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Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

11/30/2020

The Cost Of Service

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” - Acts 21:13

Some time back I clipped an article from the newspaper that told the story of a young woman, Karen Watson, who had gone to Iraq to serve as a missionary. While there she was killed when her car was ambushed by insurgents. Here is a paragraph from the article:
Watson, 38, was aware of the danger. In a letter to her pastor that was meant to be opened in the event of her death, she wrote: “To obey is my objective. To suffer is expected. His glory will be my reward.”

The apostle Paul could not have said it better, and he did say, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul, like Karen Watson, had a vision of a higher calling. A person cannot deny himself until he gets a vision of a higher calling – and that is to be the norm for believers.

These servants of God discovered that once committed to the Lordship of Christ there is no returning to the lordship of self.
We must live with the realization that our old way is dead and buried. Our life is now hidden in Christ.

Prayer: Lord, I am challenged today to live as Karen Watson:” To obey is my objective. To suffer is expected. His Glory will be my reward.” Grant me the grace to live it out. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: The apostle Paul had a vision that was beyond hope in this life alone. That vision caused him to deny himself, endure persecution, and look toward eternity. A person cannot deny himself until he gets a vision of a higher calling – and that is to be the norm for believers.

Affirmation: I am committed, like Paul, am I am willing to endure all that I must go through in order to fulfill His purposes for me.

Reflection: Countless men and women have given all so that we could have the privilege to be participants in the abundant life of the kingdom of God. Are you willing to commit unreservedly to the kingdom?

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Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

11/28/2020

The Cost Of Sacrifice

The king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”- 2 Samuel 24:24

David had sinned and as a result a terrible judgment had come upon Israel. An angel of death had been sent to bring judgment upon the people for David’s sin. Finally David cried out, “Enough! Withdraw your hand. I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. Let your hand fall upon me.”

In answer the Lord told David to make a sacrifice at the place where the plague stopped. It was land owned by Araunah. David offered to buy the land and Araunah wanted to donate it. David responded to Araunah with these words; “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

The price paid for his sin was great and David could not make a flippant offer to the Lord that had not cost him something. My friend, the price for our sin was greater yet, and there is no price that can be placed on our salvation – but it will cost us everything.
Offering to the Lord what cost us nothing is disrespecting the price he paid for us. We too often emphasize the free gift of salvation and as a result those who claim it have not realized its cost. Easy believism produces easy living Christians.

Jesus said, “If a person will be my disciple he must deny himself”(Matthew 16:24). Sacrificing our will is the cost of this faith walk. What has your walk cost you?

Prayer: Lord, help me to fully realize the price that was paid for my salvation and give me the grace to give back to you all that I am and ever hope to be. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: Offering to the Lord what cost us nothing is disrespecting the price he paid for us. We too often emphasize the free gift of salvation and as a result those who claim it have not realized its cost. Easy believism produces easy living Christians.

Affirmation: I am committed to paying the price of self-sacrifice so that I might continue in peace with God.

Reflection: Why do you think David would not accept the land as a donation? What do you feel God expects us to give to him as a sacrifice? What was Jesus talking about when he said that his followers must deny themselves?

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Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

11/20/2020

Protect God’s Investment In You

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

In verse 12 Paul tells us that God is able to guard what we have committed to him. In these verses he is telling us that we are to guard what God has entrusted to us. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the trust God has placed in us.

The gospel of redemption from the effects of sin through faith in the sacrifice of Christ has been entrusted to us. We have been taught good doctrine and we must hold on to that truth.

Patterns of sound teaching produce faith and love in Christ Jesus. If we do not hold to these patterns of sound teaching our faith will grow weak and our love will grow cold. God has made an investment in us and it is our responsibility to guard his investment.

The Lord, however, did not leave us to guard this message all by ourselves. He has given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, to help us with this task. As we grow in grace and understanding we are to be careful to guard this precious message.

One of the best ways to preserve the message of God’s grace is to distribute it freely. Remember, you have trusted him with your hope for eternity, and he has trusted you with the gospel of Christ. Are you using His investment wisely? Think about it.

Prayer: There are times Lord when I want to believe an easier message, but I know there is only one true way to reach you. Grant me the grace to stay faithful to sound teaching. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: The gospel of redemption from the effects of sin through faith in the sacrifice of Christ has been entrusted to us. We have been taught good doctrine and we must hold on to that truth. God has made an investment in us and it is our responsibility to guard and share his investment.

Affirmation: God has trusted me with the gospel; I will invest this message with others and trust that they will in turn share the message.

Reflection: Do you feel you have a responsibility to see that the gospel is given to others? Can you see God’s investment in you? Give some thought to how your life is a representation to the world of God’s grace.

November 19th, 2020

11/19/2020

Our Stuff Is Safe With Him

I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. - 2 Timothy 1:12

Paul is instructing Timothy about being bold to tell others of the grace that has been given to him. In this verse he is affirming a great confidence in God to guard what he has entrusted to him. He is not ashamed of the fact that he has placed his hope of eternity in the one who cannot be seen with natural eyes.

It is not embarrassing to trust God because we know he will guard what we have committed to him in the hope of an eternal reward. Even though others can’t see it and many don’t understand it, we know that he who has made the promise is faithful.

Paul makes an interesting statement in this passage; “He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” He had arrived at the place where he knew that there is no hope in this world and his citizenship was secure in the next world. His confidence was that God will guard his investment.

We have invested our life in eternity and we are waiting for the day of redemption. In another place it is written, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). It is this sure knowledge that God is guarding our investment that gives us hope for the future day of redemption.

Prayer: Lord, I am grateful that I heard the message of hope and invested myself in it. Grant me the full assurance of eternal redemption as I walk in the confidence that you will guard my investment. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: It is not embarrassing to trust God because we know he will guard what we have committed to him in the hope of an eternal reward. Even though others can’t see it and many don’t understand it, we know that he who has made the promise is faithful.

Affirmation: I am not ashamed, but I have boldly surrendered my life as an investment in things of eternal value.

Reflection: What was Paul telling Timothy he had entrusted to God for a future time? Should we make the same kind of investment today? If so, what would that look like for you?

Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

11/18/2020

God Has Treasures Of Goodness

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. - Psalm 31:19

In Malachi there is a promise regarding the tithe. As a test of trusting, or fearing God, the Lord says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10).

This is not a lesson on tithing, but it is a lesson on God’s provision. His promises reveal that God has laid in store treasures of blessings that he is holding in preparation for the day when people will trust him and take refuge in his promises.

God has stored up many good things for those who fear him. When we love him we will trust him. When we trust him we will obey him and when we obey him we turn the key that unlocks the windows of heaven so that he can bless us abundantly.

There are many who fear the Lord and the only thing others see is the blessing the Lord gives them. God will bless openly those who trust him privately. The depth of our faith is not always evident to others, but it does not go unnoticed by God.

God will reward before men those who take refuge in him and trust his ability rather than their own. The world does not know how we trust him, but they can see his hand of blessing upon us.

Prayer: Lord, I know you have treasures in heaven, but grant me the confidence that you have made those treasures available to me as I walk in faith and trust you. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: His promises reveal that God has laid in store treasures of blessings that he is holding in preparation for the day when people will trust him and take refuge in his promises. Trust Him, follow His direction, and He will bless you abundantly.

Affirmation: I trust the Lord and His word. I know He will bless me as I obey Him.

Reflection: I challenge you to take some time and list every need you have. It may be physical, it could be financial, or relationship. Whatever your need, write it down. Then find Scripture where God is promising to meet that particular need. Memorize and meditate upon those Scriptures.

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Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

11/17/2020

The Eternal God Is Your Refuge

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you. - Deuteronomy 33:27

The Lord never promised that there would not be any storms in our life, but he has promised that we can be sheltered from the storm. In times of trouble the eternal God is our everlasting refuge. Whatever our trouble he will always be there for us.

When I think of the hope in this passage I get a picture of a small child running into his father’s arms crying, “Daddy, daddy, help me,” and the father picking up his young one with the promise, “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.”

In the middle of our darkest trials, when there seems no hope he wraps us in his love and promises, “You’re safe now.” When we have gone through a great loss his comforting love surrounds us with the promise, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.” When we are sick with a sickness that seems unto death he strengthens us with his embrace as he promises, “Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will go with you.”

When we surrender our life to Christ we become hidden in him as if we had found a secret shelter in a storm. It is then, when we are hidden in Christ, that he will drive away our enemies. Our hope is in the promise that he will always be there for us. When trials come just run to Daddy cry, "Help me!"

Prayer: Lord, grant me the confidence to surrender myself to your care and protection, especially when I am in great distress over my circumstances. Drive away from me the enemy of my soul. In Jesus name, amen.

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The Daily God Walk Promises: The Church – His Fullness Manifest

11/16/2020

To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge for the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:12-13

Of all the mysteries of God it is this one that is the most challenging to accept. We accept that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, but it is difficult for us to grasp the full magnitude of the mature church being the fullness of Christ in the earth today.

With that being said, the absolute truth is this: We are the body of Christ today; we are his hands; we are his feet; we are his tongue. God has no hands but ours to serve him; no feet but ours to follow him; no tongue but ours to declare him to the world.

God had a purpose in becoming a man who was destined to die, be buried and to be raised again. His purpose was to reconcile the world to himself through Christ. The work of Christ is not complete without his body, the church, maturing to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Christ is still in the world today. He is in his body, the church. And his purpose is still the same – to reconcile the world to himself. It is through doing the works of service mentioned in this passage that we do the work of spreading the gospel that is the power of God to reconcile men to himself.

Remember: you are his hands, his feet, and his tongue.
Prayer: Help me Lord, to become mature as a believer and as the Christ on earth today. Grant me the grace to fulfill your purpose of reconciling men to yourself. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: It is difficult for us to grasp the full magnitude of the mature church being the fullness of Christ in the earth today. The work of Christ is not complete without his body, the church, maturing to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Affirmation: I am called to be an ambassador of the Christ message. I purpose to represent him well.

Reflection: Consider that followers of Christ are actually His body on earth today. What would it look like if we actually attained to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ as this passage declares?

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Restore Your Brother

11/13/2020

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2

Two issues are being addressed in this short passage. The first is our attitude toward others who are struggling and the second is about guarding our own hearts so that we do not stumble.

The way we respond to another who is struggling will be a factor in how we are affected by their failure. We are instructed to, “restore him gently.” To restore one gently we must have the goal of restoration rather than rebuke.

Our focus must be on the one being restored rather than focusing on the sin he has committed. When we do focus on the brother and his needs we will deal gently with him and patiently restore him. When we focus on the sin we open ourselves to be influenced by the sin.

I have been the victim of my own sinful folly and it was the loving restoration of people who had my interest at heart that helped me to be restored from my failure. That experience many years ago has helped me to be more loving and gentle with others who are struggling with failure.

Focus on the brother (or sister) – they will be restored and you will not be influenced by the sin. Choose to look beyond the sin and see the need for restoration.

Prayer: Lord, give me a heart that is firm in righteousness and gentle in restoring my brothers who have stumbled in their walk. Give me wisdom to discern how to gently restore. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: Our focus must be on the one being restored rather than focusing on the sin he has committed. Focus on the brother (or sister) – they will be restored and you will not be influenced by the sin. Choose to look beyond the sin and see the need for restoration.

Affirmation: I will gently work to restore my fellow believer who has fallen. I will be careful that I do not fall into the same behavior.

Reflection: Give some thought to the two ideas that are presented here: Restoring the fallen and guarding our own spirit. Consider what it means to “restore him gently.” And consider what must be done to guard against falling into the same temptation.

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Walking In The Light

11/11/2020

Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
- Proverbs 4:18-19

If the righteous walked in the dark their fate would be like the wicked who stumble. But God lights our path as the Sun lights the earth. We can choose to walk in the darkness of the night or we can choose to wait for the early morning light of the Lord.

The reason believers do not stumble is not because they are righteous, though they are, but because the Lord lights their path. Because their path is lit they can safely walk out their journey of faith.

The wicked stumble because they do not have the light shining on their path. The contrast here is that when we are on a journey of faith God will give us a guiding light, but when we are going our own way we can only expect what we can provide ourselves, which is very little in this dark world.

I find it very interesting that so many people stumble in the darkness, going from one bad situation to another, blaming others, and even God for their misfortune; and all the time God is saying, “Come to the light.”

God is light, and in him is no darkness…Walk in the light, as he is in the light (1 John 1:5-7). We who are in Christ are given the gift of light. As we walk in the light we will not stumble.

Stay in the light and you will not stumble.

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to walk in the path that you have lighted for me and to avoid going after my own way and stumbling in the darkness. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: The wicked stumble because they do not have the light shining on their path. The contrast here is that when we are on a journey of faith God will give us a guiding light, but when we are going our own way we can only expect what we can provide ourselves, which is very little in this dark world.

Affirmation: I walk with Christ because He is the light – and in Him is no darkness.

Reflection: What is the darkness? What does it look like in a practical application? Give some thought to the contrast between walking in the dark and walking in the light.

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He Will Rescue Us

11/10/2020

Daily God Walk - Promises Volume 11 - Day 10

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. - Psalm 68:19

Much of David’s young life was spent in hiding from king Saul who wanted to kill him. He would hide in the mountains and in caves. Often, he seemed close to death and his burdens became heavy.
In these verses David is lamenting that when his burden was heavy, and he was facing certain death, his Lord, who was always faithful, gave him a way of escape.

A unique factor in David’s circumstances is that he was anointed king, and God had already withheld his blessing from Saul because of his disobedience. So, why didn’t David just take the throne? It wasn’t because he didn’t have support, for the people loved him and wanted him as king.
So, what was his problem? David was a man of prayer and spiritual understanding and God had not released him to assume the throne.

It was because David was listening to God and not his own ambition that he was often in hiding for his life. He was in bad circumstances because he was obeying God and God was protecting him.

God has not promised us that we will not have hard times when we follow him, but he has promised that he will guide us through and give us a way of escape. Follow him, he’ll lead you to safety.

Prayer: OK Lord. I’ll quit complaining about my circumstances and start trusting you to guide me through. Grant me the faith to walk in obedience. In Jesus name, amen.

Message: It was David’s faith in the promises of God which gave him the strength to endure hardship. God has not promised us that we will not have hard times when we follow him, but he has promised that he will guide us through and give us a way of escape.

Affirmation: I trust God through the hard times because He is faithful to His promises.

Reflection: Reflect on the life of David, particularly the time when he knew he was to be king, but he ran from king Saul rather than fight for the kingdom. Why do you think he had that attitude?

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Paul Smith: Husband, Grandfather, father, writer, preacher, pastor, servant of God... and hopefully thought of as a Christian.

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