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Walking With God |
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Walking With God
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8.
God's desire is that we might "walk with Him". Many times people think that to be a Christian means that "God walks with me" - in other words, wherever I go, God goes. But we are called to align our lives to the life of God, not the other way around. We walk with God Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Amos 3:3.
Walking as a Disciple
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19.
To be a disciple of Jesus means to "follow" Jesus. A disciple is one who is willing to be instructed, trained and disciplined by the Lord in order to become like Him in thought, attitude and action. Jesus said:
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15.
Counting the Cost: But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! They would say, `There's the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!' Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace. So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Luke 14:28-33
There is no personal cost in becoming a Christian - everything is a free gift from God. But there is a cost to becoming a disciple - it costs your whole life. But Jesus encouraged us to count the cost - in other words, to weigh up the relative values and see whether giving up everything is worth what God gives us in return. Like the pearl merchant of Matthew 13:45-46, when we find something that is worth far more than all we have put together, there is no sacrifice to give up everything we have. If you want to be a disciple of the Lord, you must be willing to meet certain conditions:
Give the Lord total priority: If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. (Matt.10:37).
We are to Love the Lord our God with all of Heart, Soul, and strength. He is a Jealous God. We are not to put anything or anyone before him.
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Follow the Lord: and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matt.10:38-39).
Do without life's comforts: Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go! But Jesus said, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head."Matt.8:19-20).
Being a disciple means that all that we are and all that we have now belongs to Jesus! In the parable Jesus told in Luke 14:16-24, note the excuses people gave for not obeying the call:
Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come.
The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, `Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.' After the servant had done this, he reported, there is still room for more.' So his master said, `Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.' "Luke 14:16-24
Many times people make many excuses for why they are not ready to follow Jesus however if we had it in us to get it together first there would not have been a reason for Jesus to go to the cross for us.
All that God asks from us is to be willing to put Him first in everything. God then responds to our willingness with His grace, and we soon find that we are not only willing to do God's will, but also want to. God's grace then anoints our desire and helps us to actually do what God calls us to do.
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Marks of a Disciple
The marks of a disciple of the Lord Jesus are very distinctive, because a disciple takes on the character of his Master.
In being a disciple of the Lord we must be willing to submit, so submission is very important.
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will realize that I am he and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me--he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him." Then many who heard him say these things believed in him. Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. John 8:28-31
Perseverance
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62
Obedience
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Heb.5:7-8
Faithfulness
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Hebrews 3:1-2
Fruitfulness
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8
A servant-heart
Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave?just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:20-28.
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Humility
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Love for one another
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. "John 13:34-35
The Act of Consecration
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." 1 Peter 3:15
Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Joshua 3:5
The word "consecration" means to be "set apart, or separated, for use by the Lord." Consecration is a definite act of our will before God. It is the total giving of our life to the Lord.
In the Old Testaments three parts of Aaron's body were touched by the blood of the sacrifice. They represent the consecration of our total being: read Leviticus 8:18-28
The ear: Listening to the word of the Lord.
The thumb: Doing the will of the Lord.
The toe: Walking in the paths of the Lord.
In His Footsteps
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'" Matt.16:24.
The key to being a disciple is following the Master. But you cannot follow anyone who is standing still. Jesus is moving, and we must move with Him. We are not to stand still, expecting God to bless us where we are. We must follow Him.
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Walking in the Spirit
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son...that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:3-4
The Bible refers to two ways a Christian can walk - in the Spirit or in the flesh. These two walks are opposed to each other (Galatians 5:17-18). These two walks cannot be mixed. You are either walking in the Spirit or you are walking in the flesh
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Galatians 5:17-18
Walking in the Flesh
The word "flesh" has the meaning of "self." To be living "in the flesh" involves three areas:
Carnal mind - the thoughts/motives of the flesh
Appetites - the cravings/acts of the flesh
Self-effort - the method of the flesh
The Carnal Mind
"Those who live according to the [flesh] have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires...the [flesh] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so" Rom.8:5,7.
The carnal mind - which is the stronghold of the flesh - is a mind governed by the five senses (what we see, hear, touch, taste and smell). The spiritual mind, however, is governed by what God says about a situation. One example of this is the story of in Numbers 14:11.
The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11
Appetites of the Flesh
God created within the human body certain basic appetites or "hungers" for food, sex (including romance and intimacy), power (rulership and control), leisure (rest, relaxation & entertainment) and excitement (the adrenaline surge). There is nothing intrinsically wrong with these appetites. God created them in us and called them "good" (Gen.1:31). But when these appetites become our masters, they become "the corrupt desires of the flesh" Gal.5:19-21.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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The Arm of Flesh
"This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed is the one who depends on man, who depends on flesh for his strength...'" Jer.17:5
The walk of the flesh is not just having a carnal mind and giving in to the appetites of the flesh. It is also depending on flesh (your own strength) to change yourself and try to please God. But there are two basic problems with fleshly self-effort:
Flesh cannot please God
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:8;
Flesh is weak
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
Born of the Spirit
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again'" John 3:6.
Walking in the Spirit
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the [flesh]" Galatians 5:16
We are not to try to overcome the desires of the flesh in order to walk in the Spirit. No! We are called to walk in the Spirit so that we will not gratify the desires of the flesh! It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables us to walk daily with God. Walking in the Spirit involves three steps:
Recognize the voice of the Spirit
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27).
Obey the promptings of the Spirit
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
(Acts 13:2-3).
Receive the enabling of the Spirit
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).
Walking in the Spirit only happens when God changes your focus from yourself (the flesh) to Himself (the Spirit) (read Rom.8:5-9). As you keep your focus on the Lord each and every day, walking in the Spirit becomes a daily experience.
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Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:5-9
Walking in Forgiveness
"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man" Proverbs 27:19
The condition of our heart is the key to our life in Christ (Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21). God searches our hearts, revealing areas that will block our relationship with Him (But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 8:27).
Three Gifts of Forgiveness
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" Isaiah 43:25 (see also Psalm 103:1-3; Micah 7:19).
The Bible talks about three gifts of forgiveness:
The forgiveness God gives to us
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9;
The forgiveness we give to ourselves
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Phil.3:13-14
The forgiveness we give to others
So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him Luke 17:3-4
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" Colossians 3:13
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These three gifts of forgiveness are important in our lives. We must understand God's gift of forgiveness to us, through the shed blood of Jesus (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:2). But we must also learn to forgive ourselves - which simply means receiving God's gift of forgiveness and agreeing with it. Now we are obliged to forgive others. If we refuse to forgive others, then un-forgiveness will block the daily expression of God's forgiveness in our lives.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sin Matthew 6:14-15
Stages of Un-forgiveness
Initial hurt - someone says or does something that wounds our hearts (For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me Psalm 109:22
Resentment - if we don't deal with it straight away, we begin to harbor resentment. Our hearts dwell on the hurt. We are filled with self-pity and a continuing anger against the person who hurt us
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity Colossians 3:8-14
Retaliation - we get back at that person, usually either by not speaking to them, or by slandering them to others
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head Romans 12:17-20).
Bitterness - this is where we allow un-forgiveness to defile our hearts
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many .Hebrews 12:15; Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
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If I forgive, will the hurt I feel go away? Probably not immediately. But forgiveness has nothing to do with feelings. Forgiveness is a decision. Forgetting is a process. If we decide not to forgive, the hurt is like an open, festering wound, which is very difficult to heal. When we make the decision to forgive, the hurt is cleaned up, and the healing process is then quick.
Healing the Heart
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds Psa.147:3.
God is able to heal every heart. In fact, this is part of the Gospel message but more than that, God wants to use us to minister that healing to others. Only when we have experienced both the personal forgiveness of God and the grace to forgive others can we be used to minister healing to others.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, Isaiah 61:1).
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
So remember everything that we do walk with God, remember in all your ways acknowledge God and he shall direct your path, we can do nothing apart from him for its in him that we live that we move and have are being.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" Psalm 32:8
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" Isaiah 30:21.
Although God speaks in many ways, He always confirms His guidance through "the testimony of two or three witnesses" (2 Cor.13:1). That means that if God is speaking to you, he will confirm it. The more important the guidance, the more confirmations God will give. The most important confirmation of all, however, is the inner peace that God gives to our spirit.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." Colossians 3:15.
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