Walking Worthy

Several times in the New Testament, we are encouraged to "walk worthy" of the Lord. Walking worthy is an active practice requiring that one consistently remembers Who has redeemed them. None of us are really "worthy" of our salvation. All of us are sinners who were saved by God's great grace.

However, in thanksgiving for the gift that we have been given, the very least we can do is aim to walk worthy before God. Walking worthy involves getting the wisdom and knowledge that the Lord has for us in His word and applying that knowledge to our every day life.

Many of us are experts at garnering the Lord's wisdom. We have all kinds of study Bibles, prayer books, devotionals, and even Bible dictionaries and concordances to assist us with our study. Every Sunday, we dutifully take notes from the pastor's seromons. We stop by the tables after service and purchase all kinds of dvds and cds.

Yet, how many of us are applying all the knowledge we have? How many of us when encountering a real life issue, put into application all the head knowledge we've gathered up?

Today, I want to encourage you to "walk worthy" of your salvation! Put all your "Christian smarts" to good use and live out what you've been reading about! Apply what you've been studying! Put to good use what you've been hearing from the pulpit!

God has given you His most precious and special gift of salvation. What about your life reflects that?

Verse of the Day: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins... Colossians 1:10-14

Got A Question? Ask!

Reading through my Christian blogs and websites this morning, it's apparent that the church is recognizing all the change going on, and people are wondering if some of those changes are going to drift over into the church. Young people are asking questions about their faith. Some folks are challenging established beliefs. Christians are wondering if in this 'evolving' world, should the church evolve too?

What I love about our faith is that God is always there to talk with us and show us more of Himself. When we have questions, He will take the time to answer them. When we have concerns, He will find ways to alleviate them. We just have to be open to seek out the answers and keep our ears listening out for His voice.

Jesus was a living example of our relationship with God in His interactions with the disciples. Whatever questions they had, reasonable (How many times should I forgive?) or borderline (Which one of us will sit on your right hand?). Jesus made sure He answered. Even when the Pharisees and Sadducees came with their questions rooted in disbelief, Jesus answered every one.

There is no question too great. No question to silly. No inquiry too small for God to handle. Even when the apostles were trying to figure out how to minister and fellowship with Gentiles, through prayer and God's wisdom, they were able to get an answer.

What questions do you have about your walk with God? Are the changes around you causing you to wonder about what to believe? Even if your views are unshakable, do you think about how to relay those beliefs to others in a loving manner?

We have a God who is always there and holds all the answers. We just have to seek Him out and trust that He will answer our questions. Sometimes seeking God takes some work. We may have to read our Bibles a little deeper. We may have to study and pray more than we regularly do. We just might have to sit and wait on the Lord's still small voice.

Just know that your searching is not in vain. Know that the answers you seek are coming. When God shows up, there won't be a shadow of a doubt left in your mind as to what to believe. One thing we can rest assured in: God is thorough.

So ask away! Look to the Lord for the answers that you seek. You'll definitely find them in Him.

Verse of the Day: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7, 8

Afternoon Ti: Meditate on This

The morning got away from me, and the afternoon is full. Take a moment and meditate on this word from the Bible. It just blessed me!

Psalm 32
Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”


Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Are You Approved?

I apologize for Friday. It was a whirlwind day over here, and I was never at my desk to sit down for a sec. I hope you sent up some praise and thanksgiving on your own anyway.

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Lately I've been meditating on the scripture that instructs us to study to show ourselves approved before God. (2 Timothy 2:15) It is so important for us to know the Word of God. The Word is what shows us how to live holy in this world. The Word gives us what to do in times of distress or confusion. The Word gives us directions on how to reach God.

The Word also keeps us from falling prey to the devil's plans. I always keep in mind how Jesus rebuffed satan when He was tempted by him in the wilderness. No matter the situation, Jesus countered with the Word of God. He had studied the Scriptures and hid the Word in His heart. Whatever angle the devil came at Jesus, our Lord replied, "It is written..." and shut that devil down with the Word!

We should definitely follow Christ's example and make the Word a part of our second nature. We should know it well enough that no matter what pops up that tries to get us off course, we can counter back with the Word of God.

Knowing the Word can also help us to be a better witness. I can't tell you how many saints I know who are scared to discuss the things of God with Muslims or Jehovah Witnesses because the saints aren't strong enough in the Word to hold up their end in the conversation. This should not be. We should know the Truth that has set us free!

So, this week, take some time to dig deep into the Word of God. Read a passage you haven't read before. Ask the Lord to guide you in your devotions. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you while you read. We can always stand to grow more in God.

Verse of the Day: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Refreshed!

This year I am taking the initiative to invest in myself. I have so many talents, dreams, aspirations and plans for myself that I know I need to invest in some training and education in order to fulfill these things at the best possible level.

One of my training initiatives included attending a youth leader training conference. I just returned from said conference this past weekend. It was amazing!

Surrounded by people who are working in the same field, experiencing the same challenges, feeling the same frustrations... It was so encouraging to know that I am not alone! Plus, to receive practical, credible, real tools to help make me a better youth leader was priceless. I have so much material to chew on, I will be riding this high for a while and reaping the benefits for a lifetime!

A lot of times we can get caught up in the doing of something, that we don't take time to improve on the doing. Usually it takes a crisis or some other negative reaction for us to change course. The if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality... But imagine finding out that there are a plethora of other shiny, fabulous tools that can do so much more for you that what you're working with!

God has blessed you to be the fabulous you that you are. Yet, He has also blessed other people to help you to be a better, more fabulous you! He's given them wisdom, experience, and insight to help your journey to destiny go a bit more smoothly.

Take advantage of those gifts! Search out the opportunities! Spend the money to get the value added to your life! You are worth the investment. In fact, investing in your success is the best investment you can make. You are so worth it!

Verse of the Day: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

A Promise is a Promise!

Okay, guys. I promised you an evening post… This is more like a nightcap though.


Right now I am on my GRIND. I am working hard to get my Masters in Christian Leadership.

So, my days consist of work – study on lunch – work – home – study – an hour to eat – bed – repeat.

Throw in my responsibilities as a Youth Leader, helping out with my dad, blogging, and other fun things around the way (currently I have a huge bag of laundry staring me in the face), and I have not really had time to sit and relax.

But I am working this hard because I have a goal in mind. I want to get this degree with a 4.0 average. And every ‘A’ makes the hard work seem effortless.

There are times in life where we have to square our shoulders, bow our heads and press in with gusto. Those times where we have to put blinders on, take on great sacrifice and get a long distance view in our eyesight.

In fact, our entire life is a press for the ultimate goal of making our Heavenly Father proud. Our times of denying our flesh, ignoring the world, and focusing in on living holy might be difficult at times. Yet, every blessing from God, every word that He shares with us, every insight into the mysteries of His Kingdom make the lifestyle easier.

So, keep on Grinding for Jesus! Keep the final goal in the forefront of your mind. The payoff will be more than worth it.

Good night!

Verse of the Day: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Make it A Priority

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve resolved to get in shape out only to let my plans fall to the wayside. Those times I do start rolling, I only slack back off again after a short amount of time.

I’ll go a couple of days exercising in the evenings after work. Then one day I’ll forget, the next day I’ll be tired, and the day after that I’ll have a meeting… Soon, I’m back where I started never fulfilling my desire to get back in shape.

The same theory rings true in my times with the Lord. I’ll decide to spend more quality time with Him, only to wind up being swept away by my day.

I plan to wake up earlier in the morning only to shut off the alarm, roll over and doze off without even sitting up. Plans to read the Word while on my lunch break get pushed to the next day since a co-worker wants to go out to eat. Conversations in prayer scheduled for the commute home get paused to hear an interesting news story on the radio, and before I know it, I’m getting off the expressway and two minutes from home!

Right now I’m bringing in the new year with fasting and prayer. This time of separation and dedication is only underscoring how my days are so filled with ‘other things’ that take up my time with God.

I find myself actively shutting down plans and little pop up distractions in order to fit time with the Lord into my day. The effort I’m putting into prioritizing my time of fellowship with God is alerting me to the fact that I need to put some guards in place now to keep up these times when my fast is over.

Hopefully you too have guards in place that keep your daily devotional time with the Lord sacred. If you’re like me and are easily overrun with other things, put your foot down and make your time with God non-negotiable. You know yourself better than anyone else. Do what you need to do in order to make that time a first priority.

We can’t let the cares of this world keep us from the One who cares about us most of all.

Verse of the Day: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us... Hebrews 12:1a

Go For It!

It’s graduation season, and youths to adults are partaking in the fruit of their years of hard labor. After all of the studying, stress, testing, and prayers, students are finally experiencing the joy of crossing another finish line in the race of life.

As with our physical life, our spiritual one has thresholds and greater levels as well. How well are you doing in the School of Life spiritually? Have you passed any tests, learned any lessons, and ‘graduated’ to any new heights in God? Or have you been standing in the same place for the last few ‘semesters’?

There’s always something new to learn, and we don’t always have to learn them from hardships. God is always waiting to reveal more of Himself to us. He always has new facets that He would love to share about His Word. We just have to take the initiative to get in His presence and learn from Him.

As we continue to learn and grow, we will find our spiritual experience heightened to new levels beyond what we could dream or think about. Can you imagine having the kind of relationship with God like Abraham or Moses or even Jesus? Who knows what we could achieve if more Christians would graduate to those levels!

So, while it is important to go after scholastic knowledge, it’s equally important to chase after the knowledge of God in the same way. The Bible says that if we get closer to God, He’ll get closer to us. (James 4:8) We, however, have to take the initiative to take those steps nearer to God.

Let’s all become better students of the Word, so we can graduate to new levels in the Spirit! I know the payoff is much better than a mere diploma.

Verse of the Day: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 13, 14