Keeping In Step With The Spirit

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

I recently finished a book by Mark Foreman entitled “Wholly Jesus.” Mark is a pastor out in California at North Coast Calvary and is the father of Jon and Tim Foreman, both of Switchfoot. It really was a great book filled with practical wisdom, but there was one section that really resonated with me.

He addresses Galatians 5 in which Paul admonishes us “since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Foreman talks about some practical ways that we can be filled by the Spirit in our everyday lives and I wanted to share them with you.

The first is giving thanks. Check out Ephesians 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 or Colossians 3:17. When we wake up overwhelmed with all the stress and worries of the day spend some time in thanksgiving and thank God for everything in your life—from family to the sunrise. “It’s a way of living in the painting of God’s reality and it clearly helps us to see the fingerprints of Jesus in one’s life.”

The second is praise and singing. See Ephesians 5:19. “When we speak and sing the truths of God privately or publicly, the Spirit is released more fully in our lives.” Sing constantly and remember that praise is a response to the love of God.

Studying God’s Word is next and it is when we are corrected, reminded and encouraged. The Word is when we rediscover “true north on the compass”.

When we’re in fellowship we’re encouraged and filled with the spirit. Like Sanctus Real sings, as brothers and sisters we truly need each other. To be and to live in community.

When we obey or resist temptation we are filled. We’re empowered and there’s a sense of victory. And when we love each other and give ourselves away to others we’re filled. Jesus said that when we love others (especially those that are “un-lovable”), we are really loving him.

So, there you go. Giving thanks, praise and singing, studying God’s Word, fellowship, obedience and loving others. Let us keep in step with the Spirit together, ABC!

On a completely unrelated note here's a commercial that NBC wouldn't air during the Super Bowl this past weekend.