THE BREAD OF LIFE DEVOTIONAL
The Fruits of The Holy Spirit in Us Empower Us to Faithfully Represent Christ.

THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US EMPOWER US TO FAITHFULLY REPRESENT CHRIST.

“But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities…. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ( Acts 16:19- 29).

Real spiritual fruit in us can’t be imitated or faked; it is so different from our human virtues it can only be of Christ. We can see St. Paul and Silas after they had been unjustly imprisoned, beaten and left to die in a filthy jail cell, they were filled with the Spirit and sang praises in the midnight hour. In response, God loosed their shackles and threw open the cell doors with a thundering earthquake. But instead of fleeing into the night, Paul and Silas represented Christ’s compassion and love toward the trembling prison guard who suddenly had a come to Jesus at the moment. That kind of selfless and uncreated love,  is a true representation of Jesus Christ.

GOD’S PROMISE FOR US, IS TO OVERCOME THE WORLD.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians 15:14-15).

In a world that often feels harsh, chaotic, and full of struggle, it doesn’t take long before we find ourselves battling the feelings of overwhelm, rush, or anxiety. Many of us, in fact, have grown so accustomed to these patterns, we even start to live there, in the midst of the never-ending hurry and worry mode. It is the enemy’s trap and that is where he wants us to be. Satan is a thief and a liar. He’s an expert at finding the best ways to try to steal our energy or waste our time. But Christ did overcome the devil on the cross and he gave us His victory in the Holy Spirit. Those who accept Him and receive the Holy Spirit in them will overcome the devil’s destroying plans. They will overcome his fearful and anxious thoughts. Jesus is faithful and He did promise us to send the Comforter, The Holy Spirit. He continually offers us confident peace that can never be found in this life without Him.  Asking for His help in our anxious and overwhelmed struggle, praying and allowing His Spirit to guard our hearts and minds in Him, is the very first step to reaching new and solid ground. And though our circumstances may not change immediately, though our hearts may still be struggling, His Truth reminds us to set our eyes on Him. We must be assured today that He knows our way, He sees our battle, He hasn’t forgotten us, and He’s still at work, even in the most trying of times.