Today I bring you a devotion I wrote for this months theme at Christian Women’s Resources on Keeping in Step with the Spirit.

Are You Keeping in Step with the Spirit?

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 it’s passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. - Gal. 5:22-25

I have always loved this scripture because it specifically tells me what sort of fruit I can expect to see in my own life as well as other people’s live if we are keeping in step with the spirit. But what does it take for us to keep in step with the spirit so we do bear this fruit? That is what each of us need to consider since we all must find the individual footsteps we are called to walk in order to keep in step with the Spirit. There are a few basic things I need to remind myself of in order to be sure I am keeping in step with the Spirit for my life.

We must first develop an ear to hear the Spirit’s guidance. Many times after we become a Christian we expect to be able to hear His voice right away but being a Christian doesn’t mean we automatically hear it loud and clear. Yes, some things may be loud and clear but many times the Spirit speaks very softly and we must develop an ear to hear it with all the other noise clamoring around us trying to get our attention. We must examine often who we are allowing to direct our footsteps. With so many voices telling us to do this and do that, at times it can get downright confusing, especially when these voices come from well intentioned sources who we trust or look up to.

Next we then must be willing to allow the spirit to direct our footsteps according to His Word as it says in Psalms 119:133 so we can begin to develop this ear to hear. Just as we get better the more we practice any skill or talent, the more we dig into the Word of God, the better we become at hearing His voice in our lives, even in the midst of all the clamoring noise around us. We must now examine whether we truly are willing to allow the spirit to direct our footsteps. Sometimes we may just be following the easy path or what we think is best but that is not always the path the Spirit is trying to guide us on.

If you have ever watched a parade, notice how all the participants are in in step with the drummer. There is commitment, willingness, respect and unity among them when they follow the authority of the drummer. If not, it shows in their walk because they are all marching to their own beat. Same goes for Christians. We can be sure we are keeping in step with the Spirit if what we are doing is in alignment with the Word of God and we produce the fruit of the Spirit. If not, we may be marching to our own beat where we are out of step with the Spirit causing us to struggle in bearing it’s fruit. Therefore, let us be sure to align our steps according to His Word and walk forward in faith because our path may not always be easy or what we believe to be best.

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This little book is a short read but packs a lot of great advice for any woman to live their best life. Her Seven Rules to Live By that she discusses in the book is filled with personal stories that really touched my heart. She writes in a very down to earth style and gives you inspiration that you can have the same joy in life and fulfillment and success in your work as well.

With this months theme being Keeping in Step with the Spirit, I thought this would be a great little giveaway this month: The 1st person to email me and tell me the 7th rule she lives by wins the book.

FROM THE HEART (Hyperion; Hardcover; April 10th):
While most people will say that the key to success is a willingness to break the rules, to think outside the box, to ignore boundaries, Robin Roberts — whose own spectacular success as a college basketball star, ESPN commentator, and co-anchor on Good Morning America is undisputed — is here to tell readers differently. In her considerable experience, there are seven rules whose importance cannot be ignored and which must never be broken if true, meaningful success is the goal. According to Roberts, the seven rules are:

1. Position yourself to take the shot.
2. Dream big, but focus small.
3. If at first you don’t succeed, dive back in.
4. Never play the race, gender or any other card.
5. Venture outside your comfort zone.
6. Focus on the solution, not the problem.
7. Keep faith, family and friends close to your heart.

In the tradition of bestsellers like Maria Shriver’s AND ONE MORE THING BEFORE YOU GO, Anna Quindlen’s A SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE and Marlo Thomas’s THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME, FROM THE HEART is the perfect gift for new graduates and an inspiring read for anyone searching for the path to success.

I hope you will consider reviewing or mentioning FROM THE HEART on your site. More information about FROM THE HEART can be found online, including:
-About the Book:  http://www.hyperionbooks.com/
-Chapter Excerpt: http://www.hyperionbooks.com/

Blessings,
Lori Arriaga, Founder
Christian Women’s Resources
Where we strengthen the home and family.

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