KEY SCRIPTURE:1 Corinth 13:4 ISV” Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious   or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited”,

We now consider the longsuffering of love. Longsuffering normally has to do with bearing with the inconsistencies or shortcomings of men, whiles patience relates more to every other negative condition including people’s negative actions as well. In math we will say patience is a universal set, whiles longsuffering is its subset. It is never the nature of our flesh to suffer long with others. It is a nature of the Spirit rather to suffer long. We do it because the word tells us so. Our feelings would rather be impatient with others. Longsuffering is one of the manifestations of love.

Longsuffering is God’s mechanism, as a shock absorber placed in us to help us live happily with one another. In our families, marriages, and every other form of relating with others. In all relationships we would need to be patient with others on a whole lot of issues. Please note, it is not longsuffering to be worried and complain about the wrongs of others. Longsuffering is to maintain, calmness by placing your concerns before God.

1 Peter 2:23 WEB” When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously”. Prayer is a very necessary act in the moment of mistreatment from others. James 5:13 KJV “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Talking to God for others helps you to love them and to gives you the ability to accept them.

One other thing to do in a moment of an inconsistent action from others, is to tell yourself that you are filled with love, and you have the ability to forgive and even bear with all the wrong actions of others. Actions are mostly responses to instructions. Always instruct yourself about what to do. Note: this does not mean you do not express your dislike about people’s wrong actions. I mean there are certain actions that may be momentary mistakes, and the culprit may be ready to change when prompted. There may be other habits that people would change or stop when made aware. There are a third group of people who keep repeating certain actions, no matter how much you tell them or express your dislike about such ways. Be patient with such people (1Thess 5:14).

CONFESSION

I am filled with love, and I’m very patient with all the inconsistencies of others. I forgive the wrongs of such people, and do not keep their errors in my memory. I always pray for such people to act in according with God’s Word.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 4:2 KJV” With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”;

Colossians 3:12 KJV “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

KEY SCRIPTURE Proverbs 15:13 KJV” A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”.

We continue with the fruit of the Spirit. A merry heart is an expression of joy. In the book of Proverbs, there are three instances that it makes mention of a merry heart. All these three have a profound implication to us, and it is worth noting. Proverbs 15:13 says ” A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” This simply means, a joyful heart straightens up the whole body, but a worried mind breaks up his spirit. but, according to Proverbs 18:14. ” The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” It is your spirit that keeps you holding on in difficult or trying moments. If your spirit is wounded as a result of various life situations, how can you stand up against difficult situations in life? Joy is the strength of the Spirit of man.

The next statement in Proverbs about a joyful heart or merry heart is Proverbs 15:15 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Life offers both good times and bad times. Bad times can depress or keep one very down., yet the man who chooses to maintain a merry heart will not know any down moments. He has a continued feast. He is the man who declares my life is moving upward and forward, with no down moments. Whether you have an up and down life or a life of constant feast of excitement depends on your decision to maintain a merry heart.

The third and last instant declares “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” Proverbs 17:22 Joy to the whole being is like medicine. It will boost your immune system. Sorrow and worry will dry up the bones. It will poison your system. Worry or joyfulness is a choice. To keep a joyful heart, always turn to what God says in His word and tell yourself, you believe what the word says. Start thanking the Lord and then sing songs to praise him for answered prayers. Refuse to be worried when negative thoughts come to your mind. Just say, ‘my God is in charge and everything is well with me’. Keep singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord.

CONFESSION

I have joy, joy like a river running through my soul. I have no down moments for I have chosen to rejoice

in all situations.

FURTHER STUDIES

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

Philippians 4:6 KJV “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:4 KJV” Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again, I say, Rejoice”.

 The joy of the child of God is the sorrow of the devil. For joy always mocks the devil. Joy is the sunshine of the spirit. The word of God enjoins us to rejoice always. The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) There is a difference between being joyful and being happy. Happiness is an excitement due to an admirable event. Joy is an excitement based on what God has said. It is an act of the spirit expressing confidence in God. This is the reason the scripture says we must rejoice always. Joy is based on acknowledging the promises of God as a done deal.

Apostle James counsels all Christians to count it all joy when they encounter diverse kinds of temptations. Temptation in this context is a trial brought your way by the devil. His motive is to cause you to be sad, sorrowful and accuse God. Job 1:11 KJV” But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face “. Satan’s expectation for bringing all the trouble is to make you accuse God. Rejoicing in times of trials is a form of mockery you make of the devil. It is a way of exalting God, for His ever-abiding goodness, irrespective of what may be happening. One can truly rejoice in such moments if his love for God is intact. Love’s response in difficult times is joy.

In Acts chapter 16, we read of Apostle Paul and Silas, who cast out the spirit of divination from a girl. This girl’s business for her masters had come to an end, as a result. They arrested them, laid stripes on them, put their hands and feet in stocks in a dungeon. These men instead of sorrowing or complaining over their plight, rather burst into prayer and large praises. The Lord expressed His approval to their action, by causing an earthquake and breaking the chains that held them bound. Joy would always destroy Satan’s attacks and set you free. Joy is medicine to the whole body. Pro 17:22 KJV” A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. Maintain your joy always. Sing psalms making melody in your heart always unto the Lord.

CONFESSION

I Rejoice always. My heart is excited over the certainty of God’s promises and I make melody in my heart to praise and exalt the Lord. May His holy name be praised forever more Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 15:15 KJV “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast”.

Proverbs 15:13 KJV A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1John 4:20 ISV “Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen”.

IT is not possible to be a Christian and not to have love. This simply means anyone parading as a Christian with hatred and bitterness towards others is not a Christian. A Christian is one with the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christ is the spirit of love. To hate is to abide in death. 1 John 3:14 KJV “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”. Love is the true symbol of liberty. This is the reason a person of love, is at peace with himself, peace with God and peace with his neighbour. Peace is the liberation of the soul.

Perfect love cast out fear. 1John 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”. Fear always stifles peace. A fearful person has no peace because he has no love. We find Joseph’s brother being eluded by peace because of hatred. Gen 37:4 KJV” And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him”. If you can’t relate peacefully with your neighbour, then there is some amount of hatred boiling in the heart.

What kind of Christians are we having these days? A Christian prays, and it is not about God saving souls but God killing his enemies for them. Who is your enemy? Is he the man who curses you? The one who hates you? Is it he that despitefully use you, or persecute you? Please take the Lord’s counsel on how to treat such people. Matthew 5:44 KJV “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”; Why should we treat a callous person in such a way?. He is dead in sin and on his way to hell fire, but we are alive with God’s love in us. Dear child of God, please repent of every hatred, you have towards any man.

CONFESSION

I have love for all and hatred for none. My heart is filled with peace and have fear for nothing. I pray for all my enemies.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 23:34 KJV” Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots”. Romans 12:20 & 21 KJV” Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 KJV. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Fruits are the beauty of creation. They are symbols of continuity of life. Life without fruits would be impossible. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is the beauty of the Christian life. The scripture said the fruit of the Spirit is love. The word did not say fruits, but said the fruit. Love is the fruit. The attached virtues are all the outshoot of love. Where there is love, there will be peace, joy, longsuffering and the rest. Romans 13:10 KJV” Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law”. Love for God and fellow man is the perfection of the law. (Luke 10:27)

The character of the Holy Spirit is love. When a man is born again, this love nature is imparted to his spirit. Rom 5:5 KJV. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Love then becomes the underlying characteristics of our being. It is never the nature of the flesh to love, since the flesh is selfish. Love is the expression of our spirit man. This kind of love is the God kind. Every act of the Spirit is done by faith. We love by faith. It implies, we express our love for one another, by faith. This means, it is based on what the word of God says. and not on what we may be feeling at a particular moment.

What develops the love nature in us? We have said above that love being an act of the spirit, functions by faith. As faith grows by feeding on the word of God, love likewise grows by feeding and acting on the word of God. The more we submit to the word that fills us, the more the love nature is revealed through us. We are able to demonstrate love when we acknowledge that love is our nature and we can do nothing but love. We also demonstrate this love by accepting the love our father has shown us. 1John 4:11 KJV Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. The rest of the manifestation of love, such as peace, joy, longsuffering will naturally flow out in our dealings with people.

CONFESSION

I am born of love. I am love and can’t hate, because my father who is love has shed abroad His love in my heart. I am ever joyful, full of peace and patient in all situations. I am kind, gentle, faithful, meek and control my ego in all situations.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinth 13:4 ISV Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious   or arrogant with pride.   Nor is she conceited,

1 Corinth 13:8 ISV” Love never fails. Now if there are prophecies, they will be done away with. If there are languages, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will be done away with”.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV” (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”

Life is spiritual. The spiritual is very real, and imparts greatly on the physical. The sad truth is that most men are living in the natural plain and are not ready to stop living that way. Most people of our modern world are limited by science. Science and its findings are great and have been very beneficial to man. Science anyway is limited to the natural and physical forces of nature. There are so many issues that science have no answers to or any explanation for.

How do you answer medical conditions that give no scientific cause, yet very prevalent and devastating? So long as we live on this. Earth, we cannot trivialize the role of faith in our lives. As many who have chosen to put their confidence in God’s word have stood victorious

Faith in God and His word is the step that places a man in the Spirit realm. Faith in God’s word, mysteriously places a man in God’s realm and makes all things possible with that person, as it will happen to God. Mark 9:23 KJV “Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes”. Faith is the response of your heart or human spirit to God’s word. Your faith in God sets you at a far higher level, than any other supernatural power that may be contesting with you. Your walk of faith is your life in the spirit. Your faith makes you triumph always. Stay in the Spirit by staying in faith.

Our key scripture states that we walk by faith and not by sight. The scriptures teach that we overcome by faith (1 John 5:4). Do not trust in the arm of flesh. It will profit you nothing. Play the game of life from the winning point. That is the spiritual position.

There is the path of the just. It is the life of trusting God in all you do. Proverbs 4:18 KJV” But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”. The scripture added that the way of the wicked (the wicked is he who would not honor the word of God) is as darkness, they do not know when they stumble. (Prov 4:19)

CONFESSION

I live in the Spirit, I live by a higher order, the order of the divine life. I have escaped the corruption that is in the world because of walking in the senses. Thank you, Lord, for the path of victory set for me.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Peter 1:4 KJV” Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Romans 12:2 KJV” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:4 KJV” When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory”.

The key scripture is not saying that, if Christ is our life then, until He shows up, we remain hidden, inoperative or insignificant, no. What the scripture is talking about is that, the appearing of our Lord Jesus would also bring us into the same perfect glory that he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV” Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is”. The key scripture also reveals something worth noting and considering. It says Christ is our life. This means as He is now, so are we. 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”.

These revelations from the scriptures is what the good news is all about. Understanding these things will help you to overcome a life of failure and satanic defeat. How is Jesus now? The Lord has absolute victory over death and sin. (Read Rom 6::9 & 10). We have been given that same authority over death and sin. (2 Tim 1: 9&10) 1 Corinth 1:24 reveals that “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God”. If He is our life then he in us as the power of God and the wisdom of God. The child of God must live with a truly liberated mentality. He must bear a superiority mindset over the evil influence of the dark world. You must approach every assignment in life with absolute confidence. You are greater than any situation that may rise against you for Jesus is your life, what a privilege. Stop giving excuses for failure.  You are a success going somewhere to happen.

Christ being our life is the reason we must maintain the crucifixion of old man or the ‘flesh’. It is the reason we must not give way to the flesh. Living in the flesh means living according to the senses, and that completely nullifies the impact of the Christ life in us.   It makes us ordinary mortals, who are subjected to the elements of this life. Corruption can then begin to work in us. (2Peter 1:4) Refuse to let the flesh have expression through you. The Oldman was crucified with the Lord, and so keep it crucified. Live in the Spirit by daily acknowledging that Jesus is your life.

CONFESSION

Jesus is my life. He is the reason for whatever I am and would ever be. He is my righteousness, my peace, my power, my victory. Jesus is my true identity. I am successful in every way. O what a life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 6:10 KJV “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God”. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Colossians 3:5 KJV Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:1 ISV” I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship”.

LIFE IN the spirit is fundamentally a life of true worship. The Lord said the father seeks true worshippers, who shall worship the father in spirit and in truth. Worship as much as it involves singing is an act of giving off oneself in love to the one, he or she worships. This is the reason the normal posture in worship involves bowing down, casting oneself on the floor. It is an act of total submission. Psalms 95:6 KJV. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker”. True worship is always an attitude of total submission.

True worship is also conscious of the presence of God. It is conscious of the power, majesty, love and the might of God. True worship is consumed with love for God and is not concerned about himself or herself, that is the worshipper in any way. He or she is never concerned about what others think of him or her in the moment of worship. 2Sa 6:14 KJV” And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod”. David was careless of himself so much that his wife. Michal, Saul’s daughter felt he had disgraced himself before the young maidens. In verses 21 & 22 of 2 Samuels 6, David answered Michal that God chose him in place of his father, and he would play before the Lord. He added that he would be more VILE. This means he would make himself insignificant. In worshipping the Lord, we are insignificant

In conclusion, worshipping as a way of living in the Spirit is a life of sacrifice in everything we do. Prayer as worship is sacrificial. Studying the word of God is also a sacrificial act done to glorify the Lord. Everything we do as children of God is not for us, or to attract any attention unto us but solely to Jesus our Lord. This is what the Lord calls true worship. Our life as children of God is worship. It is doing everything to please the Lord.

C0NFESSION

My life is a constant flow of appreciation, Thanksgiving and an admiration of my father God. He has done so much for me. Indeed, He is my everything. I offer my life as a living sacrifice unto Him.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Samuel 6:22 ISV “I’m going to act more shamelessly than this, even to humbling myself in my own eyes. Now as to the women staff members about whom you have spoken, they are to hold me in honor!”

Genesis 24:26 ISV” At this, the man bowed down and worshipped the LORD”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:14 KJV “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”.

Every child of God must always be led by the Holy Spirit. This means he must train his spirit to hear the voice and instruction of the Holy Spirit. John 10:27 KJV “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” According to our Lord, His sheep hear his voice. The child of God trains himself or herself by acting on the word as he or she learns it. The next point of call, is to act on instructions from his or her conscience.

Acts 24:16 KJV “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men”. Apostle Paul says he has decided to always maintain the right conscience.

 Our conscience is that instinct in a man that judges between right and wrong and inclines towards that which is right. For the growing Christian, the Holy Spirit uses our conscience to know the right action. There come situations that are not necessarily right or wrong ways, but to choose between two or more things. When one is torn between choosing a marriage partner, whether to make a particular journey or not, we need a direct word about which one ta take. In this instant one’s conscience may not help so much but a direct instruction of the Holy Spirit.

At such a moment the Holy Spirit will speak to your spirit deep within your heart, on many times as a ‘still small voice’. This ability is developed over time as the child of God prays and quietly listens to the instruction of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Such instructions normally do not come to the physical ears. One may hear an audible voice only in special or few cases. It does not normally come that way. Hearing the inner voice is something you train yourself to acquire through prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Each time you fellowship with the Spirit of God through prayer and meditations on God’s Word, make time to wait for an instruction from the Spirit of God. Make sure you act on such instructions. As you function this way, you would grow in confidence to receive more detailed instructions from the Spirit.

CONFESSION

AS a child of God my spirit hears from God. My spirit is trained to hear the voice of the Spirit of God, and to act accordingly. I grow in this ability of hearing the voice of the Spirit.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 20:27 KJV” The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly”.

Acts 23:1 KJV” And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 3:6 KJV” In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.

Our next point in the training of our spirit is to put God first in everything we do. Colossians 1:18 reminds us that our Lord Jesus is the head of the church. He is the beginning, and must have the first place in everything we do. How do we give Him that first place in our lives? This is done by knowing what the word says and doing it in the light of the prevailing circumstances.

The verse before our key scripture says, ” trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Men are prone to reasoning everything out. That is normal, yet be ever ready to do as the word of God says. That is safer. In every step you take, business, marriage, and what have you? Do it according to the word of God.

God would likewise honor every step you take. He will direct your path. The next act is to fill your heart and mouth with is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the best means to confuse the devil in your life. Satan expects to see you worried and complaining, but when you give God thanks, even in the midst of disappointments, he (the devil) gets confused. This is what God says concerning giving thanks always and at EVERY happening in your life. 1Th 5:18 KJV “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. The will of God in every event is your Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving expresses your stability.    It is an expression of the nature of God in you. His ability not to be moved.

I have trained myself to give him thanks in all situations. Once I run my forehead into the pointed edge of a metallic sign board. I held my head, and the next words that poured out of my mouth, were, thank you Jesus. I knew my head should have swollen or cut with blood flowing out. Beloved to my amazement, there was no swelling or a cut. It did not even cause any pain. The only pain I felt was the initial collision, afterwards everything was normal. Thanking God should become your practice throughout the day. You would ever be ahead of the devil, if you are constantly filled with Thanksgiving.

CONFESSION.

God’s word is light, I always put His way first, in all I do. Thank you, Lord, for every blessing. Thank you for my very existence. Thank you for your amazing love. Thank you for everything.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 1:18 KJV” And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”.

Acts 27:35 KJV. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.