Cultivating the Fruits of the Spirit

Joy does not mean the absence of grief. In fact, Scripture shows us that even Jesus, our perfect example, was “a man acquainted with grief” and yet still carried a deep, abiding joy. In his sermon Sunday, Dr. GreGory taught that this joy is not rooted in ideal circumstances or checked-off boxes; it springs from knowing the Lord intimately, trusting His plan, and understanding that our time here is temporary and purposeful.

Engaging the Enemy With Faith

There is a boldness we can have in prayer—an unashamed willingness to put time limits on our requests, to speak directly and expectantly to our circumstances. This is not a test of God’s power, but an expression of our faith, declaring that we trust Him to act according to His word. Just as Hebrews 12:1 challenges us to lay aside every weight and sin that easily tangles us, so we can run the race set before us, we must also run with patience and conviction.

Cultivating the Fruits of the Spirit, Especially Love and Peace

Our spiritual growth is often marked by the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits don’t blossom overnight. They require nurturing, tending, and intentional surrender to God’s ways. Love is critical: without love, reconciliation and healing cannot truly occur. Dr. GreGory stood firm that peace is foundational. We need the fruit of peace in order to cultivate and sustain the other fruits. When peace rules our hearts, it steadies our responses to conflict, keeps anger at bay, and allows us to show kindness instead of retaliation.

Bearing Each Other’s Infirmities and Interceding in Faith

There are times when we share one another’s burdens so closely that we actually feel their weight. Pastor experienced this firsthand when he felt faint during the service, discerning that this was not his own weakness but a moment of intercession for the saints. When two or three gather in His name, the Lord is present, and He gives us authority to speak life, healing, and restoration. “God said no” to the enemy’s plans—no to lingering infirmities and no to financial lack. By faith, we put a plus sign on our finances, trusting that God will provide and prosper His children.