Galatians 5:22-23<\/p>\\n
These beautiful spiritual qualities are the inevitable result of the Holy Spirit taking control of a person\u2019s life. You can be sure of the genuineness of a person\u2019s spiritual experience when you see these qualities flowing. It\u2019s interesting that Paul speaks here of the fruit of the Holy Spirit but makes no mention of the gifts, which are also the result of the Spirit being at work in someone\u2019s life. Perhaps the reason for this is that the gifts of the Spirit can be mimicked, but the fruit cannot. Jesus spoke of those who, on judgment day, would say: \u201cLord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.\u201d And Jesus added that he would have to reply: \u201cI never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God\u2019s laws\u201d (Matthew 7:22-23).<\/p>\\n
Nobody would doubt the beauty of the fruit of the Spirit. We all want our lives to be characterised by these beautiful qualities - but whether or not we display them is in our own hands. There need be no doubt that the Holy Spirit wants to give us this kind of wonderful fruitfulness. The question is whether we are willing to open ourselves up to him. Paul was clear that our lives will be a battle ground for as long as we live and breathe on this earth. The voice of the Spirit will not be the only one that we hear, and so we need to spend our days deliberately tuning in to the Spirit amid the clamour of other voices.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Spiritual fruit is crucially important in our own lives, but it is also an important way of working out those who are genuinely working for God. In a situation in which there were many false teachers, the Galatians needed to be able to tell who they could trust. Jesus had addressed exactly the same situation in his Sermon on the Mount when he helped people to recognise the difference between true and false prophets by saying: \u201cYou can identify them by their fruit\u201d (Matthew 7:16).<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
How are you seeking to grow the fruit of the Spirit in your own life?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for the gift of your Spirit. Help me to open more of my life to his influence each day. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 200\n \"hash\" => \"a6905c9f648475bcaa4f9bb4591589ac\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-26 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28684\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/1ae3c160-5959-3741-8b50-aa4a18056f2d\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1633\n \"title\" => \"January 26th - Galatians 5:22-23\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-26th-galatians-522-23\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:20\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 5:22-23\\nThese beautiful spiritual qualities are the inevitable result of the Holy Spirit taking control of a person\u2019s life. You can be sure of the genuineness of a person\u2019s spiritual experience when you see these qualities flowing. It\u2019s...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180746-BS_K_2601237wo2t.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 5:22-23<\/p>\\n
These beautiful spiritual qualities are the inevitable result of the Holy Spirit taking control of a person\u2019s life. You can be sure of the genuineness of a person\u2019s spiritual experience when you see these qualities flowing. It\u2019s interesting that Paul speaks here of the fruit of the Holy Spirit but makes no mention of the gifts, which are also the result of the Spirit being at work in someone\u2019s life. Perhaps the reason for this is that the gifts of the Spirit can be mimicked, but the fruit cannot. Jesus spoke of those who, on judgment day, would say: \u201cLord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.\u201d And Jesus added that he would have to reply: \u201cI never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God\u2019s laws\u201d (Matthew 7:22-23).<\/p>\\n
Nobody would doubt the beauty of the fruit of the Spirit. We all want our lives to be characterised by these beautiful qualities - but whether or not we display them is in our own hands. There need be no doubt that the Holy Spirit wants to give us this kind of wonderful fruitfulness. The question is whether we are willing to open ourselves up to him. Paul was clear that our lives will be a battle ground for as long as we live and breathe on this earth. The voice of the Spirit will not be the only one that we hear, and so we need to spend our days deliberately tuning in to the Spirit amid the clamour of other voices.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Spiritual fruit is crucially important in our own lives, but it is also an important way of working out those who are genuinely working for God. In a situation in which there were many false teachers, the Galatians needed to be able to tell who they could trust. Jesus had addressed exactly the same situation in his Sermon on the Mount when he helped people to recognise the difference between true and false prophets by saying: \u201cYou can identify them by their fruit\u201d (Matthew 7:16).<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
How are you seeking to grow the fruit of the Spirit in your own life?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for the gift of your Spirit. Help me to open more of my life to his influence each day. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 200\n \"hash\" => \"a6905c9f648475bcaa4f9bb4591589ac\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-26 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: array:1 [\n \"podcast\" => App\\Models\\Podcast {#2670\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcasts\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:17 [\n \"id\" => 12\n \"brand_id\" => 81\n \"title\" => \"Episodes\"\n \"meta_title\" => null\n \"intro\" => \"Bring some Spirit-filled peace into your hectic schedule every weekday morning with this new Daily Devotional.\"\n \"slug\" => \"episodes\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20250325131114-1200x1200BSAK.webp\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => \"thumbnails\/PwPnKXLnoWUTSPin7YwSrTjOguQlT9SfdeJlWDLn.webp\"\n \"xml_feed_url\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/be-still-and-know-daily-bible-devotion.xml\"\n \"brand_nav_order\" => null\n \"is_active\" => 1\n \"is_open_access\" => 0\n \"is_playlist\" => 0\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"2025-08-04 14:32:07\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2023-03-09 09:22:35\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2025-08-04 15:32:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:17 [\n \"id\" => 12\n \"brand_id\" => 81\n \"title\" => \"Episodes\"\n \"meta_title\" => null\n \"intro\" => \"Bring some Spirit-filled peace into your hectic schedule every weekday morning with this new Daily Devotional.\"\n \"slug\" => \"episodes\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20250325131114-1200x1200BSAK.webp\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => \"thumbnails\/PwPnKXLnoWUTSPin7YwSrTjOguQlT9SfdeJlWDLn.webp\"\n \"xml_feed_url\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/be-still-and-know-daily-bible-devotion.xml\"\n \"brand_nav_order\" => null\n \"is_active\" => 1\n \"is_open_access\" => 0\n \"is_playlist\" => 0\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"2025-08-04 14:32:07\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2023-03-09 09:22:35\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2025-08-04 15:32:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:2 [\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"brand\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n ]\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n \"nextEpisodes\" => Illuminate\\Database\\Eloquent\\Collection {#2752\n #items: array:3 [\n 0 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2751\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28681\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/6239c594-8a9b-32ce-baf2-7fa796d46544\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1634\n \"title\" => \"January 27th - Galatians 5:25-26\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-27th-galatians-525-26\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"02:54\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 5:25-26\\nLiving in step with the Holy Spirit sounds wonderful doesn\u2019t it? Just imagine a life which is full of love, joy, peace and all the other beautiful fruit of the Spirit. This must surely be life at its best. But the apostle Paul kn...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180743-BS_K_2701237q0m3.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 5:25-26<\/p>\\n
Living in step with the Holy Spirit sounds wonderful doesn\u2019t it? Just imagine a life which is full of love, joy, peace and all the other beautiful fruit of the Spirit. This must surely be life at its best. But the apostle Paul knew that the life of the Spirit had to be lived out in a world in which sin is still alive and well.<\/p>\\n
I often hear people express disappointment in their church. They have found that there is a big gap between the pure life of the Spirit and the attitudes and actions of their Christian brothers and sisters. Paul was clearly well aware of this, and it is significant that he follows this challenge to live by the Spirit with the reminder that the Galatians needed to stop being conceited, jealous or provoking one another.<\/p>\\n
We cannot be sure what was in Paul\u2019s mind as he wrote these words but it is probable that he was concerned about those who had become conceited because they believed that they were more spiritual than others. Those who continued to obey the Jewish law strictly looked down on those, like Paul, who believed that faith in Jesus was all that was necessary. Tensions easily spring up in any community and Paul knew how important it was to act before they became totally destructive of the fellowship. Paul had his feet firmly planted on the ground. He knew both how wonderful it was to live a life directed by the Spirit and, at the same time, how easily that life could be disrupted. We need to be alert in just the same way.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
What are the challenges you are facing as you seek to live in step with the Spirit?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for the strength you give me each day as I seek to live in step with the Spirit. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 174\n \"hash\" => \"5d50b73cdc0fa8f5e7b58797da77d6a2\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-27 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28681\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/6239c594-8a9b-32ce-baf2-7fa796d46544\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1634\n \"title\" => \"January 27th - Galatians 5:25-26\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-27th-galatians-525-26\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"02:54\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 5:25-26\\nLiving in step with the Holy Spirit sounds wonderful doesn\u2019t it? Just imagine a life which is full of love, joy, peace and all the other beautiful fruit of the Spirit. This must surely be life at its best. But the apostle Paul kn...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180743-BS_K_2701237q0m3.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 5:25-26<\/p>\\n
Living in step with the Holy Spirit sounds wonderful doesn\u2019t it? Just imagine a life which is full of love, joy, peace and all the other beautiful fruit of the Spirit. This must surely be life at its best. But the apostle Paul knew that the life of the Spirit had to be lived out in a world in which sin is still alive and well.<\/p>\\n
I often hear people express disappointment in their church. They have found that there is a big gap between the pure life of the Spirit and the attitudes and actions of their Christian brothers and sisters. Paul was clearly well aware of this, and it is significant that he follows this challenge to live by the Spirit with the reminder that the Galatians needed to stop being conceited, jealous or provoking one another.<\/p>\\n
We cannot be sure what was in Paul\u2019s mind as he wrote these words but it is probable that he was concerned about those who had become conceited because they believed that they were more spiritual than others. Those who continued to obey the Jewish law strictly looked down on those, like Paul, who believed that faith in Jesus was all that was necessary. Tensions easily spring up in any community and Paul knew how important it was to act before they became totally destructive of the fellowship. Paul had his feet firmly planted on the ground. He knew both how wonderful it was to live a life directed by the Spirit and, at the same time, how easily that life could be disrupted. We need to be alert in just the same way.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
What are the challenges you are facing as you seek to live in step with the Spirit?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for the strength you give me each day as I seek to live in step with the Spirit. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 174\n \"hash\" => \"5d50b73cdc0fa8f5e7b58797da77d6a2\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-27 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n 1 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2750\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28678\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/c1ecdf6a-0de1-3c2b-8ecc-51128b9f8c3f\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1635\n \"title\" => \"January 28th - Galatians 6:1\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-28th-galatians-61\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:21\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 6:1\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nSadly, in every organisation of human beings things sometimes go wrong. It\u2019s sad but also an inevitable fact. I love the gracious and positive way in which this verse addresses the issue. When someone sins it is not the end of t...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180739-BS_K_2801237a97q.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 6:1<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Sadly, in every organisation of human beings things sometimes go wrong. It\u2019s sad but also an inevitable fact. I love the gracious and positive way in which this verse addresses the issue. When someone sins it is not the end of the world. We don\u2019t need to make a drama out of it, but action needs to be taken, and quickly. The goal is always restoration, but that needs to be done really carefully. The three major qualifications of people who help with restoring someone who has done wrong are godliness, gentleness and humility.<\/p>\\n
A godly person has their mind fixed on serving God and not themselves. They get involved in helping someone who has slipped up because of their love for God and their desire for his honour and glory. Clearly it would be disastrous if a person got involved because they were looking for their own glory, or because they just loved getting involved in the action.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Gentleness is a crucial quality. Strong arm tactics will never achieve God\u2019s purposes. Gentleness might be thought of as weakness at times, but it is in fact enormously strong. Frances de Sales got it right when he said: \u201cNothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.\u201d<\/p>\\n
Humility is possibly the most vital quality. The only real way to help someone who has sinned is to remind yourself not only that you are also a sinner, but that you are vulnerable and could fall into exactly the same sin yourself.<\/p>\\n
Restoration is a wonderful blessing, so we need to give thanks for those godly, gentle and humble people who are willing to bring it about. Every church and organisation needs them.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
Who do you know who could be described as godly, gentle and humble?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Lord God, I thank you for those who have the gift for bringing about restoration. Help me to recognise and celebrate their gifts. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 201\n \"hash\" => \"fb0243d73286e1984ab0b76f9776e5bc\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-28 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28678\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/c1ecdf6a-0de1-3c2b-8ecc-51128b9f8c3f\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1635\n \"title\" => \"January 28th - Galatians 6:1\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-28th-galatians-61\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:21\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 6:1\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nSadly, in every organisation of human beings things sometimes go wrong. It\u2019s sad but also an inevitable fact. I love the gracious and positive way in which this verse addresses the issue. When someone sins it is not the end of t...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180739-BS_K_2801237a97q.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 6:1<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Sadly, in every organisation of human beings things sometimes go wrong. It\u2019s sad but also an inevitable fact. I love the gracious and positive way in which this verse addresses the issue. When someone sins it is not the end of the world. We don\u2019t need to make a drama out of it, but action needs to be taken, and quickly. The goal is always restoration, but that needs to be done really carefully. The three major qualifications of people who help with restoring someone who has done wrong are godliness, gentleness and humility.<\/p>\\n
A godly person has their mind fixed on serving God and not themselves. They get involved in helping someone who has slipped up because of their love for God and their desire for his honour and glory. Clearly it would be disastrous if a person got involved because they were looking for their own glory, or because they just loved getting involved in the action.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Gentleness is a crucial quality. Strong arm tactics will never achieve God\u2019s purposes. Gentleness might be thought of as weakness at times, but it is in fact enormously strong. Frances de Sales got it right when he said: \u201cNothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.\u201d<\/p>\\n
Humility is possibly the most vital quality. The only real way to help someone who has sinned is to remind yourself not only that you are also a sinner, but that you are vulnerable and could fall into exactly the same sin yourself.<\/p>\\n
Restoration is a wonderful blessing, so we need to give thanks for those godly, gentle and humble people who are willing to bring it about. Every church and organisation needs them.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
Who do you know who could be described as godly, gentle and humble?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Lord God, I thank you for those who have the gift for bringing about restoration. Help me to recognise and celebrate their gifts. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 201\n \"hash\" => \"fb0243d73286e1984ab0b76f9776e5bc\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-28 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n 2 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2749\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28675\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/d57c08ad-82e5-30ef-9540-1eada8f08508\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1636\n \"title\" => \"January 29th - Galatians 6:2-3\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-29th-galatians-62-3\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:33\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 6:2-3\\nWe live in a society that appears to be far more interested in rights than responsibilities. That is not to say that rights are unimportant, because they are clearly crucial. The right to free speech, health, safety, care and just...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180735-BS_K_2901236atpf.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 6:2-3<\/p>\\n
We live in a society that appears to be far more interested in rights than responsibilities. That is not to say that rights are unimportant, because they are clearly crucial. The right to free speech, health, safety, care and justice are fundamental to society. However, none of them will ever happen unless we are all willing to take responsibility. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks powerfully put it: \u201cWithout responsibility, rights are a cheque on an empty account.\u201d Here Paul describes the church as a community of people, each of whom needs to take responsibility for carrying each other\u2019s burdens. He had no thought of the church as being there for us to gain inspiration and support so that we can live independent lives.<\/p>\\n
Sharing other people\u2019s burdens isn\u2019t something that happens quickly. It is a tragedy that for so many people the experience of church is confined to attending worship services. Good as it is to worship with other people, such occasions are rarely an opportunity to get to know people well, let alone learn what their burdens are. Having refreshments and meals alongside worship can start to open up opportunities to get to know others, but it is normally only in small groups or one to one conversations that such deep sharing takes place. I am delighted to hear that some people are using these daily devotional thoughts as a basis for meeting with a small group of people. As they meet together it gives an opportunity to share the joys and struggles of life and give real support to one another.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Paul identifies one reason we might not want to help someone else: thinking we are too important. But there\u2019s another, possibly more common reason: because we feel we are too unimportant and assume we could never be of help to the other person. The truth is that we all need to be willing to listen, learn and stretch out a hand to help.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
In what ways are you able to bear other people\u2019s burdens?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for those people who have been so willing to support me. Help me always to be willing to stretch out a hand to help others. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 213\n \"hash\" => \"e8036e8b0c85612b2fdbf1de5d3ead1d\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-29 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28675\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/d57c08ad-82e5-30ef-9540-1eada8f08508\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1636\n \"title\" => \"January 29th - Galatians 6:2-3\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-29th-galatians-62-3\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:33\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 6:2-3\\nWe live in a society that appears to be far more interested in rights than responsibilities. That is not to say that rights are unimportant, because they are clearly crucial. The right to free speech, health, safety, care and just...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180735-BS_K_2901236atpf.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 6:2-3<\/p>\\n
We live in a society that appears to be far more interested in rights than responsibilities. That is not to say that rights are unimportant, because they are clearly crucial. The right to free speech, health, safety, care and justice are fundamental to society. However, none of them will ever happen unless we are all willing to take responsibility. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks powerfully put it: \u201cWithout responsibility, rights are a cheque on an empty account.\u201d Here Paul describes the church as a community of people, each of whom needs to take responsibility for carrying each other\u2019s burdens. He had no thought of the church as being there for us to gain inspiration and support so that we can live independent lives.<\/p>\\n
Sharing other people\u2019s burdens isn\u2019t something that happens quickly. It is a tragedy that for so many people the experience of church is confined to attending worship services. Good as it is to worship with other people, such occasions are rarely an opportunity to get to know people well, let alone learn what their burdens are. Having refreshments and meals alongside worship can start to open up opportunities to get to know others, but it is normally only in small groups or one to one conversations that such deep sharing takes place. I am delighted to hear that some people are using these daily devotional thoughts as a basis for meeting with a small group of people. As they meet together it gives an opportunity to share the joys and struggles of life and give real support to one another.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Paul identifies one reason we might not want to help someone else: thinking we are too important. But there\u2019s another, possibly more common reason: because we feel we are too unimportant and assume we could never be of help to the other person. The truth is that we all need to be willing to listen, learn and stretch out a hand to help.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
In what ways are you able to bear other people\u2019s burdens?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, thank you for those people who have been so willing to support me. Help me always to be willing to stretch out a hand to help others. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 213\n \"hash\" => \"e8036e8b0c85612b2fdbf1de5d3ead1d\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-29 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n ]\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n }\n \"previousEpisode\" => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2740\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28687\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/a54dbd7b-d968-3373-b7ac-39da954d6488\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1632\n \"title\" => \"January 25th - Galatians 5:16-17\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-25th-galatians-516-17\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:26\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 5:16-17\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nIt\u2019s always refreshing when you meet someone who is completely honest. The apostle Paul was such a man. In Romans 7:18-19, he gave an astonishingly frank account of how he ticked. He talked about the way he struggled with hi...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180750-BS_K_25012363lhe.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 5:16-17<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
It\u2019s always refreshing when you meet someone who is completely honest. The apostle Paul was such a man. In Romans 7:18-19, he gave an astonishingly frank account of how he ticked. He talked about the way he struggled with his sinful nature, summing it up this way: \u201cI want to do what is right, but I can\u2019t. I want to do what is good, but I don\u2019t. I don\u2019t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.\u201d That all sounds rather bleak doesn\u2019t it? However, whoever we are, we all know how easy it is for our selfish nature to dominate our lives, even when we know that that\u2019s the wrong way to go. But we don\u2019t need to despair because God offers to lead us by his Holy Spirit. He is able to give us the wisdom and strength to choose a better way.<\/p>\\n
Paul then gave an agonising list of the destructive consequences of leaving our selfish nature in the driving seat. What\u2019s fascinating is that he wouldn\u2019t need to come up with a different list if he was addressing us today. Look at it. \u201cSexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these\u201d (Galatians 5:19-21). You might have thought that, after 2,000 years, the world might have come up with some new sins. But no, the tired old ones continue to get dragged out, undermining and destroying their victims.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Paul\u2019s excitement was that it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. The Holy Spirit has set us free so that we can live a new life that is characterised by love and all the fruit of the Spirit. Such a life is open to all of us, but only if we are willing to be, like Paul, absolutely honest about our own weakness and our absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit to help us to live this new life. We will never make it by ourselves.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
How will you deal with your natural desire to be selfish today?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, I thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help me to put him in the driving seat of my life today. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 206\n \"hash\" => \"6ca856d5a7d73cb6aea1606e75e1e6a5\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-25 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 28687\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/a54dbd7b-d968-3373-b7ac-39da954d6488\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1632\n \"title\" => \"January 25th - Galatians 5:16-17\"\n \"slug\" => \"january-25th-galatians-516-17\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:26\", \"subtitle\": \"Galatians 5:16-17\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nIt\u2019s always refreshing when you meet someone who is completely honest. The apostle Paul was such a man. In Romans 7:18-19, he gave an astonishingly frank account of how he ticked. He talked about the way he struggled with hi...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180750-BS_K_25012363lhe.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
Galatians 5:16-17<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
It\u2019s always refreshing when you meet someone who is completely honest. The apostle Paul was such a man. In Romans 7:18-19, he gave an astonishingly frank account of how he ticked. He talked about the way he struggled with his sinful nature, summing it up this way: \u201cI want to do what is right, but I can\u2019t. I want to do what is good, but I don\u2019t. I don\u2019t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.\u201d That all sounds rather bleak doesn\u2019t it? However, whoever we are, we all know how easy it is for our selfish nature to dominate our lives, even when we know that that\u2019s the wrong way to go. But we don\u2019t need to despair because God offers to lead us by his Holy Spirit. He is able to give us the wisdom and strength to choose a better way.<\/p>\\n
Paul then gave an agonising list of the destructive consequences of leaving our selfish nature in the driving seat. What\u2019s fascinating is that he wouldn\u2019t need to come up with a different list if he was addressing us today. Look at it. \u201cSexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these\u201d (Galatians 5:19-21). You might have thought that, after 2,000 years, the world might have come up with some new sins. But no, the tired old ones continue to get dragged out, undermining and destroying their victims.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Paul\u2019s excitement was that it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. The Holy Spirit has set us free so that we can live a new life that is characterised by love and all the fruit of the Spirit. Such a life is open to all of us, but only if we are willing to be, like Paul, absolutely honest about our own weakness and our absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit to help us to live this new life. We will never make it by ourselves.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
QUESTION<\/p>\\n
How will you deal with your natural desire to be selfish today?<\/p>\\n
PRAYER<\/p>\\n
Loving God, I thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help me to put him in the driving seat of my life today. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 206\n \"hash\" => \"6ca856d5a7d73cb6aea1606e75e1e6a5\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2023-01-25 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:36:11\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n \"brandTitle\" => \"Be Still and Know\"\n \"startTimeSeconds\" => 0\n \"isFavourite\" => false\n \"isSubscribed\" => false\n \"previousProgress\" => 0\n \"loggedViewPortionEvents\" => array:5 [\n 20 => false\n 40 => false\n 60 => false\n 80 => false\n 100 => false\n ]\n ]\n \"name\" => \"section-podcast-player\"\n \"component\" => \"App\\Livewire\\SectionPodcastPlayer\"\n \"id\" => \"oUoZRRo5bQUwVyN37sYq\"\n]"},"count":1},"symfonymailer_mails":{"count":0,"mails":[]},"gate":{"count":0,"messages":[]},"session":{"_token":"kbSszN47xTtKsDuEc02oLbylTkvwp7v7UBY5I0HO"},"request":{"data":{"status":"200 OK","full_url":"https:\/\/premier.amperative.online\/be-still-and-know\/podcasts\/episodes\/january-26th-galatians-522-23","action_name":"brands.podcasts.episodes.show","controller_action":"App\\Http\\Controllers\\PodcastEpisodesController@showPodcastEpisodeForBrand","uri":"GET {brand}\/podcasts\/{podcast}\/{episode}","scope_bindings":true,"controller":{"value":"App\\Http\\Controllers\\PodcastEpisodesController@showPodcastEpisodeForBrand","xdebug_link":{"url":"phpstorm:\/\/open?file=%2Fvar%2Fwww%2Fhtml%2Flaravel%2Fapp%2FHttp%2FControllers%2FPodcastEpisodesController.php&line=38","ajax":false,"filename":"PodcastEpisodesController.php","line":"38"}},"file":{"value":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/PodcastEpisodesController.php:38-51","xdebug_link":{"url":"phpstorm:\/\/open?file=%2Fvar%2Fwww%2Fhtml%2Flaravel%2Fapp%2FHttp%2FControllers%2FPodcastEpisodesController.php&line=38","ajax":false,"filename":"PodcastEpisodesController.php","line":"38"}},"middleware":"web","duration":"1.43s","peak_memory":"12MB","response":"text\/html; charset=utf-8","request_format":"html","request_query":"
[]\n<\/pre>