DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Galatians 5 (Focus vs. 16-26)
MEMORY VERSE
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
BACKGROUND
Can you imagine sprinting as hard as you can possibly run . . . without being able to see?
That’s what happens in Paralympic guide running. Blind runners compete with a guide, someone who runs alongside them step by step, connected by a short tether.
American runner David Brown is among the world’s fastest blind Paralympian runners, having won a gold medal for running a 100-meter dash in under eleven seconds. Jerome Avery was Brown’s guide for much of his career.
Brown described their connection this way: “We’re like one person.” Avery agreed, saying, “It should look like one person running.”
What a beautiful illustration of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Even when we’re running with all we’ve got, the Spirit stays perfectly in step with us—directing our every movement, guiding us this way and that.
In Galatians 5, Paul describes how we overcome struggles with sin: by being in sync with the Spirit’s work in us. He writes, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). A few verses later, he adds, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25).
That, he says, would enable us to step past the “acts of the flesh” (v. 19) so we can be spiritually fruitful (vv. 22-23).
Let’s walk—and maybe even run—in step with the Spirit.
Adam R. Holz
INSIGHT
Paul had much to teach us about the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of the believer in Jesus. The moment a person believes in Christ through faith, they receive the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2, 14).
Referred to as “the Spirit of his Son” (4:6), God sent Him to dwell in our hearts. He adopted us to become His children and empowers us to call Him “Abba, Father” (v. 6). The apostle warned that our sinful human nature continues to resist the indwelling Spirit (5:17).
The key to victory is to live in the power of the Spirit. As we’re led by Him and walk and keep in step with Him, He helps us to overcome the vices of the sinful nature and live in a right relationship with God (vv. 5, 16, 18, 25).
Such a Spirit-controlled life is one that pleases God as it bears the “fruit of the Spirit” (v. 22).
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
How do you realize you’re out of step with God? In your life, what does being “in step” with the Spirit look like?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS* (From Today’s Post
“Even when we’re running with all we’ve got, the Spirit stays perfectly in step with us—directing our every movement, guiding us this way and that.” Adam R. Holz
PR’s TAKE
“The key to victory is to live in the power of the Spirit. As we’re led by Him and walk and keep in step with Him, He helps us to overcome the vices of the sinful nature and live in a right relationship with Him.” Adam R. Holz
“…Stay on track and keeping walking with God. He won’t lead you astray… you will always reach your destination.” Adapted
“Walking with God doesn’t lead to God’s favor, God’s favor leads to walking with God.” Tullian Tchividjian
PRAYER
“Dear Father, thank You that the Holy Spirit helps me walk closely with You. Please help me keep in step with You!“
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH YOU”
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
