others also need to be poured into. We can not pour effectively when we are depleted. That’s why times of refreshing are necessary for each and every one of us. The refreshing we need comes through presence. When we spend time in the presence of our Father, we are renewed. We are able to feel rejuvenated. Where we once felt depleted, we now have new energy. Through YAH, we receive His strength. The motivation we need to keep pressing forward is given through His Spirit. As we read and meditate on the Word of God, our minds are renewed. Our “why” becomes clear, and we don’t lose focus. Being empowered by the Holy Spirit enables us to persevere, continuing our seek to do good toward others.
How to Show Goodness to Others
Displaying God’s goodness to others
Rooted in love – Having a heart of compassion that is concerned about the well-being of other people (Love and concern)
Looking out for others instead of being consumed with ourselves (Selflessness)
Requires stripping ourselves of selfishness and putting on selflessness
Making the necessary sacrifices for the betterment of someone else
Being intentional in meeting the needs of others (Intentionality)
It takes humility to consider others before ourselves. (Humility)
Servanthood – Service to others – Volunteering
Displaying the love of God while serving others in their time of need
Treat people with dignity and compassion
Serving, not out of obligation, but from a genuine desire to be a blessing to others.
Our motives matter, our heart posture matters, and we need to examine our why.
We need to ask ourselves, why am I serving or volunteering?
Is it solely out of responsibility? Is it for recognition? Would I still serve if I never received any acknowledgment or praise from others? Is it a mixture of both responsibility and the expectation of recognition? Or, is it because I have the desire to help/serve in whatever capacity I can?
Examples of Service and Volunteering
Meeting the spiritual needs of others by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Sharing the Good News with others – Evangelism)
Serving within your church’s outreach ministry (Ministry outside of the church, reaching the surrounding communities)
Participating in community outreach organizations
Feeding the homeless at a local shelter
Donating new or gently used items to local shelters
Volunteering at a local food bank
Hosting a (food, clothing, or toy) drive to benefit men, women, and children who are housed in a local shelter
Giving our personal resources to meet the needs of others
Giving clothing and household items that are still in good condition to individuals (as led by the Holy Spirit)
Giving monetary donations (as led by the Holy Spirit)
Put It into Practice: Personal Reflection
Are there any areas hindering you from displaying goodness to others?
Challenge: Find an opportunity to do good toward others.
Closing Thoughts
With our discussion today, I hope it encourages you to continue to do good to others. And for those of us who need to start the process, I pray this helps to show you the importance of how we treat others regardless of their treatment of us. We’re to treat others the way we want to be treated. We are required to love our enemies and do good. As I often reiterate, there is a choice that we all have to make. We can choose to do it our way and face the consequences or YAH’s way and reap the benefits. The decision is yours.
**Scriptures used from the authorized King James Bible
Next Week’s Blog
Week 7: Faithfulness 🫐TOPIC: Remaining Faithful as Believers
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