Self-control is only one fruit of the Spirit, but it is one that is necessary for all of them.

Let’s be people who invite others to see God — through Scripture, story, prayer, and beauty — until the eyes of our hearts are so accustomed to his light that we begin, slowly and surely, to see everything else by it.

As discouraged as you may be, the fact that you are still fighting is a sign that the Spirit of God is working in you. Keep picking the weeds and trust that the fruit will follow.

Without a new, Spirit-filled heart, we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit in our speech; we will only bear the thorns of the world.

We must understand that walking in faith requires we believe all that God has promised is true, even when it doesn't feel true.

Praying for someone to “grow big and strong” in Christ is praying rich, biblical truth over their life. It is praying for God to work deeply, gently, firmly, and faithfully in them.

We can pursue the glory of God in the way we eat and find true freedom in the discipline of choosing good food most of the time.

As we meet each week, we show this broken world a picture of the coming kingdom where God's people will be gathered around the throne as one praising his name.

Obedience may come at a cost—alienation, criticism, or even suffering. But as holy sojourners and ambassadors of God’s kingdom, we must remain faithful and display our true allegiance in all we do.

Since the gospel has implications for every area of our lives, no area is untouched by realignment.

Fasting doesn’t save us or make us holy, but it is a tool to glorify God in our lives. When used properly, it humbles us, trains us in obedience, and trains us in faith.

Depending on the day, I get everything done or hardly anything at all. Sometimes, it feels as random as flipping a coin. When I’ve got a sermon to prep, taxes to file, and lessons to plan, and my brain feels like it’s in hibernation mode, I’m left feeling defeated, frustrated, and guilty. I often wonder to myself: Is God disappointed with me? Is he tired of hearing the same old prayers for help while I keep struggling along? How can he be pleased with me when I can’t even get my quiet time right? Yet, I know he loves me, and he will carry me through.