Christian Walk with God | Christian Ministry Training Blog

It’s a Walk

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Walking the Walk Devotionals — (Click on image for devotionals about Walking the Walk.)

Scripture describes the relationship people have with God as a walk:

From the beginning, Genesis mentions specific people as having walked with God. (Gen. 5:22; 6:9; 48:15)
Jesus invites us to follow Him, to walk in His footsteps. (1 Pet. 2:21)
We are commanded to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16)
We are implored to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called” (Eph. 4:1, NASB).

What makes the Christian Life a Walk?

When we stop to think about what’s required in order to physically walk, we can draw some parallels to the Christian life.

1) It’s a process.

Walking requires that we put one foot in front of the other. Likewise, spiritual growth is a process, not an instantaneous event.

2) It’s a process requiring balance.

When babies begin learning to walk, they struggle with the balance needed to stay upright. They often fall and need to get up and try again. Similarly, spiritual infants find balance as they take those steps toward Christ who will keep picking them up as they learn to walk in Him.

3) It’s a process that requires movement in addition to maintaining balance.

While we can walk in place, most walking involves moving forward, making steady progress, as we go from one destination to another. Spiritual maturity only happens as we keep growing. To stand still is to become lethargic and sluggish in the Christian life.

4) It’s a process requiring faith to maintain balance while we move.

When we walk we lift one foot off the ground, keeping our balance on the other foot, trusting that the other foot will hold us upright. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God but also to truly walk the walk (Heb. 11).

5) It’s a process requiring communication from the head, our brain.

Our brains control how our bodies function, relaying messages to our legs through our central nervous system. A blockage of some sort can affect the way we walk. Unless we, as believers, yield to the Head, Jesus Christ, our Christian walk will never be what it should, or could, be.

For some, the process of walking in a manner worthy of our Lord, is a struggle. We’ll look at that in the next post.

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Because God is . . .

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

What determines your character and behavior?

We can be a certain way and do certain things for pragmatic reasons … to get what we want in life, to advance, or achieve. We can be a certain way and do certain things for people-pleasing reasons … to gain people’s approval and acceptance.

These reasons cause us to react and respond relative to our circumstances. We might find ourselves justifying the means to get to the end. Who we are in public may differ from who we are at home or in private.

Start with “Because God is …”

When, however, we start with “Because God is …. I will ….”, we maintain a consistency and integrity throughout the whole of our lives. We don’t do something just because it works but because it’s right. We’re more concerned about what God thinks than what people think.

God Is ... His Character

When we use the character of God as our standard for who we are and what we do, we live in accordance with Romans 12:1-2.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Examples of “Because God is …”

The commands of Scripture are rooted in the character of God. Hence,

Because God is faithful, I will fulfill commitments.

Because God is good, I will be kind and share with others.

Because God is holy, I will do what is right even when it’s not convenient or comfortable.

You’ll find more examples of “Because God is … I will …” in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which lists attributes of God using the alphabet.

A prayer for all of us:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Eph. 1:17)

Sharing God’s Message of Salvation?

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

When we comprehend how central the Gospel is to God’s eternal plan, we will understand the importance of evangelizing the world around us. We will want to share God’s message of salvation with others.

Sharing God’s Message of Salvation Because of:

God’s Eternal Purpose

God’s purpose from the beginning of time was to send Jesus to reconcile the world to Himself to bring people into a relationship with Himself. (2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 3:11)

How can we not join Him in such an important mission as His ambassadors? (2 Cor. 5:19-20)

God’s High Motivation

God’s motivation in sending Jesus was unconditional love exhibited by His grace and mercy. (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)

How can we not be compelled by such love to share Jesus with others so they too can know Him? (2 Cor. 5:14)

God’s Longing Heart

God’s heart is one that desires for all men to be saved and rejoices when even one person is found in Him. (Lk. 15:1-32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9)

How can we not want to be a part of His mission by reflecting His heart to the world around us? (Jn. 17:25-26)

God’s Authoritative Commission

God’s commission is for His people to be witnesses, making disciples of all nations. (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20)

How can we not obey His command to evangelize the world around us if we love Him, the One who has done so much for us? (1 Jn. 5:3-4)

God’s Unlimited Power

God’s power to save is exhibited in the Gospel. Through Jesus sinful people are made right with a holy God. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18) We cannot do enough good to secure our salvation but with God, all things are possible. (Matt. 19:17-26)

How can we not let go of our inhibitions and boldly proclaim Jesus as God’s solution to the sin problem if our confidence is in His power to save rather than our abilities? (Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16)

The Evangelizing the World Around Me Discussion Guides will help your group grab hold of this important mission of sharing the Gospel, God’s message of salvation, with those around you.

Jesus’ Own Words About Trouble in This World

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Jesus not only speaks about trouble in this world but also presents hope for both the future and for right now. Let’s take a look at what Jesus said.

Jesus presents a realistic view of trouble.

He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” (Jn. 16:33)

Jesus told the Father, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (Jn. 17:15)

Jesus presents hope in the midst of trouble that should minister to our inner being.

He said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

He also said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)

Jesus presents a better future that should affect how we handle trouble today in this world.

He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:1-2)

Praise God a better day is coming!

Order the Heaven Sounds Good About Now Discussion Guide for personal study, your small group, or adult Sunday School class. These studies challenge us to live NOW like we really believe what Jesus said. When we do, though trouble surrounds us, it can be well in our souls. Why? Because we are trusting in Him. Heaven is more than a future home! It is a hope that affects us now, in our present reality!

Heaven does sound good about now!

Click on the links below to go to resources on types of trouble we may face in this world:

Crime & Violence
Natural Disasters
Persecution
Sickness & Disease
Terrorism
War

Effective & Productive?

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Who doesn’t want to make a difference now and for eternity? But, how does God identify effectiveness and productivity? As believers we must get beyond the world’s standards, defining our ultimate purpose and reaching our greatest potential in and according to Him.

The Potential for Being Effective & Productive

2 Peter 1:5-7 lists important traits for followers of Jesus — faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection (brotherly kindness), and finally love (agape, divine love). Verse 8 goes on to state that “if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Effective & Productive Lives

Note how all these qualities culminate in love. As believers we have the potential of living effective and productive lives by loving as God loves. In identifying love as the Greatest Commandment, Jesus set up love for the Lord and others as the ultimate purpose in life. He said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40). When we love, we are doing the greatest thing we could ever do and exhibiting the greatest character trait we could ever possess. In 1 Peter 4:8 we’re exhorted, “Above all, love.” Certainly then, when we love as He loves, we’re reaching our potential in Him.

The Process Leading to Effectiveness & Productivity

We don’t get saved one day and wake up the next filled and overflowing with God’s love. According to 2 Peter 1:5-8, reaching our potential to love as God loves, requires certain traits being built into our lives with love being the ultimate. We must “make every effort” to keep progressing toward this ultimate purpose. When the Apostle Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil. 3:12), he was acknowledging that reaching our potential in Him isn’t automatic. It’s a journey, an ongoing growth process.

The Problem that Halts the Growth Process

Notice how perseverance sits in the middle of the traits listed in 2 Peter 1:5-8. If we don’t persevere, we won’t make it to love. And, without love, all our efforts are meaningless, hallow, just noise. And, we “gain nothing” without love according to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

If we don’t keep increasing and progressing in the growth process, we won’t reach God’s ultimate for our lives. — “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:8) Believers who do not possess these qualities are “nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins” (2 Pet. 1:9).

The Plan for Persevering

To persevere, we need focus, not on a process but rather on a Person. Jesus provided the ultimate expression of love in dying on the cross for us. — “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn. 15:13). We mustn’t forget what Jesus did in order for us to be cleansed from our sins. We must “fix our eyes on Jesus” so that we can “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1-2). He went before us, setting an example for us to follow.

The Power to Live Effective & Productive Lives

Fixing our eyes on Jesus must be more than looking at or following His example. We don’t have it within ourselves to love as He loves. How, then, can we ever live effective and productive lives? We must look at Jesus not only as our Standard but also as our power Source. Jesus Himself said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). As a branch pulls on the sustenance and strength of the vine, so we must look to Jesus if we have any hope of living life with purpose and making an eternal difference.

How appropriate that within the context of the verses we’ve been looking at in 2 Peter 1, we find verse 3. — “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Resources:

The Church Purpose Ministry Manual could be a starting point for leaders and leadership teams to work through living life with purpose as a church in order to make a greater difference.

As church leaders model this in the decisions and ministry of the church, you are then ready to teach the congregation. The Living Life with Purpose Curriculum will help adults in your church reach their potential in loving God and loving people in all aspects of their lives.

Help for When We Hurt

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

In times of pain and loss, we most need comfort, peace, and hope. Yes, we might want tangible help, healing, and restoration but that doesn’t always happen right away. We need that which will help us walk through the valleys of life no matter how long it might take.

Check out the Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts Devotional for thirty devotions from Psalm 23 pointing to the Lord as your Shepherd who provides what you need to make it through even the shadow of death.

Sources of Help for When We Hurt

We can try to pull ourselves together but sometimes we are so emotionally wrung out, mentally exhausted, or physically depleted that we have little reserve to pull on. Perspective can become skewed when we hurt and we could lose all sense of hope.

We can wait for our circumstances to change but sometimes life gets worse rather than better or the change isn’t as we thought it should be. Prospects of a better life can allude us and so we become more anxious rather than finding a sense of peace and contentment.

We can expect other people to come to our rescue but sometimes they seem blind to our pain or fail to consistently show the compassion and understanding we need. Problems can be compounded by additional hurts from people we thought would be there for us and so we lack any sense of comfort.

Ultimate Source of Help for When We Hurt

We can’t rely on self, circumstances, or others. But, there is One who can give us what we truly need when we hurt — God, who is the God of all comfort, peace, and hope.

God of Comfort:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Even when we find comfort from other people, it’s because of God. He is the ultimate source of comfort. God designed the Body of Christ to be there for one another in both the ups and downs of life, the joys and the sorrows. But, the Church is composed of imperfect human beings incapable of consistently showing unfailing love and compassion. Only God can be counted on at all times and in all circumstances. Let Him use other people through your grief and pain, but put your trust and ultimate reliance in Him for the comfort you need.

God of Peace:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-9)

We can’t dwell on our negative circumstances and expect to have peace. We won’t feel good when we dwell on the bad. When, however, we turn to the Lord who is good and works for our good, we can find rest for our souls in Him even when circumstances remain unchanged for He is the God of peace.

God of Hope:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

When we come to the realization that we can’t fix what’s wrong in this world, albeit even in our own lives, but that there is Someone who can and will one day right the wrongs, we can experience hope. We can believe God’s good purposes will prevail no matter what happens.

Persevering in our suffering lets us experience God in a way we otherwise would not know. It puts us in touch with the God of all comfort, peace, and hope — who is sufficient to help us when we hurt.