David M. Kowalke, Jr. | @hongkongkowalke | TRINICY.orgPhoto by Mohan Nannapanemi THE NINE-FLAVORED FRUIT DEVOTIONAL SERIES But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) THE FLAVOR CALLED “FAITHFULNESS” We are unable, by human effort, to produce the character traits of godliness in our lives. Christians begin their relationship with God by faith in the person of Christ. It is also by faith in Him, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, that the very traits of God are developed and made evident in the Christian’s life. Look at the list of the nine-flavors of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22,23. If we try to mimic them, we will fail. Each flavor will be only a waxy, tasteless version of the succulent reality. They are a product of the Spirit, not of the flesh. If you try you will fail. If you trust, He will succeed! It is when our lives have an attitude of devotion to God that He Himself produces in us the Fruit of the Spirit...the very actions that reflect the nature of God! The nine ‘flavors,’ or characteristics of this fruit include the ‘flavor’ Faithfulness. For the sake of illustration, let’s just say that the word “Wed-d-ding” is spelled with 3-Ds instead of two! To measure our understanding of, commitment to, and whether Spirit-produced Faithfulness is present in our lives, let’s look at it in “3-D”! 1st “D” - DEVOTED It is God’s Faithfulness to us, as the Bride of Christ, which is the standard of Faithfulness we are to demonstrate. Though now retired from teaching high school, I have had the honor of officiating at the weddings of a number of my students, as well as two of our four children. The quaint phrase “‘til death do us part” has lost much of its emphasis on modern young hearts, filled with wide-eyed and fuzz-focused emotion! In order to punctuate and highlight the commitment and faithfulness the two lovers are expressing to one another, I often substitute the phrase, “until I die.” It is this kind of Faithfulness and loyalty that Devotion displays. Faithful Devotion until death. It might sound a bit strange to some, but many times I have looked at my wife while she was sleeping and have, with just a whisper, said to her, “I will never leave you or be unfaithful to you.” I know she believes it...I just like to hear myself say it! 2nd “D” - DEPENDABLE This word is not very glamorous, but it is very practical. It’s like when your mother went shopping with you and picked out the plainest, ugliest shoes on the rack and said, “These are very sensible shoes!” The wedding that uses the phrase, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…” is taking the time to have the lovebirds make their union together a very practical one! “If I don’t feel like being the right person when you might be hard to live with, I will.” A significant part of that is being Faithful, no matter the circumstances. I have, more than once, had a husband say to me in the privacy of my office, “Pastor Dave, I don’t love her anymore!” My reply has been, “I understand. Then love her!” Dependability is not a feeling. It is being true to my word, unconditionally. God is Dependable. He is Faithful. His Word is good. He is always present and available and able. As we walk in and appropriate the power of the Spirit, so now we can bear the sweet Fruit that tastes like Faithfulness! 3rd “D” - DEDICATED Have you ever been to a dedication ceremony? Perhaps of a building or a ship? My wife and I had a Dedication ceremony in our wedding where each of us took a candle and lit a different one together saying that we would, as one, Dedicate our two lives and our home to the Lord. Two former students of mine (Steven and Cynthia) had a Dedication ceremony in their wedding and the first thing they did, even before their first kiss as husband and wife, was to have communion together, remembering the Lord’s death for them. Then they washed each other's feet, Dedicating themselves to serve one another for the rest of their lives together! They then walked down the grass isle barefoot, smiling and with a briskness in their step as they entered into their lives together! If we, just as those ceremonies symbolize, would Dedicate ourselves to glorifying God and enjoying Him forever, what a different world this would be! We desire to be faithful to the Lord who is always faithful to us. The Lord desired to be faithful to us, when we were not! Suggested prayer Father, how often I walk away from you, and you pursue me without fail. Your Devotion and Faithfulness knows no limit. Thank you for being one on whom I can always Depend, through the times of blessing, and distress. By your grace and with your power, I Dedicate myself to you anew, in gladness, Father, that you will never leave me nor forsake me. In the name of the One who is called “Faithful” and “True.” Amen.
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Photo by Daria Shevtsova THE NINE-FLAVORED FRUIT DEVOTIONAL SERIES But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) THE FLAVORS CALLED “KINDNESS” AND “GOODNESS” This short article is called a “devotional,” but there is a world of difference between words on a page written to encourage the believer in their faith, and a life of devotion to God. Christians can ‘strategize’ their practical lives with displays of Christian characteristics, such as the Fruit of the Spirit found in the letter of Paul to the Galatians, and yet still be far from a life of devotion to God. It is not the characteristics that produce devotion. It is devotion that produces these nine characteristics, and displays them in our lives for all the world to see the wonder of our God! It is when our lives have an attitude of devotion to God that He Himself produces in us the Fruit of the Spirit...the very actions that reflect the nature of God! The nine ‘flavors,’ or characteristics of this fruit include the ‘flavors’ Kindness and Goodness. To measure our understanding of, commitment to and whether Spirit-produced Kindness and Goodness are present in our lives, let’s look at them in “3-D!” 1st “D” - DISPOSITION The word “disposition,” according to Webster, means, “a prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination.” Instead of a natural disposition to react to others on the basis of how we are treated, we ought to seek a spiritual disposition. This will enable us to act in accordance with God’s disposition and attitude He displays toward us. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Luke 6:33. This disposition of Kindness inside the believer is created by the Holy Spirit and makes us see the needs of others as if they were our own. The Kindness we have toward others will result in doing Good to all men. “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:10, and even, “...love your enemies, do good to them…” Luke 6:35. 2nd “D” - DEEDS Kindness is the authentic desire for God’s best for others, and Goodness is the action that intentionally results in deeds that contribute to that end. Instead of, or perhaps along with, what we have come to call “random acts of kindness,” perhaps we ought to intentionalize and become proactive as we seek to represent the loving hand of God in people’s lives. Doing good ought to be deliberate, not just impulsive. There is a time for being impulsive, but it is always time to be deliberate! A person is seen as a Kind person, caring about others, not mostly by what they say, but by the Good that they do. 3rd “D” - DISTINCTION As a high school teacher, of theology at that, I would cringe slightly when I would hear one of my Sophomores ask their friend, “Hey, how are you doing?!”then to hear the response of, “Good!” While not an English teacher by any stretch of the imagination, the adverb that should be used is, “Well!” How great would it be if when we are asked, “Hey, what are you doing?” that we would answer, “Good!” Oh, that our lives would be less consumed with whether we are pleased with our own circumstances, and be more filled with Kindness and doing Good, positively affecting the circumstances of others! If I am kind, I will want to do good! Suggested prayer Father, create in me the Kindness that is in your heart for me, so that I can demonstrate the Goodness to others that you have so graciously and mercifully shown to me, that they too can say, ‘I love you Father. Thank you for loving me.’” In the Good name of Jesus, Amen.
by Mahgdalen Rose | @mahgdalen_rose | TRINICY.org Photo by Andrea Piacquadio Since 2015, when Donald Trump was announced as a presidential candidate, there has been an enormous increase in political discussions in classrooms and colleges around the world. As the lone conservative in my high school classrooms, I came to expect debates between myself and my liberal classmates every time there was a major political story. This constant discourse pushed me in the direction of the debate team. My thought was if I was able to constantly defend my beliefs and values in my classes, then I would surely be able to defend them in a formal debate setting. Increasingly, there are other young conservatives - young people who are driven, strong-willed, and vocal about what they believe - rising up and striving to give their worldview a fair[er] representation in the classroom setting. Because of this, many are gaining a reputation of being excellent debaters. This is because conservative students are often the ideological minority on their school campuses - leaving them with the option to either become formal debaters (in a debate setting) or stand up for what they believe in, in an informal classroom setting. We are seeing more and more choose the latter option even as the political, spiritual, and cultural divide in America continues to get wider. For the students still unsure of what to do and what role to play in this ideological battle in the classroom, I want to share some important advice, from one previously isolated conservative student to another. EMBRACE THE PRESSURE A sophomore in a liberal high school shared (on condition of anonymity) that “it feels like I am carrying the weight of representing conservatism on my back. I have become the go-to person in my high school for people to ask the political question to. It’s not that I’m not happy to help. It’s just a lot to deal with when adults in politics act out in big ways, and then I have to explain their actions to my classmates and even my teachers.” I have found that this is a familiar feeling among young people in the education system. With the overwhelming majority of young people breaking for the left or being disinterested in politics, it often falls to the “one conservative student” to provide insight for many students into conservatism. This is why it is crucial that young conservatives be prepared for debates and go into them clear-headed and confident. It is also vital for conservatives on college campuses and throughout the education system to understand that they are not truly alone. There are many clubs, resources, and organizations to reach out to (including TRINICY). ACCEPT THE PRICE There is a significant amount of pressure placed on young conservatives. This is likely due to the responsibility of sharing truth in the midst of false narratives that students are fed on campus. We want our classmates to have an open mind and see facts for what they are. Speaking up with truth, young conservatives are likely to face aggressive, harsh liberal perspectives that are delivered in an unkind way. This means that lone conservatives who are often already considered cruel (because of the media) must be ready to respond in a disciplined manner because people are likely expecting them to come across as harsh and unfeeling. Yet, speaking the truth often comes at a price. Even as young students, conservative youth like us must be prepared to face the possible measures that may be taken against us. This can include doxxing, having us fired from a job, attacks on our personal life, exclusion from social gatherings, or even the end of friendships. The reality is that conservatism is based on fundamental ideas and core beliefs that one must decide whether they understand enough to openly go to bat for them. CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES Choose what issues you will debate ahead of time. Not every issue has to be debated. So, choose your battles carefully. If you take your time, you can prepare your positions ahead of time by researching and learning about the issues. Another young conservative I spoke to (a senior in high school who would also like to remain anonymous) said that “having been caught completely off guard by young liberals throwing argument after argument and personal story after personal story at me in a mock debate, I know that not having foundational research on the most critical issues to you can be devastating. And can set you up to be overwhelmed and put down.” Foundational research can include basic American history, the most recent economic data, and a complete understanding of recent international news headlines (especially those involving foreign policy). Saving newspaper or magazine articles that are relevant can also be helpful. I did that throughout high school. Once that foundational research has been gathered, a student can decide which debate they are well prepared for or even would enjoy participating in. The research that I undertook was not all at once, or even especially lengthy. Instead, it was spaced out and based on real-time needs. It is important to remember that you do not have to debate issues that make you uncomfortable or nervous. BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW There are many young conservatives, including myself, who feel the urgency to be better prepared to face the opposition that may come our way. However, it’s important to give yourself a break and understand that you may not yet be knowledgeable about every point brought up discussions. By being open about what you do not know, you can save yourself from being wrapped up in a debate that you may be doomed to fail. Whenever a debate or conversation becomes overwhelming, take a step back and evaluate your position. This will show your audience that you are honest and upfront. I have often admitted in classroom and formal debates that I did not know the answer to a question or fully understand a topic. Furthermore openly acknowledging what you do not know is a skill and practice that can help you in your professional life, and learning journey. LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY If a debate gets out of hand and you feel like the person you are debating with is becoming aggressive or hostile towards you, don’t be afraid to end the debate. Ending the debate does not mean that you have lost or failed. It means you respect yourself enough not to continue humoring them as they hurl personal attacks against you instead of against your arguments. Overall, debating may be enjoyable for some to participate in, however it should not become your first resort. Guard your words and prove to show yourself respectable in the end. Don’t let your enjoyment or enthusiasm for debate be dimmed by constantly having to be on fight or flight mode. CONCLUSION It has always taken a great deal of courage to express (and debate) what you believe openly. Being able to embrace the pressures of being a representative (sometimes the only representative) of your conservative beliefs can be a tough task to take on. One must be prepared to pay the price that comes with standing up as a young conservative in school, including facing situations in which none of your administrators, teachers, or fellow students may ever come to your defense. All of this is why it is vital that you choose your battles carefully. Choose which issues to speak on ahead of time and do your research! Know enough to know what you don’t know, and acknowledge the gaps in your knowledge. Furthermore, maintain high standards of engagement and never be afraid to end a debate, especially in the face of hostility. The right to debate is the right to possess, preserve, and present diversity of thought. So, fellow students, if you can, please stand up and debate in your classrooms because that is where the future intellectual and cultural standards and rules are being decided today.
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