Spirit filled walk – Larus Press

What is “Being in the Spirit”?

Many discussions will have been and will continue to be about this subject. Evangelicals who are also charismatic have one concept, Evangelicals who do not believe the Gifts of the Spirit are for today will have a different perception.

I am learning that it means more than either.

Being in the Spirit means shunning everything that is our own abilities. our own skills, our own perceptions and interpretations and understanding and surrendering absolutely all to move only according to God’s Will: God’s Spirit leading us.

It is the walk Jesus took. Why would we do anything differently.

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (John 5:30)

In Matthew, he says, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

And even more profoundly strong is this, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

I’m not writing to discuss salvation by works versus salvation by faith. I think most will know I believe wholeheartedly in faith in the Father and in Jesus as His son as the way to salvation and the way to Father God as found in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”.

What I am saying is that I’m discovering at a deeper and more profound level as I walk this faith journey, that nothing I can be outside of Jesus is worthy.

And nothing I can do is worthy.

I’m realising nothing outside of the working of the Holy Spirit is worthy to the LORD. And so, I pray and wait – at last I wait patiently – for His call, His move, His anointing, His leading, His summoning to me to give out, surrendering my all for His will and ministry.

I’m an educated person, with several skills and professional experiences as a teacher, a performing artist, a published author, an administrator. BUT this is filthy rags! (Isaiah 64:6)

Now, I must wait for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippines 3:14)

I feel equipped, but that’s just human feeling. I think I’m prepared, but that’s just my own understanding. I hope I can be useful… Now I’m beginning to show signs of humility and true surrender.

There is a cost to following God. If we really, really want to walk in the Spirit, surrendered to the LORD, we need to lie down our lives, our skills, our agendas, our ambitions and hopes, and give all to His glory.

Maybe I’ll be useful, maybe I won’t. But I’m free from the need to be useful, because I have learned the futility of self-effort and the humility of Jesus’ surrendering his God-head so that he could model the uselessness of human effort as compared the the surrender of the human will to the perfect will of God.

Let us wait upon the LORD (Isaiah 40:31) and let us fulfil the call of God on our lives, fully surrendered, fully humbled, fully obedient to the life He calls us to lead.

Blessings.

As we walk with the LORD, we always face challenges and blessings. In my case, for many months, I have had a singular desire above all others: to walk by faith, always in the spirit, and not in the flesh.

“That which is spirit is spirit, and that which is flesh is flesh.” (John 3:6)

Paul says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

God has been taking me at my word and has been giving me opportunities to surrender to Him. I’m excited, because I see that I am honouring Him more as I choose to surrender the urges to follow my own desires, impulses, and wilful determinations, and instead to walk His path.

There isn’t a formula for drawing close to God. One thing that I do that draws me closer on a daily basis, is that I read His word (I like Psalms especially), pray (including in Tongues) and sing. “Reign in me” is one song that, when I sing it prayerfully, helps me to open up to God’s presence. And He comes.

Benefits and Changes because of the Spirit-filled Walk:

I am letting go of Control and growing Self Control (Gal 5:22-23). Each day, I consciously choose to pray, to linger over His Word and to ask what I’m meant to focus on today.

I am discovering that most days I do far less, yet I accomplish far more. I am deepening my connection with the LORD and in so doing, I’m deepening the ministry He’s given me, becoming clearer in my thoughts and more capable in my actions. The added bonus is that I’m experiencing far less stress. Remember, His yoke is easy, his burden is light (Matt 11:30).

Walking only in the spirit is a process I may not complete this side of Eternity, but I’m making progress. The result is that “my” time and my talents are getting more use. I am more fulfilled, because I’m not following my own error-ridden agenda. His agenda is fulfilling, because it is that which He has purposed for me to do. Given that He is my creator, He knows best what will fulfil me:)

The path to living a surrendered life has included a change in life style. Instead of planning my time, I’m becoming more spontaneous again – the way I was when I was younger.

I’m finding I’m growing in patience with others (and myself). My attitude is more gracious. I’m practicing that love includes honouring and serving others.

I’m learning to resist the urge to give an opinion and taking courage to speak God’s insight as He shares with me.

I’m less prone to being indignant. Because pride has many faces, I can choose not to act out of wounded pride, becoming distrustful or hostel to others. Instead I’m freer and let others make their mistakes, as I make mine, without seeing their actions as an attack toward me, and without condemning them for being fallible.

I’m facing a personal fear: that I must control my time and the use of my energy and ability. Instead, in surrender, I’m using my God-given talent and life experience that I’ve developed over the years in a more fluid way. I’m more relaxed and more productive, daily moving in the direction that will yield more progress.

I’m fighting and defeating self-importance – allowing God to raise me up instead of looking for the person(s) or opportunity that holds my destiny.

I’m learning God blesses me when He sees I’m ready. I’m being pruned. And every pruning is a move towards readiness. Joseph was in prison for a long while before he acted in the authority God had ordained for him.

I’ve been practicing how to honour my hubby more and more, deferring to him more often without resistance.

Encouragement to You the Reader:

As I’ve been learning that self justification, self defence, self anything – is not important, I want to encourage you also. As we follow God’s lead, and trust that He protects us, we die to the flesh that has been preventing our breakthrough.

When you feel a block to your personal progress or to your calling, what can you do? I recommend that you don’t fight it, but step over it, ignore it, and do whatever it takes to stop allowing it to affect you.

God is our breakthrough. Trusting in Him and living our lives totally surrendered to Him brings the breakthrough we so earnestly desire.

God promises us the desires of our heart.

A Simple Prayer:

May we walk more yielded to Father GOD, so that we might receive from Him the creativity and direction He inspires us to walk: full of grace, harmony and confidence, being as He has created us to be, fulfilled and fulfilling the purposes He has for us for these days.

Psalm 27:14

“Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!”