KEY SCRIPTURE:1 John 4:18 KJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

 In this study, we consider faith in God perfected by our love for God. Our key scripture states that perfect love casts out fear. This simply means perfect love builds strong faith in God. Faith in God is maintaining our allegiance to God. The more we commit ourselves to loving the Lord the more we would maintain our allegiance to him. John 14:23 KJV” Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves me, he will keep my words: “. What is faith? The simplest definition for faith is believing what God’s word says, and  doing it.

Abraham is described as a man of great faith because he was a man who had grown in his love for God. He was described as a friend of God. James 2:23 KJV “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God”.  As fruits develop through proper cultivation so, when we keep a close fellowship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and Bible studies, we grow in our love for God, resulting in strong faith in Him. He said if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

The gift of faith as stated in 1 Corinth 12 is different from the fruit of the spirit manifesting faith. 1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”

 The gift of faith is a manifestation of the spirit at a particular moment as the Holy Spirit wills (1 Corinth 12:9.) The gift may manifest mightily in a day-old Christian. This is not so with the fruit. It is not every child of God who may manifest the gift of faith, yet every child of God has the fruit of the Spirit that is love. This kind of faith takes time to grow through fellowship and obedience to the Word. Faith like a man’s muscles is made stronger through exercising your muscles for the consistent doing of the word of God.

CONFESSION

I abide in the Lord by letting His word abide in me. I bear the fruit of love for God and my faith in God grows. My faith is made stronger through my commitment to doing what the word of God says.

THOUGHT: A CONSISTENT WALK WITH GOD BUILDS STRONG FAITH IN HIM.

FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 5:6 KJV” For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love”.

1 John 4:17 KJV “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

John 16:14 KJV” He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Our key scripture continues with some of the roles of the Holy Spirit in us. He is with us to glorify Jesus. He has come to make the Lord Jesus the centre of everything in our lives. If you have the desire to protect your self-image in any way and not Jesus and His name, then you are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit. As we learned in our previous study, He came in the name of Jesus, and so His mission is to exalt Jesus and His name through us.

 When a child of God lives to glorify Jesus, then that reveals the dominance or control of the Holy Spirit in all he does. Please note that every child of God is called to greatness. Greatness in this context is about manifesting the mighty deeds of God in your life such that men give glory to the Father.1Pet 2:9 KJV” But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” We were called out of the world to show forth, God’s mighty works through us.

Showing forth the praises of God is allowing the Lord to manifest His works in our lives, such that men give glory to God. When this happens men see God’s greatness through the vessel of God who avails himself for God to wrought such works. You cannot be treated ordinarily when God is magnified through you. If any child of God allows the Holy Spirit to fulfill His role of glorifying Jesus in Him, He or she would not be insignificant on this earth. Remember that God said to Abram, I am calling you, out of your nation and people, to make you great (Gen 12:1-3). So long as Abraham submitted to God, God made him great. Through God’s mighty works through Him, Abraham became great among the people he lived with.

THOUGHT: OUR LIVES BECOME VERY MEANINGFUL WHEN JESUS IS GLORIFIED

FURTHER STUDIES

Phi 1:20 KJV” According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

James 4:10 KJV “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 15:26 KJV “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

In the verses before the key scripture, the Lord Jesus explained much about the attitude of the world to Him.  He said He told them the truth about Himself, yet they hated Him.  He performed miracles that no man did, even then they continued to seek to kill Him. Such unfounded hatred is an influence of the Spirit of darkness.

Today, many hate Jesus because He said He is the way, the truth, and the life. They question why He claims He is the only way to God. My question is, did the Lord Jesus ever tell a lie? He said He would be killed and on the third day rise from the grave. He did not fail in all that He said. In the full glare of His disciples, He was taken up to heaven. What proves the validity of these reports? The disciples who brought these messages showed that they were telling the truth, by dying for what they knew was the truth.

Jesus never told a lie for He is the truth. The Lord after much discussion about all those who hated Him, said there is one who is called to be with us or by our side, that is the Holy Spirit. The word one to be by us is another word for Comforter. He is always by our side. He added that the Holy Spirit had come to testify of Him. He has come to help us love Him in a better way, by knowing the truth about Jesus and serving Him effectively. The Holy Spirit shows the Lord to us in certain moments He gives the appearance and presence of Jesus to the people of God.

One other way of revealing Jesus is to expound on the word of God to us. It is through the medium of the word that the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us. Through the agency of the word, we can practically walk with Jesus as we believe the word and act on it. In such a way, we see Jesus in action as He works miracles through us. Mark 16:20 KJV” And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

THOUGHT: THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH US IS JESUS WITH US.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Corinth 3:17 KJV” Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

John 16:13 KJV” Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:  2 Kings 2:9 WEB “When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit upon a person to help him or her do what his or her natural abilities could not easily achieve.

The anointing of the Holy Ghost is needed by every child of God. Throughout the scriptures, God has anointed various persons to perform different acts to His glory. Children of God are called to show God’s praise in all they do. The anointing is needed in every aspect of life. If you are a businessman, you need it. If you are a footballer, you need it. If you are a minister in songs, you need it. 1st Peter 2:9. The anointing distinguishes the Christian from all other men, and it brings glory to God. Although God will want all to have it, it is not obtained on a silver platter. God gives to the hungry and not those who are satisfied. Luke 1:53 KJV “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Please note also that God’s anointing is an act of His grace.

What is the price for the anointing? One can understand the price of the anointing by coming to terms with the implications of the anointing. The anointing is solely to reveal the glory of God. Since God anoints to reveal His glory, one must be dedicated to bringing glory to the Lord. Luke 14:26 WEB “If anyone comes to me and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. ” The Lord is saying by this statement that we are to live for Him and for His glory alone. The implication of being anointed is to bring glory to Him.

 The price for the anointing is death to self and the pursuit of His glory.

The Lord said in John 12:24, 25 “Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.  He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” The Spirit of God comes on selfless vessels who are pursuing God’s glory. During the dispensation of the law, the high priest presents blood on the mercy seat. The moment the blood sacrifice is poured on the mercy seat, the fire appears on the mercy seat, from which the Lord communicates to the high priest.

One may ask what is the place of prayer and fasting in obtaining the anointing on one’s life. Prayer and fasting would release that special grace on your life, if the primary motive is right. That is, dying to self and seeking the exaltation of the name and glory of God. Some fast and pray for strive and competition. These are all selfish ambitions, motivated by soulish desires. James 4:1-4.

CONFESSION

I was created to bring pleasure to the heavenly Father. I commit my life to seeking His glory, and so He anoints me to serve Him more effectively.

THOUGHT: A SACRIFICED LIFE WILL RECEIVE FIRE FROM ABOVE TO SHINE BRIGHTER.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 12:1 WEB “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.”

1 Sam 26:9 WEB “David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Tim 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The breath of God is the very source of our personality. The Bible says God breathed into the lifeless man, and man became a living soul. The breath of God is God’s ability to make us qualified to do whatever He requires of us. God has made available a means of contacting His breath for daily strength to overcome every challenge or difficulty that we may encounter. The scripture says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: The word inspiration of God, also means the breath of God. The breath of God goes into action and effect when we submit ourselves to it or believe it. Now, to believe means you cast your life on it.

When we believe the scripture, we have swallowed what it says, placing our very dependence on it. It is at this moment that life in the word is released. The breath of God is yours for every engagement that you may find yourself. Give attention to the word of God. Meditate on the word and give a renewal to your mind concerning all life issues. The Bible says it is life to those who find them and medicine to all their flesh. Proverb 4:21,22.

Decide to give more time to the word of God this year. Let your heart be filled with joy and satisfaction any time you have to sit by the word of God. Make every truth you learn a special prophecy from the mouth of God. Know that so long as you receive that word, you have accepted into your system, the very breath of God. In this new year, make it a year of celebrating the word of God, by giving the word the highest and most prestigious place in your life and heart.

CONFESSION

The word of God is my life and my light. It is my power to conquer this life. I give my attention to it, and allow my whole life to be controlled by the word. I see success all around me.

THOUGHT: RECEIVING THE WORD, GIVES YOU THE POWER TO LIVE BY IT

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 4:12 KJV” For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1Thess 2:13 KJV” For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 12:1 KJV” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

The relationship between our spirit and body is as a man, living in a house or room. It is the man who gives expression to the room. The state of the room would depend on the state and condition of the man. Your spirit represents the man, while the room represents the body. In the experiences of most children of God, it is their bodies that lords itself over their spirits. The body or flesh which is the outer nature is the one giving expression. The body or the flesh rules many. The Bible calls it carnality. In these days of information, people are overwhelmed by their mobile phones. They would spend most of their time doing something on the phone. Lust of the flesh and eyes is what controls some.

When the flesh is master his spirit is silenced. His spiritual senses become dead or dull. He will not be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. His desire for prayer and reading or studying the word would either go down or nonexistent at all. The other sad thing that will happen to him, is, that he will not be able to understand the scriptures. 1 Cor 2:14 KJV” But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

A man in such a condition would surely have a very weak soul. His mind will be dominated by lots of carnal things. Rom 8:6 KJV” For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” A mind fed with mundane things in this life will result in an emotion, which is very unstable. It will be fearful, easily worried, quick-tempered, and as the bible says many foolish emotions, that would make him a threat to others and himself.

According to Romans 8:9, you are not in the flesh, to live after the flesh, but in the Spirit. Repent and turn and let the Spirit take charge. Now note this: The spirit takes charge when you allow the word of God to determine your actions.

CONFESSION

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus. My spirit controls me in all I do. I keep the flesh under. My spiritual senses remain alert, and so I can always receive from God’s spirit and not be lost in the deceit of the flesh.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:9 KJV” But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

1Cor 9:27 KJV” But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Job 32:8 KJV” But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

From our former studies, we learned that man is a spirit who has a soul and lives within a body. The Spirit of man is described by Apostle Peter as the hidden man of the heart 1Peter 3:4 KJV” But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” This hidden man of the heart has a form just like the outer man. He is not physical that could be seen by the optical eyes. He has hands, legs, eyes, and all the features that the outer man has.

At conversion, the spirit of man receives a new life or a new birth. It is not a renewal of the old man. This process of conversion is the greatest of all miracles. The old man dies with Jesus through baptism, and a new man is resurrected or taken over. Rom 6:4 KJV” Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life.” We see that we died with him, and so our spirit man who is one with the Spirit of Christ is the one who has taken over. Gal 2:20 KJV” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. This is amazing, we have a spirit nature, our true being which is the very nature of Jesus.2nd Corinth 5:17,18 narrates it that, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, BEHOLD EVERYTHING has become new. All this new nature or creation is of God.

Our new man has nothing of the old nature or old man in him. Our souls remain the same. That is, the kind of ways we used to think, feel, and act may be the same. It must be taught to know, accept, and function with the new man. Jas 1:21 KJV” Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” It is the word of God that saves our souls. It is initiated by a renewal of our minds Rom 12:2. The soul, through the mind, must come to terms with the wealth of power, glory, and unsearchable riches of Christ. that his spirit man carries or is made of.

The body will also align properly when the truth is known by our souls. John 8:32.

PRAYER

Father, open my eyes of understanding to know your glorious deposit in me, that my ways, thoughts, and actions would reveal that glory you want to be seen in our world.

THOUGHT: OUR SPIRITS ARE SAVED AT CONVERSION, BUT OUR SOULS ARE SAVED THROUGH YIELDING TO THE WORD OF GOD

FURTHER STUDIES

John 8:32 KJV “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Phm 1:6 KJV” That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Th 5:23 KJV And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A good understanding of the nature of man will help us to walk effectively with the Spirit of God. Our key scripture shows us that, Man is a three-fold being. He is a spirit, soul, and body. From the book of beginnings, that is Genesis, God created man in the image and likeness of God Gen 1:26. The ‘image’ in this context talks about appearance as in the physical form, and the likeness talks about the nature of God. The physical appearance of God is like a man. The nature of God is a Spirit. John 4:24 KJV “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” If man is like God, then man is also spirit. Our spirit is fundamentally our true or real nature, for God cannot relate with our souls or bodies, but rather relates with our spirit. Pro 20:27 KJV” The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”

God deals with man from his spirit. Job 32:8 KJV “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

The body of man is an earthly house for his spirit which is immortal.  2Co 5:1 KJV For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The body houses the senses. These

include,

1. Sight

2. Taste

3. Feeling

4. Hear

5. Touch

The state of the body determines how much the spirit can go in some instances. Matt 26:41 KJV “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The body can be trained to cooperate with the Spirit.

We also saw from our key scripture that, man also has a soul. The soul is the self-conscious aspect of a man. It is made up of the mind, emotions and will. The soul is as immortal as the spirit. The spirit and soul are used interchangeably in certain portions of the scripture, yet there is a clear division between the two. Heb 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ From this scripture the bible shows us, there is a division between the spirit and the soul. The soul and spirit function together, as the soul receives information and is processed in the mind, reacted on by the emotions, and acted on by the will. When the Spirit of God shows or tells the spirit an information, it is passed on to the soul, through the mind and the body through the brain becomes aware of it. To be continued.

PRAYER

Father, give us the understanding to know who we are and how to operate effectively with your Spirit, and the world around us, to bring glory to your name.

THOUGHT: MAN IS A SPIRIT, WHO POSSESSES A SOUL, AND LIVES WITHIN A BODY.

FURTHER STUDIES

Job 32:8 KJV” But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

James 1:21 KJV” Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 12:11 KJV” Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

In our previous study, we realised that our ability to win and conquer in life depends on the state of our spirit. A fervent spirit is very alert unto God, as well as dominates the actions of the individual. A dormant spirit needs to be awakened and set into proper motion. Please note, that you would pay dearly for it if your spirit is not awakened. Remember, Satan as a roaring lion, is roaming about, seeking whom he may devour. The devil cannot devour everyone, but can surely get those who are spiritually sleeping.  Stop sleeping. Rom 13:12 KJV “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

What must one do to get into that fervency of spirit?

1.            Pray and repent of your spiritual dullness.

2.            If there is any known sinful way, ask God for forgiveness and repent, from it.        

3.            Pray with more urgency and a stronger desire.

4.            Take time to read the bible, study, and make notes. Take action points from your studies.

5.            Spend quality time worshipping and praising the Lord.

6.            Stay away from carnal friends or carnal Christians, whose communications do not spare you into a more intimate walk in the Spirit.

7.            Give yourself to sharing the good news of our Lord Jesus.

8.            You may also have a day in the week to fast and pray.

9. Refuse to let any need cause you anxiety. It is not bigger than our Lord Jesus. Rather declare that He is your shepherd and you would not want

Remember, life is spiritual, and the Spirit always dominates the natural. 1 Tim 4:8 KJV” For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” There are always evil activities seeking to put the righteous down. It is your alertness that will put you over. Psalms 11:2-3 KJV “For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

What shall the righteous do, if the foundations, that is the spiritual alertness is not there? Do not become a cheap meat for the enemy.

CONFESSION

Father, thank you for your love for me. Thank you, for stirring in me a new fire and a spiritual alertness. I awake out of every sleep to be whatever the spirit of God has ordained for me to be.

THOUGHT: PLUG YOURSELF INTO GOD AND STAY AWAKE.              

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 5:18 KJV “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

Eph 5:19 KJV “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

Gal 5:16 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Rom 12:11 KJV” Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

Apostle Paul in his letter to the brethren in Rome gave the brethren several, very important practical counsels in Romans 12:9-21. Among the many words of wisdom, he gave them, he said the following in Romans 12:11 as follows: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” The state of the Spirit of a child of God is a big determinant of whether he would be successful in all his dealings in the physical and soulish realms. Man is a three-fold being. That is the spirit, soul, and body.1Th 5:23 KJV” And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The spirit of man is his means of relating with God. Prov 20:27 KJV “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” The state of a man’s spirit is what makes him either able to receive from God or resist the garbage of infirmities Satan tries to place on him. Prov 18:14 KJV “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” The word ‘sustain ‘, also means restrain, support, or seize. This means an agile spirit will dominate the evil condition and overpower it. The writer of the proverb added, but who shall bear a wounded spirit? Let’s also learn that our spirit is the only means to receive counsel, and instruction from the Spirit of God. That is what gives man an illumination from God to answer life matters. Job 32:8 KJV” But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

Knowing all that has been said above, one needs to have a very active spirit personality. Apostle Paul, through the agency of the Spirit, counsels all children of God to maintain a very fervent spirit. Sadly, many children of God do not know when their spirits have gone dormant, or are very inactive. How do you

 know your spirit has gone asleep?

1. When your appetite to stay in the word of God is gone.

• When prayer becomes a drag, and not bubbling from within.

• When praising and worshipping the Lord, is almost lost from you.

•   When you have no passion to win men for Christ

• When your heart is warm towards worldly ways but cold towards godly ways

• When you love to read and enjoy posts on social media that have no scriptural inspirations

• When you would read and listen to preaching, but will not read and meditate on the bible.

       8              When a sinful way has not been forsaken.

You need a fervent spirit now.

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, stir in me a quickening of my spirit man. I cast away every practice or lifestyle that keeps me dull in the spirit. Father, I receive a fervent spirit now.

THOUGHT: NO FLY SITS ON HOT STOVES.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Tim 4:8 KJV “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

Luke 9:29 KJV” And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.”