Many Pastors Leave Their Churches with Similar Thoughts
More than a few will judge me for revealing that I am a Tom Clancy fan. So be it.
The original books were filled with so much submarine tech and knowledge that, as the son of an ex-navy medic, I always found them fascinating. Before Clancy died, he and his books had become a cottage industry, with many writers and movie moguls picking up where the original writer left off and writing new story…
The Best Thing About the Past is That It's Really a Present
The Best Thing About the Past is That It’s Really a Present
the past on a cycle
If there is anything to be learned from history, it’s that we should learn from the past. George Santayana famously said, “Men who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” So history can be educational, but there is another observation about the past that we should remember: we can’t live there…
The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Brethren, I do not count myself…
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
keep your mind on Christ and his promises
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Remember Peter
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
If you get stressed for any reason
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Troubled with burdens or oppressed
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Isaiah 26:12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Introduction:
Embark on a transformative journey through the fruit of the Spirit as we explore the qualities that reflect the character of Christ. Join us on this enriching exploration of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and discover how they can shape our lives and relationships.
Scripture Passage: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Cross References: John 15:1-17, Colossians 3:12-17, 2 Peter 1:5-8
Commentary:
In Galatians 5, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of a life surrendered to Christ. These qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—flow from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit and reflect the character of Christ Himself.
In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him to bear fruit. He emphasizes the intimate connection between abiding in His love and producing fruit that glorifies the Father.
Colossians 3 calls believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving as the Lord has forgiven us. These virtues are essential for maintaining unity in the body of Christ.
In 2 Peter 1, believers are encouraged to make every effort to add to their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These qualities ensure that we will be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Broader Context:
Love:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - The characteristics of love as described by Paul.
John 13:34-35 - Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as He has loved them.
1 John 4:7-12 - Believers are called to love one another because love comes from God.
Joy:
Psalm 16:11 - In God's presence is fullness of joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 - The joy of the Lord is our strength.
John 15:11 - Jesus desires His joy to be in us, and for our joy to be complete.
Peace:
Isaiah 26:3 - God promises perfect peace to those whose minds are steadfast.
Romans 5:1 - Through faith in Jesus, we have peace with God.
Philippians 4:6-7 - God's peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Patience:
Ecclesiastes 7:8 - Patience is better than pride.
Romans 12:12 - Believers are called to be patient in affliction.
James 5:7-8 - Be patient and stand firm, for the Lord's coming is near.
Kindness:
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.
Proverbs 19:22 - What is desired in a man is kindness.
Colossians 3:12 - As God's chosen people, clothe yourselves with kindness.
Goodness:
Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.
Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.
Titus 2:14 - Christ gave himself for us to redeem us and purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Faithfulness:
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Faithfulness is required of stewards.
2 Timothy 2:13 - God remains faithful even when we are faithless.
Revelation 2:10 - Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.
Gentleness:
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath.
Galatians 6:1 - Restore others gently when they are caught in sin.
1 Peter 3:15 - In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Self-Control:
Proverbs 25:28 - A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
1 Corinthians 9:25 - Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Questions:
Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life, and why?
In what ways can you abide more deeply in Christ to bear fruit that reflects His character?
How do the fruit of the Spirit impact your relationships with God and others?
What practical steps can you take to nurture the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who produces fruit in our lives that reflects the character of Christ. Help us to cultivate these virtues daily, empowering us to love as you love, to bring joy wherever we go, and to walk in peace amidst life's storms. May our lives bear witness to your transformative power and bring glory to your name. Amen.
Believers in Christ must strive to maintain a clear conscience: we must remove any pollution or defilement in our minds, hearts, and souls. That includes being cautious of what we say (Matthew 15:11), what we hear—practically anything NEGATIVE our soul absorbs, which can pollute it. And whatever we absorb can cause us to behave in a not so pleasing way to God (Romans 12:1).
This can happen without us being aware. For instance, if you run to the internet to answer your questions and to solve your problems, instead of God’s truth, you’re not going to have peace because the world is full of lies and ruled by spirits of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
-1 John 5:19
These are deceiving spirits who want to take our focus off God and drag us down. They want us to feel as if there is no hope. It’s all a distraction.
The devil will use our emotions to toy with us. Therefore, trusting other sources, our hearts, and people instead of God and His word will only birth fear, paranoia, and anxiety, which are not fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Not only that, the human heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). And as Proverbs 28:26 says: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will escape.”
As Believers, this will only make us stumble and our faith wobble. That is why we need to root ourselves in God and in His word.
“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
-Jeremiah 17:8
<Extra Verses>
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”
Psalm 118:8-9
“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”
-Isaiah 2:22
“Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.”
-Proverbs 14:15
<Bonus Verses>
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
-Philippians 4:8-9
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:6-7
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
-2 Corinthians 10:5
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
-Isaiah 55:8-9
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
-Romans 12:2
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
-Isaiah 26:3
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
I am in that season of life when stamina is not what it once was. Strength is less than it once was. Muscle tone is a daily battle that, if not fought and won, daily, is lost easily with further diminishment of strength and stamina. So I am learning to live life in short bursts, and I am learning that it is amazing what can be accomplished in those bursts.
I don’t know who said it. I can’t…
What does Jesus and the Bible teach about being a “good Christian”?
at the request of @iridescent-glass-bubbles, i wrote some scriptural advice. and i apologize for being long winded, but i wanted the verses to do a lot of the talking 😂🙏
The most important thing in learning to set a good example as a Christian is to continually read God’s Word.
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know Me,” (NLT). And in the KJV, it says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” It means, how can we know God and His ways if we’re not actively reading about them? It’s much easier to be confused and led astray when you’re not familiar with what He’s said and how He works. (If you can read a novel, you can read Matthew or John or Romans.)
Similarly, what you’re constantly focusing on will affect how you think and act. Jesus says, “But the words you speak come from the heart- that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander,” (Matthew 15:18). This is why Paul says in Colossians 3:2, “Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth.” And in Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Fill up your heart with things of the Lord, and that’s when your actions will start to follow.
As for how Jesus wants us to act, it’s all through the New Testament, especially His “Sermon on the Mount” speech in Matthew. Among some are: don’t hate anyone (5:21-22), don’t seek revenge (5:38-42), love and be kind to those who hate you (5:43-48), forgive everyone without holding a grudge (6:14-5), and don’t let pride convince you you’re better than everyone else (7:1-5). He says in Matthew 22:37-38, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” The Golden Rule: treat others the way you’d want to be treated, is actually from the Bible (in Matthew 7:12).
A good summary is found in Colossians 3:12-15 which says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with Love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” (Also see the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23).
Jesus didn’t just teach these things, He lived them. Every account of a situation He was in is an example of how He honored these principles.
It sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? The truth is we aren’t capable of being perfect examples of Christ. We mess up all the time. But the Holy Spirit can help us with these things. Jesus wants to grow us into bright lights that shine His love on everyone, but we need to be willing. I didn’t see that much change in myself until i started regularly reading the Bible and thinking on how He wanted me to act. And then i started putting in the effort to obey, and He provided the increase.
We can’t be “good Christians” if we’re relying only on our own efforts. But we’re called to listen to and obey the Lord and He will change us more and more into His image. As Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” So let God’s promises fill you with peace, stand for the truth, and love others even in difficult situations. 💙
Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then, whether I visit you or not, I will hear that all of you think alike. I will know that you are working together and are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news. Philippians 1:27 CEV
The Holy Spirit is reminding us today to live in a way we reflect Christ in our daily lives. The word of God today is a call to unity and steadfastness in living out the gospel message.
So Let me break down what God is saying in his word today:
1. "You must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ": Here, we are reminded of the importance of living in a manner that reflects the teachings and values of the gospel. It is not about you professing belief in Christ, but also you must demonstrate your faith through your actions and your conduct.
2. "So that whether I come and see you or am absent": Paul was telling Philippians whether he is with them or not, their conduct should remain consistent. This underscores the idea that their commitment to the gospel should not waver based on external circumstances or the presence of particular leaders.
3. "I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel": Paul desired to hear reports of the Philippians' unity and dedication to the faith. Because one of the main reflection of Christ in us is unity. If we live and work in unity, we are portraying the love of Christ in us to the world. This way the world will know we are children of the Most High.
Overall, the word of God today serves as a reminder to us to live lives that reflect the transformative power of the gospel, to remain steadfast in our faith regardless of circumstances, and to prioritize unity and cooperation in our efforts to spread the message of Christ.
Regardless of the cultural context, we are called to exemplify Christ in all aspects of our lives, transforming the world around us for the glory of God.
Now; here are the affirmations of Christ's character and image, along with the renunciation of conformity to worldly things:
1. Affirmation of Christ's Character: "I affirm that Christ's character is my model and example in all things. I strive to emulate his love, kindness, and compassion in every aspect of my life." (Phil 2:5-8)
2. Renunciation of Conformity to Worldly Things: "I renounce conformity to the values and patterns of this world. Instead, I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, aligning myself with the will of God and rejecting anything that contradicts his truth." (Rom 12:2)
3. Affirmation of Reflecting Christ's Light: "I affirm that I am called to be a light in the world, shining brightly with the virtues of Christ—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I strive to reflect Christ's light in all that I do, bringing glory to God in every circumstance." (Mt 5:14-16)
4. Renunciation of Dishonorable Conduct: "I renounce dishonorable conduct and resolve to keep my behavior honorable among others. Even in the face of opposition or criticism, I will maintain integrity and righteousness, knowing that my actions speak volumes about the character of Christ within me." (1Pet 2:12)
5. Affirmation of Living in Christ's Name: "I affirm that everything I do, whether in word or deed, is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. I give thanks to God the Father through him, acknowledging his lordship over my life and seeking to glorify him in all things." (Col 3:17)
when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God’s glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, “This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him.”
Hebrews 2:9
What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. What we do see is Jesus, who “for a little while was made lower than the angels” and now is “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death for us.
John 8:49-50
“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God wants to glorify me. Let him be the judge.”
God and Jesus set the example of the importance of giving and receiving honor. They declare it good and important.
1 Corinthians 6:20
for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Romans 13:7
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due.
1 Peter 2:17
Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.
Giving honor is acknowledging how we value and respect others.
Philippians 2:3
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.
Luke 14:11
For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.
Proverbs 18:12
Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Giving and receiving honor is a part of Christian humility, because it seeks to lift someone else up, sometimes at our own expense.
Psalm 34:3
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 107:32
Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.
Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
1 Corinthians 8:1
Now let’s talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church.
Honoring God and one another unifies us. It transforms selfishness into selflessness.
I AM BACK FROM THE DEAD AND I BRING YOU BIBLE VERSES THAT REMIND ME OF THE OM CHARACTERS ✨✨✨✨✨✨
__________________
Lucifer - Galatians 6:2
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reminds me of Lulu because he tends to take on everyone's burdens as well as his own. He puts others before himself usually, and that's just mfmfmfmf <333
Mammon - Proverbs 18:24
"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
You can't look me dead in the eyes and tell me that Mammon hasn't always been the first to help them whenever MC needed it, and without hesitation too. Bro is so babygirl 🤭💖
Leviathan - Isiah 43:4
"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you."
Sobbing everytime I read this verse.
These are the words Levi needs to hear because lil bro has a self-esteem the size of a molecule.
AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU NEED TO HEAR IT TOO 🔫🔫🔫
JESUS LOVES YOU, I LOVE YOU, WE ALL LOVE YOU ❤❤
Satan - James 3:17
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Allow me a little over-analysis time hehe:
So basically Satan can be regarded as "wisdom" since he's the brains of the bros, and he technically came from the Celestial Realm since he was created just before the bros fell (or as they fell).
Ik ik he was created wrathful and vengeful, but he wasn't techincally. That anger isn't his: it's Lucifer's and his dad's. Imagine Satan being like a pure, clean, blank slate that was corrupted within seconds of his creation with anger that wasn't his.
TEARS RN 😭😭😭😭
Asmodeus - 1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
I love this verse sm. Peter cooked, ate and left no crumbs.
Asmo loves the most out of the bros and it's so sweet <3
Beelzebub - Psalm 37:37
"Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace."
Beelie is generally (usually) the most calm out of the bros.
Lil homie so peaceful tho bc all he does is eat, work out, eat some more, love his bros, chill with MC, and eat again 😭
Belphegor - Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Homegirl is still mourning the loss of Lilith.
I guess you could say MC was the comfort? 👁👁
Diavolo - James 2:24
"You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
AHFJKSJAKDJAK TO EVERY BELIEVER THAT SEES THIS, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!!!!!!
In relevance to Diavolo, it's more of him genuinely being a good person and not just in other demons' words.
Kind of 😭
Barbatos - Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
And Barbatos is all of the above ✨
Except maybe the prayer one bc I don't think there's any distinct faiths in OM 💀
Luke - Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
I think this is just such a Luke thing to say, especially since he's young and can't do much 🥹
Simeon - 1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
ANOTHER FAV OF MINE 💖
I don't think I even need to explain why this reminds me of Simeon.
Solomon - Eccesliates 1:18
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."
I present to you my favourite verse AND favourite book.
FUN FACT: King Solomon wrote Eccesliates, so these are the literal words of Solomon.
I guess not much more needs to be said as to why this reminds me of Solobro 💀
Thirteen - Psalm 41:7
"All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me."
Y'know I don't know much about Thirteen but I assume girl's got haters 😭
Raphael - Psalm 34:13-14
"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
Honestly I have no idea why this reminds me of him, it just does.
Mephistopheles - Romans 14:21
"It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble."
Homie loves his lil bro more than anything, so he would do just about anything for him.
Pretty sure brother in this verse means neighbour or friend but it's the same thing.
BONUS:
Little D - 1 Corinthians 13:1
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."
I HONESTLY JUST CACKLE EVERY TIME I READ THIS VERSE 😭😭😭
I'm pretty sure that Little D just wants to fit in with the rest of the squad though, so all of its yapping is with love 💖
__________________
OKAY THERE'S MY LIST THINGY. IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY. I'LL MAKE AN ARR ONE TOO BC WHY NOT.
Also why was half the words cutting off at the end of each line when I made them small text lol 💀