Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Personal Challenge
We are not saved by the works that we do because our salvation is a gift that only God can give us. Our works, or doing good things for God, come from our sense of gratitude for all that He has done for us. Doing these kinds of works never cause us to be weary because He gives us strength until that day when the harvest is reaped. Glory be to God!
Proverbs 17:28 (17:30)
Wisdom shall be imputed to a man without understanding who asks for wisdom,
And anyone who holds his peace will seem to have discernment.
Personal Challenge
I truly believe that we all desire to have wisdom. True wisdom only comes from God. Since we are created in the image of God, it makes sense that we desire to have the wisdom that comes from Him. The act of asking Him for wisdom sincerely shows that we are willing to humble ourselves before Him and seek His blessing of wisdom. Glory be to God.
Galatians 6:1-5
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Personal Challenge
We are not alone in our journey through life, especially our spiritual journey. We live and thrive in community with one another. We are seeing more and more in our culture people being just plain mean and nasty to one another. We cannot claim to be followers of Christ and behave this way. We must treat others with a spirit of gentleness, bearing one another’s burdens, and loving our neighbor. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Proverbs 17:27 (17:29)
He who refrains from uttering a harsh word is intelligent,
And a longsuffering man has discernment.
Personal Challenge
I love how the Proverbs always cut to the chase. If we keep from uttering harsh words, either verbally or on the keyboard, we are intelligent. If we are longsuffering with all those who are in our live, especially those who drive us crazy, then we have discernment. It couldn’t get any more succinct than that. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy!
Galatians 5:24-26
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Personal Challenge
Do we really want to live a godly, righteous life? It is one thing to say that we do, and it is an entirely different thing to actually do it. To live a godly, righteous life, we must be willing to crucify our fleshly desires and passions on the cross of Christ. We must then desire to live our lives walking in the Spirit, yielding to His leading and not ignoring Him. We will need to avoid conceitedness, provocation, and envy. We must be so close to Jesus that we never lose sight of his footsteps to follow in. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
Proverbs 17:14 (17:15)
The foundation of righteousness gives authority to words,
But discord and quarreling precede poverty.
Personal Challenge
What is the foundation of who we are? This is a question that we all need to ask ourselves on a regular basis. Is it based on discord and quarreling? Are we always trying to stir the pot or play the devil’s advocate? Or is our foundation built on righteousness, which only comes from our Lord Jesus Christ? We have a choice. We can live our lives one of these two ways, each of which has their own consequences. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Encouraging Words
If we are followers of Christ blessed by baptism into His body, and anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit, then we have been given the fruit of the Spirit. It is up to us to pick this fruit, eat of it, and let it permeate our lives. What a glorious and life generating, fruit it is. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all ours to claim and let us drive who we are. Glory be to God!
Proverbs 17:1
Better is a morsel with enjoyment in peace
Than a house full of many good things and unrighteous sacrifices with quarreling.
Personal Challenge
There are multiple passages in Proverbs that remind us of how important it is for us to live in peace with those in our household, especially our spouse. Peace does not come from stuff or numerous activities, including multiple religious activities, but from loving one another. Here is a prayer that I utter every day to help me focus on a peaceful relationship in my home. I may not get it right every day, but the foundation keeps getting referenced with this prayer.
O Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for blessing our marriage through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
When we stood together before Your Holy Altar, we invited You to come and bless us.
We claim Your Holy Presence in our marriage this day and every day.
You are the Source of Love.
Keep pouring Your love into us through the Holy Spirit.
Help us to stay close to You.
Help us to prefer one another in love,
To consider it a privilege to be able to serve one another
Until we see You face to face.
Help us to be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
Forgiving one another as You have forgiven us.
Never let the sun go down on our anger.
Grant us always to see our own faults
And not to judge each other.
Open our eyes to the best in each other.
Let patience reign supreme in our hearts.
Give us hope to brighten life,
And joy to lighten sorrow.
May our home be a haven where spiritual values are treasured and
Holy principles are modeled.
Gladden us with Your grace and peace that with one heart we may
Praise and glorify You.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
Galatians 5:16
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Personal Challenge
So, how do we walk in the Spirit? We must begin by putting our fleshly passions and desires to death by laying them at the foot of the cross of Jesus. This is what He gave His life for. Then we strive to walk in the footsteps of Christ, doing things that He would do, thinking like Him, loving God and our neighbor. A righteous Christian life comes through continual action, always moving toward God. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Verse of the Day 