Tuesday

Tuesday Fellowship meeting: 19 Nov 2024, 11am in Plaza Hall.

Join us, in worshiping our Creator, listening to His message, sharing our lives in warm fellowship, over lunch!

Registration needed. Please text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.  

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The FRUIT that Matters Most

Nowadays, there is much focus on good health (physical and mental) and the importance of healthy, human relationships. The Lord Jesus summarised the greatest commandments of God our Creator, as follows:

1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
2. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-40.

Hence the FRUIT that has greatest benefit to our physical, mental (and spiritual) well-being, and whose benefit will last for all eternity is: The Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22,23 )

Its 9 constituents (in contrast to vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, carotenoids.....from the fruits of plants/trees) are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. All these will contribute to more loving, healthy human relationships, resulting in less friction, family/workplace conflicts, physical/ verbal/ emotional/ sexual/ psychological/ spiritual/ financial/ digital/ elder/ spousal/ child abuse, domestic violence... though not necessarily to less disagreements. (It is possible to disagree, agreeably!).
The Presence of the Holy Spirit within every true Christian manifests itself in his/her life, through the 9 attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit:
These can be classified into 3 groups:

1. Relationship with God:

   1. Love: This “agape” love is the love that God has for us, His children, and is an act of the will, which resulted in the sacrifice of His beloved Son for our sins. Christians are to demonstrate this sacrificial, selfless love for others, even for those who hurt/mistreat/ oppose us.
   2. Joy: This is a deep, inner sense of contentment and gladness that comes from a relationship with God. We are joyful because of God’s Presence with us, (“You will fill me with joy in your Presence...” Psalm16:11), because of our salvation, deliverance from what troubles us, our confidence in His promises as we grow in spiritual maturity. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances.
   3. Peace: An inner calmness/serenity that is free from worry/ anxiety because of one’s reconciliation with God, of being “at rest”, and living in harmony with others. It results from allowing the Spirit to work in our hearts and minds. Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
      
      

2. Relationship with Others:

   4. Patience: This believer is “longsuffering”/”long-tempered”, with courageous endurance of suffering/pain without quitting. He/she is slow to anger, showing forbearance (eg. forgiving) towards others, even in difficult/challenging circumstances. Does not seek revenge.
   5. Kindness: This is a tender concern for the well-being of others, with a willingness to extend loving acceptance and understanding – e.g. a smile, a kind word, empathetic listening, a helping hand, inclusive actions.
   6. Goodness: This is moral excellence, uprightness/purity of heart and life, which energises us to good deeds and benevolent actions that bless/benefit others. Even to exhorting others to bring about change or transformation into Christlikeness. The Spirit within motivates us to action: giving to the poor/displaced, visiting the sick, praying for refugees, giving caregivers a break....
      
      

3. Relationship with Self

   7. Faithfulness: God is faithful to His promises, so the “Spirit-filled” believer is dependable, loyal, with a strong sense of responsibility to duty.
   8. Gentleness: Meekness demonstrated in self-restraint, a mild disposition, humility and the right use of power and authority. It is a choice of the will to be submissive to authority. It is not being subservient or inferior, but showing respect for the other person’s authority. Christ and Moses were both described as meek. Jesus the Son, submitted to the Father’s will. Jesus said: “I am gentle/meek and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29)
   9. Self-Control: The ability to exercise discipline and restraint over one’s desires and behaviour, particularly in the face of temptation. eg. chastity, sobriety, moderation in eating and drinking.

The Christian’s daily walk with the Lord, is more than just the performance of (Sunday)rituals. It is a loving, trusting, obedient relationship, under the guidance of the Spirit of God within each believer. It focuses on the Word, Prayer, Worship and Fellowship with other “FRUIT-ful” followers of Jesus. (Scam Alert: Not “fakes”!)

The Fruit of the Spirit and love of Christians for one another is an effective witness that shines through the darkness of a fallen world!

At the Last Supper, Jesus said: “A new command I give you: LOVE one another. As I have LOVED you, so you must LOVE one another. By this everyone will know that you are MY disciples, if you LOVE one another.” (John 13:34,35)

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Q1: Are you remaining so close to Christ, through His Word and prayer, that the Fruit of the Spirit is manifested in all your relationships?

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Food For Reflection: 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper
to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.
He lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:15-17

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group
Next Meeting:
26 Oct 2024 at 2.00pm (online)

Study of Book of Nehemiah (Lesson 5)

The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)

Please text enquiries to Ms Khoo Heng Keow at 9484 6652.