Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
- 1 Timothy 4:15-16
 
When we are committed to walking in the gift of his righteousness we will be diligent in matters of lifestyle and doctrine. When we have done that then others will see the effect of the grace of God in us and desire what we have. Being diligent in the important things will produce noticeable progress in our walk.

That is why Paul writes to Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely. Those who walk with us need to see consistency. They need to see a life that is guided by the word and will of God and they need to hear consistent doctrine that does not change with every new idea that comes along.

Whether you realize it or not, there are people who are watching your example. Paying close attention to these things will not only affect our own relationship with God but it will also affect those who look to us as examples in the faith.

We live in a time of uncertainty and change. People are concerned for their future. They need to see stability. Let them see it in you.

Carefully guard your lifestyle and the things you believe – it means salvation to yourself and others. 
 
Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace of a life that is consistent with what your word teaches and help me to guard my heart so that I do not fall into error. In Jesus name, amen.
Watch Your Life Closely
 
Message:   When we are committed to walking in the gift of his righteousness we will be diligent in matters of lifestyle and doctrine. When we have done that then others will see the effect of the grace of God in us and desire what we have. Being diligent in the important things will produce noticeable progress in our walk.
 
Affirmation:   I strive toward being diligent in my lifestyle and in my doctrine so that I may be pleasing to God and have a good reputation in my community.
 
Reflection:  God, and people, are watching your life. What God sees will influence the blessing he releases upon you. What others see will influence what others think, not only of you, but also of your God. Give some thought to that that as you go about your daily life.
 

God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. - Ephesians 1:22-23
 
Several scriptures speak of the mystery of God and Paul in this chapter makes that reference. One of the mysteries of God is that he dwelt in Christ and through Christ is reconciling the world to himself. Jesus, the Christ, was God’s body on earth. Now, according to this passage, we are the body of Christ.
The body of Christ in the earth today is the extension of the Christ, the anointing of God, that rested in Jesus. Jesus was one man on the earth, yet he was the embodiment of the Almighty God. The theological term is “God incarnate” (in flesh).

Today, the church is the embodiment of the Almighty God. Don’t misunderstand this point. We are not little gods on the earth, but it is clear that God, the Holy Spirit, dwells in every believer.
Just as Jesus, the Christ on earth, had to submit to the will of the Father, so we, his extended body on earth, must submit to the will of the Father.

All that God intended to do through Christ has become the responsibility of the church. We are vital components to the will of God being fulfilled on earth. I challenge you, as James does in his writing, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.”
 
 Prayer: Father, I have received Christ, but I’m not sure I have learned to submit as Jesus submitted. Grant me the grace to yield my will and submit to your guidance that I might help fulfill your purpose on earth. In Jesus name, amen.
The Church – His Body
 
Message:  The body of Christ in the earth today is the extension of the Christ, the anointing of God, that rested in Jesus. All that God intended to do through Christ has become the responsibility of the church. We are vital components to the will of God being fulfilled on earth.
 
Affirmation:   I submit to the will of God because I realize that as a follower of Christ I am the anointed of God to bring reconciliation to my community.
 
Reflection:   It is important to realize that just as Jesus was the anointed of God for his generation so we are the anointed of God for this generation. Give some thought to what it means that we are his body, his fullness here on earth.

​This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. - 1 John 5:3-4
 
The clear message of this passage is that a true test of whether we love God is the question; do we obey his commands? And, a true test of whether we have been born of God, or as we say, “born again,” is if we overcome the world. And overcoming the world is the proof of our faith.

Too many of us are trying to be “good Christians,” but we lack the ability to do so because we haven’t truly been born of God. We may have recited a prayer, or we may have believed a doctrine, but we haven’t had a true encounter with God through a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

If you are examining your life just now in the context of how we are looking at this passage and find that you fall short; don’t fall in the trap of trying harder.

The faith walk is not about trying to do right – it is about being changed on the inside so that we are living out his righteousness. It is our desire to be made right with God that draws us to Christ; let us be careful that we do not fall short of that goal by accepting something less than a life changing relationship with Jesus the Christ.
 
Prayer: I thank you Lord for drawing me to Christ. Grant me the faith that enables me to overcome the world and motivates me to discover what you have commanded and submit my life to your will. In Jesus name, amen.
 
Message:   The faith walk is not about trying to do right – it is about being changed on the inside so that we are living out his righteousness. It is our desire to be made right with God that draws us to Christ; let us be careful that we do not fall short of that goal by accepting something less than a life changing relationship with Jesus the Christ.
 
Affirmation:  Faith in Jesus Christ, and obedience to his commands, has enabled me to be victorious over the world and its temptations.
 
Reflection:   You are being tested daily – are you passing the test? The key to overcoming the world is to be in obedience to how Jesus instructed us to live. Your faith and obedience releases God’s power in you.

I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground… His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant… You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers… Take the talent from him. - Matthew 5:14-30
 
Jesus tells the story of three servants who were each given the responsibility to care for a certain part of their master’s wealth. Two of the servants did well and doubled the amount they had been given to invest. The third one failed.

The failure of the third servant was caused by one thing: Fear. Fear of loss will prevent us from investing in the future. This servant was not unwise in other areas and he did not squander the resources he was given; he was just paralyzed with fear.

His own words could be written on his tombstone, “I was afraid.” At the end of our lives, when our master calls us to account for the resources he has invested in us we don’t want our answer to be, “I was afraid.”

A wise servant overcomes fear and takes measured risks that produce increase. Fear drove the third servant to make unwise choices.

God will release us from fear as we step into the arena of service – but we have to make the first step. We should practice thinking positively about God using our efforts to benefit his kingdom. Release your potential by using the resources God has given you.
 
Prayer: Lord, I know that you are fair and just –yet you are firm and expect faithful service as well. Grant me the heart to be a faithful servant so that your kingdom will advance. In Jesus name, amen.
 
Message:  A wise follower of Christ overcomes fear and takes measured risks that produce increase. God will release us from fear as we step into the arena of service, but we have to make the first step. We should practice thinking positively about God using our efforts to benefit his kingdom.
  
Affirmation:   The grace of God is entirely sufficient, not only to provide gifting to serve but he also gives us the confidence to carry out his will for us.
  
Reflection:   Read the entire parable of the servants in Matthew 25:14-30. Three servants are mentioned in this parable. What one thing seemed to separate the third servant from the other two?

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​Be Wise In Preparedness
 
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. - Matthew 25:1-13
 
The three parables of Matthew 25 form the basis for the devotions over the next three days. These parables tell us to be watching, be wise and be serving.

In this first parable Jesus is contrasting those who are prepared with those who are not prepared. Most of us have had at least one time when we were asked to do something that filled us with excitement, in fact, we became so excited about being asked to do it that we forgot to adequately prepare.

This passage is the parable of 10 virgins who were invite to a wedding. Five of them were wise and prepared for the possibility of a delay and brought extra oil for their lamps.

Five of them failed to bring enough oil to keep their lamps burning. Perhaps if the groom had not been delayed they would have been ready, but he was delayed.

Unexpected delays are tests of our preparedness – be prepared for all things.

It was no accident that the wise virgins had enough oil. They anticipated the possibility of needing more so they were prepared. Think about it.
 
Prayer: Lord, grant me the wisdom to guard my life so that I will not fail to be prepared to serve you well and serve you faithfully. Grant me the fullness of your Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.
Be Wise In Preparedness
 
 Message: Unexpected delays are tests of our preparedness – be prepared for all things. It was no accident that the wise virgins had enough oil. They anticipated the possibility of needing more so they were prepared.
  
Affirmation: I anticipate the possibility of things happening beyond what has been planned. Therefore, I prepare for more than is expected.
  
Reflection:   Read the entire parable of the 10 young women found in Matthew 25:1-13. What was the one thing which showed that one group was more prepared than the other? How would you apply the message of this parable today?

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Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see… By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3
 
Faith is being sure of what we know about God and it is a gift of God. According to Romans 12:6 God gives a measure of faith to every person. God is telling us that he has a world available to us that cannot be seen by those who do not have faith – then he gives us the faith to enter that world.

As humans we are programmed to see and understand only what we can perceive through the experiences of our senses; sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. If we can’t “sense” it we don’t believe it exists. Then God blows all of that away when he drops a revelation into our hearts and suddenly we see things that others cannot see.

The very nature of faith is to see with our spirit what cannot be seen with human eyes. Those who see only with their natural eyes limit what the Spirit of God can do with them and through them. Those who, through faith, see what the Spirit sees, will by faith produce a manifestation in the physical realm.

Believing in what is not seen by the natural eye produces a hope that is certain. Faith comes when we are sure of what we know about God - it is God's gift to those of us who believe.
 
Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the measure of faith you have given me. Grant me the grace to trust you fully so that your kingdom life may be shown through my life. In Jesus name, amen.
Faith Produces A Sure Hope
  
Message:   The very nature of faith is to see with our spirit what cannot be seen with human eyes. Those who see only with their natural eyes limit what the Spirit of God can do with them and through them. Those who, through faith, see what the Spirit sees, will by faith produce a manifestation in the physical realm.
  
Affirmation:   Through faith God is revealing his will and purposes for my life to me and that is being manifest in my life.
  
Reflection:   This devotion says, “God is telling us that he has a world available to us that cannot be seen by those who do not have faith – then he gives us the faith to enter that world.” What does that statement mean to you?


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Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17
 
Most of us are not consciously aware of how our environment affects us. The sounds, the sights, the odors/fragrances, the feel, the taste; all of these have an effect upon us. We form opinions and make choices based upon what we have been exposed to in our life.

If someone has never been exposed to the message of Jesus the Christ, that person cannot have faith toward Christ for salvation, or for any other blessing. The more a person is exposed to the true message of Jesus the Christ, the greater that persons’ faith becomes.

That is why we are encouraged to daily go to the word of God for inspiration. In fact, that is why the Daily God Walk is written. Our purpose is to provide a daily message of inspiration and hope that challenges the readers to a deeper understanding of the faith walk.

As you are on the journey today I encourage you to limit your exposure to the thoughts, attitudes and ambitions of the world around you and open your heart, your mind and your spirit to hear the word of God as you expose yourself to its truths.
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Exposure to the truth of Jesus the Christ builds faith in Christ and the promises in the word of God about him. Your faith grows as your knowledge of Him grows.
 
Prayer: Lord, I tend to be more influenced by the world around me than I should be. Grant me the grace to limit my exposure to that world and open my heart, my mind and my spirit to the deep truths in your word. In Jesus name, amen. 
Faith Comes By Hearing The Message
 
Message:  Limit your exposure to the thoughts, attitudes and ambitions of the world around you and open your heart, your mind and your spirit to hear the word of God as you expose yourself to its truths.
 
Affirmation:   By limiting my exposure to this world and expanding my exposure to God’s word my faith is increasing.
 
Reflection: Can a person have faith without knowledge? What about blind faith? Is there such a thing? Give some careful thought to how you might increase your faith and how you can protect yourself from being influenced by the world system.
 
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