Walking With God

Is it not true that for most of us who call ourselves Christians, there is no real experience? We have substituted theological ideas for an arresting encounter; we are full of religious notions, but our greatest weakness is that for our hearts, there is no one there. Whatever else it embraces, true Christian experience must always include a genuine encounter with God. Without this, religion is but a shadow, a reflection of reality, a cheap copy of an original once enjoyed…

Set aside time each day for meditating on God’s Word: Listen for His voice, slowly digest what you read, talk to the Lord, ask Him questions, and apply what you learn. Don’t just read the Bible—study it, perhaps starting with a verse or short passage. Some of you may say, “I’ve never been into that.” My advice: Get into it! The deep things of God don’t just drop into our brains; they are placed there through diligent study. Hunger…

It’s impossible to live in this world without ever facing doubt, confusion, or apprehension. The Word of God doesn’t dismiss these concerns. Instead, it tells us what to do when we’re afraid. The best response is to admit your fears to the Lord and trust Him to work out the situation according to His will and timing. Many people want to hold anyone but God responsible for their adversity—that’s because they can’t reconcile why a good God…

We all have ambitions and desires, but as believers, we should weigh them against God’s Word. As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking our heavenly Father. What does it mean to seek God? The phrase describes a wholehearted effort to know the Father and follow Him more closely. Those who pursue this kind of fellowship with God are determined to spend time with Him. They…

Our Creator never intended to be distant from mankind. Instead, He has always wanted an intimate, loving relationship with us. We know this because … He sent His Son. Christ came to earth so we could know God the Father. Jesus is His exact representation; His words and works were the same as God’s (John 5:19; John 12:50). Therefore, when we look at the Son, we are seeing the character of our Father in heaven. He adopted us as His children. Through salvation,…

What does it mean to have a covenant with God? A covenant is a spiritually binding relationship ordained by God through which He advances His kingdom. It’s the mechanism through which He accomplishes His purposes, goals and agenda. It’s an arrangement of a relationship, not merely an official contract. When you are aligned with God in His covenant, you are privy to His secrets. He lets you in on things others do not know. If you’re married, you know what it&rsquo…

Starting something new can be difficult. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a big move, new beginnings come with great uncertainty and require mental, physical, and spiritual preparation. Thankfully, believers have everything they need to face the unknown. Before the crucifixion, Jesus promised the disciples wouldn’t be left alone—the Holy Spirit would come to live within them. In fact, being indwelled by God’s Spirit would be better than having…

Many people today may appear fine on the outside, but if we could look beneath the surface, we’d see otherwise—places in their souls they’ve tried to fill with worldly success, possessions, or popularity. But the truth is, those things will never satisfy. Only God can give us genuine fulfillment and peace. (See John 6:35; Phil. 4:6-7.) Now, this doesn’t mean that life will always be perfect or ordered just to our liking. In fact, Jesus told us that…

Where would we be today if Abraham had carefully weighed the pros and cons of God’s invitation and decided that he’d rather hang on to his medical benefits, three weeks paid vacation, and retirement plan in Ur? What would have happened if Moses had listened to his mother’s advice to “never play with matches” and lived a careful, cautious life steering clear of all burning bushes? You wouldn’t have the gospel if Paul had concluded that the…