But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
By now you’ve already broken any New Year’s resolution you vowed you’d never break. It happens every year.
I’ve got a much better resolution for you. Do you see that list of the fruit of the Spirit above? Those attributes are just waiting to be applied to your life.
Resolve in 2010 to single out one of those attributes and go forward through the year with the mindset that you will hone in on that quality and exemplify it throughout the year. It doesn’t mean that you’ll let the other eight qualities go, but that you will emphasize one. I know, we’re supposed to do all of those things, but you focus on one of those and the others will line up right behind. For instance, you can’t be peaceful and not be joyful or loving. Fortunately you’ll have someone to assist you, the Holy Spirit, since those qualities are a fruit of the Spirit. Ask the Spirit of God to help you with that quality. He will.
So here’s the ultimate goal: to have one of the fruit of the Spirit in a greater capacity than you did in 2009. Again, if you need help, He will help.
4 responses to “Pick One”
Thx for the reminder. Great idea to really focus on one. Something good to do is after “picking” the one, do a word study and find all the verses you can concerning that fruit, write them on index cards, keep them handy or visible to help reinforce what God’s word has to say about it. What about even memorizing a couple for when the cards aren’t around. Hide God’s word in our heart? Sounds like a great Chop Chop follow-up challenge. Keep ’em coming.
Thanks Marsha. Those are really good comments. I will have a follow up devotional tomorrow for this.
Dave
Mine is self-control. I want to get better at asking Him to be my self control in any given situation. Whenever I have – He has. The problem isn’t Him – it’s his partner. Wanna be a better partner in this area. Go team!
Understand, Colleen. Mine would be peace. With all the craziness in the world, it’s hard not to be uptight and uneasy. Even at a micro level, we have to be at total peace. I’ve met a few “totally at peace” people and their light shines through.