Good Morning Friends! I have blood work shortly so have to fly. Jesus loves you and so do I! he's calling you by name to come and walk with Him in His ways. He's given you His Spirit and co-laborers to travel with in your journey to become more like Jesus and to grow into the greater things He has planed for you. So rejoice. Relax in His presence. Woship. Listen. Receive. Team up. Follow well. I'm praying for you.
Here are a few devos to guide your quiet time. he really loves you! He is with you. Be still and know then walk and go with Him today.
See you at Zoom Huddle at 10! Shalom!
ODB
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For years, fitness experts have stressed the importance of running for cardiovascular health. But recent scientific studies have demonstrated that daily walking also has a range of health benefits. According to the US National Institute of Health, “Adults who took 8,000 or more steps a day had a reduced risk of death over the following decade than those who walked only 4,000 steps a day.” Walking is good for us.
Throughout the story of the Bible, walking is used as a metaphor for communing with God. In Genesis 3, we’re told how God walked with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the day” (v. 8). Genesis 5 shares the story of Enoch, who “walked faithfully with God 300 years” (v. 22). One day Enoch’s regular time spent with his Creator led to him being taken directly to be with God (v. 24). In Genesis 17, God invited Abram to “walk before” Him as He renewed His covenant with him (v. 1). And Jacob, near the end of his life, described God as his shepherd and spoke of his ancestors who had “walked faithfully” (48:15). In the New Testament, Paul instructed us to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
Like Enoch and the patriarchs in Genesis, we can walk with God daily. We do so by surrendering our lives to Jesus and being guided by the Holy Spirit. That’s the path to true health.
How’s your walk?
By Matt Lucas
REFLECT & PRAY
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How would you describe “walking with God”? Today, as you reflect on Scripture, how will you follow and obey it?
Father, please forgive me when I’ve chosen not to walk with You but pursued my own agenda. Help me keep in step with You.
Visit ODBU.org/NT050 to learn more about walking by the Spirit.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The metaphor of walking with God is a prominent theme in the Bible. Walking describes a life of obedience and submission to His instruction. Genesis 5 says that “Enoch walked faithfully with God” (vv. 22, 24). This imagery is also used throughout the book of Deuteronomy to remind Israel to follow the law by walking in it (5:33; 8:6; 10:12; 11:22; 19:9; 26:17; 28:9; 30:16). In chapter 6, we see the explicit origin of this idea. Verses 4-9 are referred to as the Shema, which means “hear,” the first word in this section of Scripture: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (v. 4). In the Shema, Israel is encouraged to make God’s law central to everything they do. Observant Jews today still recite this prayer daily. Other examples of walking imagery appear in the Psalms (see 1, 15, 119, 128) and in the New Testament (see Colossians 3:7; 1 John 1:7; 2 John 1:6).
Matt Lucas |
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UR: How Does God see you
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
I have struggled with speaking highly of myself. I always felt I was not good enough, even from a young age — not good enough to be successful, to fit in, to be appreciated, even to be loved. Most of these thoughts came from other people’s opinions of me. But why do we think who we are depends on what others say about us?
Do we ever think about what God thinks of us? Do we believe in what God sees in us? God has already made it clear in scripture who we are. Today’s quoted scripture reminds us that we are “a chosen people.” It’s up to us to believe and embrace that truth.
God chooses us out of unconditional love — not our social status or physical appearance. Understanding who we are in God’s heart allows us to appreciate, accept, and love ourselves, as well as those around us.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, help us always to know that our identity can be found in you. Remind us that we are your beloved and cherished people. Amen.
Sarah Young
TWFYT
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