First, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the passing of a civil rights giant this week, the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. I met him and spoke with him personally only once, back in 2003 in Chicago. He was gracious and kind to me. Even in our brief interaction, after learning that I was a school principal, he wanted to share with me an area where I could be supportive in the struggle for human rights and dignity. He was truly a man who loved his people. And as a leader, he led and cared for us well. 

Now, here’s something to reflect on during this Lenten season.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

Cultivating the Fruit that is Always in Season

 Several fruit trees grew on the farm my family lived on during the first six years of my life off Highway 561 in Halifax, North Carolina. These included apples, pear, plumb, and a muscadine grape vine. With cultivation and pruning, each of these would produce fruit, but only during its proper season.

The fruit of the Spirit which the Holy Spirit produces within us is never out of season! But it is not automatic in us. It must be cultivated, and some, perhaps, more than others. This is what my students in my New Testament Survey course are writing about for their weekly discussion post this week.

I know there are times when I struggle with “longsuffering,” being patient. Yet the Scriptures plainly teach us the importance of waiting, not losing heart, not giving up. So, I must intentionally cultivate patience, waiting with active expectancy, even when the timeline is very long like it was for Abraham and Sarah.

The 40-day Lenten season which began yesterday, Ash Wednesday, is a good time to reflect on and cultivate the fruit that is always in season:

    u love—divine concern for others

    u joy—inward peace

u peace—confidence and quietness

u longsuffering—patience, endurance

u gentleness—kindness

u goodness—love in action

u faith—seeing the unseen

u meekness—subdued strength

u temperance—self-control 

Focus Quote: “Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”      

                                           –Colossians 1:10b NIV

                                                                

Keep Standing on the Promises!

And Please  continue to join us for our 5:14 pm prayer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Just pause and pray wherever you are. Just connect to God and pray! We and many others will also be praying with you. There is power in agreement! 

Blessings, Peace, and Love,

Alton 

Dr. Alton E. Sumner

(301) 921-6060

Listening to the Soul! Lightening the Heart! Lifting the Spirit!

Built to Last!