by Steve Ranni
Every book has a story behind it. For me, Walking in the Spirit: A 90-Day Journey to a Spirit-Led Life grew out of my desire to encourage believers, edify the Church, and, above all, glorify God.
As a pastor and student of God’s Word, I became convinced over time that one of the Church’s greatest needs today is not more information about God, but a deeper relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. We can study the Scriptures, attend church services, listen to sermons online, and participate in Christian ministries, yet still fail to experience the Spirit-led life God desires for us.
The Apostle Paul gives us a simple command in Galatians 5:16: “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (NLT). Paul’s words are not just good advice; they describe a way of life—a life where we are called to walk in the Spirit daily.
Every morning presents us with a choice: Will I walk according to my own fleshly desires, or allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions?
Paul describes the conflict we experience in Galatians 5:17: “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants” (NLT). Any Christian who has followed Christ for any length of time knows something about this struggle. We want to do what is right, but our flesh often pulls us in a different direction.
The answer to this battle is not trying harder. We must learn to walk closer with the Holy Spirit, and by surrendering our lives to His daily leadership, He will transform us from the inside out.
Transformation is vitally important because anyone can accumulate biblical knowledge without letting it change their life. But when God’s Word is combined with the work of the Holy Spirit, Scripture becomes more than just information—it becomes a means through which God can shape or reshape our character and draw us closer to Christ.
Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation takes place as our minds are renewed. The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to challenge our thinking, correct our attitudes, and strengthen our faith. This is my hope for every person who opens this book.
One of the important reasons we need to walk in the Spirit daily is found in Galatians 5:22–23, where Paul describes the fruit the Spirit produces in the life of a believer: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The reason Paul calls it fruit is that fruit is evidence of life. You see, an apple tree does not struggle to produce apples by simply trying harder. When a tree is healthy and rooted properly, fruit will naturally appear. Similarly, when believers abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, His character shows in their lives.
This is important because the goal of the Christian life is not merely to appear religious. It’s becoming more like Christ. That’s why I pray this devotional will help believers examine their lives and ask some important questions: Is the fruit of the Spirit becoming more evident in me? Am I becoming more loving? Am I more patient? More forgiving? More self-controlled? Am I responding to life’s circumstances in the power of the Spirit rather than in the flesh? These questions can be uncomfortable, but they’re necessary.
Another primary purpose of this book is to encourage individual Christians. Many believers love God but feel spiritually tired, discouraged, distracted, or uncertain about their walk with Him. Some may have been Christians for years but have lost the joy and passion they once experienced. Can you relate to this? I surely can because I’ve experienced this many times in my own life.
My prayer is that these 90 days will become an opportunity to slow down, open God’s Word, listen to the Holy Spirit, and over time, rediscover the joy of walking in a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Each devotional is intended to encourage the reader to take another step—maybe not a giant step, but a faithful one—because one step at a time will eventually lead us to where we need to be.
I also wrote this book to edify the Church. The Church is strong when believers allow the Holy Spirit to work through their lives. Spirit-led believers become encouragers, servants, prayer warriors, peacemakers, witnesses, and faithful disciples.
When believers walk in the Spirit, families become stronger, marriages can be restored like mine was over twenty years ago, relationships can be healed, churches can experience unity, and our communities will see the love of Christ demonstrated in practical ways.
I hope this devotional will not just appeal to individual readers. I pray it will reach families, small groups, Bible studies, and churches, encouraging God’s people to pursue a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and with one another.
Above all else, the purpose of this book is to glorify God. Jesus said in John 15:8, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (NLT).
That verse captures the heart of this devotional and why I wrote it. I did not write Walking in the Spirit so that my name would be remembered. I wrote it hoping God’s name would be glorified. That is why I am redirecting all royalties and proceeds from book sales back into ministry, so I can partner with my readers to reach more people with the soul-saving message of the gospel of Christ.
If one person draws closer to Jesus by the Spirit because of this devotional, if one discouraged believer finds hope, if one church is encouraged to pursue greater spiritual depth, then I will consider this work worthwhile.
My prayer is that every reader who completes these 90 days will be able to say, “I am not the same person I was when I began.”
In conclusion, may we become people who learn to walk in the Spirit. May we surrender our desires, follow His leading, obey His Word, and allow His presence to produce fruit in our lives.
Steve Ranni is a Canadian author, pastor, veteran, and speaker based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is the author of the new devotional book, “Walking in the Spirit.” Visit him at SteveRanni.com.
