In Galatians 5:22-23, God lists out different aspects of what living in His Spirit looks like. Each one of the "fruit of the Spirit" is an aspect of love, and faithfulness is a big one. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series on faithfulness, I mentioned that the ideas contained in faithfulness are to stay connected and keep blessing. Today, we'll look at what God is asking you to do when he whispers "provide security."
Provide Security
One of the ways that faithfulness is manifested is providing security. This may be physical security, emotional security, or mental security. There are times when God will urge us to stay faithful to a friend or family member who is on the ragged edge of life. Often when a person is running from God or something else in their life they are at the edges of safety or health. We may provide a place to stay or a regular meal or a bus pass or some new clothes or a regular counseling visit or job training. I can remember taking a young man into my house when he got kicked out by his parents. I was able to help him get started in a work program and finish high school. For a brief few months I provided security for him to get his life together after the expulsion from his home. This person who you are helping may not want turn around or stop being irritating, but they do need the security that you can provide.
When God prompts you to help provide security for another person, this often moves into a more long-term commitment. One of the ways to make sure that you are really helping the person is to work with all the wonderful charitable organizations that are ready to help people in the particular situation that your friend or family member is in These organizations have seen it all and can help you stay balanced as you want to help. I have seen a number of people actually harm a person's recovery by too much help too soon. Our family has volunteered with groups that help those who have been human trafficked, animals that have been rescued from abuse, helping the homeless -- each of these experiences has been rewarding and truly helpful. Our family also sponsors children in other parts of the world so that they can go to school and have a warm meal.
God wants us to grow gardens of relational fruit and enjoy the wonders of the relationships that gather around the fruit that we grow. Life is relationships and when you listen to the Lord prompt you to engage with people through faithfulness, you grow a rich relational life. Listen for His voice to stay connected to someone, to keep blessing someone, and to provide security for someone. He will guide you in growing the fruit of faithfulness and everyone will be blessed.
I look forward to interacting with you during your spiritual journey. Please email me at info@ptlb.com to let me know how God is working in and through your life. Keep learning and growing in wisdom and in truth; I'm confident that your greatest life is just ahead.
In His service,
Pastor Gil Stieglitz
Allow Us to Bless YOU!
A free preview to:
The Keys to Grapeness:
Growing a Spirit-Led Life of Success
by Dr. Gil Stieglitz
Many people have the wrong definition of a successful life, one based upon the world's measurements: piles of money, fame, power, beauty, possessions, and the like. I want to suggest that Jesus gave us a very different definition of success. In Matthew 22:37-39, he said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In two short sentences Jesus tells us the secret to a successful life-success is filling our lives with loving relationships. Join Gil Stieglitz as he takes you through the practical aspects of the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, God's keys to "grapeness" in life and relationships.
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