Galatians 5:22-26 The Fruit of the Spirit is love…

 Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

Believers who have allowed Holy Spirit to guide them are changed, precept by precept, into the character of Jesus. God is love and without love we are just making noise. Our faith, our hope and our love are gifts of the Father. The greatest of these is love. For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son not to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved. Carla

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (NKJV)

This list (verses 22–23), which contrasts with the works of the flesh (verses 19–21), is not exhaustive but representative. These traits describe the desires and characteristics that God cultivates in believers through His living presence. The phrase “fruit of the Spirit” in this context refers not to “spiritual fruit,” but to “fruit that the Spirit produces.” This latter translation best supports Paul’s argument that the production of godliness in the life of the believer does not require the law; it is empowered by God’s Spirit.

When the life of the believer expresses these qualities, there is no need for the law. Those who “live by the Spirit” (verse 16) produce fruit reflecting the character of God that the law could not (3:21). However, this list shouldn’t be turned into a new kind of law (a replacement for faith in Christ and life lived by the Spirit).

Through faith, believers participate in Christ’s death and resurrection, leaving behind their orientation toward selfish desires (2:19–20). We must also follow the Spirit. It is not enough to claim to have new life in Christ by the power of the Spirit believers must continually follow after the Spirit in the way they live while also resisting the flesh.

Provoking one another, envying one another such  actions represent a failure to live by the Spirit. Faithlife Study Bible

Spirit: There is a question here whether Paul means specifically the works done by a person’s regenerated human spirit, or works done by the Holy Spirit Himself in the believer’s life. The fruit analogy is reminiscent of Jesus’ teaching on the vine, branches, and fruitful harvest (John 15:1–5).

Christians are spiritually “crucified with Christ” (2:20). They no longer have to follow the values or desires of the world (6:14). However, it remains difficult for Christians to apply this spiritual reality to the passions (affections) and desires (lusts) of the flesh (verse 16). Those who have mastered these sinful desires are those who have kept their focus on God (John 17:3; Hebrews 12:1–3). In verses 25 and 26 Paul exhorts the Galatians to walk in the Spirit because they are already living in the Spirit. Such an action should be natural, but unfortunately we are at war with the flesh. Walk in the Spirit means to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 

A believer following the Spirit’s lead will not become conceited, provoke others, or envy others. The NKJV Study Bible

Galatians 5:16–21

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish…

Colossians  3:12–17

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do…

Romans 6:6

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 

Ephesians 5:9

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

“Take the step.”
We all know the feeling. Whether we call it stuck, or hopeless.
We know we feel disconnected, whether triggered by the weight of disheartenment with life, or circumstances unfriendly, or grief all-encompassing.
It is real.
And it is easy to focus only there, on the hopeless part. Forgetting that because we are on this journey—this climb—together, we can lend a “helping hand”, and we can encourage one another to take the next step.
But what if it looks unnerving or overwhelming?
What’s our theme this week? “Take my hand, and we will find our way together.”
“I’ve got you.”

“Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger
Little scared but you're strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
'Til the sun comes up”
Sara Bareilles, “Safe Place to Land”

A fire rages in a two-story house. A young boy's head is visible leaning out a second-floor window. His voice is piercing and plaintive, “Daddy, help me! Daddy, where are you?”
Smoke (from first-floor-flames) billows from shattered ground floor windows, now obscuring visibility. From the window, the boy cannot see the ground below, and he is literally shaking with fright. The boy hears a familiar voice, as if coming from inside the great cloud of smoke. His father, shouts, implores, “Son, I am right here. I can hear you. I am right here on the ground beneath your window. I need  you to listen to me. Listen to my voice. I need you to jump. Now. Jump and I will catch you.”
“But Daddy, I can't jump because I can't see you.”
“That's okay son. I will catch you, because I can still see you.”

Here's the deal: the power of Grace allows us to give in to the moment.
Whatever it holds. To choose to receive, or walk, or “take a step”, or jump.
To choose to apologize, or forgive, or love, or set right, or grant mercy, or receive mercy.

"You are the God who sees me."  Hagar's response to God, after her cry of desperation. (The Book of Genesis)   SabbathMoments 

Psalm 18:1-3 PS I love YOU!

 Psalm 18:30–31

As for God, His way is perfect;

The word of the LORD is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

For who is God, except the LORD?

And who is a rock, except our God?

You are my God, my Lord and My Savior. I trust You alone to fight the powers of evil that threaten all of us. I know that the battle is not with flesh and blood but with the darkness that wants to destroy Your creation. In You alone, Jesus,  is the salvation of the world.  My hope rest in You God. I love You. Carla

Psalm 18:1-3

1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;

So shall I be saved from my enemies. NKJV

Twice in the Psalms the poet declares a love for God (116:1). Here an unusual word for love is used, referring to compassion as deep as a mother’s love.

The Hebrew word for my rock is balanced by its parallel Hebrew word my strength, meaning also “my rock.” References to God as a mountain fortress that protects the believer are found many times in the Psalms (91:1–3; 144:1). This is a particularly apt image for David, who many times had to hide in the mountains for security (1 Samuel 26:1, 20). The words strength and stronghold reinforce the image of God as Protector. The horn symbolized strength. The NKJV Study Bible

In the opening hymn of praise, the psalmist proclaims his love for Yahweh, who gives him strength. He lists several terms that emphasize the stability and security found in Yahweh. “Rock” (sela' and tsur), “fortress” (metsudah), and “stronghold” (misgav) describe secure locations and emphasize the safety and protection of Yahweh. “Deliverer” (from palat) and “horn of my salvation” (qeren-yish'i) attest to Yahweh’s acts of salvation

Happiness and joy are the result of taking refuge in God.

My stronghold. The Hebrew word used here, misgav (“stronghold”), describes high walls or a rocky fortress; it emphasizes the stable protection God provides for those in need.

Yahweh is praiseworthy because of His protection and salvation. The psalmist confidently calls on Him, knowing He can act to save him from his enemies. Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 28:7–8

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him.

The LORD is their strength,

And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.

Psalm 31:2–3

Bow down Your ear to me,

Deliver me speedily;

Be my rock of refuge,

A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

Therefore, for Your name’s sake,

Lead me and guide me.

Psalm 144:1–2

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, 

Who trains my hands for war,

And my fingers for battle—My lovingkindness and my fortress,

My high tower and my deliverer,

My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,

Who subdues my people under me.

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

“Take my hand” is a way of saying, “I see you. You are Real. And you matter.”
Presence does not distinguish. Or judge. Presence just is.
Meaning that presence makes space. For healing, and restoration, and grounding, recovery, and yes, celebration.
Because in the touch, we can be present.
In the touch, we create heart space.
In the touch, we are in the life-giving business.
In the touch, we are in the Grace business.

I hope each of us can hear that affirmation of Grace today.

“The baby was staring intently at other people, and as soon as he recognized a human face, no matter whose it was, he would respond with absolute delight. I realized that this is how God looks at us, staring into our face in order to be delighted, I suspect that only God, and well-loved infants, can see this way. Even when we try to run away from our troubles, as Jacob did, God will find us, and bless us, even when we feel most alone, unsure if we'll survive the night. God will find a way to let us know that [God] is with us in this place, wherever we are, however far we think we've run.” Thank you, Kathleen Norris. Sabbath Moments

Christians it is time to walk in the name of Jesus. We cannot call evil good.

Pierre Dames Bel and Haitian TPS....it is time to turn over some tables.

https://youtube.com/shorts/tG1PM-FRy9k?si=SeeUq0TsNPQEZ2jk

Women of Welcome

Matthew 6:34 Seek God and His will on earth. He sees what we cannot.

 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

These days the stress of the world seems to rest on our shoulders. Who knows but maybe we were made for days such as these. The truth that we do not have any control over it weighs heavily on our mind and our heart. We need to be reminded daily that the power of our prayers  and supplications are brought before our holy God and He listens to them. Holy Spirit will direct us to be doers where we can help and the rest is in the very hands of our Creator.  Without the peace that only Christ can give us we have no hope. Carla

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV)

Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness means to desire God’s righteous rule on this earth and leave the rest to Him. The NKJV Study Bible

Jesus is not telling people to postpone their worrying for a day; He is instructing them to stop worrying altogether and to rely on God’s gracious provision.  Faithlife Study Bible

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?“

Today, Wendell Berry died at his home in Port Royal, Kentucky at the age of 92. Wendell was one of my favorite writers.
He was a writer, yes; and a farmer, environmentalist, scholar and poet. I connected with him, and his profound love of gardening, and his commitment to care for the planet we call home.
It is the gift of awareness and connection to “this place”—this sacred place, the sacred ground on which we stand, and the invitation to care, encourage, nurture, and “rest in its grace”.
The poems of Wendell Berry invite us to stop, to think, to see the world around us, and to savor what is good.
Rest in Peace, Wendell.

And one of my favorite poems—which I’ve quoted in a Sabbath Moment in the past—is “The Peace of Wild Things”.
“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
Wendell Berry – The Peace of Wild Things.

Connection to “this place” links us back to our theme this week, because of the reminder that we are on this journey together.

And so I’m grateful for those in my life who have said, “Take my hand, we’ll find our way together.”

“Take my hand” is a way of saying, “I see you. You are Real. And you matter.”

Presence does not distinguish. Or judge. Presence just is.

Meaning that presence makes space. For healing, and restoration, and grounding, and recovery.

Because in the touch, we can be present.

In the touch, we create heart space.

In the touch, we’re in the mending business. 

Sabbath Moments

2 Peter 1:5-9 When we know better we do better!

 John 15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Lord I am not worthy to receive You but only say the word and my soul will be healed. The measure that we believe in Your power to overcome the sins in our lives the more that we can receive Your wisdom and Your truth into our lives. Holy Spirit directs, guides and explains the ways of God to us so that we can change. Our flesh will always fight against the Spirit while we are in the earth but Jesus says it is finished and I take Him at His Word. God loves the world and wants no one to live without Him in their lives. Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Carla

2 Peter 1:5-9

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. (NKJV)

This exhortation begins a section (verse 5–11) in which Peter describes the responsibilities that result from possessing the godly resources described in verses 1, 3, 4. Faith marks the beginning of the Christian life (Acts 3:16; Romans 3:28; Hebrews 11:6). Through genuine faith, God grants eternal life to a spiritually dead person (Ephesians 2:1). Virtue is the same word used in verse 3 in reference to Christ’s character. 

We cannot produce virtue ourselves; but we can choose to obey the virtuous promptings of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Knowledge (practical wisdom) is obtained by dedicating ourselves to learning God’s truth in the Scriptures and putting that truth into action.

Self-control means mastering one’s emotions rather than being controlled by them. The false teachers whose views Peter was exposing believed that knowledge freed people from the need to control their passions. A person who exercises self-control will not easily succumb to discouragement or the temptation to quit. Viewing all circumstances as coming from the hand of a loving Father who is in control of all things is the secret of per-severance.

The Greek word for godliness was used by ancient pagans to describe a religious individual who kept in close touch with the gods. Here Peter uses the word to speak of the need for Christians to be continually aware of God’s presence. Knowing that all of our life is in His hands should influence every aspect of our life. We should live for God and not for ourselves. 

Brotherly kindness is so closely linked with godliness that 1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.” As Jesus taught in John 15:12–17, love involves serving one another, sharing with one another, and praying for one another. Love here refers to God’s kind of love, which originates not in the one loved but in the one who loves. 

God loves because He is love; we are to love because we are from God.

The presence of the qualities listed in verses 5–7 marks a healthy Christian and assures productivity in our lives.

The lack of fruitfulness (verse 8) in a believer’s life may be caused by two factors: blindness and forgetfulness. A shortsighted person is one who looks only at earthly and material values—what is close at hand—and does not see the eternal spiritual realities. Concerned only with this present life, such a person becomes blind to the things of God, forgetting the wonderful sense of cleansing that comes from turning oneself over to Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

In verses 5-7 Peter uses a literary device called sorites, in which each virtue leads to the next one in a stair-step structure. Peter’s audience would have been familiar with this style. Virtue lists, like vice lists, were common devices in Graeco-Roman rhetoric.

The idea of knowing about God is preceded by the principle of living a life of integrity, making the point that the disciplines of a faithful life lead to further understanding of God. Faith is not just a matter of obtaining salvation; it is a matter of life transformation—overcoming sin demonstrates the power of Jesus in a person’s life.

A person who lacks the disciplines of the Christian faith has failed to understand one of the primary purposes of salvation—the freedom to live apart from the bondage of sin (2 Pet 2:19; Hebrews 6:4–6). This principle will surface throughout 2 Peter, as one of the distinguishing ways someone can tell the difference between a truthful, godly teacher and a false teacher.

Patient endurance against daily opposition, as believers were forced to explain their choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Living as part of society without synchronizing their beliefs with those of the Roman Empire would have required incredible endurance. The believers who received the letter of 2 Peter would have found the principles of their faith at odds with the general practices of Graeco-Roman culture.

In a culture that primarily accommodated sin, believers had to choose to live by the principles of Christianity. Christians felt social pressure to worship various gods and particularly the Roman emperor, who claimed to be god’s son. Believers may have also been experiencing direct persecution. If the audience of 2 Peter is the same as 1 Peter, then Christian persecution—certainly through social pressure and perhaps through physical abuse—is in view.

Knowing that his death is quickly approaching (2 Peter 1:14), Peter exhorts his audience to examine their faith continually so that they will remain established in the truth and truly be part of Christ’s kingdom.

Christians should not just possess the virtues in verses 5–7, but be growing in them. It is possible to have some knowledge of Christ and yet be unproductive. Faithlife Study Bible

2 Peter 1:2–3

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 

1 John 2:9–11

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him…

Acts 24:25

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 

Ephesians 5:26

that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 

“What is Real?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”
“Real isn't how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn't happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
(The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams)

It is easy to say. And easy to read.
And it is most certainly true.
But saying and doing are two different things.
I do know this: Some days I do “mind” being hurt.
And I want to run away.
Or I want someone to fix it.
Or I want to tell whoever or whatever to “go away.”
And on those days, I need the reminder and the invitation and affirmation that self-love is a radical act of healing, resilience and well-being.
There is no doubt, uncertainty and “broken things” are very real. But here’s the deal: I don’t want to shut down. An essential reminder that care of any kind—engagement, service, kindness, generosity, ministry, teaching, compassion, gentleness, encouragement, healing—is predicated on, and fueled by, self-care.

And so I’m grateful for those in my life who have said, “Take my hand, we’ll find our way together.”
“Take my hand” is a way of saying, “I see you. You are Real. And you matter.”
Presence does not distinguish.
Or judge.
Presence just is.
Meaning that presence makes space. For healing, and restoration, and grounding, and recovery.
Because in the touch, we can be present.
In the touch, we create heart space.
In the touch, we’re in the mending business.

Sabbath Moments