The Holy Spirit Book - Day 16

The Fruit of The Holy Spirit

Self-control:

The ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings,emotions, reactions, desires, etc... Especially in difficult situations. 'He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city'(Proverbs 16.32) 'Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls'(Proverbs 25.28) I believe that this fruit is one that really shows who you are as we are surrounded by temptation everyday, only those who are able to control themselves will not give in to the desires of the flesh. What about you, can you control yourself? Think about it. God Bless you Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book - Day 15

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Gentleness:  "It should be exercised alongside love, especially when it comes to admonishing a person who is living in sin. People who exercise authority must never forsake gentleness, for it is essential for disciplining. 

The apostle Paul, admonishing the church in Corinth, said:  'For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?' (1 Corinthians 4:20,21)"

Words are very powerful, the whole world was created by it.  

If a good word brings life, a negative word bring death.  That is why when the Holy Spirit is in us, we have love and love does not allow us to hurt people with our words, even when we speak the truth, rebuke or exhort them.

Being in a position of authority,  does not give us the right to be arrogant or rude, despising people or putting them down with our words.

Great Leaders inspire people, I heard that a leader is someone who gets people to do what he wants because they want to do it.

May God help us to be careful with our words, using it to always inspire people.

Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book - Day 14

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Faithfulness:  The quality of being faithful to someone or something, to be true to one's word or promise.

Well, It has become very hard to find faithfulness nowadays and it is only through being baptised with and listening to the Holy Spirit that a person can remain faithful.

We see couples making vows to love each other in health or sickness, good or bad, riches or poverty, for better for worse till death do us part, only to hear that after the honeymoon, as soon as the first problem happens, they are already considering divorce.

Footballers swear wearing the club's shirt that they love a certain club etc... until some other offer them more money, don't get me wrong, they are free to move but why swear they will stay if that is not the true intention.

How has things changed so much. I remember people climbing the altar to testify and say i will never leave God or the church as my life has changed since I gave it to God and afterwards they change their mind and go back on their words, there is no faithfulness.

When you receive the Holy Spirit he produces in you faithfulness. You will be faithful to God and to others.

You may even be faithful when things are going well but it is when the problems come that you show if you are really faithful.

God says: "And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or no." Deuteronomy 8:2

God allowed them to go through the wilderness to test them to see if they would be faithful or not and many of them were unfaithful.

You may be going through a trial or temptation right now but remember if you remain faithful to God you will receive the reward in the end.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Are you dead?

NO

So, do not give up, remain faithful.

Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book - Day 13

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Goodness:   "A person who is good is never only concerned about himself; he cares for others and wants to help them. Even when he has troubles of his own, he always thinks about other people's troubles, looking for ways to help."

If a person who does not have the Holy Spirit, has the ability to be good to others, imagine those who have the Holy Spirit, we must be good not only to those who are good to us, but specially to those who hate us.

Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But i say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven"

Matthew 5:43

Have you been keeping grudges against someone? 

If you want the Holy Spirit, you must forgive, otherwise, he is unable to enter inside of you.

Let us do it right now, if you find it hard then start by praying for those whom you have something against.

God Bless You

Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book - Day 12

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Kindness: It is characterised by the ability to give the same gentle and friendly treatment to all kinds of people-whether they are Christian or not.

The Lord Jesus said: 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good  works and glorify your Father in heaven'  Matthew 5:16

People can only see our good works, when they are close to us, normally the ones who knows, who a person truly is, are the ones closer to you e.g.  family and close friends.

Therefore if you don't have the Holy Spirit, you can not hide it from them,  as they see you, as you are, your true colours. For these reason many do not want to come to God, although it is not an excuse because salvation is individual, but many say my family member or friend goes to church and yet he is behaving in a very bad way, why should i go to church.

Can you see what a great responsibility you have as a christian? Has your light been shinning before men?  Has God been glorified through you? 

If not start now by repenting and asking him to give you the Holy Spirit so your light may shine.

God Bless You

Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book - Day 11

Longsuffering

"Longsuffering has nothing to do with the principles of this world. Though the world imitates love, joy and peace, it cannot imitate longsuffering, for a non-Christian is unable to bear all the attacks and insults of the world.
We might find a non-Christian who is able to bear some offences, as long as they are justified. However, who can bear them when they are justified. However, who can bear them when they are absolutely unjust? Only by faith and love for the Lord Jesus can a Christian bear injustice and still remain firm and patient."

Well, I even remember, i was called to visit someone in the Hospital and when i arrived, i was told we should not be coming again, because they were doing some research on the church first. The worse is that the nurse said she is a Christian, i asked her what kind of Christian are you to judge without even speaking to us?

In these moments, we feel discriminated against, but because we have longsuffering and we know that we are doing the right thing, we keep going on.

Well the bible says:
"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9 NLT

Never give up, keep going, even when you face injustice,  if the Holy Spirit is in you, you will have patience to carry on.

God Bless You.

Pr Jonathan Pine

The Holy Spirit Book- Day 10

 The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Peace:
'It is not just a sensation of well-being, it is inner tranquility. And it is only possible when God through the Holy Spirit, reigns over a person's soul.'

Many people lack peace because they are constantly giving ears to worry and fears.

Read Psalm 27 it is a classical example of Peace:      


                                   
1           The Lord is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The Lord is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
³ 

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
⁵ For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

NKJV

Who can be confident knowing that a war is rising against you? Only when God is with you and you have peace inside your heart.


Read also Psalm 29.11


Dear reader, if you invite the Holy Spirit into your life he will bring you peace, do it now, receive the Holy Spirit.

God Bless You
Pr Jonathan Pine