Monday, September 15th 10:35am

 

Patience, along with Kindness and Goodness were the topics of yesterday's message.

 

 

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness..." (Ephesians 5:8-10)

We continue to meet and think about the changes that God's Spirit has brought about in our lives. At one time we may have been impatient, our acts of kindness may have been random, and rather than exposing fruitless deeds of darkness, we may have been willing participants.

And truth be told, there are still times where we find ourselves growing impatient. There are times when we don't feel like being kind. There are times when "fruitless deeds of darkness" have appeal. But there is someone that can keep us moving forward and growing even when we find the going tough: God's Spirit, Who occupies our hearts and brings about change in our lives.

For those of you that were here yesterday, have you been able to take what God said to you and put it into practice?

Did you find yourself getting irritated or annoyed since yesterday morning? Did you ask Jesus yesterday morning to bring to your mind a thick towel, and did God's Spirit help you absorb the irritation or the annoyance without growing impatient?

Did you ask Jesus to help you recognize opportunities to BE kind, and have you come across any opportunities to go into action?

Did you ask Jesus to help you speak up humbly and gently if you found yourself in a spot where "fruitless deeds of darkness" - sin - was taking place or about to take place? Have you had any opportunities to do this?

"Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

God is so good to us in that He clearly shows us the kinds of characteristics that should be evident in our lives, and better yet, He Himself helps us to possess these characteristics. Even then He doesn't stop, but He takes these characteristics, this fruit, and He helps us to produce them and live them in increasing measure.

If you weren't here yesterday, you can watch, listen to or read yesterday's message by going here.

Notes:

This coming Sunday we'll conclude the series on the Fruit of the Spirit by looking at growing in the characteristics of Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

The following week will mark the beginning of our Revival/Renewal Services with guest speaker Steve Schellin. We are excited to bring Steve in from Indiana...he has spoken locally before, and we have heard that he is an gifted speaker who will be able to connect with the congregation here at Five Forks. Let's be in prayer for Steve, and for our church as these special services draw closer.