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Sunday

15

March 2020

Soldiers are made in battle

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"God knows that soldiers are to be made only in battle; they are not to be grown in peaceful times." (Charles Spurgeon) | Read more at hopereflected.com

We’re called to active duty

There’s a traditional hymn called “I’m in the Lord’s army,” and the title of the song is lost on many. There is truth in it, however. As Christian soldiers, there are many things warring against us: The world, our flesh, Satan, false teachers, even what Paul called “oppositions of science falsely so called”. So how can we be prepared?

When we enlist in the Lord’s army, we’re called to active duty. Christ Himself commanded us in Matthew 28:18-20, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Go ye therefore! We are called to let our light shine, not to hide our faith under a bushel. Newsflash: This means that we must share the truth in love. How will anyone learn of Christ if they don’t see Him in us? How will anyone learn of Christ if we’re afraid to share the truth?

Be strong and endure

We’re also called to be strong and to endure, and these are two characteristics that we must develop if we’re going to share Christ with others. We need to be prepared, to be questioned, and to be opposed, – check out Christ’s earthly ministry for examples. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:1 that we should “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Two verses later in 2 Timothy 2:3, he encourages us to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” At the same time we’re called to be strong in the grace of our Lord, we are also called to endure hardness. We don’t develop strength unless we endure hardness. We can’t have one without the other.

Always alert and focused

Good soldiers are also always alert and focused. In his first epistle, Peter wrote that Christians should “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). As Christians, we need to be alert at all times. We should not be fearful; rather we should be frequent in our conversations with God. We should not be discouraged; we should be down on our knees in prayer. We should not give up; we should we give our burdens to God. The devil is busy, and he wants to keep us busy with anything but God. We need to stay focused, specifically on Christ. We should constantly be looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “God knows that soldiers are to be made only in battle; they are not to be grown in peaceful times. We may grow the stuff of which soldiers are made; but warriors are really educated by the smell of powder, in the midst of whizzing bullets and roaring cannonades… Is He not developing in you the qualities of the soldier by throwing you into the heat of battle, and should you not use every application to come off conqueror?”

Originally published as “Soldiers are made for battle.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. November 7, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Thursday

16

January 2020

0

COMMENTS

The Importance of Fellowship

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Without Christian fellowship, our faith will falter.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) | The Importance of Christian Fellowship | Read more at hopereflected.com

Our church family email group recently sent out a prayer request for one of our members. Wes and I, along with many others in our church, continue to pray for our friend. It is such an encouragement to have a strong community of believers, who pray for one another and care for one another’s well being.

Christian fellowship is powerful – not because of the people who are part of it – but because of Who we serve.

In Anne Graham Lotz’s book, Jesus in Me, she shares how fellowship directly affects our faith by using the analogy of a burning log that is removed from the fire. When it’s not a part of the fire – eventually, the log stops burning. When a fish is removed from water – eventually, the fish stops breathing. When a star runs out of hydrogen – eventually, the star stops being a star. So it is with us; without Christian fellowship, our faith will falter. We need community.

Christian fellowship is powerful – not because of the people who are part of it – but because of Who we serve.

Beyond fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, our church community is one of the places where we have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of Fellowship of the Ring (from the Lord of the Rings trilogy) once wrote to his son that, “the only cure for sagging or fainting faith is Communion.” Communion itself is the very act of communing with God. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)

A Shared Faith

Fellowship is a shared faith, even in the face of opposition. In 1 Samuel 20, we read about the strength of David and Jonathan’s friendship, which was based on their shared faith. Even in the face of opposition, these two men shared a common bond: “The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.” (1 Sam. 20:42) Fellowship between believers is a friendship that stands the test of time, and also provides an encouragement you won’t find in other earthly relationships. “A friend is someone,” said C.S. Lewis, “who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

The Power of Fellowship

Fellowship also equips us with strength in the midst of suffering. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were persecuted for their faith and thrown into the fire, the very man that put them there said, “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of fire? … I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:24-25) That is the power of fellowship – it’s not just between us as Christians, it’s between us and Christ! We were called into His fellowship! It reminds us that we are not alone.

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?” asked A.W. Tozer. “They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.” Fellowship doesn’t necessarily mean freedom from disagreements – so long as we’re humans there will be no perfect church – but it is something that we are called to in Christ (Phil. 2). We are called to be likeminded, to be of one accord, of one mind. As Psalm 133 begins, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Originally published as “The Importance of Christian Fellowship.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. September 12, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Friday

29

November 2019

0

COMMENTS

Peace is possible

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Peace is one of God’s promises

It’s no wonder we experience anxiety, worry, and insecurity. We have a tendency to focus on ourselves: Our capabilities, our strength, our power. We are quick to forget that we are finite beings. Focusing on ourselves to find security is exactly what leads to our insecurity! Isaiah wrote, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (26:3) Peace is possible when God is our focus. Matthew Henry said that, “Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last only for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in Him, but shall receive from Him, strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever. Let us then acknowledge him in all our ways, and rely on him in all trials.” David wrote in Psalm 112:7-8 that the man whose heart is fixed and established, trusting in the LORD, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.” Peace is not an exemption from the trials of this life, but when God is our focus, peace is possible as we go through the trials of this life.

Peace through prayer

Peace is also possible when God is our go-to and prayer is our first response. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7) Paul wrote these words from prison, and he is proof that peace is possible when prayer is our first response. Oswald Chambers once said “we tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” If we want peace, we have to remember to pray.

Peace because God has the preeminence

Peace is possible because God has the preeminence. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) We spend a lot of time fretting and worrying, which in effect is saying we don’t trust God with the outcome of our problems. When we worry, we’re trying to be in control of the situation, and we often miss out on the peace that comes from remembering that God is in control. He is the Creator of the universe; do you really think that you know better than He does? David wrote in Psalm 139:17-18, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” God will ordain peace for us because it is God Who has wrought all our works in us (Isaiah 26:12).

“God cannot give us a happiness or peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” (C.S. Lewis) Peace is not just possible; it is one of God’s promises. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Originally published as “Peace is possible.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. September 5, 2019: 7. Print. Web.

Monday

23

September 2019

0

COMMENTS

Our walk with God

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Beware the bunny trails

“One road leads home and a thousand roads lead into the wilderness,” C.S. Lewis once said. Recently during a conversation, I commented about getting off topic and going down a “bunny trail,” as I referred to it. How easy it is to veer off course and head down the wrong path, not just in conversation, but in our walk with God as well.

The book of Proverbs is filled with references to pathways and footsteps, walking and ways. The book of Proverbs is widely attributed to Solomon, and each chapter is filled with life hacks that are as relevant to us today as they were a few thousand years ago. “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly,” Solomon wrote, “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.” (Proverbs 2:7-8)

God preserves our way and keeps our feet

A direct reference to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel, Proverbs 2:7-8 is an important reminder that it is God Who preserves our way and keeps our feet. In Proverbs 2:13, Solomon wrote that men “…leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness.” When we get sidetracked from our walk with God, we head straight into darkness. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18-19) Bunny trails on our walk with God can start out innocently enough; in fact, oft times we don’t even know we’re headed down one. In order to stay on the right path, we have to seek after God to preserve our way and keep our feet.

Our walk with God requires action

Our walk with God requires action. We have to receive God’s words, we have to take to heart His commandments, incline our ears to wisdom, apply our hearts and lift our voices up to understanding, cry after knowledge, seek after Him as silver, search after Him as for hid treasure – we have to act to understand the fear of the LORD and to find the knowledge of God. “For the LORD giveth wisdom,” Proverbs 2:6, “out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

We have to keep our focus on God

It seems so easy in theory, until we try to put it into practice. The readying ourselves for work each day, preparing meals, cleaning house, taking care of the yard – there are endless activities that can convolute our time with God and distract our gaze from the Giver to all that we have to give in order to make a life. Wisdom isn’t something we’re born with; wisdom is a gift from God. “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous,” (Proverbs 2:7). To lay up means to give, which suggests that what wisdom any of us have comes from our walk with God. In our walk with God, we have to purposefully beware the bunny trails and keep our focus on Him if we want Him to preserve our way and keep our feet. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Relying on God has to start all over everyday as if nothing has yet been done.”

Originally published as “Our walk with God.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. July 11, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Friday

20

September 2019

0

COMMENTS

Get thyself Wisdom

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." (James 1:5) Wisdom | Read more at hopereflected.com

Wisdom is important as we walk through this life

In the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, after Solomon was anointed king, God asked Solomon what He could give to him. “Give me now wisdom and knowledge,” Solomon responds (2 Chronicles 1:10). God grants Solomon’s request. “Because this was in thine heart, and thou has not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself… Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee.” (2 Chron. 1:11-12)

Solomon went on to author most of the chapters found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs contains many references to wisdom and how important wisdom is as we walk through this life. “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 4:5)

Rely less on your own knowledge

James 1:5 tells us that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” Through quiet times spent in prayer and meditating on God’s Word, wisdom starts with God. The key is that you need to spend time with God in order to gain wisdom. As you read more of God’s Word, and consult Him more in daily prayer, you’ll begin to rely less on your own knowledge and more on God’s will. “There are many device’s in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) As Charles Stanley says, “God will move heaven and earth to show you His will and your obedience to Him will bring greater blessings than your plans could hope to achieve.”

Learn from the godly influence of mature Christians

Wisdom can also be found when you follow the example and learn from the godly influence of mature Christians. An excellent place to start is with your elders. “Is not wisdom found among the aged?” (Job 12:12) Think of the believers in your life who have impacted you through an encouraging word or a strong spiritual example. The Bible is filled with examples of other believers who have lead by example: Joseph in the life of Pharaoh, Elijah in the life of Ahab (Ahab is a great example of what happens when godly wisdom isn’t pursued), Nathan in the life of David, and Jesus in the life of Nicodemus. Look around. You may never know the impact that your testimony has on the lives of those around you.

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”

God’s wisdom looks very different from the world’s wisdom. Our finite minds can never comprehend the infinite Creator of the universe. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are different than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Pursuing after wisdom by spending more time reading your Bible, or quieting your soul in prayer may never make sense to someone who has different priorities. In fact, you may even find in your pursuit to get thyself wisdom that others come into opposition. Don’t be discouraged. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22). God’s foolishness is wiser than men; and His weakness is stronger than man (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Originally published as “Get thyself wisdom.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. July 4, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Monday

12

August 2019

0

COMMENTS

Trusting Christ in Every Circumstance

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living

Because He never changes, we can trust Christ in every circumstance

We can trust Christ in every circumstance because He never changes. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” we read in Malachi 3:6. The writer of Hebrews also encourages us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Nothing on this earth stays the same, things are always changing, and that includes your circumstances and the situations you find yourself living through. Prayer is a big part of trusting God in every circumstance. C.S. Lewis once said that, “prayer doesn’t change God; it changes us.” What a comforting thought to remember. Even when every thing around us seems to be changing, God never does.

We can trust Christ because of His character

Trusting Christ in every circumstance is also possible because of His character. According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” We know from the Bible that God is omniscient (He knows everything), omnipresent (He is always with us), and omnipotent (He is all-powerful), and He is strong, He is trustworthy, He is our fortress, our rock, and our deliverer. In Psalm 18, David calls on God’s attributes for his help, and this is often a portion of Scripture that I recall to mind for encouragement and as a reminder of who God really is. Even in our best moments, our character cannot compare to the character of God.

Finding our confidence in Christ

It’s because of His character that we can be confident in Him, which is another component of trusting Christ in every circumstance. Too often, we rely on our finite understanding when it comes to making decisions and navigating through life. We’d save ourselves so much heartache if we truly learned to live verses like Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When you really stop and consider, it seems silly that we would rest in our own limited understanding when we can trust the Creator of the universe. Psalm 37 encourages us to trust Christ in every circumstance by fretting not, delighting in Him, committing our way to Him, and resting in Him. Psalm 37 also details the results of trusting Christ in every circumstance: “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5) In every circumstance, He shall bring it to pass.

Where is your hope, and where is your confidence? Christ’s grace is sufficient, and His mercy is abundant. What playbook are you following as you walk through this life? As C.S. Lewis said, “There would be no sense in saying you trusted Jesus if you would not take His advice.”

Originally published as “Trusting Christ in Every Circumstance.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. April 25, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Monday

29

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Call unto the Lord

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living

Where are you casting your cares?

From social media to self-help books, we have a tendency to find our comfort and confidence in validation from others. But where should you seek clarity when you’re feeling confounded?

As early as the book of Genesis, the Bible provides several examples and reasons why we should make it a habit to call unto the Lord. In Genesis 26, God blesses Isaac when Isaac purposefully seeks the Lord and calls on Him (26:25).

When and why should we call on the Lord? Whether you call on Him in calm and quiet, or in the midst of a great storm, the Bible provides many answers for and examples of why we should call unto the Lord.

Call unto the Lord when you have questions

We should call unto the Lord when we have questions. In Psalm 4:1, David wrote, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” When you’re confused or when you require clarity, call on the Lord.

Call unto the Lord when you need someone to talk to

We should also call unto the Lord when we need someone to talk to. Better than any earthly advice, being still before the Lord is one of the best ways to learn what a great listener He is, and it’s also an opportunity for us to learn to become better listeners ourselves. “Because He hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live,” wrote David in Psalm 116:2. When you call on the Lord, you’ve got a listening ear for life.

Call unto the Lord when you’re in trouble

Call unto the Lord when you’re in trouble. “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) Call on the Lord when you need forgiveness (Psalm 86:5), when you’re feeling down (Lamentations 3:55), when you need help (2 Sam. 22:4, Psalm 18:3). You can call on the Lord no matter where you are, even from the ends of the earth (Psalm 61:2).

Lest we think it’s all about us, it’s important to remember that calling on the Lord is about more than just our selfish interests. In 1 Chronicles 16:8 and Psalm 105:1, David says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people.” We read again in Isaiah 12:4, “Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.” Calling on the Lord should be done with great reverence and praise.

To whom are you committing your way?

To whom are you committing your way? When we call unto the Lord, He shows us His goodness, His forgiveness, and His abundant lovingkindness (Psalm 86:5); He relieves our distress, shows us grace, and listens to us (Psalm 4:1); He is plenteous in mercy (Psalm 86:15), He saves us from our enemies (Psalm 18:3), rescues us, honors us (Psalm 91:15), and He is good to us. We should always take care to call on the Lord first.

Originally published as “Call unto the Lord.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. April 4, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Monday

22

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Being bold for Christ

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living

In being bold for Christ, our confidence is found in Christ alone, not in ourselves

When the name of Jesus is spoken, do you stand tall or do you shrink back? In your day-to-day life, are you being bold for Christ? Proverbs 28:1 says that, “The righteous are bold as a lion.” If you were to examine even your encounters from today, how would your actions measure up?

Being bold for Christ in trying situations

We are called to be bold for Christ in trying situations. Consider Caleb, who in Numbers 13, found his confidence in God when it came to entering the land of Canaan, despite an entire nation disagreeing with him; or Joshua, the successor to Moses, who led the Israelites to cross the Jordan and defeat the nation of Canaan. In trying situations, Caleb and Joshua both exhibited boldness in Christ. So should you and I.

David wrote in Psalm 27, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?… though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Even in the midst of trying situations – think running for his life and living in a cave for a period of time – David claimed the Lord as his strength, and found his confidence in God. Does being bold in trying situations mean that we’ll walk right out of troublesome circumstances? No, but it does mean that when we cry out to God, He will strengthen us with “strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

Boldness is required of us

While crying out may seem contrary to being bold for Christ, prayer is another place where boldness is required of us. Written from his place in prison during his first Roman imprisonment, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and encouraged the believers that in Christ, “we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3:12) Consider that for a moment. Even while facing persecution, Paul claimed boldness in Christ. How much more should we do the same! We need to have boldness to enter His presence and claim His promises (Hebrews 10:19).

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man

We should not be ashamed, but rather we should be bold in letting Christ’s light shine. Paul also wrote in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Even when it seems like you’re all alone and that no one is standing with you, “Stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong,” (1 Corinthians 16:13) David said, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6) Later in the same Psalm, he wrote, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”

A.W. Tozer once said that “Christians should be the boldest people in the world; not cocky and sure of ourselves, but sure of Him.” Where do you find your confidence?

Originally published as “Being bold for Christ.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. March 21, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Friday

12

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Spend more time alone with God

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living

If you want to grow stronger in your faith, you’ve got to spend more time alone with God

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23) | Time alone with God. Read more at hopereflected.com

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23) Several times throughout the New Testament, we read about Jesus departing from the company of other people to spend time alone with God and pray.

Be still and know that He is God

It seems like more often than not, people today have a tendency to do just the opposite. Not wanting to be alone, they surround themselves with other people, turn up the music or turn on talk radio, and fill their solitary moments with noise, all in an effort to avoid being alone with their own thoughts. They fill their schedules with activities, work, time spent always in the company of others. While listening to music and spending time with friends is certainly not wrong, busying ourselves in order to bypass being alone is a direct contradiction of God Himself telling us to “Be still,” (Psalm 46:10).

Perfect peace often eludes us because we’re always filling our minds with everything but God

We don’t understand the importance of daily time alone with God, because we have a tendency to seek peace in all the wrong places. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusts in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3). Perfect peace often eludes us because we’re always filling our minds with everything but God. We’re working our own way in order to get ahead and to move forward, when really we should be exercising our faith and putting our trust in God. And that’s another reason we don’t understand the importance of daily time alone with God: We’re impatient. We want answers to prayer in an instant, and we’re more apt to be flippant than we are to be faithful. Remember, we are called to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23) If you want to grow stronger in your faith, you’ve got to spend more time alone with God.

Time alone with God and talking with Him directly are not things reserved for a booth or a certain day of the week

Not only do we not understand the importance of daily time alone with God, we also take for granted the privilege that it is to spend time alone with God. We have not an high priest (Hebrews 4:15) because we are the priest. When you know Christ as your personal Saviour, you have direct access to talk to Him whenever you want and wherever you are – confession, prayer, praise, sharing hopes and fears – time alone with God and talking with Him directly are not things reserved for a booth or a certain day of the week. The Lord is near to all who call on him (Psalm 145:18). You have the ear of the Creator of the Universe. Consider that. He wants to hear from you, and He wants to talk with you!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Joseph Scriven wrote the famous hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus,” the first verse of which reads: “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!”

Originally published as “Spend more time alone with God.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. March 7, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

Monday

8

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Walking with the LORD

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

“Let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Isaiah 2:5

From a prison cell, the apostle Paul wrote to encourage fellow believers at the church of Colossae. He hadn’t met these people in real life, but he had heard that they were under attack and being led astray by false teachers who were denigrating the deity of Christ. The point of Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae, – known to us today as the book of Colossians, – was to encourage believers to understand the greatness of God, His headship over the church, His place as our Redeemer, and how the Colossians – and us as modern day Christians – can keep walking with the Lord.

Walking with the Lord requires us to spend time with Him

Walking with the Lord requires us to recognize Who God really is. Reading through even just the first chapter of Colossians, Paul describes God as the following: Our Father (1:3), our Creator (and the Creator of all things) (1:16), our Deliverer (1:13), our Redeemer (1:14), He has forgiven all our sins (1:14), He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (1:17). We can’t walk with God if we don’t have a clear and true understanding of Who He is. To walk with God requires us to spend time with God and in His Word, and as we do so, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Who He is. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

Walking with the Lord helps us to cultivate consistency

As if recalling God’s attributes to mind wasn’t encouraging enough, Paul goes on to show us that walking with the Lord helps us to cultivate consistency in our lives: Being fruitful, increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all might, having patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. These are all things that take time and that require consistency. Just as you don’t expect the trees and flowers to be in full bloom on the first day of spring, you can’t expect to reach some pinnacle of spiritual maturity by attending church once in a while, and occasionally reading your Bible. Walking with the Lord is something we continuously and consistently must do. “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also, be patient.” (James 5:7)

Walking with the Lord promotes praise and prayer

Paul mentions several times in the first chapter of Colossians about giving thanks and praying, because he understood that walking with the Lord promotes both praise and prayer. “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,” (1:3), “we…do not cease to pray for you,” (1:9), “Giving thanks to the Father,” (1:12). When we keep our eyes on the Lord, when we stop looking in and we start looking up, it is then that we’re better able to keep heading in the right direction.

The path won’t always be smooth

The path won’t always be smooth, and the road won’t always be straight, but be encouraged: We’re walking with the Lord, the One Who makes the way in the wilderness and creates rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

Originally published as “Walking with the LORD.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. February 28, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

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15

We’re called to active duty

Be strong and endure

Always alert and focused

Originally published as “Soldiers are made for battle.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. November 7, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

16

Without Christian fellowship, our faith will falter.

Christian fellowship is powerful – not because of the people who are part of it – but because of Who we serve.

A Shared Faith

The Power of Fellowship

Originally published as “The Importance of Christian Fellowship.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. September 12, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

29

Peace is one of God’s promises

Peace through prayer

Peace because God has the preeminence

Originally published as “Peace is possible.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. September 5, 2019: 7. Print. Web.

23

Beware the bunny trails

God preserves our way and keeps our feet

Our walk with God requires action

We have to keep our focus on God

Originally published as “Our walk with God.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. July 11, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

20

Wisdom is important as we walk through this life

Rely less on your own knowledge

Learn from the godly influence of mature Christians

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”

Originally published as “Get thyself wisdom.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. July 4, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

12

Because He never changes, we can trust Christ in every circumstance

We can trust Christ because of His character

Finding our confidence in Christ

Originally published as “Trusting Christ in Every Circumstance.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. April 25, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

29

Where are you casting your cares?

Call unto the Lord when you have questions

Call unto the Lord when you need someone to talk to

Call unto the Lord when you’re in trouble

To whom are you committing your way?

Originally published as “Call unto the Lord.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. April 4, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

22

In being bold for Christ, our confidence is found in Christ alone, not in ourselves

Being bold for Christ in trying situations

Boldness is required of us

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man

Originally published as “Being bold for Christ.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. March 21, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

12

If you want to grow stronger in your faith, you’ve got to spend more time alone with God

Be still and know that He is God

Perfect peace often eludes us because we’re always filling our minds with everything but God

Time alone with God and talking with Him directly are not things reserved for a booth or a certain day of the week

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Originally published as “Spend more time alone with God.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. March 7, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

8

“Let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Isaiah 2:5

Walking with the Lord requires us to spend time with Him

Walking with the Lord helps us to cultivate consistency

Walking with the Lord promotes praise and prayer

The path won’t always be smooth

Originally published as “Walking with the LORD.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest Confederate, Walkerton Herald-Times. February 28, 2019: 6. Print. Web.

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