Keep on Walking!

You may not remember learning how to walk, but I bet your parents remember teaching you. And then all of the sudden, you're all grown up and walking out the door to go to your first little league game or sleepover. Then in another flash, you walk out the door with mom and dads keys to the car for your first date. And then you break your daddy's heart when you ask him to walk you down the aisle and give you away.

Yes, walking fills our lives so much that it's simple and mundane and I doubt we think about it too much. So, what does the Bible have to say about walking?

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Psalms 116:9 (ESV)

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Yeah, I would say that walking is pretty important, wouldn't you? But let's continue our search and see what else we can see about walking...

1) Walk in love...

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2) Walk in the Spirit...

Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

3) Walk in truth...

3 John 1:4 (ESV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

4) Walk in good works...

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

5) Walk in His ways...

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV)

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

6) Walk in the light...

1 John 1:7 (ESV)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

7) Walk uprightly...

Psalms 84:11 (ESV)

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

8) Walk in Christ...

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

9) Walk in wisdom...

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

10) Walk in newness of life...

Romans 6:4 (ESV)

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

11) Walk by faith...

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

12) Walk humbly...

Micah 6:8 (ESV)

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

13) Walk properly...

Romans 13:13 (ESV)

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

We - the true Israel of God, are given instructions concerning walking...

Galatians 6:14-16 (ESV)

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Jesus promises those who follow Him will NOT walk in darkness...

John 8:12 (ESV)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

My prayer for you is found in Paul's prayer for the Colossians... and yes, "walking" is once again mentioned...

Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV)

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I Will Shine

We are the light of the world! It is our right and responsibility to shine so that others can see Jesus Christ and glorify Him.

Light dissipates darkness.

Darkness is not the opposite of light it is the absence of light.

Who do you know that darkness overwhelms?

Is there a loved one that needs light in their life?

Are you willing to say, "I will shine"?

Isaiah's prophecy is still relevant for us today...

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." (Isaiah 60:1-3 ESV)

Darkness covers the earth. Sin runs rampant. People are blindly falling into the trap of death called sin. It is time for use to shine!

God's glory is upon us for the purpose of leading people to the truth. I will shine!

Buildings today are supposed to be equipped with lighting that would work in emergency situations. These lights are designed to work even in the event of power failures, fires, etc. Exits in buildings are supposed to be free of anything that would hinder easy access and are to be equipped with the same type of lighting that would work in the event of an emergency.

Church, their is an emergency and it we are the lights that are supposed to shine brightly for all to see in the midst of the tragic situation.

Let us shine brightly for the world to see.

Let us shine so that others will see the Lord and be saved from the strangling chains of sin!

I will shine...

The Verbs

Proverbs contains 31 chapters that are loaded with principles for wise living. I've read through them often. In fact, a few years ago, I would read a full chapter each day for each month. Obviously some months I had to double up, but in essence, you can read a proverb a day each month.

Having read through the "verbs" has taught me many things and each time I re-read them, I learn more.

This blog is a challenge to each of you to study the "verbs" and glean what God would have you learn. I've included a favorite passage of mine from each of the 31 chapters.

1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2:20 - So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

4:25-26 - Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

5:21 - For a man's ways are before the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.

6:23 - For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.

7:2 - Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye.

8:7 - For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

9:9 - Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10:3 - The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

11:19 - Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

12:1 - Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

14:21 - Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

16:3 - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

17:17 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

19:11 - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

20:7 - The righteous who walks in his integrity - blessed are his after him!

21:30 - No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.

22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

23:23 - Buy truth, and do not sell it.; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

24:19-20 - Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has not future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

25:2 - It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

26:20 - For lack of wood fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

28:6 - Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

29:18 - Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

30:5 - Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

31:10 - An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

These are a sampling of some of my favorite "verbs" - what are some of yours?

Remember, a verb is "action." What action are you taking to hide the Word of God in your heart?

Study with your family through the book of Proverbs and challenge each other to be all that God has purposed for you and your family.

Study during your personal prayer time. Apply the principles you read about. Practice what you preach. Learn where you can improve. Be accountable to your spouse, or parents.

The stronger our families are, the stronger our church will be.

Blessings to you all.

God Has Limitations

Whoa! Stop the presses! Call the blog police and inform the team of elders at Solid Rock! I've gone and said something wrong...

Or did I?

If you don't think God is limited, then let's go to the Bible and find out:

Can God lie? NO! The Bible declares that "He is not a man that he can lie..." and Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life..." So, God is limited by the truth and cannot lie. God is limited by His Word and He is the Living Word!

God is also limited by His nature. Since He cannot lie, and His Word binds Him, then neither can He fail or forsake you!

And, God is also limited by humanity. Yup, I'm still in the Good Book - the Bible - and it backs up my statement.

Wanna' see?

"Yea they turned back and tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel." (Psalm 78:41 KJV)

Uh-oh!

God's own creation: God's own chosen people: tempted Him and limited Him. Their doubt clouded their minds and caused them to be destroyed in the wilderness.

Let's all get into John Avery Whittaker's "Imagination Station" and press the red button... whoa... Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Egypt.

You'll notice that strange looking fellow with a staff in his hands - that's Moses. The dude on the throne is Pharaoh. They are about to face-off and you've got ringside seats to one of the greatest duals in history!

God is about to decimate the Egyptians and prove His Supremacy over every one of their inferior and false gods. Not one of the plagues that hits Egypt will harm the Hebrews. They will be protected from the wrath of God.

Fast-forward...

They're now leaving Egypt. They've literally plundered Egypt and are leaving with animals, money, clothing, carts - you name it. About two weeks later, they are in a forge that opens up to a beach overlooking the vast Red Sea. They can't go left or right, and they don't have any type of boats or time to build one. And to make matters worse, Pharaoh is now closing the gap between them and the sea with all of his chariots!

While the people complain and bicker, Moses prays and raises his staff. A pillar of fire stands between Pharaoh and the Hebrews and God parts the waters, and dries it up so that nearly 3 million people can cross!

WOW!

They are now on the other side and the pillar of fire is removed. The Egyptians race after them into the sea, but God closes the gap and the waters drown the Egyptians!

OK - here's my point. They've just seen with their own eyes the AWESOME power of God and when the get into the wilderness, they have the audacity to ask, "Can God make a table in the wilderness?"

WHAT!? Are you serious? Did you not just see the MIGHTY HAND OF GOD destroy the Egyptians who beat you and enslaved you? And yet you ask if God is able to make a table to feed you in the wilderness?

Yeah, they asked the question. Unbelief cost everyone over 20 their lives in the wilderness. While God had removed them from Egypt, He had a hard time removing Egypt from them.

The moral is this - don't join them in limiting God! Trust in Him completely! Wholly! With all your heart!

You see, there are many reasons why God shouldn't have called and chosen you. But don't worry, you're in good company.

Moses stuttered.

David was too young.

John Mark was rejected.

Timothy had ulcers.

Rahab was a harlot.

Amos was a farmer - not a prophet.

Jacob lied.

David had an affair.

Solomon was too rich.

Lazarus the beggar was too poor.

Abraham and Sarah were too old.

Peter was afraid of death.

James and John were self-righteous.

Matthew collected taxes.

Jonah ran from God.

Ruth was a foreigner.

Naomi was a widow.

Elijah was burnt out.

Etc., and so forth...

BUT God doesn't require a job interview! He doesn't hire and fire like a boss! In fact, He's not our Boss, He's our DAD!

He doesn't look at your bank account to see if you've made enough.

He's not prejudiced or partial.

Satan proclaims, "You're not worthy."

God responds on our behalf, "So what! I AM!"

Satan looks back and tries to point out our past.

Jesus looks back and points at His cross!

Sure; there are a lot of reasons why God shouldn't have called and chosen us. BUT, if we are love Him more than our next breath... if we live for Him daily denying ourselves and taking up our cross... Then He will use us in spite of who we were or where we've been or what we look like!

It is my prayer that we step out of our limitations into His illimitable nature! Then our passion to share Jesus with others will make mincemeat of our limitations!