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THE ESSENCE OF GOODNESS AS FRUIT AND KEY TO DIVINE SUCCESS

By Benjamin Haruna Bala In Joshua 1:8 , we find a powerful promise from God to Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The verse reads; " Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful ." This verse is often cited as a key to divine success as in our theme this session, but what does it mean to be successful in the eyes of God? Being successful in the eyes of God is having certain characteristics that reflect God’s divine image and character. As we can find in the Fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 , goodness which is seen as a moral excellence or virtue is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, to be successful in the eyes of God is to live a life of goodness. Living a life of goodness simply means doing good in righteousness, purity and holiness; that is to say doing good both in works, characte

KINDNESS

  By Salama Tisan Peter My mum told us {my elder ones and I}, that while she was young, there was this practice that was rampant: whenever a family in a compound house was hosting a guest/visitor, the neighbors would cook for the guest separately and present it to the guest. I always think about this and I truly wish we could continue this trend, although I must say that on two occasions, I have gone to visit close relatives and I have been treated this way by their neighbors. The first one bought me a carbonated soft drink and the second offered me five slices of bread and tomato-fish sauce. I must confess that I love this act of kindness and I trust God to also replicate it as He enables me. Defining ‘ Kindness ’ can pose a great difficulty because of the similarities in its qualities with that of love. This is why Apostle Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that love is kind. I think that if kindness stands before a mirror, its reflection will be love. The meaning of k

PATIENCE

By Havilah Emma-Ogboji  Galatians 5:22 AMP [22] But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting] , kindness, goodness, faithfulness. When we hear the phrase ‘fruit of the Spirit’, what comes to mind?  I believe for some, it is the memories of songs from our Sunday School classes which we learnt as kids, or you may ask yourself: is there any fruit manifesting in my life?  This verse in the Amplified version goes a step further to make us understand what the "fruit of the Spirit" is: the result of His presence within us. This leads me to the question; is the Holy Spirit in you? I believe our answer is "Yes", but how patient are you in waiting and receiving from the Spirit?  Waiting for God is at the heart of living by faith. It is this hope in the trustworthy promises of God that is the ground of the Christian's virtue of

PEACE

  By Adeola Adepoju Oluwatobi In the orchard of Christian character, there blossoms a sweet and precious fruit: peace. Not the fleeting, fragile peace of the world, but a deep, abiding inner serenity rooted in something far greater. This peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, one of nine characteristics cultivated in the hearts of those who surrender to God's transformative power. The Bible paints a vivid picture of this spiritual peace. In Isaiah 26:3, we are promised, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." This peace transcends circumstance, a steady anchor in the storms of life. It's the peace Jesus offered his disciples, saying, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27) Biblical Meaning of Peace There are three biblical meanings of peace namely. 1. Peace with God (2 Corinthians 5 : 18

JOY

  By Rejoice Ikejiaku "You no get joy" is one of the commonly used pidgin slang in Nigeria. It is used when an individual has no luck in achieving something and is therefore unhappy or when one's joy has been sapped to the barest minimum. It is seeming impossible for people to be joyful or at least happy due to the struggle and bustle of everyday life, but this is not God's plan for his children.  Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit mentioned in the Scripture ( Galatians 5:22 ). This goes ahead to show that God does not delight in the agony of his children, but desires that they are joyful at all times and do not have to worry about a single thing. This is evident in his word in the book of Philippians 4:4-7. Verse 4 says: "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice". Such emphasis on "Rejoice" would not come to play if he intended that his heirs be sad. Having established that, it is crucial to know that though joy is free, it is not fre

EMBRACING THE DIVINE LOVE: A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND RENEWAL

By Hannatu Haruna In a world filled with complexities and uncertainties, one universal truth remains constant—the profound impact of love on the human spirit. As Christians, we understand that love is not just a fleeting emotion but a divine force that sustains us, and at the center of it all is God’s unwavering love. The Scriptures guide us to recognize that God’s love is not only the epitome of reliability but also the foundation upon which our faith stands. In 1 John 4:8, we are reminded that “God is love,” emphasizing the inherent nature of the Divine to express love unconditionally. It is this love that serves as a compass, guiding our moral choices and shaping our interactions with the world. In our pursuit of happiness and fulfillment, we often encounter challenges and obstacles that can shake the very foundations of our existence. However, the reassuring presence of God’s love becomes our anchor, providing solace in times of despair and strength in moments of weakness. Psalm 36

Don't Give Up by Benjamin Bulus Apanda

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          DON'T GIVE UP!! Life is not smooth sailing With bells always ringing. It has its up and downs, And it smiles and frowns. Not all days are sunny and bright, Few things are achieved overnight. To attain what is good and right, You need to struggle with all your might. When things turn out wrong, Don't think all is gone. When things becomes tough, Its time you turn tough. There is no success without failure, Hardship and pain - you have to endure. When you fall or get hit, Do not give up or quit!