Just Jesus

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

(Galatians 5:22-23)

(Check out new video at bottom of blog)

While in Memphis this year working with “Street Reach”, which is a wonderful ministry from Brinkley Heights Baptist Church, we had a discussion where our site missionary asked what we thought was missing on the tough streets of Memphis & what we would give them to solve the problems if we could. We all kind of sat in silence for a bit…but what could we give them to solve their problems? I quietly asked God, “What could we do, what one thing would change this community?” I mean we know what’s missing; we know what we don’t see. No one seems to have a love for one another. The majority don’t seem joyful. It doesn’t at all seem peaceful…wait a minute!! At that time it hit me…no love, no joy, no peace, no patience, no kindness, no goodness, no faithfulness, no gentleness, no self-control!!



What would I bring to the tough streets of Memphis? The same thing that I would bring to the gated communities of Hoover or Vestavia, the same thing that I would bring to the poorest places in the world is the same thing that I’d bring to the wealthiest. But actually…it’s really not a “thing”, but a person…the Holy Spirit. In both, they can lack the fruit that only the Holy Spirit can produce. What or who can change the bad streets, rich or poor? Only Jesus Christ, living in people’s hearts…bringing what we all need for a true safe, civil society…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.


Can you imagine what life would be like if we all had the Holy Spirit living in us, guiding our lives, unrestricted by our desires? What one thing? Just Jesus.

Vern