Fruits of the Spirit The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful …
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us What this means for us We don’t deserve anything we pray for. We sin every day, and all we deserve is punishment. But, in this prayer, we are asking: “Father, do not look at our sins or refuse to listen to our prayers because of them. Instead, give us everything we need simply out of your kindness.” In the same way, when people …
Give us today our daily bread What this means for us God gives daily bread to all people, whether they are good or bad, even if we don’t ask for this to happen. But in this prayer we are asking: “Father, help us to see our daily bread as your gift, and to be thankful for it”. What does “daily bread” mean? Daily bread means everything that we need for our life – things like …
PRAYING THROUGH THE YEAR Your kingdom come God comes to rule as king even if we don’t ask for this to happen. But in this prayer, we are asking: “Father, come and rule over us”. Your will be done on earth as in heaven God does the kind and good things he wants for people even if we don’t ask for this to happen. But in this prayer, we are asking: “Father, do these kind …
Praying through the Year Our Father in heaven God encourages us to believe that he is really our Father, and we are really his children. So, we can pray to God with complete confidence just as children speak to their loving parents. Hallowed be your name God’s name is already holy, but in this prayer we are asking: “Father, help us keep your name holy”. Luther’s Small Catechism Stained glass window, Vancouver Anglican Cathedral, …
She sits atop the rock. Still, calm, Feeling the warmth of it beneath her. Just the rock – quiet, immovable, Keeping her safe, confident in her position. Free to survey all around. Jesus, you are my rock and my fortress In trusting you I find my quiet, my confidence, my strength, my peace. This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and …
Getting ready – suitable clothing, comfortable shoes, food, road maps, making sure we have all we need for the journey. Getting ready for what we may encounter. Getting ready for when our Bridegroom comes to welcome us to his wedding feast. Getting ready. Do we have our lamps trimmed and burning and ready with extra oil to light the way, always prepared no matter what day or hour he arrives? Matthew 25:1–13 Anzac Bridge, Horsham, …
“Time waits for no man” marching on relentlessly; This very moment a part of time that will never happen again. Days and seasons— they and we move on – change. Days and seasons, each in its own time and beauty; God’s wondrous creation – growing, blossoming, fruiting and dying; Beginning and ending; God is always there – the creator of time. Endless time? no, endless God. Everything that happens in this world happens at the …
Dwell not on what has or might have been; learn through adversity. Focus on the present looking to God for his loving protection. He holds the future; commit it to him. For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. Isaiah 65:17 (ESV) And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5a Image: …
The family unit is our heavenly Father’s special gift to humankind. When he sent his precious Son to his work of our redemption, he sent him as part of a family here on earth. Jesus, too, had an earthly father, mother and siblings. Families come in all shapes, sizes, colours and creeds but the most precious family of all is the family of God’s people. Thanks be to God! [Jesus said] Whoever does God’s will …
Jesus continually showed his special love for the young while on this earth. He also especially reminded Peter to take care of his lambs. What better privilege can we have than to teach the young the way of the Lord, leading them by our example as children of God loved and saved by him. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a real blessing. Psalm 127:3 (GNT) See that you don’t despise any …
Old age is like a sunset proclaiming the wonder of the Creator in a final burst of glorious splendour before the night falls and we wake to a heavenly dawn. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22 (NIV) Photo: Uluru by Rhiannon Evans