Kids Bible Devotional for March 5, 2024
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Focus Verse
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)
Jump Start
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
This scripture is from I John 4:8. Not surprising coming from John who is well known as the disciple of love. Love is such a broad subject. So much so that there are at least six expressions that describe love in the Greek language, the highest of which is agape. This is the love God has for people and that people have toward God.
So important is love that Paul mentions it first when describing the fruit of the Spirit as recorded in Galatians 5:22-23. Let's find out why.
Today's Devotion
Mary heard the rattle of keys in the kitchen near the door to the garage. She raced to see who was leaving. “Where are you going, Grandma?” she asked.
“I’m running to the hardware store, dear. I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” her grandmother replied.
“Oh, are you pricing the new kitchen cabinets you asked Grandpa for?”
“No, sweetie. They’re having a free gardening lesson. I thought I’d go check it out.”
“But you’re already the best gardener I know. What else can you learn?”
“Oh, that’s sweet, dear,” Grandma said. “I’m a little rusty growing flowers from seeds, though. That’s why I usually plant the ones that are pre-potted. There are a few I want to plant that are a little pricey for me to buy in pots, though, so, I’d like to try my hand at nursing them from seeds. And, well, it’s a free class. Can’t go wrong with that price.”
“Oh, I guess I didn’t realize there was a difference. What is it that Grandpa says about seeds?” Mary asked.
Grandma smiled. “’Plant the seeds of love, and everything will come up roses,’” she replied.
“Oh, yeah. What does that mean?” Mary said.
“Well, I always looked at it like the fruit of the Spirit. Love comes first. When you allow love to grow inside your heart, the other fruit of the Spirit have a chance to blossom. That includes the tougher ones like longsuffering and self-control. Demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit makes us a lot like roses. We’re just sweeter and more beautiful when we do.”
Wrap Up
In Paul’s description, the fruit of the Spirit begins with love. If you think about it, all other items listed in the fruit of the Spirit are expressions of God’s love. His love for us, in us, or through us toward God, others, and even ourselves. Love is a very powerful thing indeed.
What about you? Ever need help in the areas of loving others or yourself at times? Jesus can help us all in that area. After all, the disciple of love also wrote this of Jesus in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
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