Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-control.
^ Against these things there is no law.
If there is one thing that God has laid on my heart on this trip, it's these things. Weird for a mission trip, right?
Galatians 5:19-26
"19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another."
So you've probably heard this part of scripture more than once in your life. The fruit of the Spirit, right? I've grown up hearing these things, but I've never put very much thought into it. God has really laid "living by the Spirit" on my heart since I've been on this trip. I didn't know exactly what that meant until I rediscovered this verse. How on earth could I know for sure if I was living by the Spirit?
Galatians 5:19-26 has the answer. I'm trying so hard to constantly keep these in mind. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. It can be difficult living with 15 other people for four months, not knowing any of them ahead of time. Of course we love each other, but like a family we have our issues. The fruit of the Spirit have become almost a mantra for me. You know how some people count to ten when they get upset, and it calms them down? Try listing the fruit of the Spirit.
God is constantly reminding me that I am His child. He's my Daddy! That in and of itself is such a beautiful thing that always amazes me. And of course, what child doesn't want to make their Dad proud? Whenever I think of the fruit of the Spirit I realize that when these things are evident in my life, God is pleased. Whenever any of the sinful desires guide our lives, it breaks God's heart.
Try to remember these things in EVERY situation that you encounter, and you'll see what a huge difference it will make in your attitude. Live your life to please your heavenly Father, and everything that you face will become an opportunity to make Him proud!
* Please, please, PLEASE continue praying for health for our team! Sickness has been hitting us pretty hard lately 🙁 We appreciate it! *
