So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Mark 13:23

Another year has come and gone, never to be seen again. Time keeps passing by, and as the saying goes, "the older I get the quicker it passes".

Jesus said to be on our guard, because He has warned us of our future! He has told us "ahead of time" what will take place. Are

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 12:1 NIV

I want you to read this verse very carefully. It is describing God's Creation. Creation is an operative word in this

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

I am finishing a year's term as Secretary to the Deacon Body of my church. Most of the members of my church don't even know that, because it is not a high profile position. My role was to keep the minutes of Deacon meetings and to solicit

"What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old." 2 Kings 4:14 NIV

Several months ago, Mustard Seeds had a series on the character Naaman. It was a long series, and I sensed that it was time to move to other subjects. There is an additional character in the story, however, that I want to

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." 2 Kings 5:20 NIV

Some people are always looking out for themselves. Have you known anyone like this? They are

So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a

When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered. 2 Kings 5:24-25 NIV

Gehazi instantly knew he had done wrong. He

Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow. 2 Kings 5:27 NIV

God had lost his patience with Gehazi. Gehazi took matters into his own hands, because he did not fully trust God to provide for all his needs. His actions cost him a lifetime of

If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. Deuteronomy 7:12 NIV

Wait a minute! What about Romans 8:39, which says that "nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus"? Was this verse not true in the Old

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Luke 8:16 NIV

I thought about this verse. I thought about it as I replaced the 100 watt bulb in the lamp in my bedroom. If I put that lamp under the bed, my room would still not be completely dark. If,

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. Acts 14:26 NIV

What do you do because you are committed to the grace of God?

Paul and Barnabas were church planters. They went from place to place, as the Lord allowed, spreading the Good News of Jesus and helping to

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. Galatians 4:8 NIV

Who or what determines your path in life? Is it your family, your friends, your employer, or your hobby or career? With whom would you say you have the closest relationship?

I know a dear family. They are as close as any family I know.

The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11 NIV

When I was growing up, I have fond memories of a sweet, African-American lady I knew. She was an employee of the church, hired to work in our nursery, watching children while the parents went to Sunday School and worship service. She had a quiet disposition. She was easy to love. I

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 NIV

One fruit and one Spirit; remember that! The Bible gives plurality to the sins of mankind. Not all of us have the same sins, so when the Bible talks about sins, it

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 NIV

"I've got joy like a river, I've got joy like a river. I've got joy like a river in my soul."

Could that be your song today? I didn't ask if you had any problems, I

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 NIV

"In this world you will have troubles, but have no fear, for I have overcome the world."

Jesus said it better than I could. I love the angels announcements. Whenever

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 NIV

As we look at the fruit of the Spirit, the qualities which are exhibited perfectly in Christ, and are available to be displayed in each Christian, we now come to the

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 NIV

Okay, now kindness really is our next virtue within the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is something some of us, especially us manly men, could stand to work on in our

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 NIV

Some people confuse goodness with kindness, but they are separate attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus answered the man who called Him good teacher, "Why do

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 NIV

Faithfulness is found in those who are diligent in their walk with the Lord. It is a virtue of the fruit of the Spirit, which is so well needed in the church today.

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 NIV

I am blessed with two fine boys to help raise. God willing, I want them to be strong men of God one day; accomplishing much for the Kingdom of God. Sometimes I feel

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 NIV

As we wrap up this study of the virtues found within the fruit of the Spirit (remember it's a singular fruit), we come to the one that ties them all together; the