Fruit of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week 34: Faithfulness

/ Karen / 7 Comments

Welcome to October’s first study on FAITHFULNESS. This week we’ll more fully understand what faith is and how it operates in our lives. The Apostle Paul explains it by giving examples from the beginning of creation to Old Testament heroes. Let’s discover how God is faithful to us and how we can become more faithful toward Him and to one other as we grow in this seventh fruit of the Spirit.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Hebrews 11

Faith defined…

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…what does that mean to us?

Faith is having absolute confidence that the Lord will do what He has promised. Not simply wishful thinking, but the absolute conviction that God is willing and able to accomplish all He has promised to us, regardless of our circumstances or obstacles that may look impossible to overcome. Through the ages, the saints of old learned that our confidence in Him is never in vain, for “He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Faith at the dawn of history…

The invisible Word of God formed our universe and our world. God’s Word is the substance of faith out of which all visible worlds have come. That fact alone negates the man-made theory of evolution, which proposes that a “big bang” created our universe (see Hebrews 11:3).

Abel’s testimony still speaks to us today. God accepted his animal sacrifice as an act of faith, declaring it righteous, although He didn’t accept his brother Cain’s (see Hebrews 11:4).

Noah believed God’s warning of unseen things to come and faithfully built an ark according to God’s direction. Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (see Hebrews 11:7).

Enoch was miraculously translated to heaven without dying. He had a testimony of being pleasing to God, which testified to his great faith. Paul sums it up: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (see Hebrews 11:5-6).

Abraham and Sarah…

Has God ever called you to leave your home and travel by faith to an unknown destination? Like a bride traveling to a foreign country, she trusts that her husband is waiting for her and will take her to his home where he will love, protect, and provide for her.

So went the story of Abraham. God called him to leave his homeland to follow His leading to a future Promised Land. Abraham’s willingness to believe the promise without first seeing it (2 Corinthians 5:7) proves his great faith. For us, too, living by faith means walking forward in obedience to God’s voice and trusting Him for His provision and safe arrival to the destination He has prepared (see Hebrews 11:8-10).

Abraham wasn’t the only one with great faith. His wife, Sarah, proved hers when she believed the promise that she would conceive a son in her old age. God rejuvenated their bodies to be able to conceive and bear this child whose descendants would be as numerous as the stars–the origin of the Jews, God’s chosen people (see Hebrews 11:11-12).

But the story doesn’t stop there. When God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son of promise, his only son Isaac, God stopped him when he was seconds away from plunging the dagger into Isaac’s heart (see Hebrews 11:17-19). Abraham had believed that God wasn’t negating the promise of multiplying his seed through Isaac but would raise Isaac from the dead. Abraham couldn’t know then that God had future plans involving His own Son, Jesus, the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind whom God would raise from the dead.

The Faith of Moses…

What a glorious story of faith! Not only did his parents hide Baby Moses, refusing to put him to death and allowing him to be adopted by Pharoah’s daughter, but Moses also forsook the life of Egyptian royalty as an adult.

Later he obeyed God’s call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. Moses witnessed God’s plagues of judgment on Pharoah when he kept refusing to let the Jews go worship in the wilderness. He watched God split the Red Sea, providing dry ground for them to cross over as they escaped the pursuing Egyptians and their enemy’s subsequent drowning. Moses experienced one miracle after another during their forty-year journey of faith (see Hebrews 11:23-29).

Overcoming Faith…

Paul cited several more examples of heroes of the faith for our encouragement (see Hebrews 11:30-40). So many have gone before us and set great examples for us to follow. Faith is truly a divine walk with God down the path of life. That’s how we learn to trust Him and walk boldly in our faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. As we hope in God, we know that He will bring forth the evidence in His timing. Are you living by your faith today, hoping and believing for something not yet seen?

Dear Father God, thank you for being a faithful God we can trust. May we obey Your voice each day and walk a walk of faith. We claim 1 John 5:4: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Front Porch Bible Study Series by Karen Jurgens
Front Porch Bible Study Series by Karen Jurgens © Karen Jurgens. All rights reserved

The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week 5

/ Karen / 8 Comments
Heart"wings" Front Porch Bible Study Series by Karen Jurgens

Week 5: Love

Welcome to our study of the first fruit of the Spirit–LOVE. Let’s allow the Lord to plant seeds of love for others in the fertile soil of our hearts this month. Let’s begin by digging up verses of truth in the Word…

Read: Luke 8:40-42; 49-56

Topic: Intercessory Prayer

Memory Verse: “But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well’” (Luke 8:50 NKJV).

Examine:  God plants seeds of love in our hearts for others who are sick or suffering. He calls us to pray for others and intercede on their behalf.
But how powerful is intercessory prayer?

During Week 2, we studied about Jairus, who had persuaded Jesus to come to his home to heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter. As they pressed through the throngs of people, Jesus suddenly stopped and addressed a woman with an issue of blood who had been healed by touching the hem of His tallit or prayer shawl.

After they had resumed their walk, one of Jairus’s servants came running with a report that Jairus’s daughter had just died and not to trouble the Teacher any longer. “Do not be afraid, only believe and she will be made well,” Jesus answered (verse 50), and “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping” (verse 52).

Although the mourners ridiculed Jesus for His words, the Lord took His three closest disciples and the girl’s parents into the room where she lay.  “But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, ‘Little girl, arise.’ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat” (Luke 8:54-55).

Discuss:  Does someone you know have a situation or illness that appears hopeless?
Intercessory prayer tills the soil where God plants miracles Others may express disbelief, but we should model Jesus who ignored the naysayers. His miracles always bring glory to the Father and prove His identity as the Son of God.

Notice how faith works concerning both pleas for healing in Luke 8. The woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch Jesus’s tassels on the edge of His tallit. Hers was an example of direct prayer on her own behalf–not of intercession. Many people were pressing against Jesus in the crowd, and He hadn’t been aware of her presence until after He had felt power go out of Him. She had seized and received her healing through her great faith.
“And He said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace'” (Luke 8:48 NKJV).

But the little girl couldn’t reach out–Jesus came to her bedside and touched her on behalf of her father’s intercession.
Isn’t it wonderful to realize that we, as intercessors, have the power to bring Jesus to the bedside of those for whom we pray?

Does a situation look impossible? That’s no reason to be discouraged or to give up.
Our job is to keep praying and interceding on behalf of others. Jesus may be ready to perform miraculous healings in answer to our prayers, according to His perfect will. What a glorious day of rejoicing when we witness His healing touch!

How has your life been changed through intercessory prayer?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank you for showing us Your perfect love through answering intercessory prayer. Erase our doubts by helping us grow in our faith so that we believe in Your miracles. May we not only reach out and touch the hem of Your garment for our healing, but may we faithfully intercede on behalf of others. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.

Heartwings Front Porch Bible Studies

The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week 4

/ Karen / 8 Comments

Week 4: Introduction

Topic: Fighting Spiritual Battles

Read: Galatians 5:16-25

Memory Verse: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV).

Examine:  Did you know there is a battle going on continually in our spirits? Paul instructs us to feed our spirits so that our flesh with its ungodly desires is defeated. He tics off a long list: “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;” and concludes that “…those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (verses 19-21).

How do we fight against such ungodly desires to stop their attacks? We will all be tempted at times, but we must know that God has provided us with spiritual weapons to overcome those temptations. What are our weapons? Let’s read Ephesians 6:10-18.

But here’s the good news. After we put on our spiritual armor, we can easily defeat the enemy with its wicked temptations. The flesh with its passions and desires are crucified with Christ. Then we can feast on the fruit of the Spirit, walking victoriously in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Discuss: Do you remember the hymn called, “Onward Christian Soldiers?” I remember singing it in Sunday School as well as in church. God provided us with spiritual armor to put on daily as we go out to fight our enemy, Satan, who comes to us in many forms. Ephesians 6:11-12 defines this war: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.“

Let’s define the fruit of the Spirit, so we always choose it. Here’s the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Can you choose one from the list and give an example of what it looks like in today’s culture? Which ones do you want to see grow and mature in your life?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, may we deny the temptations of the flesh by putting on our spiritual armor and always choose the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.

Heartwings Front Porch Bible Studies

The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week 2

/ Karen / 8 Comments

coffee-2390136_1920 Week 2

This Week's Topic by Karen Jurgens

 

Week 2 Introduction: Exercise your faith

 

 

Scriptural Reading by Karen Jurgens

 

Luke 8:40-48

 

 

Scripture Memory by Karen Jurgens 

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

 

Let's examine by Karen Jurgens

Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, had a twelve-year-old daughter who was on her deathbed. He sought Jesus for help. As Jairus escorted Him to his house among the thronging multitudes, Jesus stopped. “Who touched Me?” No one spoke up. “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Then a trembling woman fell before Him and confessed that she had been healed the instant she had touched the hem of His garment. He responded, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:45-48)

Let's Discuss by Karen Jurgens

Why would this woman’s faith be significant? In the culture of that day, she was considered unclean because of her hemorrhage. For twelve years she had suffered, having spent all her money on physicians who couldn’t help her. Such conditions forbade her mingling among the crowds, so she kept a low profile, hoping she wouldn’t be noticed. But her faith drove her on. She knew that if she could just touch the lowest edge of the tassels on Jesus’s prayer shawl, she would be healed. Getting to Him was her only hope.

Why had she hesitated to come forward when He asked who had touched Him? Most likely, she had never expected Him to know what she’d done. For an unclean woman to touch a holy Teacher was unthinkable. She was caught, and she trembled at how He might respond. She must have been shocked when Jesus addressed her with words of kindness and love instead of harsh rebuke. “Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).

During this initial month of the New Year, let’s intentionally exercise our faith to attain spiritual health.

As sinners, we all are “unclean” until we “grab hold” of Jesus and accept His salvation. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

But Jesus cleanses our spirits with His blood shed at Calvary, and His resurrection sealed our eternity with Him in heaven. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Let’s also exercise our faith to receive healing from sickness and disease.

We all suffer from occasional sickness. Or perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a malady that modern medicine can’t heal. Have you ever used your faith to press into our Great Physician? Let’s take this week to stretch our faith and reach out for the hem of His garment.

What are you asking the Lord to do for you today?

If you’re praying for healing, or if you’ve been healed in the past, would you encourage us with your testimony?

Let's Pray by Karen Jurgens

Dear Lord, take our measure of faith and stretch it this week. May we believe for physical healing and gratefully receive it according to your perfect will. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.

Heartwings Front Porch Bible Studies

The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week One

/ Karen / 14 Comments

Welcome! So delighted that you have come to visit on the Front Porch today. Pull up a chair, grab a hot cup of java, and open your Bible to the book of Psalms. Stay for five minutes or as long as you can. You’re encouraged to leave comments on A Woman’s Fellowship/Ministry Page where this study is posted, but you’re also welcome to comment on my WordPress website. I’ll jump into the conversation from time-to-time, too. Are you ready to begin? Let’s go!

Week 1: Intro

This Week's Topic by Karen Jurgens

 

Spiritual Renewal for the New Year

 

 

Scriptural Reading by Karen Jurgens

 

Psalms 51  (See 2 Samuel 11-12:15 for further study)

 

 

Scripture Memory by Karen Jurgens

 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalms 51:10 NKJV).

 

 

Let's examine by Karen Jurgens

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Most of us vow to diet and exercise after months of feasting over the holidays. That’s great for our physical bodies, but what about our spirits? How do we get them in shape?

How do we get our spirits in shape?

 

Like King David, let’s begin with prayer to cleanse our spirits from sin. He prays, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalms 51:7). David asks the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation and sustain him with a willing spirit. His request isn’t selfish, as we might expect, but he desires restoration so that he can help other sinners find salvation. Then he states he will joyfully sing of God’s righteousness and declare His praise.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Psalms 51:17).

Let's Discuss by Karen Jurgens

As we enter a fresh start in 2019, let’s make a list of spiritual resolutions. What can you do differently to grow closer to God this year? Spend more time in prayer? Read and study more in the Word? How is the Lord leading you to be more involved this year? (Share your commitment in the comments below.)

Let's Pray by Karen Jurgens

Dear Lord, may we begin the New Year with a clean, pure heart in Your sight. Cleanse us with your blood and clothe us with your righteousness. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Heartwings Front Porch Bible Studies

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.