Self-control or “temperance” is simply the mastery of oneself, the capacity of individuals to check their own emotions, desires, and impulses that they can serve others. The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV):  “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” The Christian is called to be selfless. We must allow our “selves” to decrease that Christ may increase in us. Self-control requires self-reflection. We must be able to see ourselves to manage and restrain ourselves.  Start this day by reflecting upon yourself in your quiet time with God and then ask God to help you to better manage those areas of your life that need greater management.  Engage in similar reflection and internal prayer as you move throughout the day today.

Gentleness, in the Greek, prautes, is commonly known as meekness. Closely linked to humility, gentleness is grace of the soul. It is not weakness, but instead it is strength under control. For instance, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he advised that the “Lord’s servant” will “correct his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:25). And in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he suggested that those who were detected of being in sin should be restored in a “spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness, being the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest, is also a main ingredient to maintaining unity and peace within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:2). In our society, men who operate with sensitivity and chivalry are called gentlemen. Ask the Lord to lead you to be more gentle with others as you move about today.  Should you find someone engaging in wrongful or sinful activity, seek to help them to be restored with your strength being under God’s control.

To be “faithful” is to be reliable or trustworthy. For the Christian, faithfulness is specifically about being faithful to the Savior who redeemed us. Therefore, Christian faithfulness is continued and consistent submission and obedience to the same Spirit who provides the ability for us to be faithful. This attitude is in opposition to our previous “faithfulness” to our own sinful desires and ways. The word also describes one who is willing to suffer persecution and even death for Christ’s sake. Paul writes to the Church at Thessalonica saying, “so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure," (2 Thessalonians 1:4, NKJV).  We all know that we can trust God. Great is God’s faithfulness!  The question is whether God can trust us. Can God depend on us to be faithful? Today, be attentive to your thoughts, words, actions and interactions. Seek to live this day remaining faithful to what God requires of you as His child and let this day be one that springs you into a life of faithfulness to Christ for the remainder of 2019.

The Greek word for goodness is agathosune.  Agathosune at first glance seems very similar to chrestotes ("kindness"). However, closer examination of its use in the Scriptures reveals a word indicating zealous activity in doing good. Kindness or gentleness (chrestotes) is more passive. Goodness is about uprightness of heart and life.  Pray today that God will not only make you kind but good.  Everybody that acts in kindness does live in goodness.  However, when you live in goodness, you will act in kindness.  God has not called us to be perfect people but has called us to be good people.   God is good all the time!  Today join God by being determined to be good by the power of the Holy Spirit within. Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV) says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, and affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The word “kindness” comes from the Greek word chrestotes (khray-stot-ace), which means to be friendly to others and often depicts rulers, governors, or people who were kind, mild, and benevolent to their subjects. One scholar has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Today is a Sunday.  As you partner with God today, perform an act of kindness.  Give another your seat at church, provide them $20 to put in the tithes and offerings, invite another to dinner today and prepare or pay.  Do something for someone who will not expect it to come from you to them.  Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV) says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Patience is the ability to endure difficult circumstances such as perseverance in the face of delay; tolerance of provocation without responding in annoyance/anger; or forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one can have before negativity. It is the character trait of being steadfast. Generally, the Greek world applied this word to a person who could avenge self but did not. This word is often used in the Scriptures in reference to God and His attitude towards humans. Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as "slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.”  The Greek word makrothumia (longsuffering) is often used to convey patience.  Makros, "long", and thumos, "temper" form the word. The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, and patient endurance.   Today ask the Lord to make you slow to anger and rich in kindness and faithfulness.   When annoyance or anger tempts you to be provoked, seek to be like God who epitomizes makrothumia (longsuffering).  Patience is how God works!  Today join God in how God works. The Bible states “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

The Greek word ε?ρ?νη (eir?n?) (transliteration: i-ray'-nay) is the equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. The word eirene also strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos.  No matter what the outward circumstances or pressures are, your life and soul can remain unaffected because Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).”  Today, focus on the peace Jesus gives.  His peace is not temporary.  His peace is not the kind the world gives, where you have it today and it is gone tomorrow!  Also remember that Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”  Put your mind on God right now as you partner with Him today to live your best life.

Joy in the Bible refers to a phenomenon deeper than mere happiness. It is rooted in God and comes from God. Since it comes from God, it is more serene and stable than worldly happiness, which is merely emotional and lasts only for a time.   Joy is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.  Only the Spirit can give you joy!  Joy is lasting.  Our ancestors sang, “This joy I have the world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away!”  Pray that the Spirit fill you with joy today! Live in God’s joy today!  Choose to have joy!  How can you do this?  The Bible says in Philippians 4:4 (NKJV),”Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”  Paul twice encouraged us to rejoice.  Just when you think you can’t rejoice and have joy, think again!  Smile, laugh, sing, think about something God has done for you that you know you could not have done for yourself and praise God! Be filled with joy today and pass on some of the joy you have to others!

In recent years, one of the fastest growing crimes has been identity theft.  Sadly, it seems that the Church of Jesus Christ has become a victim of this crime. According to John 13:34-35 (NKJV), Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Love for one another and not love for our jobs, money, or even our own families is the one characteristic that identifies us as being Christians.  Today reach out to a fellow church family member (someone who goes to Shiloh that you have not seen in church in awhile) and encourage them.  Be very nice, loving and say something in the conversation like: “I have been missing you. Do you think we can sit together at church next Sunday?” Remember don’t ask them where they have been or why they haven’t come to church!

Agape (love) denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest in others, no matter their behavior. It is love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. Agape is more love by choice than philos, which is love by chance; and it refers to the will rather than the emotion. Agape describes the unconditional love God has for the world. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8.  Just as God shows us his agape (love), today let us engage in prayer, praise, or song to express love to God.  Secondly, let us reach out to a family member or long-time friend or acquaintance to express agape to them.  I Peter 4:8 (NKJV) says, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”