“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
Love, Joy, and Peace. At the end of the day, it is not money that people really desire, but love and joy and peace. Money can not buy it, but it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What struck me this week as I studied this passage is the word “Fruit”.
You see, you can’t manufacture fruit. The seed must be planted, watered, and allowed time to grow. In other words, in our “me first”, immediate gratification society, you can’t have love, joy, and peace…not quickly. Let me repeat that, there is no seminar, no quick sermon answer, no get-rich-quick fix to acquire love, joy, and peace. It can only come about from the Holy Spirit working in you, and that does not happen in a microwave timeframe. YOU CAN NOT HAVE LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE WITHOUT TIME AND FOCUS ON THE SOURCE OF IT ALL, JESUS CHRIST. No matter the quality of the reels you watch, the sermons you listen to, the brilliant books you read, Love, Joy, and Peace can only be had by time and focus. Time with Jesus, opening up your heart to correction, to conviction by the Holy Spirit, and to the love of Jesus Christ. As you focus on Jesus instead of your little slice of the world that you are trying desperately to control, you will find His love growing in you. As you obey His commands, that love will grow more.
Soon, the love will overflow into the people in your little slice of the world. Instead of focusing on your family and doing your best for them, and asking Jesus to help you with what you think is best, try focusing on Jesus and letting Him guide you on loving your family. You see, He knows what He wants to achieve in each of their lives-you don’t! So focus on the relationship with Jesus FIRST, focus on His love and then just simply obey what He tells you to do. And you will have tremendous fruit. And the end result will be a peace beyond what you can conceive or believe…Love, Joy, and Peace… together. WOW. But it starts with focus, we MUST stop focusing on ourselves and turn the gaze back to Jesus. Spend time with Him, in the Word and on our knees, and be open to his correction and love. Focus on Jesus is the starting point. How is your relationship with Jesus this week? What can you do TODAY to improve it?
Be blessed!
Brian
P.S. Just 3 weeks away from the launching of the Great Awareness Church on August 3rd! If you are in GA, I would love for you to be there as my personal guest. If not, please check our sermons out online once they are posted. Until then, please check out my YouTube channel below…and subscribe as new videos are posted weekly-thanks!