Walking with Jesus ... Going Deeper in Your Walk with Jesus Every Day

I want to draw your attention to several promises from the Word of God, as you read this short blog.

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper ...
Isaiah 54:17

     

"But those who wait on the LORD
      Shall renew their strength;
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
      They shall run and not be weary,
      They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

What an amazing God we serve! He provides each and every day for all of our needs, and on top of that, throws in a few extras every day. He allows the sun to shine and give us warmth. The clouds, trees, and foliage give us shade. He sends water every day from mountains, geisers, and brooks. Okay, how about from Arrowhead, Sparklett's, or Evian water (which by the way spells "naive" backwords!)? The God we serve is an awesome God. He is truly worthy of all praise, worship, and adoration. ...

What about when we go through a storm? A problem? A crisis? Can and should we still praise Him? Our natural human tendency is to not want to praise God through our trials and troubles, yet the assurance and help we most need can come only from God.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
  My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2, NKJV

Also, 

"Fear not, for I am with you;
 Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you,
 Yes, I will help you,
 I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’"

Isaiah 41:10

And,

Psalm 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength,

       A very present help in trouble."

In moments of crisis and trouble, what we most yearn for is a word or touch from God that asssures us that "No matter what happens", He is going to be with us and carry us through the Storm." Sometimes, what you most need is just to know that God, will carry you in His Arms and hold you close to His Heart, and to hear that no matter what happens, God will not forsake you or abandon you!

How can you build such a determined attitude and relationship wtih God so that when the storms in your life hit (a sibling or friend who is pregnant out of wedlock, a friend who is suicidal, a friend on drugs, etc., the death of a friend or love one), you will be saddened but not defeated? ... How is your life today? Do you have a "HOLY HUNGER" for God and the things of God? ... Right now is the perfect time in your life to start developing a deeper relationship with God, and Since Jesus is "God ... manifested in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16), it only makes sense to begin to have a real relationship with Jesus every day of your life. Call it Jesus 101, Christianity 101, your devotional life, or whatever you want to call it. It's now or never! Jesus is waiting to have a real relationship with you today. Do you have that HOLY HUNGER? Do you really want it that bad? Or will you just go back to living a mediocre, lukewarm christianity that professes faith in Jesus, but lacks the power thereof? ... It's your choice! Jesus has already chosen you to spend eternity with Him. The question is now, "Do you want to spend eternity with Him in Heaven soon?" If you really mean it, then you have to start to get to know Jesus while you are here on earth. Jesus will not take you to Heaven against your will. He has chosen you, know the choice is yours. The ball is now is your court, WWUD? What will "U" Do? ...

Suggested Devotional topics or Bible Readings:

1. Pick up a Bible Concordance and read as many texts as you can that mention "God" and "Love" in the same text for the next ten minutes. Stop and mediate on each of them. Substitute your name in the text to personalize the text for you. Here are a few texts to get you started:

1. 1 John 4:8
   He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
2. 1 John 4:9
   In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
3. 1 John 4:10
   In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
4. Deuteronomy 7:9
   “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;
5. Romans 5:5
   Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6. Romans 5:8
   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
7. Titus 3:4
   But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

2. Read the Gospel of Saint Mark for ten minutes.  Then mediate on what you read, and ask the Holy Spirit, "what does this story or section of Scripture" tell me about my Best Friend and Savior Jesus? ... Then respond to God by praying and thanking Him for such a Wonderful and Beautiful Savior!

3. Determine to spend the next 10 minutes praising God in prayer. Choose a theme, like the names of God, or like Creation, and tell God why you think He is so great and awesome!

4. Prepare a Bible study, then head out your door asking God to lead you to someone with whom you can share this special Bible truth: The Profecies about the Messiah, The Second Coming, The Sabbath, The Sanctuary, The State of the Dead, the Spirit of Prophecy, etc.

5. Go for a prayer walk in your neigborhood. While walking and exercising, pray for your neighbors and friens as you walk and commune with God in singing or reading Bible texts!

~ Pastor Sal Garcia

5/26/2011