How to Build a Walk with God​     
(Please take the time to read the passages referenced below)


     The words of two hymns I learned over the years came to mind as I was preparing this message and I want to quote them as I begin.  The first says, In Times Like These:
 
In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
 
In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these, O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
 
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He's the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
 
 
     Friends, I don’t know what will happen tomorrow in our beloved nation, but I know this:  I’m anchored to Christ and His word, how about you?
 
     And then the words of this great old hymn are a blessing.  It says, Just A Closer Walk with Thee:

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
 
Refrain
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
 
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
 
When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
 
Refrain
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
 
     My friend, do you have a walk with the living God?  Do you know him and do you walk with him?
 
      Here are seven things connected to your walk with God.

 
Honor your Creator in the days of your youth (days of your strength):  How?
 
1) set your heart to seek the Lord; 2) respect His will with obedience; 3) allow Him to correct you.
 
 
Learn to spend time alone with God: 
 
1) worship him in private; bow down to him; offer daily thanksgiving; practice the confession of sin daily
 
 
Love the house of God (stay connected to your local church):
 
1) by love serve the whole body of Christ; 2) stay focused on the cause of Christ; deny yourself and take up the cross
 
 
Forsake the world:
 
1) Example of Moses (its Jesus or the world, not both) – Hebrews 11:24-27.
 
Avoid compromise with the world:
 
1) Example of Lot . . . 2) Separate from the ungodly; you are “not of this world”
 
 
Expect persecution from the world:
 
1)  Jesus on persecution – Matthew 5:10-12
 
 
Remain Faithful:  conclusion – Rev. 2:8-11.  

The Offence of the Cross
Galatians 5:1-13
 
 
     In preparation for this devotional I encourage you to read Galatians 5:1-13.
 
     You will notice Paul’s reference in verse eleven to the "offence of the cross."  Sadly, many of Paul’s countrymen were offended by the message of the cross.  But what is the offence of the cross?
 
     Think about this: the offense of the cross occurs when the truth of the gospel confronts loyalty to a false hope.  Once confronted those loyal to a false tradition are offended by the idea of giving up what they thought to be true.

     In the case of the Jews in Paul’s day, they fell prey to the spiritual deception of self-righteousness.  They failed to learn of Christ from the Law.  They failed to see the Old Testament sacrifices as pictures of the work of Christ on the cross.  Furthermore, they moved away from the Old Testament verity that says, “the just shall live by faith.” 

     Genuine faith in God’s mercy and grace provided through substitutional sacrifice was lost as the basis by which they were to approach the living God.  In the place of faith, outward obedience to the law created a works-based righteousness, a self-righteousness, by which the people hoped to have standing with God.  There was no excuse for this misunderstanding.  Clearly the Lord gave the blood upon the altar to atone for sin and no amount of self-righteousness can atone for sin.

     Consequently, the message of the cross offended the sensibilities of those self-righteous Jews who refused to be corrected.  But alas my friends, the offence of the cross has not ceased in our own day.  Here are several more thoughts to consider connected to the offence of the cross:
 
     The cross exposes our lost condition as sinners:  the natural man is offended at the notion he is not good.  My friends, Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) and it is through the work of his cross he can do so.

     The cross exposes our own brand of self-righteousness:  men are offended with the idea personal effort to attain to righteous behavior leaves them no better off than the vilest sinner.  Think about that.  As the old hymn says so well:  Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.

     Furthermore, the cross offends the world because it requires men to give up their various forms of idolatry.  I ask you:  who is it that died upon the cross?  The answer, of course, is the Son of the living God.  The message of the cross is set forth in John chapter three where Jesus says:
 
     “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

     The world is offended as we preach the cross because it tears down all false spirituality.  There is only one true, living God and he gave His Son to save us.  The cross is the only way to the Father.  The preaching of the cross tears down the idols of this world.  In that regard, the authentic church in the earth today is like Gideon of old.

     For my purposes I pick up the narrative of the Lord’s dealings with Gideon in Judges chapter six where we read:
 
25And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
 
26And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
 
27Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
 
28And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
 
29And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
 
30Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
 
31And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
 
I read that history just to illustrate this point:  The Lord still has his people tearing down idols.  We do so through the preaching of the gospel!
 
     In as much as Christianity is not compatible with the false belief systems of the world it is an offence to the world.  Thus, the message of the cross will remain an offence to a world lying in darkness.  Like Paul, we can expect persecution for the sake of the gospel from both the world and apostate elements of the visible church.  However, in spite of the world's rejection we will always cherish the old rugged cross.  As the old hymn says,
 
Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
 
So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

Have Faith in God
 
     The current coronavirus pandemic is certainly cause for concern and practical steps to slow the spread and protect the most vulnerable in society are under say. Of course, this situation has caused a great deal of fear in our nation.  However, I submit to you we must face the future with faith instead of fear. 

     Facing the future with faith instead of fear does not mean we throw caution to the wind and proceed to live recklessly.  Thoughtful concern for others by maintaining good hand hygiene, at times wearing a mask, and paying attention to the formation of small groups in confined areas makes sense while we work our way through this problem.  Proceeding to protect the most vulnerable from unnecessary exposure to potential carriers makes sense as well.

     However, unnecessary fear ends up paralyzing society and creating a host of other problems as bad or worse than the pandemic.  Consequently, we must move about to work, carry on essential services, and get the economy going again.  We can do so with full confidence the Lord will help and protect us.  Remember, most individuals can deal with this virus.  It is not life threatening to most individuals (including many who are older). 

     Thankfully, the nation has fought back the horrible possibility of overrunning our national health care system.  Now that we can fight this battle with sufficient resources in our hospitals, we must move forward.  The only real enemy now becomes fear itself.

     Our Lord certainly encourages us to have faith in God.  In fact, this must be our response to the whole of life (pandemic or no pandemic).  Life throws many trials our way and the proper response is always faith in our heavenly Father.  As the Psalmist so aptly puts it, “what time I am afraid I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3).
 
     Indeed, we will trust in the Lord and exercise faith in him.  Consider these powerful words from Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Mark and let them build your response to problems as they come:
 
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:22-24).
 
     Our Lord expects us to face the future with great confidence in him.  He says, “Have faith in God.”  While there are obstacles in life, faith in God moves mountains!  We can choose to face the future with faith instead of fear as we engage our battles with prayer.  The coronavirus is one of those battles.

     My word of exhortation to you today is simply:  have faith in God!  Pray over your needs and cast your cares at his feet.  Remember, what things soever ye desire when you pray, believe you receive them, and you shall have them.  Amen!
 

Lessons From a Desperate Mother

2 Kings 4:1-7:

1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

​     Now let’s meditate upon this situation.  In verse one we discover a wife has lost her husband who himself feared the Lord and evidently served along side Elisha in the ministry himself.  Elisha certainly knew him and knew his testimony for the Lord.  As time past this dear man died and left his wife and two sons on their own.

     Unfortunately, the family found themselves in debt and now with the husband and father gone creditors came to take the only asset available to them—namely her two boys.

     How many of you know when trouble comes God is still on the throne?  This mother is faced with a great trial.  Her heart is troubled at the thought of her two boys going into servitude for an extended period of time.  Already bereaved of her husband soon her boys would be gone as well. 

     So, she cries out to Elisha.  She makes him fully aware of her situation with the hope he can help her.  As Elisha listens to her plight he first makes it plain that he cannot help her.  He says, “What shall I do for thee, or how can I help thee?”

     Like Peter in the New Testament who said to the lame man, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”  So, Elisha cannot help this mother by his own means, but he knows the Lord will help her.  So he says, “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

     As we see from the text, the only thing she had in the house was a pot of oil.  As soon as Elisha became aware of the pot of oil, the Lord quickened to his heart the answer.  What confidence the prophet had in the Lord!  He proceeded to tell this mother to borrow as many vessels as possible from her neighbors and once in possession of those vessels she was to shut herself and her boys in the house.

     Elisha then instructed her to take the pot of oil and pour from it into each vessel.  Once one was full, they were to set it aside and take another and fill it.  They were to continue this way until all the vessels were full.

     The Bible says, “so she went from him,” and she obeyed Elisha.  Now I trust you see the faith of this dear mother.  As she moved about the neighborhood borrowing vessels, she is embracing the word of the Lord from the prophet.  She is moving in faith.  She is trusting the Lord for the miracle Elisha is clearly speaking of.

     Once in the house with her boys I believe they had quite the church service!  She started pouring from her pot into a vessel perhaps two or three times the size of her pot, but as she poured the oil kept coming.  She topped that one off and had one son move that one aside as her other boy put the next vessel in front of her.  She began to pour again, and the oil kept flowing until that vessel was also filled. 

     About right there I think some excitement was building in the house.  Mom had to say, “Boys, look what the Lord is doing,” as she kept filling those vessels.  Finally, mom said, “bring me another vessel.”  But her son said, “mom, that was the last one.”  I mean, she was ready to keep pouring!

     Now let me remind you of something.  This miracle illustrates to us the limitless supply of the living God.  We can exhaust our resources, but we can never exhaust His!  When he supplies our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus there is as much remaining as when he first started.  There will never be a run on the bank of heaven because His riches can never be depleted!

     Now look again at verse seven . . . God’s provision paid her debt and the remainder was enough for them to live on. 

     Do you know something?  God’s provision has also paid my debt.  The debt I owed left me in bondage to sin and death.  I was destined to eternal servitude facing a debt I could not pay, until God opened a fountain that still flows from a hill called Calvary.  My friend, the work of Christ upon the cross is sufficient to pay all our sin debt and set us free!

     Do you know something else? Not only is God’s provision enough to pay my sin debt, but I live on the rest of it.  Christ is my Savior, but Christ is also my life!

To Die is Gain - Philippians 1:20-24

     With these words the Bible sets forth the power of Christ working within the believer.  Again, with these words the Bible sets forth the controlling victory that is the birth right of every believer.  Furthermore, the abiding assurance with which Paul speaks can only be found in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  I ask you, who but a Christian can say, “to die is gain?”

     As you know, most of mankind lives with a gnawing fear of death in their spirit.  Death for the average person is filled with uncertainty.  Even those who mask their fear with false spirituality cannot say to die is gain.  Death remains a hindrance to their aspirations all of which are centered in this world.  Not so for those who have victory over the fear of death through the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Please take careful note before Paul speaks of dying, he talks about living.  He says, “For to me to live is Christ.”  Paul’s victory over the fear of death and his anticipation of departing this life to be with Christ rested in his personal relationship to the Lord Jesus.  Many years earlier Paul surrendered his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ.  His faith in the Lord Jesus was the source of his victory over the fear of death.

     However, at one time in his life Paul only possessed a generic knowledge of God.  While he appropriately respected God and sought to do what was right, he nonetheless lived in bondage to fear (Rom. 8:15).  He lacked a personal relationship to God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  At the root of his spiritual struggles lay the same problem all men wrestle with. 

     What is that problem?  Hear me well:  ultimately every man comes face to face with his guilt before God.  It is that guilt and the corresponding alienation from God which produces the fear of death.  Interestingly, the current pandemic we face is bringing the fear of death to the surface for many individuals.  The thought of an unseen enemy invading the body and thrusting one into the ICU where life hangs by a thread on the effectiveness of a ventilator is producing waves of fear in the hearts of many.

     But listen to Paul after he trusted Christ as his Savior.  He says,  “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:15-17a).

     Upon surrendering his life to Christ and trusting the Lord Jesus for his salvation, Paul traded uncertainty for a settled future.  He traded fear of death for the glorious assurance to depart this life to be with Christ is far better than anything this temporal world can offer. 

     The important thing to see in this passage is the absence of fear in the face of death.  Paul knew he possessed eternal life.  Paul knew the Lord Jesus would not fail him. 

Paul possessed the freedom that is only found in a personal relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, whether it be by life, or by death, Paul was ready to magnify Christ in his body.  The settled conviction "to die is gain" possessed his heart. 

Likewise, all believers can say the same.  Our fear of death is gone.  Indeed, to die is gain! 
 

Coming to Grips with Accountability
 
Do you understand one day you must face the judgment seat of Christ?
 
The issue on that day will not be salvation.  Rather, believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ must give account for the works done in the body.  In a word, believers must face their record as a personal steward before the Lord.
 
Two things come to mind immediately.  First, if we neglect actual service for Christ there will be very little reward.  The Lord cannot reward his people for opportunities neglected.
 
Second, the works offered to the Lord will be examined to determine the motive with which they were performed.  Offering service with a wrong motive will not be rewarded.
 
Here are several passages of Scripture to study closely related to the Judgment Seat of Christ:  2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; Matthew 25:21; Luke 12:41-48; 1 Cor. 4:2.
 
It is obvious from these passages every believer must give account of himself to Christ.  It is said we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive a reward for the things done in the body.
 
It is possible to stand there and see various works burn before our eyes as the Lord reveals them for what they really are.  Please understand the Lord places a premium upon the attitude of heart with which we do things.  Our motive must be pure otherwise we will suffer loss at the judgment seat of Christ.
 
So, several truths come into focus as we meditate on these verses.  First, believers are fully accountable to God. 
 
Does this truth grip your heart appropriately?  You must appear before Christ.  Is this nothing to you?  Is there no motivation to please the Savior on your part?  Are you contented to drift along as a believer with little or no work for Christ?
 
And when you serve and give is it with a pure motive?  Is it your desire to work and give out of pure love for the Savior? 
 
You see, whatever is done to be seen of men or with any other motive other than love for Christ cannot be rewarded.  The reward for that work will be lost!
 
Notice also from our reading that the Lord places a strong emphasis upon faithfulness.  The Lord expects his redeemed to serve faithfully where he places them. 
 
Hudson Taylor a well-known Christian missionary now in heaven once said: “Small things are small things, but faithfulness with a small thing is a big thing.”  Amen! 
 
Are you motivated to be faithful to Christ?  Do you faithfully serve and give with a pure heart where God has placed you?  If so, you are going to receive reward when you stand before Christ.
 
On the other hand, many believers will be saved by the skin of their teeth.  Can you imagine standing before your Lord with absolutely no reward?  How sad that will be.  How disappointed the Lord Jesus will be with such believers.  Saved?  Yes. Embarrassed?  Yes again! 
 
Hear me carefully:  your stewardship matters and, in some way, every one of us will live eternally in light of what we did with the opportunities the Lord gave us.
 
Considering the eternal consequences of neglecting faithful, loving service as the Lord’s stewards every believer should be motivated to please Christ. 
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