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)
When entering into and dwelling in the Secret Place of God’s Rest the Lord Himself becomes our Shepherd.
John 10: 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (NKJV)
John 10: 14 – 18 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (15) As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (NKJV)
John 10: 27 – 30My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (30) I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)
(Verse 2)Psalm 23: 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. (Amp. C)
When sheep are full, satisfied, and the shepherd is present watching over the sheep what do they do? They lie down. They do not move from that place until they see the shepherd move. The presence of the shepherd brings the sheep rest.
Psalm 4: 8In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. (Amp. C)
Proverbs 3: 21 – 26My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion, (22)And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).(23)Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble. (24)When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. (25)Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless], (26)For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]. (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.
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.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Joy of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Joy in every area of their life. The Joy of the Lord is their strength.
Nehemiah 8: 10b… Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (NKJV)
Proverbs 17: 22A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)
If we are truly Born-Again, joy is already present in us by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Joy is one of the Fruit of The Spirit listed inGalatians 5: 22 – 23.
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)
(Amplified Classic)But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes]
Joy is a major Spiritual force.
We must choose Joy and activate it, otherwise it will remain present but in-active.
Joy, like all the Fruit of the Spirit, must be activated by our Faith and exercised regularly in order for the fruits to develop. We must always be Fruit of the Spirit minded.
When we, by Faith in the Living Word, walk the Love Walk it activates and develops the fruit of Joy and all the related fruit of the Spirit.
When we apply our faith to the promises in God’s Living Word, rejoicing in the Lord will bring us to a place of rest in our Faith.
Real Faith is at rest in the Word.
Romans 15: 13May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. (Amp. C)
Hebrews 4: 1 – 3 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. (2)For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (3)For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “SO I SWORE IN MY WRATH, ‘THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.(NKJV)
We must Rejoice always in every circumstance of life.
I did not say that it would be comfortable or easy, but we can do it. The more we exercise the fruit of Joy by Rejoicing in the Lord the easier it becomes. It will become a lifestyle.
When we read, study, confess, and meditate on the Living Word we must do it believing that it is The Absolute Truth.
What does absolute mean?
Dictionary:Absolute:
1.complete; perfect2.free from limitations, restrictions, or exceptions; unqualified.
3.having unlimited authority.4.undoubted; certain: the absolute truth.
5.not dependent on, conditioned by, or relative to anything else; independent
6.pure; unmixed.
God Himself Is Love – Absolute Love,
God Is Absolute Life,
God Is Absolute Light,
God Is Absolute Truth,
God Is Absolute Integrity,
God Is Absolutely Steadfast.
God and His Living Word are Absolute Truth! God and His Word are One.
John 1: 1IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.(Amp. C)
God IS Love! The Being Love. Absolute Love.
1st John 4: 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.(NKJV)
1st John 4: 16And 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.(NKJV)
Because God IS Love, The Being, and God and His Word are One, then God’s Word IS Love.
Because God Is Absolute Life and God and His Word are One then God’s Word Is Alive, absolute Life.
John 1: 4 – 5In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. (5)And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. (Amp. C)
Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.(NKJV)
Because God and His Living Word are One and God cannot lie God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth.
Titus 1: 2in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,(NKJV)
John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Amp. C)
God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth. His Word is His bond.
God’s Word is Absolute Integrity and Absolutely Steadfast.
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or His Ways do not change; neither does His Word.
Hebrews 13: 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
Ephesians 1: 4 – 6 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, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (NKJV)
Colossians 1: 12 – 14Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. (13) [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins. (Amp. C)
Ephesians 1: 7 – 10 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace(8) which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, (9)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, (10) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (NKJV)
Colossians 1: 20 And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross. (Amp. C)
Ephesians 1: 11 – 14 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, (12) that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (13) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart or who is Spiritually minded will be a person who is walking in God’s Mercy and Loving-Kindness.
As believers, it is essential that we know and understand God’s Love and Mercy. That we develop trust in His Love and Mercy.
This is the message that He so deeply desires for the world to know. It is our message to a dark and hurting world.
If we are to have faith and confidence in God, we must trust in His mercy.
We must Develop Faith in the Mercy of God. God is faithful to His mercy.
Deuteronomy 7: 9Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)
The entire Word of God emphasizes God’s Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Goodness. We can trust in His Mercy. His Mercy endures forever.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. (Amp. C)
Psalm 86: 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (NKJV)
Psalm 25: 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: 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. (Amp. C)
Even pre-cross God shows us His deep desire to pour out the abundance of His Mercy.
When God was instructing Moses on how to build the Sanctuary, God did not put a seat of Judgment on top of the ark, but He put a seat of Mercy.
Exodus 25: 21 – 22You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.(22)And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. (NKJV)
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.
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)
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
To know Him: To go beyond just knowing about God. To go beyond just friendship. But to have a deep intimate, personal relationship with God. To know His Ways or Character. As Jesus prayed in John 17 that we may be One.
John 17: 21That 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)
In order to be able to walk in the Ways of The Lord we must know the Lord. We can know about God and The Ways of The Lord and not walk in His Ways.
God Himself has a deep desire for us to know Him and to reveal His Ways to us. He reveals His Ways through His Word.
In order for us to truly know God and walk in His Ways we must first be Born-Again.
God Himself took the first step for Mankind to be able to know Him in His Fulness.
I cannot really know someone unless they want to know me too.
John 3: 16 – 17For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (17) For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. (Amp. C)
1st John 2: 2 – 6And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.(3) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. (4) He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5) But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (6) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (NKJV)
Restoration Ministries 