**Daily Devotional** **October 2** *18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: - James 1:18-19 (KJV)* We were not born again, and brought back into fellowship with God, because of our being worthy of it, but we were saved by God, through Jesus (John 3:16), because our Father willed it, and wanted to again enjoy the fellowship with His creation (John 17:3). We were made for God’s pleasure (Revelations 4:11), and it was for the Father that Jesus came and died for us, and not because we deserved it. Praise God that He loves us so much, that He sent Jesus to save us. We, the church, are the body of Christ, and the firstfruits of His creatures, and He redeemed us by His Word of truth (1 Peter 1:23). We need to all ponder on this verse about being swift to hear (a good listener), slow to speak (think about your words), and slow to wrath (don’t fly off the handle). We, who are born again, have the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our hearts, and we should be longsuffering, peaceful, gentleness, temperance, etc., so we have no excuse to be quick tempered. If we don’t show the fruit in our lives, then we are walking in the flesh, instead of in the Spirit, and need to die to ourselves, and let Jesus live through us. If we have God in us, then we are full of love, as God is love (1 John 4:8), and we need to let it flow out of us toward others – let your light shine (Matthew 5:16). Be a good listener, by not interrupting others when they are talking, and you might just learn something by listening. Remember that you can’t learn by talking, but by listening. Praise God for the fruit of the Spirit – let it show in and through you. Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com