We are on the 8th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Meekness / Gentleness – “gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:23). “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

The biblical qualities of meekness and gentleness are misunderstood and undervalued in today’s society of extremes—where all too often people tend to angrily overreact or passively underreact.

As we read above, the apostle Paul lists “meekness” as the eighth attribute among the fruit of the spirit in (Galatians 5:23) he uses the Greek noun praotes or prautes— and “meekness” is the closest translation for the Greek word used here. (Similarly, the closest English translation for the related Greek adjective praos or prausis “meek.”)

We are to be meek (yielded, teachable, responsive) first of all in our relationship with God, and secondly meek (humble, gentle, respectful) in our relationships with people. To become this kind of person, God must tame and train us!

A word with a closely-related meaning is magnanimous, defined as “generous in forgiving; avoiding resentment or revenge; unselfish.”

Meekness is an important part of true love. “Love is patient, love is kind … It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

The Bible places great value on meekness. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) That’s a mighty big reward for being meek!

But since “meek” is no longer a popular or commonly used word, modern Bible translations frequently substitute the almost-synonymous word “gentle.” Scriptures quoted in this article are mostly from the New King James Version, which uses “meek” and “gentle” interchangeably.

However, be aware that gentleness refers mostly to actions, whereas meekness refers to attitude—one’s whole state of mind as well as actions. Meekness produces gentleness. This explains why meekness is one of the beatitudes—beautiful attitudes for which God promises blessings.

God is calling people out of such darkness to be “the light of the world”—to set the right example for others (Matthew 5:14)

That’s a tall order. But God is ever ready to help us. Pray earnestly for His help. And make a habit of reading God’s Word so it can transform your thinking and way of life.

Remember that an important part of being that shining light is having godly meekness and gentleness. And someday the whole world will be a peaceful and happy place. That someday is when Christ returns and the meek inherit the earth!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,we pray today that you would draw us into meekness. We pray that you would soften our hearts, that you would remind us of the gift of gentleness, that you would show us through Jesus how to live in love day by day. We pray that you would forgive us of our sins and open our eyes and hearts to forgiveness for others in our lives. We ask that you would help us to guard our speech, that the words we say would be life-giving and glorifying to you. We are so grateful for your refining fire in our lives. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

We are on the 7th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Faith (faithfulness) – “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1). “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17).

It is increasingly difficult to find someone whose love or loyalty can be counted on. So many people are fickle and faithless. It’s sad to read the apostle Paul’s prophecy of wretched attitudes and habits “in the last days”  “For men will be lovers of themselves …blasphemers…unloving…slanderers…traitors…” (2 Timothy 3:1) He continues “The consequences to society are disastrous.” ( 2 Timothy 3:2-4)

Marriages and families are a major casualty. Fewer and fewer people are willing to make lifelong commitments. And a great many who do make wedding vows (even “before God”) later on break those vows in one way or another. When someone cheats on or deserts his or her mate, God says “you have dealt treacherously [with]…your companion by covenant” (Malachi 2:14-16) God hates these forms of unfaithfulness.

All good relationships are built on the foundation of faith and faithfulness, of mutual trust born out of trustworthiness. A good marriage is largely defined as a faithful wife and faithful husband. A good friend is a true friend or a faithful friend, not a “fair-weather friend,” but one who “loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17) Paraphrased. A good employee is a trustedand dependable employee.

Although all people sometimes fail at faithfulness, we can always count on God. That is what enables us to have complete faith and trust in Him. It’s vital that we respond to the faithfulness of God the Father and Jesus Christ with deep and abiding faith, so that we will then give Them our very best—our utmost allegiance, fidelity, obedience and devotion.

Do you trust God completely? So much so that you live accordingly—to the point that He is able to trust you? When Jesus Christ returns, wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear Him say approvingly, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, If I have been without faith to you or others, I ask that You would forgive me. Lord, You remain faithful to us regardless of how unfaithful we are. I thank You for this and ask that You would give me the strength to remain loyal to my family, friends and church. Use me to display Your faithfulness to a world that needs it. Thank You for Your steadfast love. Thank You that Your Word has stood the test of time and remains the source of truth and light for every situation in our lives. Please continue this work of opening my heart up to the amazing faithfulness of Your Bible. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

We are on the 5th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Gentleness (kindness) — We should live “in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).

Let’s take a look at what, according to Scripture, accompanies true kindness: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each another, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

To consistently live up to all this is humanly impossible! But “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)

Kindness starts with caring —being tenderhearted and compassionate toward others. (Proverbs 12:10)

We must make it our goal and habit to be actively looking for opportunities to show kindness. When we see one, we need to act quickly before the opportunity is gone.

“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions” (1 John 3:18)

Some people think kindness is weak—not something for “go-getters” to be bothered with. Big mistake! If we want God, who has ultimate control of how things go, to be kind to us, we’d better be kind to others. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7)

Lack of kindness is epidemic. The apostle Paul accurately foretold a cold and hard-hearted world “in the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

Jesus Christ practiced kindness that was radical for that time and culture. He always had great concern for women as well as men, for children as well as adults, for other races as well as the Jewish race, and for the sick and weak as well as the strong. Often He wore Himself out praying for people, healing people, feeding people and helping them in other ways.

When Jesus looked on the multitudes of people with all their problems, sicknesses and confusion, He was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 18:27)

As we look at the people around us, we, too, should be moved with gentleness, compassion and kindness. We, too, should be helping, giving, sharing, caring, encouraging, extending mercy, filled with compassion and acting on it as we are able.

With each of us, may the fruit of kindness continue to blossom and grow. Above all, may we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who personified God’s heart in the greatest example of loving-kindness.

“Gentleness and Kindness starts with caring—being tenderhearted and compassionate toward others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and for giving me the opportunity to experience life more abundantly. Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. I want learn how offer gentleness, kindness and compassion to others in a way that You teach. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

We are on the 4th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Patience (Longsuffering) — We are “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Patience” in Galatians 5:22-23 literally means “long temper,” in the sense of “the ability to hold one’s temper for a long time.” The NKJV translates it “longsuffering.” A patient person is able to endure much pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing. Since it is a fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess patience through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God is patient with sinners. (Romans 2:4) says that God’s patience leads to our repentance. (Romans 9:22) points out that only God’s patience prevents Him from destroying “the objects of his wrath.” Paul glorifies the Lord for His “unlimited patience” that saved him, “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:16). Peter highlights the patience of God in (1 Peter 3:20), pointing out that God had immense patience with the evil people of Noah’s day, delaying judgment as long as possible

The opposite of patience is agitation, discouragement, and a desire for revenge. God does not want His children to live in agitation but in peace (John 14:27). He wants to dispel discouragement and replace it with hope and praise (Psalm 42:5). We are not to avenge ourselves; rather, we are to love others (Romans 12:19; Leviticus 19:18).

God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us. When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and in our relationships. We lay down our schedule and trust in God’s. We thank the Lord for what and whom He’s brought into our lives. We let God be God.

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

“Today, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved” 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace and for being so patient with me. Father, help me to walk with patience and grace and to share Your love and mercy with others. In this world of pain, help me to trust in You even when I may not understand all that is happening around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

We are on the 3rd day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

What is the Fruit of the Peace?

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

We are born at war. At birth, our sinful nature has already declared war on God and His truth. Our heart’s desire is to be separated from Him, and if we persist in this desire until death, He will give us what we want.

But God’s methods of warfare are not what we expected. Instead of a battle, He sent us the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus’ goal in coming to earth was more than simply to cease hostilities; He came to bring about a full and abiding relationship of restoration and love. The cost of this peace was His life (Isaiah 53:5).

But, just as we cannot force another to be at peace with us, even Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross did not ensure that we would accept His terms of peace. Romans 3:10-11 explains, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God.” None of us can accept Jesus’ offer of peace through our own will and power. Our natural selves do not want it. Only God can lead us to want peace with Him; the Holy Spirit leads us to want Jesus and His message. Once the Spirit draws us, we believe in Jesus, and the peace comes. “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

The Spirit-filled Christian has a peace that is abundant, available in every situation, and unlike anything that the world has to offer.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

The alternative to being filled with the Spirit and His peace is to be filled with alarm, filled with doubt, filled with foreboding, or filled with dread. How much better to let the Spirit have control and perform His work of growing fruit to the glory of God!

“Do all that you can to live in peace with one another.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the work done on my behalf. Beacuse of Your sacrifice on the cross and my acceptance of You in my heart, I do not have to be anxious about my salvation. I place my faith in the grace of Christ. Please give me rest and an abundance of peace in my life. Help me to continually seek You in my life, because it is in You where I will find true peace. Help me live by Your word and draw on Your love so that I can be at peace with others when they annoy me. I Love You Lord, and I choose Peace. Today open up opportunities to share this truth with the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org