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Galatians 5:25 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)
When I read this verse, it hits me hard, because, as I look back on my life, during so little of it was I aware of the need to keep in step with the Spirit.
When I look back at my training in the deaconess school, or even in seminary, I don't remember being taught anything about the Holy Spirit being so close that I could, indeed must, keep in step with the power of the Spirit if I wanted to serve Christ.
During my ministry, there were times when I had to acknowledge that God was up to something around me. As I led services of worship, people were giving their lives to the Lord, but did I recognize that the Holy Spirit was walking beside me and calling them as I preached and went on through the day? I wish that I had understood this back then, as it would have made a big difference. I wouldn't have become so exhausted trying to minister in my own power!
But now, as I age and recognize my physical limitations, I have come to realize the importance of living by the Spirit's guidance and keeping in step with Him. The Spirit of Jesus is with us today. He lives among us and is walking with us! The problem with us is that we rely mostly on our own plans and keep walking, without a thought of the Holy Spirit's presence.
Early in the morning, as I read my devotionals and plan the day ahead, I pray about what I need to do. When I have given the day over to the Holy Spirit and am listening to Him and walking with Him, everything feels okay, and I am relaxed about my day. The Holy Spirit brings things together far better than I ever could. I had that experience a few weeks ago when a medical check-up rushed me to the hospital with heart problems. I was completely relaxed, leaving everything in God's hands.
Are you exhausted today, ready to quit or sit down for some time out? Are you relying on your own strength and your own plans, rather than walking in step with the Holy Spirit beside you? When He walks with us and blesses our endeavours, all our worries fade, and we rejoice, seeing things work out. When we commit the day to the Lord and walk in step with the Spirit, our day seems so blessed. The feeling inside us in one of peace and joy, knowing that He is there beside us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we need You every day to guide our way. As we walk with You and keep in step with Your Spirit, our day is joyful and blessed. We need Your Holy Spirit to go ahead of us all the time so that we can follow in Your footsteps, rejoicing that we know You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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So true Iris, blessings.
Blessings on you Iris. Thanks for the good word.
Enjoyed your devotional. Thanks again. God Bless.
Thank you for the reminder that the Holy Spirit is indeed walking with us daily; I forget this too often.
Thanks Iris for sharing your insights and experience which encourages us to walk by faith and not sight. Blessings.
Good morning Iris,
Thank you for your inspirational story “Keeping In Step With The Spirit”
Thanks for your devotional. I always get something to go on from your devotionals. Maybe it is an age thing as I am 82.
(ON)
Thankfully I learned that when I was still in seminary and have been carried through many years of ministry, but I still long to see Holy Spirit as in the early church! Holy Spirit, come in power!
Thank you so much for your words this morning Iris. Exactly what I needed to hear and be reminded of!! God is so good and His timing is always perfect. May you continue to be blessed as you share His love with others.
Hi Iris:
Wonderful devotional today, just what I needed. I am trying to do all in my own power, and it is not working. Time for a change. Blessings,
(PEI.)
Thank you Iris, for making real one of the “mysteries” of being a Christian. Too often we try to go it alone and there is no need; The Comforter is with us every step of our journey. All we need to do is trust in that.
Blessings.
Thank you for your devotional today. Throughout my years in the Presbyterian Church, I have not recognized the Holy Spirit in my life until recently. I so appreciated your devotional.
Blessings,
(ON)
Thank you, Iris, for today’s message. I grew up with a grandfather who had a saying for just about everything (or so I thought when I was a child). At any rate as I was reading your story, I could hear my grandfather saying, “Too soon old, too late smart.” if only we knew when we are young what we know later in life!”
Blessings.
Hi Iris, we so very much enjoy your writing! Today spoke loudly to me because the “Before and after” person you described about your journey very much describes my personal, progressive walk with Christ. Thank you for your dedication to submit your articles. We always know it’s you even before we reach the end. Our journey with Jesus has been and is now … exciting!
(NH USA)
Dear Iris,
It is interesting that I often know by your titles that your name will be at the bottom!
Thank you for the reminder for us that the Holy Spirit is with us and needs to be recognized and known, honored and obeyed.
I think I’ll use a concordance and do a study, while praying to become more sensitive.
Keep writing.
Hi Iris,
Enjoyed your devotional this morning about the Holy Spirit. It reminded me of my walk in church life. As a child in the Christian Reformed Church “God” was the primary subject of our faith lives, as a matter of fact the sermons were, as I remember, from the Old Testament and how God affected the lives of the people. Then in the 60s/70s when the “Jesus’ movement was on, all the emphasis was on Jesus and lately, to some extent at least, there is more emphasis in the Holy Spirit. At least that is how it seems to me.
In my prayers I always ask the Jesus will guide me and those I pray for.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Blessings.
Thank you Iris, This is so much in line with Dunamis teaching and what God has been teaching me recently. We need more like this.
Thanks, Iris,
What a beautiful devotional!
Dear Iris,
Thank you for a deep and strong message and reminder, for sharing from your experiences with the Lord!
Your question, “Are you exhausted today..?” certainly spoke to my heart. How true that the Spirit leads, and enables us where our own strength fails, and how “normal” it sadly is to slow ahead on my/our own steam. Your chosen scripture gives such a beautiful picture – “keeping in step”, which would usually be done, I think, as two walk side by side, or one behind, but in close proximity.
Thank you, also, for your faithfully sharing your love of Jesus with us over the years this way. God bless and keep you!
(BC)