Good morning glorious ones!

Developing THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is one of the primary goals of every Christian who desires to walk in God’s power.  Galatians 5:22-23 (Amp) says,

• 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, GENTLENESS (meekness, humility), SELF-CONTROL (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

In the same way that an apple is composed of seeds, a stem, a core, and skin, the fruit of LOVE is comprised of JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT was deposited in your spirit when you became born-again.  It’s our responsibility to cultivate that seedling so that our love can be perfected and fear can be cast out of our lives.  2 Timothy 1:7 says,

• For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

PATIENCE, or LONG-SUFFERING is part of THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT that enables us to obtain the promises of the Word of God.  LONG-SUFFERING can also be called, “PATIENT ENDURANCE.”  Hebrews 6:12-15 declares,

• And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”  And so, after he had PATIENTLY ENDURED, he obtained the promise.

Abraham obtained the promise of God, his son Isaac, after he had PATIENTLY ENDURED.  Likewise, as you diligently obey what God tells you to do in spite of your circumstances, you will see LONG-SUFFERING or PATIENT ENDURANCE develop in your life.  Abraham waited 25 years to receive the promise of God.  Are you willing to wait that long?

Hebrews 10:36 says,

• For you have need of ENDURANCE, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…

LONG-SUFFERING or PATIENT ENDURANCE is an important quality to have if you want to see the promises of God manifest in your life.  I exhort you not to give up, cave in, or quit when you don’t see the answers to your prayers right away.  Know that if God said it, He will do it!  In the meantime, make the most of the opportunity to develop your love by cultivating PATIENT ENDURANCE, or LONG-SUFFERING.

Walking in His love today,

Lisa Gordon

Assistant Pastor

Jesus City Church