The 9 Fruits of Life

A Devotion Series by Robert Strand 

I just pulled some main points from each book as I am going to pass them along to my mom, but I really wanted to keep note somewhere of whats most important factors to me, so I can hold this information close.

Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - Kindness - Goodness - faithfulness - Gentleness - Self-Control  

Love;  AGAPE, (Greek), meaning: God's fruit of love which gives itself away with a pure motive and most generously.

The fruit of the spirit is manifested by how a person is, not by what a person does!

By their fruits you shall know them! The fruit is internal and eternal-lasting, while miracles will fade.

" Your beauty should not come from outward adornment... Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Pet. 3: 3-4)

Joy;  XAPIA, (Greek), meaning: cheerfulness, calm delight, ; gladness multiplied greatly; to be exceedingly full of joy!

Joyful people can be found any place and in the strangest of places.

Peace; EIRENE (Greek), meaning: peace, prosperity, quietness, rest or to be set at one with yourself again. 

" This peace is the product of the work of the spirit within."

Mother Theresa " If we love each other as God loves each one of us, there will be peace.  

Patience; MACROTHUMIA (Greek), meaning: Forebearance, long-enduring, fortitude, long-suffering, and patience.   

    Lack of patience can poison relationships and too often ruins what would otherwise be wonderful and maybe even brilliant personalities. 

Kindness;  CHRESTOTES (Greek), meaning: useful moral excellence of character or demeanor, gracious, gentle, goodness, and kindness

Kindness is a sign of greatness. 

Goodness; AGATHOS (Greek), meaning: describes that which a person being good in character or constitution, will be beneficial in its effect on others.

Wesley's Rule 

"Do all things you can , By all the means you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you can." (John Wesley)

Faithfulness; PISTOS (Greek), meaning: To be trusted, reliable, believing, to be counted on at all times, of firm persuasion, faithful.

It's a very positive, active attribute of character and a much needed one in today's flippant, irresponsible world. It also speaks of endurance - a firmness of purpose, especially when the living is tough.

Gentleness; PRAOTES: (Greek), meaning: gentle, mild, meek, to be an in-wrought grace of the soul.

It should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Pet. 3:4)

Self Control; ENKRATEIA, (Greek), meaning: infused or within, kratos, vigor, dominion, power, strength. Having a great force within but under control.

Self control is the ability to live with restraints. Self control is the glue which holds all life and all the harvest of the fruit of the spirit.