Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

 

“Rejoice always!”

Is a good trail to blaze

It may not give wealth,

 But it leads to good health.

Joy lifts the spirit and has merit.

Next comes prayer-

Pray continually. 

That means to never cease.

Always talking to God provides peace.

With peace life just gets better. 

Then there is the giving of thanks,

And with God that ranks. 

Consider God’s Word

And keep it stored.

It says, 

“Rejoice, give thanks, and pray, for this is God’s will.” 

Do it each and every day.

God’s word also says,

“Love, joy, and peace are the fruit of the Spirit.”

Test it!

Seek the fruit!

Let it take root.

When joy, peace, and prayer over-flow the cup,

You’ll be lifted up. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/27/2026 

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   “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

 

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22 NIV 

Fruit

I have often read Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”, and wished I could portray all of these from the inside out for others to see. However, I am a complete failure.

     It was interesting to read the In Touch devotional this morning regarding the above list. I know the meaning of each fruit listed, but the devotional defined them in a new way. I am quoting below what was given from In Touch mainly because I want to keep this in mind for reference. The wording may be changed a little as I apply it to myself.

 

Love- is the foundation for all other virtues and is cultivated by me embracing God’s unconditional love. 

Joy- is contentment regardless of my circumstances.

Peace- comes from me trusting God and surrendering to him.

Patience- is developed by me trusting God’s perfect timing.

Kindness- is God’s compassion reflected to others. 

Goodness- occurs as I mirror His righteousness and justice.

Faithfulness- means I am steadfast and trustworthy.

Gentleness- comes when I approach others with humility.

Self-control- requires me to exercise restraint and rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength.

Fruit

 My husband eats a lot of fruit. I don't! He actually thinks he has to have some kind of fruit every morning for breakfast, just give me bacon and eggs. However, I know fruit is good for the body. Fruit is also good for the soul. In fact we are to share our fruit; that is the fruit of the Spirit:

 Love, 
Joy, 
Peace, 
Patience, 
Kindness, 
Goodness, 
Faithfulness, 
Gentleness, 
Self-Control.

A Good Job

     What motivates me to do a good job and to do it right?  First of all, my heart needs to be in it, or the completed result will be sloppily done.  Maybe, my determination to do a good job started early when my parents told me to clean my room.  Or maybe, I watched how they, themselves, completed tasks.  I wanted to meet their expectations.  That, in itself, placed a desire in my heart.  I was dependent upon them, needing their instruction, direction, and guidance.
     When I became a Christian, I also became dependent upon Christ and the Holy Spirit living within.  Although I have no desire to do a sloppy job in living a work for Christ, I admit that I often fail.  In my failure, I realize I will forever be dependent upon the Holy Spirit for instruction, direction, and guidance as I continually delve into the Word for knowledge and wisdom.  As a Christian and through Scripture, I have learned what God's expectations are, and I am motivated to meet His expectations. 
     My work should not be of the flesh, and I should resist willingly practicing these works.  
Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness. carousing, and anything similar.  I am warning you about these things - as I warned you before - that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." 
     My rewards or fruit for a good job is not only a sense of fleshly pride, but an attitude of the Spirit.  My desire is to build and develop my character upon these principles. 
Galatians 5:22-23, 26, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
    
    

Fruit of the Spirit

     As I filled my bucket with produce from my garden, I was amazed by the amount of okra, peas, tomatoes, and eggplant I had picked and was, also, thankful that God had just provided the rain needed to create more blooms which would soon give off even more amazing vegetables.  The yield was good but not as fulfilling as the "fruit of the Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control."

     When considering the fruit of the Spirit, I was interested to find an article taken from Dr. Stanley's writings where he described these fruits.  He defined the fruit of the spirit as follows: 

Love - The highest form of love, chiefly characterized by self-sacrifice
Joy - Gladness of heart, not based on circumstances; Christ's joy within us that is manifested even in difficult or painful situations
Peace- Tranquility of mind and soul, based on a right relations with God; a sense of rest and contentment even in the darkest storms
Patience- Ability or willingness to be long-tempered as opposed to quick-tempered; steadfast endurance of provocation, wrong, or ill treatment, without thought of revenge
Kindness- Goodness in action, expressing itself in grace, tenderness, compassion and love
Goodness-Moral and honorable excellence manifested in deeds
Faithfulness- Trust in God, taking Him at His word; trustworthiness and dependability
Gentleness- That temper of spirit which accepts God's dealings with us as good
Self-Control- The virtue of one who masters his desires, passions, impulses, and appetites.

     Just as God watered my garden to provide more summer produce, we need to nurture our relationship with Him in order to produce the fruit of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:24-25 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. "