If we don’t have the Word of God as the foundation of what we believe, we will have a faulty footing—it will not stand against the elements that will come against us. God has designed both our physical and spiritual lives to be ordered by one key attribute upon which the fruit of the Spirit is based—that foundation is love.

Live as a credible witness. If our actions don't line up with the message we're proclaiming, we risk losing our credibility.

Scripture suggests that meditating on the Word of God can have an always-on effect of peace and strength in difficult times.

Some believe we have little or no role in our own Christian maturity. God does everything, they think, and we simply have to "let go and let God." After all, if it's the "fruit of the Spirit," we should passively let him work within us as we abide in Christ.

Even though it has been nearly 2,000 years since Christ's first coming, His second coming is certain.

You may not be able to predict the time of a tornado, earthquake or the Lord's return. But you can know for a fact that He is coming back. Work today to share the escape route of God's grace with others, before the night cometh.

Everyone is in need of encouragement at some time. Take the opportunity today to encourage (give courage to) the one who often encourages you.