God has great wisdom available for us in our relationships.  And we need that wisdom because we all have the opportunity every day to allow the seeds of what could become evil in our lives to take root.  So, we need to know and be on God’s path when it comes to our relationships.

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships.

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships. 

You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships. 

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us that our treasure leads our heart. Whatever I choose to treasure will reveal the truest things about me. Along the journey to generosity, I had to face two myths that kept generosity from flowing from my life.  

The greatest are those who serve the most. We don’t serve so God will love us, but because He has already loved us. We don’t serve so God would be pleased with us, but because in Christ He already is. And that frees us to love and serve people by the grace of God. 

But when he met Jesus, everything changed — not only his heart, but his hands. The same fingers that once reached to extort as much money as possible, now extended with generosity to the poor, and to pay back fourfold anyone he’d ripped off.

Failure is a spiritual opportunity. To give up or to grow up.  If you choose to grow up you will be prepared for what God has for you.  Abraham Lincoln had a lot of failure in his life before being President. Many historians believe he was able to have the character to do what had to be done in the Civil War because of the faith he had developed over the course of his failure.

I remember a time in church where I asked all the parents to participate in a pop quiz and raise their hands if they were guilty of any of these categories. I asked: How many of you are guilty of losing your temper and yelling at kids in public?

Jesus is right in front of the disciples, and they’re focused on themselves and each other. They have immediate access to the source of all joy and wisdom and instead they’re bickering amongst themselves. But we do this too. 

Gentleness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit that we need most in our world today. In an atmosphere of harshness, anger, and frustration, gentleness stands out. 

All of the Fruit of the Spirit are connected to each other. Gentleness is connected to love and kindness. When we are led by the Spirit, we are embracing all of the attributes of the Spirit in a united way.  

Jesus modeled gentleness for us. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

I think one of the characteristics I value the most is faithfulness. Faithfulness–The consistency that someone shows in what they say and do. Faithfulness is this determined direction in life though not done perfectly, is consistent. Faithfulness is when God helps us lead ourselves on God’s path.  

One of the Fruits of the Spirit is patience. Patience is something we all want and admire but the reality is that patience only exists in a world of disruptions, disappointment and delays. We cannot show patience unless the situation calls for it–and the situations that call for it are not the ones we would choose for ourselves.

There are only two ways to live your life: in the flesh, or in the Spirit. The desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other to keep you from what?  Doing what? What you want to do. That is why a sinning Christian is miserable. You are working against your deepest desires when you sin. Against your true identity.