CCOG Newsletter

In this month of fasting, I hope that you are seeking the face and voice of the Lord. If you have been reading the daily devotional (https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64972-21-days-of-prayer-fasting), you know that it is about the providence of Yahweh to the children of Israel. We are reading through the book of Exodus, noting that the Lord heard the cries of the enslaved Hebrews, sent a deliverer in the person of Moses, provided for them in the wilderness, and made a covenant to be everything they needed.

Though I have read the book of Exodus many times, a few things have stood out to me in this reading. One reason that I think this is the case is the prayer on the opening page of the devotion each day. The author of the devotion refers to this as the "Prayer of Encounters". Each day, before reading, we have been encouraged to pray in this way, "This is where I tell You… I love You, I love You, I love You! This is where I tell You… You’re holy, You’re holy, You’re holy! This is where I tell You… Thank You, thank You, thank You! This is where I tell You… I need You, I need You, I need You! This is where I tell You… Speak Lord, Your servant is listening!" I have prayed this prayer each day, and I believe that the Lord has answered. Even if you aren't participating in the devotion (or if you are reading this much later than January 2026), pray this prayer the next time you open God's word. Your receptivity will be rewarded.

The Spirit-fueled development of Christ-like character is liberating, because it brings us closer to being the people we were designed to be, the people our Spirit-renewed hearts want us to be. – Tim Keller

The Fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities make up the Fruit. There are not nine different fruits—it is a nine-part Fruit. The Fruit is like an orange, and inside the orange, there are numerous slices. So, imagine that each slice of the orange is one of the aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The original Greek word for “Fruit” in Galatians 5 is karpos, and one definition means “a result of something.” When the Fruit of the Spirit is displayed in our lives, it is a sign, or result, that we are being led by the Spirit of God. Just like the branches of a grapevine have to be connected to the vine in order to bear grapes, the Fruit of the Spirit is evidence of being connected to Christ.

Why was the Fruit of the Spirit even mentioned? Because of the five verses preceding it. They mention sinful acts including sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, and drunkenness. You see, we have this thing called the flesh, and it is all of our human desires. Our flesh wants things that prevent God’s Holy Spirit from leading us fully. In fact, Galatians 5:17 says, “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.” Bottom line: you can be led by the flesh, or you can be led by the Spirit of God, but you can’t be led by both—they are in constant conflict.

Probably the most beautiful part of the passage in verse 23 is that we are told there is “no law against them.” In fact, it would be true to say that we can exhibit the Fruit without any limits or restrictions. We can never show too much love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Now, that’s a goal to strive for!

As we grow in our understanding, we’ll recognize how the Fruit is manifested in our lives and in the lives of others as well.

Reflect

• Do you feel the war between your flesh and the Spirit? In what areas of your life do you feel it the most?