A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is developing the fruit of Patience and Longsuffering in every area of their lives. They are diligent to let Patience have it’s perfect work so that they can be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Patience – Vines NT
Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope.”
Longsuffering – Vines NT
Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Exo_34:6 ; Rom_2:4; 1Pe_3:20.
James 1: 2 – 8Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (5) If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. (6) Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. (7) For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, (8) [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. (AMP C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is developing the fruit of Patience and Longsuffering in every area of their lives. They are diligent to let Patience have it’s perfect work so that they can be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Galatians 5: 22 – 23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)
Patience – Vines NT
Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope.”
Longsuffering – Vines NT
Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Exodus 34: 6; Romans 2: 4; 1stPeter 3: 20.
James 1: 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV)
The Lord Is Patient and Longsuffering in all of His Ways.
Exodus 34: 6And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, (NKJV)
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. (9) The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. (NKJV)
One strong characteristic of Patience and Longsuffering is to wait.
Isaiah 30: 18And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (AMP C)
Romans 15: 4 – 6For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope. (5) Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (6) That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). (Amp C)
Colossians 3: 12 – 17Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;(13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and (15) be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23: 5 – 6You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. (6)Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Amp. C)
The previous verse 4 relates to walking through the valley of the shadow of death. There are enemies in the valley of the shadow of death. But as we discussed in our last message, right in the presence of our enemies we are being protected and comforted by our shepherd who is right there with us.
Right in the presence of our enemies, the Lord, Who is with us, has prepared a table for us.
He has also anointed our heads with oil. Our cup is running over. He has made abundant overflowing provision for us right in the presence of our enemies.
This table is a right now table. This is not the same table that is being prepared for us in Heaven. There are no enemies in Heaven.
Our Loving Heavenly Father, in all His Goodness, right in the very presence of our enemies, has prepared a table for us in the secret place of His Presence.
GOD IS GOOD!!! No matter who we are or what we have done God has laid up His Goodness for all who will come to Him and receive it. His Goodness is laid up for all of man past present and future.
Psalm 100: 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.(Amp. C)
Psalm 106: 1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 107: 1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 31: 19 – 21 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (20)You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. (21)Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! (NKJV)
The Goodness of God toward man is not based on our being afraid of God. The Goodness of God is based on who He Is. Love Himself.
We cannot receive anything from God by being afraid of Him. That was one of the mistakes that Israel made. They did not understand the Goodness or Love of God. They did not know that God Is Love.
We do not come to the table that God has set for man by being afraid of Him. That kind of fear will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Dictionary
Fear n.
1. a. A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger:
b. A state or condition marked by this feeling:
2. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension:
3. A reason for dread or apprehension:
4. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.
v. feared, fear·ing, fears
1. To be afraid or frightened of:
2. To be uneasy or apprehensive about:
3. To consider probable; expect:
4. To revere or be in awe of (a deity, for example).
Reverence (rĕv′ər-əns)
1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love.
2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
Fear or being afraid of God will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Reverence or reverential fear of God causes us to enter the Secret Place and partake of the Table that He has prepared for us.
Psalm 91: 1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].(Amp. C)
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 9 – 10He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. (10)All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
(Verse 4)Psalm 23: 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. (Amp. C)
Psalm 118: 6The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, what can man do to me? (NKJV)
Isaiah 41: 10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Amp. C)
Romans 8: 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV)
Hebrews 13: 5b – 6… He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (6) So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? (Amp. C)
We do not have to be afraid of Satan. He is already a defeated foe. He was 100% defeated by Jesus at the Cross.
Satan is limited to what is common to man or the natural or to what is common to man. We as Born-Again Children are not limit to this natural world.
1st Corinthians 10: 13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23: 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 4 – 5 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. (5)Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 9 – 10He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. (10)All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
Psalm 32: 7 – 8You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah(8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (6)In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.(Amp. C)
Psalm 19: 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer. (Amp. C
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23is a wonderful image of the person who has entered and is dwelling in The Secret Place of God’s Rest in Psalm 91
When entering into and dwelling in the Secret Place of God’s Rest the Lord Himself becomes our Shepherd.
Psalm 91and Psalm 23are both about deep intimate relationship, covenant, refreshing, protection, provision, rest, and guidance.
Psalm 23: 1 THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. (Amp. C)
The Lord is My Shepherd, My Lord, I have made an absolute quality decision my choice.
Because He Is my Lord, my Shepherd I shall not lack! If you have made the Lord Your Shepherd – You shall not lack.This is an absolute truth.
However, we need to be aware that there are conditions in this verse that puts us in the position where we do not lack.The conditions unlock God’s provision.
Those conditions are:
Our submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives.
Our submission to Jesus Christ being our Shepherd in every area of our lives.
Our submission to The Living Word as being first place and final authority in our lives.
A lack of knowledge and our not acting on the knowledge that we have causes us to be in lack.
What do we do when we have a lack of knowledge?We obtain knowledge and we act on that knowledge, or we will continue to lack.
Just to have knowledge is not enough. We must have faith in the knowledge that we have. Faith is an action word. For faith to be real faith there must be action that flows from the faith.
It is not by your own works but there is a work or action that flows from the faith.
James 2: 17 – 18Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (18) But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (NKJV)
The source of the knowledge of God is His Living Word. The abiding Word always brings forth fruit and restwhen we submit to it and make it final authority.
The Living Word is what God uses to provide our every need. The Living Word must be activated by our Faith which works by Love.
Matthew 6: 33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (Amp. C)
John 15: 7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amp. C)
2nd Peter 1: 2 – 3May grace (God’s favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (3)For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
God Himself has invited each of us into the secret place of His rest. We are the ones who must choose to enter the place of His rest.
Hebrews 4: 9 – 11 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. (10) For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (NKJV)
(Amp C.)Hebrews 4: 11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], (Amp. C)
But we must choose to enter that place of rest.
Psalm 91: 1 – 2HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (2)I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!(Amp. C)
In order to enter this secret place and dwell there we must set our Love upon Him and walk the Love Walk.
Psalm 91: 14 – 16 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. (15)He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16)With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. (Amp. C)
Isaiah 26:3You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Amp. C)
If we have not received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Anyone who is Born Again can enter The Secret Place of God’s Rest, but we must walk the Love Walk and be Spiritually Minded. We cannot be carnally or fleshly minded and enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Romans 8: 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.(NKJV)
In Order to dwell, live, and abide in The Secret Place of God’s Rest, The Word must live and abide in our hearts. The Word must be first place and final authority in every area of our lives.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
We must put feet to our faith in the Living Word. Our feet must be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
Peace is not only a Fruit of the Spirit, but it is also a very important and vital part of the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6: 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. (Amp. C)
In preparation to face the enemy – We must do this before we face the enemy.
Peace will make you sure-footed and confident with firm footed stability.
Real Faith and Trust in The Living Word of God brings peace and confidence.
Peace will cause you to stand firm on the solid rock. Fear stands on sand.
When the pressure is on, fear runs and cannot stand. When the pressure is on, Peace will remain firm, and we will be able to stand, therefore.
Galatians 5: 22 – 23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)
Verse 22 (Amplified Classic)But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes]
The Fruit of the Spirit are already present in every born-again child of God. Peace, like the other Fruit of the Spirit, must be developed.
When we exercise patience and self-control, which are also fruits of the Spirit, we will also develop peace.
Worry and fear are enemies of and the opposite of peace.
It is impossible to walk in peace and worry and fear at the same time. Whichever you yield to that is what will be functioning in your life.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has authority over the law of sin and death. We are the ones that choose which one is in authority in our lives.
Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. (NKJV)
If we choose to be carnally or worldly minded, the law of sin and death will have authority in our lives, and we will not walk a life of peace.
If we choose to be Spiritually or God’s Living Word minded, The Law of Life in Christ Jesus will have authority in our lives, and we will be walking a life of peace.
Romans 8: 5 – 6For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6)For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (NKJV)
Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.
Faith moves God because faith is in God.
Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.
In order to walk in peace, we must walk in Faith and Love
To put worry and fear under we must replace it with something stronger. The Word of God is stronger than fear and it is a higher Law than fear.
We must develop our faith in the Word of God. The Word is our sure steadfast anchor. In order for us to have faith in the Word we must have knowledge of the Word.
We must speak the Word out of our mouth believing that we receive. Not just once but continually. Our faith will not work beyond our level of confession.
Proverbs 18: 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV)
Matthew 12: 36 – 37 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (37)For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. (Amp. C)
1st John 1: 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)
Amplified Classic – 1st John 1: 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
You must release peace and choose fear for fear to be able to be in control. Fear and peace cannot exist together. The one that the individual yields to, will be in control.
Peace cancels fear and depression. If you choose fear and depression Peace will not function.
Love cancels hate which brings peace. If you choose hate Love and Peace will not function.
Faith cancels doubt which brings peace. If you choose doubt Faith and Peace will not function
Trust and confidence In God and His Word brings peace and rest. If you choose not to place your trust and confidence in God and His Living Word, you will not be able to walk in Peace and Rest.
How much confidence and trust do you have in God’s Word?
How much trust and confidence do you have in your relationship with God?
There are times when all we have left is our confidence in God and His Word. These are times when we must trust God!
Psalm 25: 1 – 2a UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2a) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. (Amp. C)
1st John 5: 18b he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (NKJV)
Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.
Faith moves God because faith is in God.
Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.
In order for us to walk in peace we must walk in Faith and Love.
Faith works by love.
Galatians 5: 6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. (Amp. C)
Peace Accompanies: Faith, Righteousness, Acquaintance with God, The Love of God’s Word, and Spiritual Mindedness.
Ephesians 1: 3 – 5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (4)just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (5) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (NKJV)
Colossians 1: 21 – 22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled (22)in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— (NKJV)
1st Thessalonians 3: 12 – 13 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, (13)sothat He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord will be a person walking a Holy Life having an established heartor being Spiritually Minded.
The person who is walking in the Ways of the Lord has a life joined to the Heart of God and is pleasing to Him. That person will be Spiritually Minded not Carnally Minded.
Walking a Holy life is walking the Love Walk.
Walking the Love Walk will develop and perfect a Holy Life
Walking a Holy Life or Holiness can only be done in a now moment as we walk the Love Walk.
The Love Walk will separate us from a sinful life.
Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (23)And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (24)And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.(Amp. C)
God’s Living Word is Absolute Truth. As we walk the Love Walk in obedience to God’s Living Word the Truth of His Word abiding in us will Sanctify us causing us to walk a Holy life unto The Lord.
John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Amp. C)
GOD IS LOVE! WHEN YOU KNOW GOD, YOU KNOW LOVE HIMSELF THE PERSON.
LOVE IS NOT ONLY AN ACTION WORD REQUIRING ACTION BUT IT IS A PERSON.
ALL GENUINE LOVE IN ACTION FLOWS FROM THE PERSON LOVE GOD HIMSELF.
1st John 4: 7 – 8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. (8) He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. (Amp. C)
When we know God IS LOVE we know His ways. To Know His Ways is to Love Him.
All of God’s Ways are Love.
Matthew 22: 35 – 40And one of their number, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. (36)Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light–which are heavy?] (37)And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). (38)This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. (39)And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. (40) These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.(Amp. C)
Romans 13: 8 – 10 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. (9)For the commandments, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER,” “YOU SHALL NOT STEAL,” “YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,” “YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (10)Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (NKJV)
A person walking in the Ways of the Lord will be a person guided by the Holy Spirit.
This person being guided by the Holy Spirit will be a person who habitually exercises and develops the Fruit of the Spirit.
All of the Fruit of the Spirit flows from and are founded in Love.
Galatians 5: 22 – 23 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,(23)Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (Amp. C)
Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within every Born-Again person they already have the ability to walk in the Ways of the Lord present within them. Even though the Fruit of the Spirit is already present in the Born-Again person that fruit must be developed.
The Holy Spirit will always guide this person in the way of Love, The Love Walk.
1st Corinthians 13: 4 – 8a(Amplified Classic)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord:
Will Endure Long
Will Be Patient and Kind
Will not be envious or boil over with jealousy.
Will not be boastful or vain glorious.
Will not display themselves haughtily.
Will not be conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride
Will not be rude (unmannerly) and will not act unbecomingly.
Will not insist on their own rights or their own way for it is not self-seeking.
Will not be touchy or fretful or resentful.
Will not take account of the evil done to them [they pay no attention to a suffered wrong
Will not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth
prevail.
Will bear up under anything and everything that comes.
Will be ever ready to believe the best of every person.
Their hopes are fadeless under all circumstances.
They endure everything without weakening.
Their Love will never fail, never fade out, or becomes obsolete, or comes to an end.
Love describes all that God IS. His very nature and all of His ways. All of God’s Ways are Love.
Love is the root, foundation, and entire reason for all that God has done, is doing, and ever will do.
Love covers all of time and eternity.
Love is the reason for all of creation that is in time and eternity.
Love is the reason that Jesus was sent.
Not only was it the Fathers Love that sent Jesus, but it was also Jesus’ own Love that sent Him. For they are One
John 10:30 I and the My Father are One. (NKJV)
Not only are God The Father, God The Son Jesus, and God The Holy Spirit absolutely One but God’s deep desire is that we are one. Not only one with each other but also One with God The Father, God The Son Jesus, and God The Holy Spirit.
John 17: 21 That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. (Amp. C)
Love is the reason for His entire life, death, burial, descent into Hell, and His resurrection from the Dead.
Love is the reason that He ascended into Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God The Father making intercession for us.
Love is the reason for the coming of the Holy Spirit and His abiding in us.
Love is the reason for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. He is a very special Love Gift from the Father Himself.
Love is the reason for, the root, the foundation, and the source of all of the Promises and
Commandments. All of the dos and don’ts
Love covers all of the covenants and the entire Bible.
The Bible is a Book of Love. A Love Covenant.
This wonderful book the Bible covers all of Time & Eternity,
Psalm 37is a chapter which details the way of the person who is walking in the Ways of the Lord having an established heart being Spiritually Minded vs the person who is carnally minded and not walking in the ways of the Lord.
Psalm 37: 1 – 40FRET NOT yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God).
(2)For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
(3)Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.
(4)Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
(5) Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.
(6)And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun of] the noonday.
(7)Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
(8)Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself–it tends only to evildoing.
(9)For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth.
(10)For yet a little while, and the evildoers will be no more; though you look with care where they used to be, they will not be found.
(11)But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…. (Amp. C)
Psalm 112: 1 – 10 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. (Amp. Classic*fears – reveres and worships) (2)His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. (3)Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. (4)Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (5)A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.(6)Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. (7)He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (8)His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. (9)He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. (10)The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish. (NKJV)
Psalm 1: 1 – 5 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. (2) But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. (3)And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (4)Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away. (5) Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God]. (6)For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought). (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartor who is Spiritually minded is a person who will love his enemies.
Luke 6: 27 – 36But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, (28) Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. (29)To the one who strikes you on the jaw or cheek, offer the other jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well. (30)Give away to everyone who begs of you [who is in want of necessities], and of him who takes away from you your goods, do not demand or require them back again. (31)And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them. (32)If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them). (33)And if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the preeminently sinful do the same. (34)And if you lend money at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money at interest to sinners, so as to recover as much again. (35) But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked. (36)So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these]. (Amp. C)
Galatians 1:11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (KJV) St. Paul was not one of the original apostles. The New Testament church was at least ten years old before we hear of him. He persecuted the church, and even tried to wipe it out completely. He must have been pretty successful before the Lord Himself intervened, see Acts 9. In Galatians 1:17-24 he tells the story of how he immediately went down to Arabia and didn’t check in with the Jerusalem church for three years. That must be the time he spent learning from God the revelations which he shares with us in his letters.
Every scripture is revealed by the Holy Spirit or it wouldn’t be in the Bible at all. And no matter what the world says, there are no other “secret” books of the Bible. It they are not in there, then we know absolutely that they are not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
No one knew the deep things of God the way he did. Thank God He had a man like Paul. It took a man so learned in the Hebrew law, history and culture to be able to teach the Jewish people how Jesus fulfilled the scriptures. He had to be a man they respected as being knowledgeable and fully accredited in the things he was sharing.
In the book of Acts, in every city he traveled to, the first place he went was to the synagogue. He says in the book of Romans how he longed for the conversion of his fellow Jews. The whole book of Ephesians focuses on mysteries, one being that gentiles and Jews are one. That was the major issue that caused him the most trouble.
Unity. One of the deepest of the deep things of God. Only in God Himself is it even remotely possible. I was at a prayer meeting once where different people got up and presented petitions like usual. They were praying for nations, governments, education, health and welfare, marriages; just lots of different really huge problems. After each one finished, the Lord spoke in my heart, “That’s a small thing.”
A small thing? A small thing! These are major issues all over the earth! After hearing Him repeat it several times, I asked Him, “Then, what do You consider a big thing?” He said, “My people being one.” Hmmm. Yes, I can see that being a big thing. If we were truly one, it sure would solve a lot of big problems. Wars, finances, health, education, governments.
He didn’t mean “one” like we understand it. After all, we are the “United” States! He means “one” in love. Talk about a deep thing of God. If we would be able to understand and work together in the agape love of God, could we even have a chance of solving all these huge problems? Even in a large church with thousands of people, is it even possible? Look at Acts 6. It seemed there was some discrimination in the distribution of food. The Apostles had to appoint people to straighten that out. The source of that was still some left over Jewish customs about separation.
Ephesians 3:14-21“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (KJV)
There are only two mindsets. Everything that we do is either Carnally minded or Spiritually minded. One or the other. There is no middle ground.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart is Spiritually minded, and God’s Word ruled. God and His Living Word is first place in this person’s life. They are not ruled by their senses, emotions, or feelings.
Romans 8: 1 – 2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (NKJV)
Romans 8: 5 – 6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartor being Spiritually Mindedis a person who has put themselves in a place to know His Ways and what our ways are supposed to be.
1st John 4: 15 – 16Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16)And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (17)Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.(NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartor being Spiritually Minded has put themselves in a place where they can be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of their lives.
Psalm 25: 1 – 2a UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2a)O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You… (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 4 – 5aShow me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. (5a)Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me,…(Amp. C)
God Himself has an eye on our path of life and He Himself will teach us how to choose.
Psalm 32: 7 – 8 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah (8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)
Verse 7 = what David said to God.
Verse 8 = what God said in response to what David said.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established hearthas their focus on God’s Word. God’s Living Word is abiding in their hearts.
John 15: 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartis always prepared and ready unmoving no matter what happens.
Philippians 4: 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
Philippians 4: 13I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. (Amp. C)
Psalm 23: 1 – 6A Psalm of David. THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. (2)He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. (3) He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (4) Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. (5)You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. (6)Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Amp. C)
A person that knows the Lord and is walking in His Ways has an established Heart. Paul had an established heart, a consistent way of life. His life was built upon the Rock Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 4: 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amp. C)
Colossians 3: 1 – 3 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God (Amp. C)
Galatians 5: 25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartis fixed, steadfast, unwavering, trusting in the Lord always and in all circumstances no matter what those circumstances are.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartdoes not weaver in times of trouble or distress.
He does not waver because he knows that he is not alone. God Himself is with him.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartdoes not worry, fret, or fear. They do not focus on the problem but on the answer
“THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT IN LIFE THAT GOD’S WORD”
THE WORD is God’s system for living in abundant life in every area. It is so important that in the Old Testament Book of Psalms, Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, is devoted to it. Let’s take a look at it. In most translations of the Bible, Psalm 119 is divided into twenty-two stanzas, and each has a letter of the Hebrew alphabet as the heading. It may be the letter itself, or the letter spelled out. For example, the first letter, aleph, which is equivalent to our English letter A, begins the Psalm. The Psalm is written as an acrostic, that is, the first word in each verse of the stanza begins with that letter in the Hebrew language. The next is beth, or B, and so on, all the way through to Taw.
In each stanza, each of the eight verses contains a specific term that means God’s WORD. They are: Word, commandment, command, law, instruction, precepts, judgment, testimonies, way or path, statutes, decrees, and promises. The terms vary according to the translation you may be using, but they all refer to the WORD.
Hebrew children were taught this psalm the same way our modern kids learn the alphabet through symbols and pictures. Their young minds had to be impressed with the fact that there is nothing more important in life than God’s WORD. Using so many different terms established for them that their lives were ruled and guided by it. THE WORD, or commandments gave them the ability to endure and withstand any scorn, threats or danger that they might face from strangers, peers, or even enemies. Only some outside obstruction, such as sin, pride, or anything we would see as originating in the carnal nature would prevent one from seeing the blessings and benefits of knowing and keeping the law, or WORD.
Thank You, Lord, that, according to Psalm 119:105 Your WORD is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.(KJV) I pray that You increase in me the wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You that can only come from Your WORD. And I thank You for it, in Jesus’ mighty Name, amen.
Restoration Ministries 