Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Bible in a Year: Psalms 9-11 | Acts 6

As an RN, I was doing a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit with a patient one day. He had some pretty harsh words about a governor that I admire. Just as I opened my mouth to say, “I like him and want him to be the next president,” I immediately received a very strong prompt to keep my big mouth shut and simply be kind.

The patient soon revealed that his wife of over 50 years had recently passed away, creating an opportunity for me to share my faith and pray for him.

Afterward, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I realized I had been prompted by the Holy Spirit. Those internal nudges and urges are God’s way, through the Holy Spirit, to guide, convict, and instruct his followers every day.

Prompts can be something as simple as making a phone call or text. But it may be something harder - like keeping your mouth shut when you are angry or offering assistance to someone you find difficult. Often, we have no idea why the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something, but I’ve found if you follow his promptings, you will be blown away by our loving and amazing God. His plans are perfect.

When you choose to follow the Holy Spirit instead of your sinful nature, you are able to live out the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

In my situation, patience and gentleness made space for my patient to be vulnerable and share his pain. If I had spoken the rude thoughts that first crossed my mind, I would have missed the opportunity to serve him and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Our God loves us so much and knows what is best for us. He gives us the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. And when we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, he leads us away from the places our words might take us and toward the abundant life Jesus came to give us.

John 10:10 ESV
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Questions:
What are some promptings you have received from the Holy Spirit?

How is the Holy Spirit prompting you?

Why is it important to follow the Holy Spirit's leadings?

Next Steps:
Pray daily to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit

Audit your heart and see if you are following the Holy Spirit's lead in all areas of your life.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you be aware of and follow his promptings.

Prayer:
God, thank you so much for your Holy Spirit who guides and prompts me to do your will. Help me not to drift and let anger, guilt, jealousy, greed, and pride rule my life. Instead help me to overflow with your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. I yearn to live the abundant life Jesus came to give me. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Hebrews 2:1
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

This post was written by Marsha Raymond, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.