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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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