Daily Devotional
Inspect The Fruit
August 17, 2017
Ponder This
We live in a generation that talks a lot about the gifts of the Spirit, like prophecy, tongues, miracles, helps, and giving. Many are saying, “This is my gift, what is your gift?” “How can I know my gift? How can I use my gift?”
It’s great that people are talking about the gifts. God has given you a gift, and you need to discover and develop your gift, then put your gift into practice. But we must remember that no spiritual gift is a sign or a mark of spiritual maturity or spirituality.
If I want to know whether a man is a mature Christian, I never examine his gift. I inspect the fruit. The mark of maturity is the fruit of a believer. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
