Promise for Today - The AAA Walk

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 

Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

There’s only one way to get the kind of courage it took for Noah to keep going after receiving such a big dream from God: He had to stay close to God. Hebrews 11:7 says, “Faith led Noah to listen when God warned him about the things that he could not see.”  Noah heard God speak. 

Walking with God is affiliation, agreement, and alignment with His Word and his will. Noah walked with God, and he wasn't afraid of disapproval or rejection or criticism or even a worldwide flood. 

Do you ever wonder why you don’t hear God speak? You hear God by getting near to God. You can't hear God when you're far away. You’ve got to get near to God. That means you spend time with God every day—reading and studying the Bible, talking to him in prayer, being quiet, and just listening to God.

The Bible says that Noah “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9 NIV). Another translation of this verse says that Noah “walked in close fellowship with God” (NLT). When you walk with someone, that means you are near to them. Walking with someone implies several other things. 

First, it implies AFFILIATION. In other words, you're not ashamed to be with them. You're not worried about telling people you follow Jesus.

Second, the Bible tells us in Amos 3:3 that two people cannot walk together unless they AGREE. When you walk with God, you agree to go where he wants to go and do what he wants you to do. You are obedient to his will.

Third, walking with God means you are in ALIGNMENT. If you're walking with God, you'll be out of step with the world. You’ll do things differently than other people because God’s way is countercultural.

Noah knew that when you’re walking with God, you're near to God, and there is nothing to fear.

Talk It Over

What will you have to give up or take out of your schedule to have more time to get to know God?

In what ways is it obvious to others that you are out of step with the world because you follow Jesus?

What should you do when you start to feel fear creep into your mind?

 - written by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          I'm reminded of the old hymn, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." However, in deeper understanding of Your Word, we realize that the closer walk depends on our footsteps, not Yours; our choice to follow IN Your footsteps and walk with You. Not ask You to walk with us. Only You can lead us where we need to be. It's Your plan for our lives that we are to fulfill and You are the WayMaker. Help us to keep our eyes on You at all times. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Living Proof

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Proverbs 20:7 NLT

You may not have children of your own, but most of us have seen babies who are learning to walk, so regardless, you'll have a point of reference. When my children were babies, I could teach them how to pull themselves up to stand. I could even offer them a hand. I could support them under their arms while they bounced and jumped and strengthened their leg muscles. I would hold both hands so they could stay up and not fall, but they had to make their legs and feet move. I would encourage them - even entice them with a toy or treat - but until they decided they wanted to and made up their mind to do it, they did not take one step on their own.

You can't make a baby walk unless he or she is ready to walk - whether it's an actual baby or someone trying to follow Jesus. By the same token, in order for the child to be able to walk on its own, you have to let go. They will totter, and stumble, and trip, and they will fall. And after a few falls, they may even decide just to sit or crawl for a while and try that walking thing a little later. They will get bruised, scraped up - they might even bleed and have scars as a result - but eventually, they will learn to walk because they choose to do so.

And the longer they do it, the better they get at it. You're living proof...so make sure you walk with integrity.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to be good stewards of who and what You have given us. Continue to give us revelation wisdom so we can teach others about You and how to walk in Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Starting Position - One of my favorites

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

Psalm 50:14-15 NLT

I've talked many times before about giving thanks in the midst of life's trials. You may have heard my story about Does your eyebrow hurt, Mom? Then can we give thanks that your eyebrow doesn't hurt? Well, we often do the same thing when we're struggling with repeated mistakes in our lives. We listen to the lies of satan. I must not be saved. I always do that. I can't be a Christian and still struggle with that. I'll never get victory over it. I might as well give up... Any of that sound familiar?

How did we learn to walk when we were children? Did we just decide one day that it was time to walk and then up we got and walked our little selves all over the place? No, it was Get up. Fall. Get up, step, fall. Step, step, fall. Get up, fall. Get up, fall. Fall. Fall. Cry. Resolve. Get up... Even if you've never had children, more than likely, you have watched a little one's first steps or attempts at walking.

As children, the first thing we learned was to pull ourselves up on something sturdy to see if our legs would hold us. Then we fought to get balance...and we struggled to keep our balance. Sometimes, we no sooner got that first foot up off the floor, then we found ourselves back on the floor in the starting position. The good news is we eventually learned how to walk, right? You may not remember the process, but your life is the proof.

It's the same principle with our Christian walk. Get up. Fall. Get up, step, fall. Step, step, fall. Get up, fall. Get up, fall. Fall. Fall. Cry. Resolve. Get up... Proverbs 24:16a NLT reads, The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

So often, we find ourselves focusing on our mistakes rather than giving thanks for what God has made new in us. I would like to point out that the starting position is not getting up. The starting point is while you're on your knees or face down on the floor... Don't beat yourself up over it. Jesus was already beaten up for it. Use His Cross as the one sturdy thing that you can utilize to pull yourself up. Okay, everyone! Starting positions...

Prayer:

Father,

          Your goodness and mercy and grace overwhelm us. Your Word is a continual lamp for our feet and light for the path You have chosen for us. Help us to walk in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen