Welcome to “Hart to Heart,” a space where we connect, reflect, and grow together in our faith journey. As your pastor, I am honored to share insights, stories, and biblical teachings that resonate with our daily lives. This corner is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of God’s word and its application in our community.
In “Hart to Heart,” you’ll find weekly reflections on scripture, discussions on pressing spiritual matters, and personal anecdotes that highlight God’s work among us. It’s my prayer that these messages inspire and encourage you, providing guidance and comfort as we navigate life’s challenges together. Let’s embark on this journey of faith, hart to heart, strengthening our bond with each other and with our Lord.
You may click on each of the underlined scripture references, if you wish to view the verse.
Hart to Heart:
9/09/2025
Fruit Of The Spirit – Longsuffering
“Longsuffering” May I suggest a simple definition?
“To suffer-long without complaint or bitterness.”
When dealing with difficult people. We need a quality that doesn’t come as standard equipment.
Friend, it is called longsuffering. Galatians 5:22
“Longsuffering” Is Holy Ghost restraint when we are provoked.
We are Holy Spirit Empowered to not respond with the same treatment we receive.
The Fruit of the Spirit “Longsuffering” makes this possible. The Bible doesn’t’ call longsuffering the Fruit of Self.
If we could produce this grace, it would be the Work of the Flesh, not the Fruit of the Spirit.
The works of the flesh are listed – Galatians 5:19-21
Question: How do we avoid the Works of the Flesh, and enjoy the Fruit of the Spirt?
Glad you asked – The Answer, Galatians 5:16
Important! We are not told to quit walking in the Works of the Flesh.
Read Galatians 5:16 again, please. We are called to walk in The Spirit
If we are doing what we should be doing, we don’t have time to do what we shouldn’t be doing.
Example: Friend, we can’t turn the flesh off, Gal. 5:19-21
but the Spirit can turn the Fruit of the Spirit on! Gal. 5:22-23
I John 2:16 Has the check engine light come on? You don’t need a hammer to knock the light out.
Galatians 5:16 takes care of the problem. We all need the Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering.
Understanding longsuffering. It may be helpful to consider what longsuffering is not.
- Longsuffering is the opposite of losing our temper. In most cases, we didn’t lose our temper, we found it. *Galatians 5:20 mentions hatred and wrath.
- Longsuffering is the opposite of retaliation.
“Well pastor, I don’t get mad, I get even!”
* Galatians 5:21 Mentions envyings and murders
* James 4:1-2 Some people, with a sense of justice, get angry with others for all the wrong reasons. Matthew 6:12 How we react speaks volumes about us.
Ex: When someone wrongs us, it is often said, “I’d like to give them a piece of my mind.”
We better keep what little we have.
Those who wrong us are not candidates for a brain transplant.
Remember we are not brain surgeons.
We cannot teach those who do not want to learn.
Proverbs 15:5
Proverbs 26:4-5
These folks need to be taught but we aren’t the instructor.
The Lord, The Word of God, Time and Mercy will deal with them.
- Longsuffering is the opposite of impatience with others.
Note: Religious people often caused Jesus more trouble than the wicked.
Are you living near a neighbor that’s driving you nuts?
Do you work for a boss you can never satisfy?
Is there a friend who is constantly finding fault with you?
Friend: Welcome to the human family.
Galatians 5:20 speaks of strife and sedition.
“DWI” – Deal with it!
“GOI” – Get over it!
“Longsuffering” – There have always been trouble makers.
In my library of books – one interesting publication “How to Deal With Jerks”
Here’s the remedy for resentment & revenge.
The Fruit of the Spirit – “Longsuffering”
Thank the Lord for troublemakers. I Thes. 5:18
We might as well thank the Lord – These folks are going to irritate us anyway.
Look upon them as potential blessings from God.
Genesis 50:15-21 Matthew 5:11-12
Wait on the Lord for the victorious outcome.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Issiah 40:31
“Longsuffering” – We must not walk away from the place the Lord has assigned us to.
“Longsuffering” Doesn’t come from our strength. It is a grace gift from the Holy Spirit.
The Timex watch takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
Thank you Lord for the Fruit of the Spirit,
Galatians 5:22-23
There are no fruit factories, fruit isn’t manufactured. Our lives are to be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.
Keep Abiding in Christ Jesus
Pastor David Hart
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