It can often seem to us that the world is doomed. The Israelites in the time of the Prophet Micah thought the same thing, but Micah brought them a word of hope.
Here is the video David made to illustrate the concept of biblical justice.
“God’s Justice” NIV Bible that David refers to in his sermon.
The closing congregational prayer, written by Pastor Rene Padilla:
Our compassionate Father, we thank you for the indescribable gift you have given us through your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom, by his undeserved love, you have given us all things. Fill us with your love and deliver us from the materialism that surrounds us in the money-dominated consumer society in which we live. Make us faithful stewards of your creation and empower us to receive material possessions as gifts of your undeserved love, gifts not to be accumulated for our own benefit, but to be shared with others specially with the excluded ones. Give us a true hunger and thirst for justice. Now, guide our eyes to see the plight of those who suffer basic human needs by the power of your Spirit, and allow us to bear witness to the new creation you have begun through Jesus Christ. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and it grow in us through the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. It is not a collection of fruits, but rather part of one larger fruit, like the segments of an orange rather than a bunch of grapes. Pastor Ryan gives a deep dive into these segments in this series from the winter of 2025.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit. But what does “peace” mean in this context? God gives peace between adversaries, peace with him individually, and peace in our hearts as we trust him. Peace also flows from us into our relationships as we allow the Spirit to work in us. What is our part in doing our best to live at peace with everyone?
Pastor Ryan’s sermon “What Governs the Grey” looks at how we can navigate differences in the church about which things are right and wrong for believers to participate in.