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WALKING IN THE SPIRIT By: Frances M. Meservy @ 2000

I used to push myself when I shouldn't (probably contributed to the high blood pressure that caused the stroke). The best advice I ever received was when I was in the middle of the stroke in the Grocery store. I was pushing myself physically trying to get things done for other people and myself. I started arguing with God that I didn't have time for a stroke because of all the things I had to do. Jesus replied, "You don't have to do anything."

All my life, I thought I had to do certain things and in this world and even in the churches, we are trained and taught to be performance oriented. I stopped dead in my tracks at the shock and wonder of those words, quit shopping and went home.

Now I understand that in Love we do things but not because we have to - it's because we want to. God's grace and love moves us to do certain things and unless he moves us to do it, we don't have to do anything. His love causes us to want to do his will, not have to.

We are not to judge each other because God tells each individual what to do and we are only to concern ourselves with what Jesus wants "me" to do.

Sometimes we do things because we think we should or because we are expected to by others. Not because we want to or because God said to. What if God had someone else he had chosen to do what we took over and did. What if He was trying to reach someone and we got in the way by doing what we weren't supposed to do.

I have found that when I do something that God did not call me to do, I am aggravated and not confident when doing it. Ergo, the meaning of peace. Peace is quiet confidence. The opposite of peace is turmoil, aggravation, upset, war. I do not like it when a war is going on inside my being.

We are to find peace and stay in it. When we get a handle on that, we will know how to walk in the Spirit. Our Lord even cares where we spend the night and with whom. His Spirit guides us in Peace here also.

If we want our church to grow, God gives us the method that will cause it to happen. All we have to do is follow his advice. Tell the congregation what is needed and ask the person God is calling to call the office and volunteer. If no one comes forward, maybe God does not want the church to go in that direction.

We want to win the battle when Satan attacks us. God advises us here also.

We find first that we are to be truthful. Think the truth, tell the truth and live the truth. When we put the belt of truth around our waist, it holds our clothes on our bodies so we will not be naked. This is not our truth or the world’s truth: it is God’s truth found in His word – "Holy Bible." Therefore, we need to know his word so we will know what the truth is. We should not trust other men to tell us what the truth is. We need to read it first hand. If you can’t read, purchase the Bible on tape.

Second, we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate guards our hearts. Righteousness means to be right with God: obey Him and his truth. Scripture says we should be baptized after we trust/believe. Jesus was baptized in obedience to the Father and fulfilled all righteousness. If righteousness feels like peace and has the affect of quiet confidence, we know it is there when we have peace instead of turmoil. Back to "Walk in the Spirit."

Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We begin our walk with the Lord with the gospel. The gospel of peace is found in the gospel of Jesus (the prince of peace). Study Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Get to know Jesus really well. Develop a personal relationship with Him. He will guide you with peace.

The shield is something that can move around to protect us when Satan attacks us from any direction. Faith is a thing. It is a revelation (picture) from God to us that enables us to stand firm and unflinching in the face of the enemy. All doubt is removed. If we have a relationship with Jesus, he reveals things to us because he is our friend.

In order to have that personal relationship with Jesus, we must have the helmet of salvation. We are saved by Grace through Faith and not by works, so no man can boast. God does it, we just have to accept the gift. The fact that Jesus died for us does not change even though we may not chose to believe it. It was a gift to us; but, we can refuse the gift.

Even though we can cast out demons in Jesus Name, our only weapon against Satan is God’s word. Even Jesus used Scripture to fight Satan’s temptations. The Bible cautions us not to rebuke Satan; but, to ask the Lord to rebuke him for us. Study the word so you will have the Scripture to use in any appropriate situation.

Our Lord gave me something to say when I feel the presence of Satan. In order for Satan to hear you, you must speak out loud.

"Satan it is written: ‘Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Where evil abounds, Grace abounds more.’ Lord Jesus for your Name’s sake, rebuke Satan and remove him from this place. Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, fall on __Name of place__ and the people here in a mighty way. "

We need to pray for each other and ourselves. I prefer to pray silently so Satan can’t hinder my prayers. Anger and how a man treats his wife can also hinder our prayers. Only God can hear our thoughts. We should be on guard and watch lest we not recognize Satan when he comes to tempt us. He comes in many forms: even as an Angel of light.

Notice there is a hidden promise in the above scripture. If you really want to get rid of bitterness, wrath, anger, malice, clamor and evil speaking, all you have to do is ask Jesus to remove it from you, really meaning it, and he will do so. Jesus knew that our pain could be so great that we would not be able to get rid of these things on our own.

Don’t confuse Satan with our own selfish desires. When we give in to our wishes over God’s, it means we have not surrendered all of ourselves to Jesus. We have kept a part for self. We listen to three voices: Self, Holy Spirit, Satan. We learn to discern which is which by use. God’s voice always lines up with His word (Scripture). Even if you have a testimony or hear one, it must line up with Scripture to be from God. We’re talking Scripture in context. People love to pull scripture out of context to prove their point. Read before and after the verse they show you.

Don’t add to or take away from God’s Word. When we add to God’s Word, it becomes our word and is no longer powerful. God does not need our help in that area. Only speak His words and heaven and earth will move. God’s word is an awesome power.

The more we practice walking in the Spirit, the easier it will be to continue walking in the Spirit. Just remember peace is quiet confidence (you just know that you know that you know even though you may not know how or why you know). The opposite of peace is turmoil (unsettling feeling; doubt; not quite right; something’s wrong but can’t put my finger on it; feel like there’s a war inside your person; aggravation, upset).

For myself I have found that God guides me with a gut feeling. If I am about to do something, or thinking about doing something and I get a gut feeling I should not, it's because God knows something I don't.

IE I was on the on ramp to the freeway and had a gut feeling (doubt, turmoil) I should stop and wait for the traffic to pass before I continued. There was a white car and truck in the outside lane and an orange truck was passing them in the inside lane. They were a quarter of a mile away - why on earth would I need to wait? I did not wait (brain & logic overrode the gut feeling).

As I entered the freeway, it felt like a huge hand slapped the right rear of my Ford Crown Victoria. It went into an airborne spin. As soon as I was in contact with the pavement, I turned into the spin (direction we were going - front wheel drive) and the car straightened out. I was on the freeway but aimed at a fence post. I turned hard left on wet grass and slid sideways into the fence. We hit so hard that we destroyed a steel cattle gate and knocked over 3 railroad tie fence posts buried in concrete. I totaled my Crown Victoria. My sister-in-law who was with me and I were not hurt. We did not have a scratch or bruise on us. We never had a sore muscle later either.

Even though the Orange truck had hit us (he was flying low) on the left rear, I knew it was partly my fault because I had not listened to God. Even though I had not listened to God, He had protected Sheila and I in my stupidity.

I have learned to listen to my gut. Turmoil makes my gut feel not quite right or upset. Peace makes me calm and there is no upset.

Sometimes when your gut is bothering you, it is not because you are sick. It's because you are out of God's will or about to move out of His will. You should start questioning yourself. Are you angry with anyone? Am I thinking of doing something that I should not do right now? Am I thinking thoughts that I should not me thinking? Does God want me to do something that I am resisting? You can't relax no matter what. Joy is gone.

Peace on the other hand makes you feel joyful, confident & bold. Things happen so fast and easily that it is amazing. You are relaxed & joyful no matter how hard the task may seem. Find peace and stay in it.

John 21:20-23 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. " Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

Gal 5:14-26 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Isa 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

2 Chr 15:1-8 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. "For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; "but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. "And in those times there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. "So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. "But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!" And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim; and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.

Gal 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Mat 10:12-14 "And when you go into a household, greet it. "If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

1 Pet 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

Eph 6:11-26 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Prov 12:17-20 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Isa 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mat 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, ]"Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

1 John 3:19-24 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Heb 11:1-40 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude; innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Luke 2:30-35 For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be save. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mat 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'" Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. ' Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Luke 8:21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."

Luke 11:28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Pet 1:19-21 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:9-10 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.

Zec 3:2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1 Pet 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

Eph 4:31-5:7 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

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