Posts with the tag “fruit-of-the-spirit”

We're invited into a profound exploration of spiritual breathing - the continuous filling of the Holy Spirit that sustains us through life's most challenging climbs. Drawing from Ephesians 5:18, we discover that being filled with the Spirit isn't a one-time event but an ongoing posture of receiving. The Greek text reveals this as a present, continuous action: we must keep positioning ourselves to be filled, not once, but continually. The beautiful truth here is that we don't produce the Spirit's presence through our own effort; we simply position ourselves through worship, community, and openness to receive what God is already pouring out. Like climbing a mountain at high elevation where every breath becomes precious and intentional, our spiritual lives require us to stop, pause, and intentionally breathe in God's presence. The metaphor of fragile clay jars from 2 Corinthians 4 reminds us that we leak - life drains us, circumstances empty our tanks, and our humanity is weak. But the source never runs dry. When we find ourselves spiritually breathless, holding our breath in survival mode rather than abiding in Christ, we're called back to the gentle leading of the Spirit who never forces but always invites.   Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine the path we're walking in our spiritual lives. Jesus presents us with a stark choice in Matthew 7:13-14 between two gates - one wide and easy, leading to destruction, and one narrow and difficult, leading to life. This isn't about an angry God trying to make our lives hard, but a loving Father guiding us towards true fulfillment. We're reminded that God cares more about our character than our comfort, more about our formation than our feelings. The narrow path may not always feel good or be fun, but it leads to a rich, satisfying, and abundant life. As we break our addiction to instant gratification, we're called to mature in our faith and choose the path that leads to life, even when it's challenging.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the crucial role fathers play in shaping not just their families, but society as a whole. The central theme revolves around being a 'Spirit-filled dad,' drawing inspiration from the book of Acts and the early church. We're encouraged to see fatherhood as God's 'Plan A' for families, with dads serving as catalysts for God's presence in the home. The message emphasizes three key aspects of Spirit-led fatherhood: boldness to lead, calmness in chaos, and legacy-building. By focusing on Acts 4:31 and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, we're shown how the Holy Spirit empowers fathers to lead with love and conviction, rather than fear or control. This perspective challenges us to reconsider our approach to parenting, urging us to seek God's wisdom in both tender and corrective moments. Ultimately, we're called to view fatherhood as more than just raising kids – it's about shaping future men and women of God, leaving a mark that outlives us.  Read More