Advancing Encouragement By:
Bishop James Jr. Hairston

Galatians: 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I live my life by the power of the Holy Ghost under the direction of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With this power of the Holy Ghost comes an assortment of fruits not eatable fruit but everlasting, infinite fruits of the Spirit. What does your tree look like? Does your tree have rotten fruit on it or is it ripe tasty, delicious fruit for the taken? If you have ripe, tasty, delicious fruit on your tree then anyone should be able to come and eat of your tree without being in violation or in a trespassing zone. The problem with a lot of people are as long as you are my friend or family member (at times) I will be kind to you, I will be nice to you, I will be gentle and patience with you and I will even express joy and be peaceful with you when I am in the mood. In addition, I will even have self control and be humble with you and I will never blow up at you if I am in the right mood. Of course as believers this is not the way to live, is it? Well, most of us have experience this on and off switch of having the fruits of the Spirit. Let us be honest with ourselves, we do not always put on these wonderful attributes of the Holy Spirit do we? Notice I mention at times and when I am in the mood. Our mood swings can take us out of the flow of the Holy Spirit, am I right or wrong? Notice as well I mentioned as long as you are my friend or family member. What about our enemies, do we put on the fruits of the Holy Spirit when we are around them? I believe by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we have the power to flow in the Spirit at all times, Living and walking in the Spirit, verse 25. You may ask, how do we live and walk in the Spirit (take notice to live in the Spirit is to have the power and to walk in the Spirit is the manifestation of living in the Spirit) is by crucifying the flesh with the affections [passions] and lusts, verse 24. You see Christ has given us His Spirit, the Holy Ghost so we already possess this Power whom is believers in Christ Jesus and by crucifying the flesh daily with the affections [passions] and lust the fruits of the Spirit will be manifested in our daily walk. Today my friend you possess the fruits of the Spirit so you can love, have joy, peace, suffer long with people and be gentle, have virtue, faith and be meek with self control around everyone you come in contact with so you can live, outstanding, prosperous and successful lives in Christ Jesus…

James Jr. Hairston