Tag: in step with the Spirit
In step with the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for January 31st: Exodus 1-3, Galatians 5
Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
In order to live an abundant life now in this world and to enjoy eternal life in the ages to come, God sends us the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ’s life in us. We don’t completely lose our sin nature, but we must continually put it to death by the grace given us through Christ’s death on the cross. We must avoid pride in our own power and ability to avoid sin and be careful not to compare ourselves with others or envy others’ walk. The Holy Spirit resides in us, but does not overpower us. We must humbly listen to His leading and allow Him to produce fruit of Christ’s character. This requires us to walk in daily obedience and follow closely in His steps as He guides us through life’s trials and tests. Like Moses of old, we are required to ‘take off our sandals’–humbly honor the Holy Spirit’s presence and recognize our heart, mind and body are now ‘holy ground.’
Exodus 3:3-5 “And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.””
Prayer: Lord God, I remove my sandals again today, symbolizing my own walk in the flesh. I invite the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in my life and soul and to guide me in His steps today. I want to walk on the holy ground You prepare for me today and go where You send me to bring liberty and freedom to Your people and Good News of the God that calls us by name out of sin’s bondage.
Exodus 3:9-10 “And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.””
Living with fruit of the Spirit!
Scripture reading for August 22nd: Galatians 5
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
The New Testament Spirit-filled believer should be marked by fruit of the Holy Spirit. This grows from living and walking in fellowship with Jesus through the Spirit and study of the word of God. Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and taking His word as truth, we crucify the flesh and its passions. This is a process called sanctification that is progressive throughout our life on earth. But there are temptations and spiritual warfare in the form of thoughts and imaginations that must be dealt with each day by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. Conceit, envy, and provoking are common enemies!
Observations for over-comers: Praying in the Holy Spirit and daily study of God’s word will help us over-come the attacks of the sinful nature and Satan. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. . .” (Isaiah 61:1-2)