January 18, 2016
Good Morning Ladies!
Can you believe it, we are starting Week 8, Session 2 of Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. WOW!
Thank you for taking the time each week to read the GO! update. These GO!-to- mini's can also be used as conversation starters with others. Remember, as stated in Matthew 5:13-16, "each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has colled us to be to others."
Before we get started, let's review Galatians 5:22-23. If you know the sign language, please sign along with repeating the verse:
"The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Just a quick side note on Patience...last week I was reminded of a song I grew up hearing, "Please Be Patient With Me" (1979) with Albertina Walker, James Cleveland and John McNeil. As I hummed this song periodically throughout the week, I found that the words all of sudden made sense! It's amazing how God makes things so abundantly clear to us. It's like the planting and watering of seeds. When they take root and start to grow...amazing. I guesss it's all about God's perfect timing. In writing about timing, this takes me to the fifth and sixth quality of the Fruit of the Spirit:
Kindness and Goodness
Kindness (Greek- "chrestotes")- tender concern for others; a tender heart and a nurturing spirit.
Goodness (Greek- "agathosune")- active good; good works. A person may display his agathosune, her zeal for goodnesss and truth in rebuking, correcting, teaching and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Agatathosune is a trust.
As stated in Titus 3:8, " This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."
Both Kindness and Goodness are interrelated. How?
God "wants us to have a disposition of "tenderheatedness" and a Spirit eager to nurture".The good works that God has prepared for us to do should result in kindness towards others. Our zeal for goodness is dispensed in accordance with God's work in us. We cannot be trusted to do good works until God does his work in us; we must be obedient, deny self, yield to God and be a vessel for Him.When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, kindness will motivate us to do good works. Goodness is actively doing good!
Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
God has chosen to do His work through us. We have been saved and are here to do some good.
The assignment, a very specific and important assignment was issued to us prior to our birth.
The mission, to shine the light on God's kingdom was planned in advance and perfectly timed.
What's your assignment?
Take a look at:
Matthew 25:14-30- The Parable of the Bags of Gold (the master went on a journey and entrusted three servants with different quantities of gold; when he returned he found two of the three servants had been faithful).
'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (v. 21)
1 Corinthians 12:7-11- Concerning Spiritual Gifts
"All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." (v.11)
2 Timothy1:14- "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
Holy Spirit come, work in us so that we can fulfill the good work you have called us to do. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
• do things you couldn't;
• feel things you didn't; and
• know things you wouldn't.
For your praise and worship:
I Want My Destiny- (F. Hammond and RFC)
Who Is Like The Lord- (I. Houghton and New Breed)
Housekeeping :
• Remember to keep practicing our memory verse in sign language. Galatians 5:22-23- Fruit of the Spirit (verse with sign language) (est 6:22)
• Week 7 Homework- we will be discussing Kindness and Goodness.
• Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, 2016- Stark County Library, 2nd Floor Meeting Room (Main Campus).
• Spread the word and invite someone to Session 2 as we continue our conversation and study about life in the Holy Spirit in Fruit of the Spirit- Living Beyond Yourself.
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve, GO!
Krista
Each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has called us to be to others. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
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