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We come to look at the eighth of these qualities or characteristics in the fruit of the Holy Spirit - Gentleness - or Meekness - or Humility. We always need to remember that these are not natural qualities and characteristics - but supernatural. These words have become part of our everyday language, but we are looking at the fruit of God the Holy Spirit in the lives of disciples of Jesus Christ. We have been looking at the Love of God - the Joy of God - the Peace of God - and we are considering this as the Gentleness - or Meekness of God. Meekness is NOT weakness.…  ( Click for more )

Faithfulness is a commodity that is in short supply. Faithfulness - or fidelity - is that quality of reliability - or trustworthiness - which makes a person someone upon whom you can utterly rely - and whose word you can believe receive and accept. That is in short supply - even within the visible Church.

We are reading slowly of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians Chapter 5. Jesus Christ wants to grow in us, through the Holy Spirit, this quality of faithfulness. Jesus is showing us how to live in the Kingdom of God while still around in this present world - this…  ( Click for more )

Goodness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. We are looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians Chapter 5, and we have spent time meditating upon these first five - and we come to this word GOODNESS. When Jesus Christ comes to a man - meets a man - changes a man - there can be such an amazing transformation. And then when that man surrenders totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ - giving all to Christ and for Christ - when there is such a positive response - remarkable fruit can be produced in that life - as it is presented to God and surrendered to God.…  ( Click for more )

We are spending time looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit – in Galatians Chapter 5 – one segment of the fruit at a time - that fruit which God grows within us - as He works upon us - fashioning our character - changing us and transforming us.

Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - and we now come to KINDNESS or GENTLENESS. All around us we see revealed - the hatred and violence and wickedness and sinfulness of men - and we see in Jesus Christ, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, and this supernatural characteristic, Kindness. There are certain things which do…  ( Click for more )

We are spending time looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit - nine characteristics in the ONE FRUIT - and today we come to Patience – or longsuffering. We have been reading of what has to be removed - and weeded out - and then what is to be encouraged and cultivated. Remember these words of Jesus in John 15 - "Apart from me you can do nothing." He is the vine - we are the branches - if you are apart from ME - severed from ME - wandering away from ME - you can do nothing - strong challenging words indeed. But what does Jesus mean - because you can do…  ( Click for more )

Love, Joy, Peace – the fruit of the Spirit – we have looked at these first two and today we come to Peace. In John 14 verse 27, we read of Jesus Christ's last will and testament. This was His only legacy. He had nothing else to leave. He had no material possessions of any kind which could be divided up among the men He had chosen and loved.

He bequeathed the one thing in His power to give - PEACE. Could there have been a more priceless possession? Can there be a quality more precious than the peace of God? So many people seek after PEACE. They will…  ( Click for more )

We are in Galatians 5 looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit - what should appear and grow when God the Holy Spirit is at work in those who belong to Jesus Christ the Son of God our Saviour and Lord. We move right on to this word JOY. Just one brief word of recapitulation – God has been telling us in this section of Paul's letter what to get rid of - what to root out of our lives - and crucify. And then, we are told what can grow when we provide the right conditions, and do all we can to cultivate our branch in the vine. Jesus gives us all we need to let these…  ( Click for more )

We have reached these thrilling verses in Galatians 5 where we learn that God the Holy Spirit wants to grow fruit in our lives. He wants to take these lives of ours - rescued from sin by Jesus Christ the Son - and His desire is to produce fruit on these branches of the vine. Now if that does not excite a man, I do not know what will. We looked briefly at this first word 'love'. Remember the setting. We do not want to take this word out of context. We have been reading of what to get rid of, and what to cultivate. Ugly things can raise their ugly destructive heads,…  ( Click for more )

Having spent two weeks looking briefly at the Galatians Chapter 1, let's now move on to Chapter 5 verse 22, where we come to look at the 'fruit of the Spirit' - the fruit of the Holy Spirit - the fruit which God desires to produce in our lives. These articles are bit longer than previous pieces, simply because of the nature of the subject. Verses 22,23 must be among the most beautiful words which you could find to read anywhere - listen to them again. Read them yet again. Is there anyone who could suggest any improvement? It would be a daring man who would seek…  ( Click for more )

Let me complete Galatians Chapter 1, before moving on to the 'Fruit of the Spirit' in Chapter 5. Paul is writing this amazingly practical letter to believers - to disciples of Jesus Christ, who have been deceived by false teachers. They have tasted and experienced so much of what has been real, but they are deserting and reverting to legalism. You must keep the old law and observe all the old rituals. Now I have seen this happen all over the place. This is not 'theory'. This is happening in Scotland. People revert to 'norm'. That is a very real danger. …  ( Click for more )

Let's turn to the letter to the Galatians. My desire and plan is to write on the 'Fruit of the Spirit' but an introduction to the letter might be advantageous for some. What an amazing letter this is, as it deals with some of the real problems which are presently facing the Church of Jesus Christ. Paul is writing to believers - to disciples of Jesus. He is writing to men and women who have tasted something of the Mercy and Love and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and of the Power of the Holy Spirit. But, they were deserting God, and they were falling back into what…  ( Click for more )

We have been reading the scene and learning something of the significance of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in Mark Chapter, and in verses 9 to 13, we read that Jesus commands His disciples, do not tell anyone until I have risen from the dead.

No one could possibly understand the significance of this incident.

When that experience is all over the disciples have questions. Why does Jesus keep telling people not to tell people who He is?

Is this not what we are supposed to do? What is going on here? The time was not right.

1 - Jesus needed…  ( Click for more )

The focus changes as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, takes three disciples up to the summit of Mount Hermon. We move on into Mark Chapter 9.

We have seen who Jesus is – now we are learning something of the purpose of His coming – what Jesus came to do.

These Chapters lead us up to that time when Jesus made His way to Jerusalem and to the Cross.

Jesus uses every opportunity to teach His disciples, and there is an increasing sense of urgency – this is what you must not forget.

As soon as Peter declares “You are the Christ” – Jesus…  ( Click for more )

Taking up our cross has never been easy and it certainly is no easier today – especially in lands where church buildings are being burned down, and where people are arrested and imprisoned simply because they believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

We seem to need to many words at times today, because people may have their own idea and ideas of Jesus Christ, and we must never move from the revelation given us in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

In Mark Chapter 8, Jesus is speaking about suffering, rejection, being killed,…  ( Click for more )

Having taken a break to Luke at the birth of Jesus Christ in Luke’s Gospel we return to the Gospel of Mark.

In Mark Chapter 8 we read for the first time that Jesus Christ must suffer – and must be rejected – and must be killed – and must rise again.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His life willingly. He laid it down, we read in the Gospel of John. No man took it from Him. Man was used, yes – but Jesus Christ surrendered, and shed His blood, and gave His life willingly and sacrificially on the cross.

Blood in the Bible means…  ( Click for more )

As we launch out into 2016 may there be that dedication and commitment in your heart and mind to serve our living God, faithfully and loyally and obediently and graciously. It is going to be needed as the spiritual battle becomes fiercer.

Soldiers prepare in times of peace for times of war. That applies to solders of the Cross too.

We are in Luke Chapter 2 and at verse 25, we read of an old man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and godly. He was waiting to see the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the Temple to…  ( Click for more )

We come to Luke Chapter 2 and verses 21 to 40. Amazing circumstances surrounded John the Baptist when he was 8 days old. Amazing and wonderful things happened, when Jesus was 8 days old, and significant things were said. Many are unaware of the importance of what happened on this occasion.

When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.

These verses might appear quite unfamiliar to many. This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just…  ( Click for more )

Many will be considering preaching on, and teaching, and speaking about, the birth of Jesus Christ over these next few days.

We move into Luke Chapter 2. We do need to remember too that Jesus was not born in December, but more likely during the Feast of Tabernacles.

In Luke Chapter 2 we read of a ruler issuing a decree. Everyone in the Roman Empire is to be registered. Caesar Augustus orders a census, and this involves all the heads of households - all the men folks - to go to their own cities.

For Joseph, that means an 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.…  ( Click for more )

We are reading, and studying, these opening verses of Luke Chapter 1. Zechariah was a faithful priest in a day when there was not a lot of faithfulness around.

I wonder how many people thought, “Look at that silly old priest going away to conduct a service - and say prayers - and preach something - a message - which no-one really wants to hear.” How many people might say that of us as we meet for Worship and Prayer week by week?

Ignore it - forget it - overlook it. Let people say what they want. If you know you are right in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ,…  ( Click for more )

There is a new battle for the truth, the authority and authenticity of the Word of God.

There always has been, but it is undoubtedly going to become fiercer as we move into 2017.

I am breaking off from Mark’s Gospel to turn to Luke. The situation has changed dramatically in the past year, in Europe, in the United Kingdom, and in the United States of America – but the Word of God is unchanging and the Word of God is relevant no matter what circumstances are.

We need to know – or have our minds refreshed – as to who the Lord Jesus Christ…  ( Click for more )

Many people had been looking for a political Saviour to set them from the rule of the Romans, but Jesus Christ, the Son of God had come to set people free from sin and self. Many today would want to be set free from certain political rulers, no matter where we live.

“We do not much like the present government but if we get a change we will like the next one!” How often has that been said? That is not the answer and never will be.

Thinking of that song, “We have a King who rides a donkey, and His Name is Jesus.” That is the King –…  ( Click for more )

As we move onto Mark Chapter 8 and verse 27, we come to what has been regarded as a significant development in the account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as written by Mark. This is almost a watershed.

The Gospel of Mark leads up to this point, and flows from it. It builds up to a peak, as we move on to the Cross after this point. The Gospel begins at the Jordan which is low, and today we are on Mount Hermon – the highest place in Israel.

Miracles and parable almost disappear, and Jesus stops speaking about the Kingdom of God, and…  ( Click for more )

In Mark Chapter 8 verse 1 - we have the feeding the 4,000. Might this sound familiar?

These people have been around Jesus for three days. Jesus has compassion for these people.

This time we have seven loaves and seven baskets.

How can we feed them?

How could the disciples ask this question? They had seen what had happened previously. They had seen a miracle and they don’t believe that it can be repeated.

We can be like that and this indicates the hardness of our hearts. We can be very difficult and unbelieving at times – I know my own…  ( Click for more )

Jesus went into a Gentile territory. Mark Chapter 7 verse 24.

Jesus has been challenging the legalistic convenient position of the religious Pharisees.

This was part of the Promised Land although Gentile territory at that time.

Please do read the text of the Scriptures before going further. It always pays to read the actual text of the Bible. God loves to reward those who make the effort to read His Word. Be in the Word of God every day.

Jesus is not all that interested in our geopolitical squabbles. Jesus is concerned about people, and yet strong stern…  ( Click for more )