My newest Bible study is called The Fruitful Life: A Unique Look at the Fruits of the Spirit. This book is a study on the fruits of the spirit and their common opposites. Those nagging sins like impatience, anxiety, and indulgence which seem to hang around no matter what I do to prevent them. I’m writing each chapter with a personal story, then a look at God’s way, Jesus’ example, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. I know I can’t get past my nagging sins without God’s help. I’m writing this book to help you and me uncover hidden sins and grow closer to God.
Here is a sneak peek of quotes from each chapter:
Chapter 1: Apathetic/Loving
I want to have an engaged heart rather than a disconnected heart, open to giving and receiving love the way God does.
God doesn’t close his heart off from you or me, even after we’ve wounded him time and time again. Click To TweetChapter 2: Irritated/Joyful
Irritation springs from a negative outlook. Joy springs from a life of faith.
If we draw our sustenance from God’s Word, we will have deep reservoirs of joy to sustain us through every season. Click To TweetChapter 3: Anxious/Peaceful
If goldfinches can find food without worry, and dandelions can bloom without fear, I can lay my worry aside and trust God to grant me peace.
I am practically guaranteed to get caught up in anxiety’s web unless I am spending time every day cultivating my relationship with God. Click To TweetChapter 4: Impatient/Patient
I have fallen prey to this fast-paced, on-demand culture we inhabit. I want it now, please. Right. Now.
It’s better for me to be a calm, nurturing mom who doesn’t vacuum every day than a power-mongering parent with pristine floors. Click To TweetChapter 5: Selfish/Kind
Who knows if the cup of water I offer may be the conduit of salvation in one person’s story?
Kindness is being AWARE of my loved ones’ needs and treating them the way I’d like to be treated. Click To TweetChapter 6: Worldly/Good
I have a whole closet of stuff I haven’t even used yet, because I worshiped the idol called Deal.
Once you taste goodness, worldliness loses its strong appeal. Click To TweetChapter 7: Harsh/Gentle
Honesty delivered gently is refreshing and winsome. Honesty delivered harshly is painful and offensive.
I want to be gentle with harsh people. They are coming from hurt places, just as I was. Click To TweetChapter 8: Scattered/Faithful
It’s easy to drop healthy commitments when I feel scattered. Especially exercise, eating right, family devotions, and keeping up with friends. All the things most beneficial to my well-being tend to go first.
When I listen to God’s voice and take time to recount his faithfulness to me, I don’t feel scattered anymore. I feel his peace. Click To TweetChapter 9: Indulgent/Self-Controlled
If my priorities are in line with God’s Word, and I’m following him closely every day, self-control is easier to choose when I feel tempted to indulge.
If I allow the Holy Spirit to fully take charge of the branch in my heart that bears the fruit of self-control, all the other branches will benefit. Click To TweetWhich quote is most interesting to you? I’d love for you to tweet your favorite one!
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