Daily Treasure

“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).

When we look at the next three “grapes” in our cluster, we see ones that touch on our relationship with others. As we focus on these we will understand how our relationship with God affects our dealings with others. By our actions with others, we will show God has transformed our lives.

Another word for “longsuffering” is patience. This one may need more “Son-shine” and the moisture of prayer. If we have complete confidence in the sovereignty of God, we will trust Him with the timing of our circumstances and how He works in the lives of others. This will enable us to be calm in spite of life’s uncertainties and patient when others treat us wrong. I’ve often shared this bit of humor, “True Christianity is letting your light shine even when you’re ready to blow a fuse.”

Next we see the words, “gentleness” and “goodness.” The two are very similar. We want these to be evident in our lives but often we may either display one or the other. We can show forth both if we can show goodness to others in a gentle way. No matter how good our intentions are to do good towards others, we must be sensitive in how we carry it out.

If our lives show forth the above traits, we have the potential to be used greatly for God’s glory. Our witness and testimony will impact many people.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for adequate funding for the WNAC office.

“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).

Today we begin to look at the “fruit of the Spirit.” I had likened it to a cluster of grapes. It is one fruit with nine distinct qualities. So this cluster has nine grapes. The first three, “love, joy, and peace” touch on our relationship to God. If we don’t take care of these, the other six will be affected.

Let us look at the word, “love.” For the Christian, this has to go beyond just emotion. We must strive to learn to love as Jesus loved us. There are people we are prone to love more than others. However, we must consider how we feel toward the “unlovely.” Christ did when He gave us life for them as well. We must let this “fruit” grow by following Christ’s example of deep and unconditional love.

Next we find the word, “joy.” We often confuse joy and happiness. The latter tends to depend on our “happenings.” We can experience joy in spite of our circumstances. Christ wants our joy to be full. We are redeemed and on our way to Heaven. Our lives should demonstrate that joy and excitement. Maybe that “grape” could use some nourishment.

True “peace” begins with God. As we learn to trust Him more, we can begin to let go of the things in our lives that only cause us turmoil. Commune daily with God and watch the first three qualities of the “fruit of the Spirit” grow.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as FWBIM Regional Directors meet with Jeff Turnbough, new Deputy Director for Field Operations, to discuss global and regional strategies.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).

Before anything can be planted there needs to be some preparation of the soil. In our case, the soil is our heart. We learn in the next verses following today’s text what we were filled with before Jesus saved us and placed His Spirit within us. We had to make some changes to make the Spirit feel comfortable in its new abode. We have a sin nature that makes us want to do things that are contrary to the things of God. Until Christ’s return there will always be conflict between the forces of good and evil. Both are trying to win control over us. Once the Spirit comes to live in us, He wants to instruct us how to overcome our fleshly desires. Our lifestyle gradually changes as the Spirit plants within us qualities that show the world, God has worked a miracle in our lives. At times this may seem like a slow and painful process. We may have to endure a “fertilizer factor” as we develop each of the “grapes” in our “cluster of grapes” or “Fruit of the Spirit.” For example, we may pray for patience. We may have to go through trials and learn how that “fertilizer” helps us grow patience.

We should allow the Spirit the control to do whatever it takes to produce “fruit.” Tomorrow we begin to focus on each of the “grapes” in our cluster.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God how much He would have you give to Building for the Future: 20/20/20, WNAC’s national project.

“Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).

This week we begin our continued Bible study regarding the Holy Spirit. As I prepared to write the devotions to go with the October Bible study, I was challenged with how to best present this week’s study. It involves us focusing on the “fruit of the Spirit.” After reading a few commentaries, I decided upon using the object of a cluster of grapes. Since this fruit is a vine one, it seemed appropriate. Jesus is the “true vine” (John 15:1). We must abide in Him, or, we, as extensions of Him, will never be able to bear the kind of fruit the Spirit wants to produce in us. That type of “fruit” won’t be like apples, oranges, or grapes but will be the traits befitting one who is led by the Spirit. First and foremost there must be a direct connection between the “Vine” and us, the branches. Prayer and Bible study keep the two connected. We must completely depend on God for the Spirit to produce “fruit.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The Hanna Project Board Meeting begins today. (October 6-8). Pray for wisdom and discernment as they meet.

Sunday mornings are sure to be one of the busiest days of the week, it seems. Everyone is scurrying around the house trying to get ready and out the door in time for worship. Some Sunday mornings, everything seems to go wrong. Satan desires to interrupt our thoughts and deter our attention.

Are you having one of those busy Sundays? Have you stopped to focus on the reason for the day? Are you expecting great things from the Lord in your services? Ephesians 2:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Clear your thoughts, anticipate great things from your Heavenly Father. Worship Him with all your heart, and He will exceed your expectations this Sunday!

Danita High
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for believers in Indonesia as they courageously live for Christ in the midst of hardships.

“God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me.”

This is a simple chorus, but so real in our lives. If we received justice instead of mercy, we would be in a lot of trouble. He is good to us. Praise Him today for His goodness.

Diane Conn
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for effective methods and eager workers for ministry to young people. We do not want to lose our youth to the world. Read Judges 1:10.

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith”(Galatians 5:5).

We are saved, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, but one more thing has to happen. We patiently await the day when the final phase of redemption takes place. He will come to take us home to live with Him forever! If we should need any motivation to keep us pressing on, we find it in the blessed hope we have “through the Spirit.” With our finite minds we cannot begin to imagine the glory that awaits us. We can only imagine being face to face
with Jesus and living in His presence for eternity. Some days it seems but a dream. Continue holding on to the hope we have in Christ, being led by the Spirit. Soon that dream will become a magnificent reality.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Dr. Kenneth Eagleton as he teaches two courses at FWBBC this fall. Also pray for his wife Rejane and their family.