Walking Confidently: Preparing for Our Spiritual Journey

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the metaphor of "getting on the good foot," inspired by James Brown's song, and how it relates to our spiritual journey. Our feet, both physically and spiritually, are crucial for navigating the paths God has set before us. Just as we need to care for our physical feet to prevent pain and ensure mobility, we must also prepare our spiritual feet to traverse the challenges and obstacles in our lives. This preparation involves recognizing that our journey with God will not always be smooth; there will be mountains to climb and rivers to cross.

The Bible speaks of God making our feet like "hind's feet," which refers to the sure-footedness of animals like deer and goats that can navigate rocky and steep terrains. This imagery reminds us that God equips us to handle the difficult paths we encounter. We must be prepared for the path by acknowledging the challenges and obstacles that lie ahead. This preparation is not just physical but also spiritual, as we rely on God's strength and sovereignty to guide us.

Moreover, perseverance is essential in our spiritual journey. We often face the temptation to give up when the going gets tough, but God calls us to endure and fight the good fight of faith. This perseverance is supported by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live holy lives and overcome the battles we face. Our minds must be renewed daily, aligning with our spirit to overpower the flesh and its desires. This renewal is a continuous process, requiring us to immerse ourselves in God's Word and allow His mind to be in us.

Ultimately, our spiritual journey is about aligning our mind, spirit, and body with God's will, ensuring that we are prepared and equipped to face whatever comes our way. By doing so, we can walk confidently in the path God has laid out for us, knowing that He is our strength and guide.

Key Takeaways:

1. Preparation for the Path: Just as God makes our feet like hind's feet, He prepares us for the challenges ahead. Recognizing and acknowledging the obstacles in our spiritual journey is crucial for growth and resilience. We must be ready to face mountains and rivers, trusting in God's guidance and strength. [14:23]

2. Perseverance in the Process: Our spiritual journey requires perseverance, especially when faced with trials. We must not give up too soon but instead rely on God's power to help us endure. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fight the good fight of faith, equipping us to overcome obstacles. [26:28]

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential in our journey, providing the power and strength we need to live holy lives. By seeking more of the Holy Spirit, we can better align with God's will and overcome the battles we face. [20:39]

4. Renewing the Mind: Our minds must be renewed daily to align with our spirit and overpower the flesh. This renewal involves immersing ourselves in God's Word and allowing His mind to be in us, ensuring that we are spiritually equipped for the journey. [26:28]

5. God's Sovereignty and Strength: Recognizing God's sovereignty and strength is vital in our spiritual journey. He is all-powerful and can do whatever He wills, providing us with the assurance that He is in control and will guide us through life's challenges. [20:39]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:34] - Importance of Foot Health
[14:23] - Spiritual Preparation for the Path
[16:32] - Overcoming Fears and Phobias
[20:39] - God's Sovereignty and Strength
[23:41] - Types of Feet and Their Significance
[26:28] - Perseverance in the Spiritual Process
[30:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[33:00] - Renewing the Mind
[36:00] - Aligning Mind, Spirit, and Body

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 3:19 - "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."
2. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the metaphor of "hind's feet" signify in the context of our spiritual journey? [14:23]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers? [20:39]
3. What are some of the physical and spiritual preparations mentioned in the sermon that are necessary for our journey with God? [16:32]
4. According to the sermon, what are some challenges we might face on our spiritual path, and how should we respond to them? [16:32]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of "hind's feet" help us understand God's provision for overcoming life's challenges? [14:23]
2. In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower believers to live holy lives and face spiritual battles? [20:39]
3. What does it mean to renew our minds daily, and why is this important for our spiritual journey? [26:28]
4. How does recognizing God's sovereignty and strength provide assurance in our spiritual journey? [20:39]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you prepare spiritually and physically to overcome it? What could you do differently next time? [16:32]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to persevere. How can you rely on God's strength and the Holy Spirit to help you endure? [26:28]
3. What steps can you take to renew your mind daily and align it with God's will? Consider practical actions like Bible reading or prayer. [26:28]
4. Think of a situation where you were tempted to give up. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that decision? [26:28]
5. How can you seek more of the Holy Spirit in your life to better align with God's will and overcome personal battles? [20:39]
6. Consider a fear or phobia you have. How can you seek deliverance and trust God to help you overcome it? [16:32]
7. Reflect on God's sovereignty in your life. How does acknowledging His control change your perspective on current challenges? [20:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Preparing for the Journey
In our spiritual journey, preparation is key. Just as God equips us with "hind's feet" to navigate difficult terrains, He also prepares us for the challenges we will face. Recognizing and acknowledging these obstacles is crucial for our growth and resilience. We must be ready to face mountains and rivers, trusting in God's guidance and strength. This preparation involves both physical and spiritual readiness, as we rely on God's sovereignty to guide us through life's challenges. [14:23]

"The Lord God is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:19, ESV)

Reflection: What specific challenges are you currently facing in your spiritual journey, and how can you prepare yourself to overcome them with God's help?


Day 2: Perseverance in Trials
Perseverance is essential in our spiritual journey, especially when faced with trials. We often face the temptation to give up when the going gets tough, but God calls us to endure and fight the good fight of faith. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live holy lives and overcome the battles we face. By relying on God's power, we can endure and emerge stronger from our trials. This perseverance is not just about enduring but also about growing in faith and character. [26:28]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: When have you been tempted to give up in the face of trials? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you persevere today?


Day 3: The Empowering Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey, providing the power and strength we need to live holy lives. By seeking more of the Holy Spirit, we can better align with God's will and overcome the battles we face. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fight the good fight of faith, equipping us to overcome obstacles and live in accordance with God's will. This empowerment is essential for our spiritual growth and victory over sin. [20:39]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment? How can you invite Him to work more powerfully in those areas today?


Day 4: Renewing the Mind
Our minds must be renewed daily to align with our spirit and overpower the flesh. This renewal involves immersing ourselves in God's Word and allowing His mind to be in us. By doing so, we ensure that we are spiritually equipped for the journey ahead. This process of renewal is continuous and requires intentional effort to align our thoughts with God's truth. It is through this renewal that we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live in accordance with God's will. [26:28]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to renew your mind and align your thoughts with God's truth?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereignty and Strength
Recognizing God's sovereignty and strength is vital in our spiritual journey. He is all-powerful and can do whatever He wills, providing us with the assurance that He is in control and will guide us through life's challenges. Trusting in God's sovereignty means surrendering our plans and desires to Him, knowing that He has a perfect plan for our lives. This trust is the foundation of our faith and enables us to walk confidently in the path God has laid out for us. [20:39]

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you surrender those areas to Him today?

Quotes

"He's making my feet like Heinz feet for the rough places why do I need Heinz feet there's one notice he's on the dam and he's able to scale a dam that's just about vertical and he's climbing up it and and what's so amazing not only does he do it but his babies follow him follow the mother and they've climbed right up a wall God wants to give us Heinz feet because there's some walls and hills we got the clock I know we can speak to the mountain but there's some mountains you're not gonna go around there's some places you won't go have to go through the rough place and we don't have to go through the hard place we're gonna have to go through the rocky place anybody in here like" [00:15:19]

"Preparation for the path in order for God to deal with you and help you travel the road that you're traveling he's gonna prepare you by changing your feet preparation for the path in verse 8 it deals with recognizing the challenges you got to realize that in this walk with God you're gonna have some challenges don't think that we just gonna tip throat tip tooth tiptoe through through life on a flowery bit of ease but there's gonna be some challenges the song said" [00:18:32]

"There's gonna be some hills we're gonna have to climb there's gonna be some mountains we're gonna have to travel through you will have to in verse 9 you will have to acknowledge the obstacles in other words don't think that everything is gonna be a good and easy but you're gonna have to acknowledge that coming down in this life walking with the Lord there's gonna be some obstacles in your way but but but in verse 8 let me let me bring it up here real quick let me bring it up here verse in verse 8 can you bring it up on the screen for me and it's still in 3 but notice verse 8" [00:19:04]

"That's why it's important to want the Holy Ghost. You ought to want the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost makes the power of God available to you in your life. He said, you shall, Acts 1 and 8, receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And when I saw that, I said, Lord, fill me. I want more of you. Because I can't make it down here by myself. The Holy Ghost come to help us live holy. It comes to help us fight the battle. It comes to help us do the will of God. Somebody shout hallelujah." [00:20:03]

"Somebody said, tell somebody he's sovereign. You need to write that down. Y 'all remember Daryl Coley used to sing that song. God is sovereign. That means he's all powerful. He has all power. But then he can do whatever he wants to do, how he wants to do it, and when he wants to do it, because he's God." [00:20:48]

"Number two here is perseverance in the process tell somebody I need perseverance in my process oftentimes we quit too soon we give up too quick when obstacles come we later for that I don't want to go through no pain I heard I heard had somebody come to the altar one time and they wanted to quit smoking and I heard didn't I heard this I tried it myself in prayer but I heard a preacher say at one time he said the man came to the altar and he asked him what he won he said I want to quit smoking he said will you do what I tell you to do he said yeah if it don't hurt" [00:23:54]

"How many y 'all know everybody what pain free but he said if you let me pray this prayer that every time I smoke a cigarette that you smoke a cigarette you get sick as a dog he said no I don't want you to break that prayer" [00:25:42]

"Sometimes we want to give up too quick. Vangelist Allen told us a few weeks ago that in this walk with the Lord you're going to have to fight. I brought out a few weeks before that that Jesus fight for us, but there's some battles you're going to have to fight. You're going to have to roll up your sleeves. That's why the scripture said put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. In other words, you and I have to put it on. It's God's armor. In other words, take off your armor and put on his armor. Put on the helmet of salvation." [00:26:20]

"Let God save your mind. Save my mind. How can he save my mind? By being renewed in the spirit of my mind. See, when you got saved, it was your spirit that got saved." [00:26:57]

"Tell somebody, your mind being saved. My spirit is saved, but my mind is being saved. What's the difference there? Because the real you is your spirit. The real you is the hidden man of the heart. The real you is the inner man, but your soul is your mind, your reasoning, our emotions. That's our mind. And the Bible said, receive with meekness the engrafted word." [00:27:10]

"Which is able to save your soul well i thought they was already saying yeah but their mind has to be renewed that's why it's important to read the word meditate on the word that's why you at the bible say let this mind be in you that was also in christ jesus it don't automatically come in you have to allow the mind of christ there's a war going on so he said put on the whole armor and put on the helmet of salvation in other words let god save our mind how i'm gonna save my mind i got to cast down every imagination every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of christ even though you save you still think crazy sometimes even though you save certain smells certain things certain atmosphere will take you back to yesterday but you and i have to fight the good fight of faith who am i fighting i'm fighting my mind i'm fighting my flesh it's not always just the devil sometimes it's just you and i somebody said me myself and i it's the flesh the old man the old man he never gonna be saved the unregenerated man see when you got saved your spirit and my spirit got saved but oh you is never gonna be saved he know he going back to the dust for dust you are and dust you shall return so he could care less about god he don't want to please god he don't want to hear no word he don't want to worship he don't want to praise god because the flesh know he" [00:27:36]

"Has an appointment with the grave but the inner man that's the real you that's the part that want to praise God that's the part that want to give God the glory your spirit man it wants to worship him and bless him but your mind is the part that has to be renewed so he can hook up with the spirit y 'all follow where I'm coming from in other words I got to renew my mind to the things of God then my mind hooks up with my spirit then we overpower the flesh but if you don't renew your mind your mind will hook up with the flesh and overpower your spirit Lord have mercy that's why it's a daily thing you got that force feed yourself the word you" [00:29:12]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?