Category Archives: Christian Walk with God

The Christian walk with God the Father, made possible due to Jesus’ death on the cross, is a love relationship resulting in Christ-like character and ways.

Where to Find Guidance

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We all need help to be wise and discerning. We all need guidance to be victorious. Getting guidance is biblical.

The Wise and Discerning Find GuidanceLet the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Prov. 1:5)

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. (Prov. 11:14)

Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. (Prov. 20:18)

For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. (Prov. 24:6)

God-Established Means to Guide Us

In a previous post we noted that it only makes sense to turn to God first for guidance. That, however, doesn’t mean we can never look elsewhere for guidance. What we must learn, however, is that they must be God-established means for wisdom and discernment such as the following:

  1. Instruction of God’s Word – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Ps. 119:105)

If we need guidance, the best place to begin is by taking heed to what God has already made clear in His Word.

  1. Integrity in Our Heart – The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Prov. 11:3)

When we focus on who we should be in Christ, we will tend to do what we should do. We will be guided by His righteousness and truth.

  1. Advice of Other People – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Prov. 15:22)

We must be cautioned, however, that not everyone will prove to be a good source of guidance. Some could lead us astray. These are people who don’t practice what they teach others to do (Rom. 2:19-21). They may even have worse problems than us yet act like they have it altogether so we trust them (Matt. 23:24). Jesus said, “Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:14)

The Bottom Line in Seeking Guidance

We should seek God first with all of our heart . If still unsure about what to do, we might ask other believers who are wise and filled with integrity for help sorting things out. However, we must always weigh what they say against God and His Word. God’s ways will never violate His righteous character and the truth of His Word.

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Guidance for the Specifics?

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As Christians we may seek guidance to know God’s will for specifics in our lives. While that may be important, let’s also look at the bigger picture of where God wants to guide us:

in paths of righteousness (Ps. 23:3)
in His truth (Ps. 25:5)
in what is right (Ps. 25:9)

When led in the above directions, the particulars often fall into place.

God Leads Us in Paths of Righteousness and Truth Because of Who He Is

Want Guidance for the Specifics? Remember God Guides the Humble

God’s ways are always right and best, higher than ours (Isa. 55:11), because He is righteous and true. It therefore only makes sense that we line up with Him and His ways. When we cooperate with Him, we can’t go wrong in life. When we fail to follow His ways, somehow thinking we know better, we’re heading down the path of destruction (Prov. 14:12). But, the Lord “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Ps. 25:8-10)

The best thing we can do to get guidance in the specifics of our lives is to seek God first. Get to know Him better. When we make Him the priority in our lives rather than our accomplishments, careers, or even ministry, everything else tends to make more sense. — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)

Why We Struggle to Accept Where God’s Guidance in the Specifics May Take Us

Sometimes we just need to head down the path of righteousness and truth and trust God for the rest. Think of Abram of the Old Testament. God told Him to leave His country and family for the unknown and God would bless him and all the peoples of the earth through him. Abram knew God enough to trust Him, so he “went, as the LORD had told him” (Gen. 12:1-4).

We may struggle to follow the paths of His righteousness and truth without some kind of sign, or tangible demonstration that something is of God. We do read of people in the Bible asking for a fleece and God responding. Yet, we can almost hear the disappointment in Jesus’ words, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, … you will never believe.” (Jn. 4:48). How much better it is to believe without God having to prove Himself as seen in Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 20:29. — “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Perhaps our struggle, however, is more than insecurities, doubts, and fears. Maybe we fail to turn to Him first for guidance because we don’t want to take the higher road in certain situations. We somehow think we’d better off doing life our own way. We simply may not want to do what we think He’s going to ask of us. Or, we may have sin in our lives that we’re not ready to let go.

Maybe it’s time to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24).

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Facing Issues?

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We can face all sorts of issues at work, church, and in the home. Some may be the consequences of our own choices while other issues may be the result of what someone else did. Nonetheless, we may have to deal with the fallout, which can still be stressful and anxiety producing.

What to Do When Facing Issues

Cast All Anxiety on Him When Facing Issues
Let’s remember God’s ability and desire to help us and turn to Him first and foremost.

Here’s the reason:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7)

Notice the results when taking our issues to the Lord:

1) We find peace in the midst of our circumstances.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. (Phil. 4:6-7)

2) He makes a way for us to navigate whatever we’re facing.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

An Approach to Working Through Issues

The approach taken in a training resource for Bible teachers facing specific discipline issues could be helpful for other kinds of situations as well. For each of the 56 issues covered in that resource, teachers look at the challenge, cause, corrective and circumventive measures. Read on and you’ll see how this approach could apply to other types of issues. Remember to first and foremost turn to the Lord. Note how He needs to be part of each step to experience the above-mentioned results.

Challenge: What is really happening and what effects is it having?

This is a good starting point. We must be real. We can’t live in denial. Neither should we obsess or exaggerate what’s happening. Rather, let’s lay it out before the Lord, much like King Hezekiah did upon receiving a threatening letter from the enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19). Philippians 4:6-7 says “in everything” to present our requests to the Lord. That implies we get specific in laying it out before the Lord. ‘Here’s what’s happening. Here are the effects it’s having. We / I need your help, Lord.’

Cause: What brought on this issue?

Understanding why something has become an issue can help us know how to resolve it. As we lay out the issue before the Lord, we ask Him to show us what part we might have in the situation and what we should do about it. We can pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

Corrective Measure: Based on the cause, what steps should be taken?

We can’t merely sit around analyzing the situation. We must act before the problem worsens, but it needs to be the right steps. More problems have escalated out of control in the church, home, and workplace because the wrong corrective measures were taken. Though possibly filled with good intentions, people misunderstood the real issue or assumed they knew. Let’s be sure to ask God for help understanding. We have two means of obtaining the wisdom we need: 1) God’s Word because it “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); 2) Prayer because we have the promise that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all” (James 1:5)

Circumventive Measure: How might this issue be prevented from becoming a problem?

Learning from what has happened helps prevent it from happening again. We should want to get beyond merely applying a temporary fix. Think of Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery. He extended forgiveness but also told her to “go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11).

Obviously many issues require more than a straight line or 1-2-3-4 step approach. Application of the verses with which this post began must infiltrate every phase of working through issues. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He’ll give us peace as He straightens our path. Let’s not overestimate our own abilities to deal with life.

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Responding to God’s Word Only Makes Sense

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Skimming through Psalm 119, we find many different kinds of responses to God’s Word that make sense only if we grasp these truths:

Respond to God’s Word with Our Whole Being

Responding to the Word Only Makes Sense Since it Lights Our Way
The psalmist understood the importance and power of Scripture. He therefore responded with the whole of his being as seen in the following references.

MIND:

look upon (Ps. 119:6)
meditate on (Ps. 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148)
regard (Ps. 119:15, 117)
remember / not forget (Ps. 119:16, 52, 61, 83, 93, 109, 141, 153, 176)
behold (Ps. 119:18)
place before me (Ps. 119:30)
learn (Ps. 119:7, 71, 73)
know (Ps. 119:79, 125, 152)
consider (Ps. 119:95)

HEART:

treasure (Ps. 119:11)
rejoice in/at (Ps. 119:14,162)
delight in (Ps. 119:16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174)
cling to (Ps. 119:31)
trust in (Ps. 119:42)
wait for (Ps. 119:43, 74, 81, 114, 147)
seek (Ps. 119:45)
love (Ps. 119:47-48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 159, 163, 165, 167)
lift up my hands to … shows that we honor or exalt it (Ps. 119:48)
hope (Ps. 119:49)
believe in (Ps. 119:66)
incline to (Ps. 119:36, 112)
fear (Ps. 119:120)
esteem right (Ps. 119:128)
stand in awe of (Ps. 119:161
praise (Ps. 119:164, 171, 175)

WILL:

run the way of (Ps. 119:32)
not turn aside from (Ps. 119:51, 102, 157)
turn my feet to (Ps. 119:59)
not forsake (Ps. 119:87)
not go astray from (Ps. 119:110)
choose (Ps. 119:30, 173)

MOUTH:

tell of (Ps. 119:13)
give thanks (Ps. 119:7, 62)
praise (Ps. 119:164, 171, 175)
sing of (Ps. 119:172)

ACTION:

walk in (Ps. 119:1, 35)
observe (Ps. 119:2, 22, 33, 34, 56, 69, 100, 115, 129, 145)
keep (Ps. 119:4-5, 8, 17, 34, 44, 55, 57, 60, 63, 67, 88, 101, 106, 134, 146, 167-168)
incline heart to perform (Ps. 119:36)
do (Ps. 119:166)

When we truly grasp the significance of God’s Word, we respond both internally and externally.

Observations about Responding to God’s Word based on Psalm 119

Look above under the list of how the psalmist responded in ways associated with his mind. He referenced meditating on and remembering (not forgetting) the most. — If we don’t keep the Word ever before us, we will find it too easy to forget its benefits and lose out on its power in our lives.

Under the list of heart responses, delighting in and loving it occur many more times. — If we don’t delight in or love His Word, we will undoubtedly fail to respond in the other ways, like trusting and obeying it.

Notice the large number of occurrences under the action list of observing and keeping. Both of those words signify watching over or guarding much like they would have kept watch over a vineyard or flock. — If we don’t consistently trust God to use His Word, we will likely let down our guard and not reap the benefits of His Word.

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Since God is True to His Word, Then . . .

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God always was and always will be true to His Word
Read through Scripture and you’ll find a faithful God who is capable of keeping His Word. God always was and always will be true to His Word for “the Word of our God endures forever” (Isa. 40:8).

How God is Faithful to His Word

God responds in accordance with His Word as He accomplishes His purposes. The Psalmist therefore prayed …

Remember the word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. (Ps. 119:49)

My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. (Ps. 119:28)

Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. (Ps. 119:170)

God makes it possible for us to understand and live by His Word. The Psalmist therefore prayed …

Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. (Ps. 119:18)

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. (Ps. 119:33)

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. (Ps. 119:34)

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. (Ps. 119:35)

Incline my heart to Your testimonies … (Ps. 119:36)

Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You. (Ps. 119:38)

Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. (Ps. 119:133)

Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes continually. (Ps. 119:117)

Since God is True to His Word, What Does That Mean for Us?

Reflect on these implications:

Take God at His Word and pray accordingly. If God establishes a certain way, He will work through it. -— Let’s not disregard God’s ways and purposes just because we can’t see how it will work in our situation.

Interpret circumstances through His Word. God’s provision for us will line up with what He’s already set forth in His Word. — Let’s not expect Him to do something for us that isn’t “according to” His Word.

Trust God to help you, and those you serve, follow His Word. He’s the One who must enlighten us to understand. — Let’s not interpret Scripture based on our own understanding and preferences.

We follow the Word because “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16). The Author is always dependable and always true so we can count on His Word to be the same.

 

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God’s Word Benefits Us Today

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God's Word Benefits Us Today
Some may question the relevance of a Book written long ago for us today. The Bible claims to be a useful tool to not only show us the way for eternal salvation but also to equip us to navigate life (2 Tim. 3:15-17). Read through Psalm 119 to see some specific ways Scripture benefits us as a source of power for our good. God’s Word provides so much of what we need for our everyday living and ministry.

How the Word Benefits Us According to Psalm 119

Here’s a list of what Scripture does for us from Psalm 119:

keeps our ways pure (Ps. 119:9)
prevents us from sinning (Ps. 119:11)
counsels us (Ps. 119:24)
enlarges our heart (Ps. 119:32)
produces reverence for God (Ps. 119:38)
revives us (Ps. 119:50)
provides comfort (Ps. 119:50, 52, 76)
helps us stand in affliction (Ps. 119:92)
makes us wise (Ps. 119:98)
gives us insight and understanding (Ps. 119:99, 100, 104)
lights our way (Ps. 119:105, 130)
sustains us (Ps. 119:116)
provides great peace (Ps. 119:165)
keeps us from stumbling (Ps. 119:165)
helps us (Ps. 119:175)

Who doesn’t need the above benefits today? The Word provides just what we need, when we need it. Even the same familiar passage can minister to us in different ways at different times. Why? — Because God, who is faithful and true, powerfully works through His Word.

Responding to the Relevant Power of God’s Word

When we understand all God’s Word does for us, we will exclaim, with the psalmist:

Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors. (Ps. 119:24)

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Ps. 119:103)

I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. (Ps. 119:111)

Need Help on Where to Begin? Go To: New to Bible Bible Reading Discipleship Tool

Want Other Resources to Help Study the Word? Go To: Resources for Bible Study

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