Have you ever struggled with a habit that you knew wasn't right? Many people gauge their self-worth based on their inability to break free from a habit. They may think, "God can't love me because I can't stop..." or "God can't use me because I struggle with..."

In this episode, we'll discuss self-control - what it means, what it looks like, and how we can grow in this aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. Remember, self-control is not about perfection, but it's about progress, and it can't grow without the Holy Spirit. 

Do you believe that our culture values gentleness? Have you ever questioned whether showing gentleness is perceived as weakness by others?

In this episode, explore the idea that a gentle response can actually be a strong one. Discover how to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your reactions, instead of acting based on emotions. Acting with gentleness and responding with wisdom can set us apart as followers of Christ, especially in a world where others may seek to gain an advantage through disrespectful behavior.

Faithfulness. Who or what comes to mind when you hear this word? A person, a relationship, perhaps a lack of faithfulness, and the impact on your life.

In this episode, learn how faithfulness is a part of the fruit of the spirit in your life. Through scripture and real-life application see how you can reflect a faithful God no matter what circumstances look like around you. 

How is goodness different from being good or being kind?

Goodness is a characteristic we have not something we do. But it's not something we obtain by striving, it's something we can only have through God in us. Is there a point, then, in even trying? In this episode, learn what goodness is, and what it isn't as well as how to apply it to our everyday lives.

Being kind means my response might not be the most desired or the most popular, but it is the best decision, one not based on feeling but on doing what is right. How do we live out and reflect this quality when it may not always be perceived by others as being kind? It all begins and ends with attitude.

Have you ever had a moment when you felt like you couldn't breathe? As if the weight and struggles of a circumstance kept dragging you down, no matter how hard you tried to pull yourself up.

Most of us are more familiar with the lack of peace than the presence of peace in our daily lives. How can we keep peace firmly within us no matter the situation? In this episode, we will explore how addressing the root cause of anxiety helps us produce peace even in the most stressful circumstances. 

I wish we lived in a world where everyone said “please” and “thank you”, where people didn’t shove to get to the front of the line, a place where others always rejoiced at someone else’s success, where hurting someone else to achieve pleasure didn’t exist. You and I both know this isn’t our reality. Earlier in the chapter, you will read a dark list of the works of the flesh, the ways we are naturally inclined to live. The fruit of the spirit set us, as Christians, apart from culture’s tendencies. In many ways, they are counter-cultural, the exact opposite responses expected in our world.

In our lives, there are things capable of sucking the joy right out. Things like bitterness which if left unattended will grow and take over your life. How do we prune those things, and keep our lives in a position to choose joy? When we choose to align our lives with the word of God, the Holy Spirit will work in us to remove, to prune parts of us capable of killing our joy. Sometimes we want to hold on to things God says need to go. We need to recognize he is the master gardener and he knows best.

Living a radiant life for Christ is only possible when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us in evident ways. If you want to live radiantly for Christ, those around you should experience God’s love both in you and through you. When you recognize God’s love for you, reciprocate with your love, and release love to others you will see evidence of transformation in your life as you reflect His radiance to the world around you.

How can you and I live radiantly if the goals we are setting today, don’t last a quarter of the year?

I believe we can find the answer in one word. Resolve. Resolve means, to decide firmly on a course of action.

As you set your goals for 2024, resolve to “do all for the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10:31. Pursue Him and pursue growth, when you do this He will give you the strength you need to continue well past April, and the ability to remain steadfast toward His calling and purpose in your life.