Walking with God: A Journey of Faith and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Walking as a Journey of Connection

Walking is more than a physical activity; it is a spiritual practice that connects us to God and each other. It symbolizes our journey with God, where we learn, grow, and find joy in His presence. Walking in God's ways brings light into our lives, even amidst darkness. As we walk, we are reminded of the blessings that come from following God's commandments, as emphasized in Deuteronomy and Psalm 119. These scriptures highlight the happiness and abundance that result from walking blamelessly in the law of the Lord. Walking is a defining human trait, and it serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, where we are guided by God's light and presence. [02:04]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt disconnected from God or others. How can you use walking, either physically or metaphorically, to reconnect with God and those around you today?

Day 2: Community as a Source of Strength

Our faith community, the church, is a vital support system in our spiritual journey. It provides encouragement, accountability, and companionship, helping us to walk with Jesus and support one another. The church is a place where we can share our struggles and celebrate our victories together. In times of uncertainty, our community can be a source of strength and guidance, reminding us of God's presence and the joy that comes from walking in His ways. The church is not just a building but a living body of believers who walk together in faith, supporting and uplifting one another. [17:41]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who might need encouragement. How can you reach out to them today to offer support and companionship?

Day 3: Embracing Grace Over Rules

Jesus taught us to prioritize grace over strict adherence to rules. The rules are meant to build community and show love, justice, and mercy. When rules become burdensome, we are called to extend grace, just as Jesus did when He healed on the Sabbath. Walking with God is not about rigid rule-following but about finding freedom and joy in following God's path. Jesus' teachings remind us that grace should be at the forefront of our interactions with others, allowing us to experience and share God's love in a meaningful way. [13:37]

Matthew 12:7 (ESV): "And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless."

Reflection: Reflect on a rule or expectation in your life that feels burdensome. How can you approach it with grace and prioritize love and mercy instead?

Day 4: Learning and Growing Through Wilderness

The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was a time of learning and growth. They developed leadership skills, learned new ways to worship, and discovered their identity as God's people. Similarly, our own wilderness experiences can be opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. These times of uncertainty and challenge can teach us valuable lessons and help us to develop a stronger faith. Embracing the wilderness as a place of learning allows us to grow closer to God and understand our purpose in His plan. [10:22]

Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Reflection: Identify a current challenge or "wilderness" experience in your life. What lessons might God be teaching you through this experience, and how can you embrace it as an opportunity for growth?

Day 5: Finding Joy in Walking with God

Walking in God's ways brings happiness and fulfillment. It is not about rigid rule-following but about finding freedom and joy in following God's path. As we walk with Jesus, we experience His grace and bring that grace to those around us. The journey with God is one of joy and discovery, where we learn to trust in His guidance and find contentment in His presence. Walking with God allows us to experience the fullness of life and share His love with others, bringing light and joy into the world. [19:38]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt joy in your walk with God. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your daily life and share that joy with others?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to explore the theme of walking, both physically and spiritually, as a metaphor for our journey with God. In the midst of the darkness that many of us feel, whether due to the weather, personal struggles, or global concerns, God offers us light and guidance. Our readings from Deuteronomy and Psalm 119 remind us of the blessings that come from walking in God's ways. Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments, which leads to a life of abundance and blessing. Psalm 119 echoes this sentiment, highlighting the happiness of those who walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord.

Reflecting on personal milestones, such as baptism and first steps, we recognize the significance of walking as a defining human trait. Walking is not just a physical activity but a spiritual practice that connects us to God and each other. It is a journey that requires guidance, much like the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where they learned leadership, new skills, and their identity as God's people.

The story of a scouting trip gone awry serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of our journeys and the importance of being prepared. It also illustrates how our prayer life can deepen in times of uncertainty. Walking with God is not about rigid adherence to rules but about finding freedom and joy in following God's path. Jesus taught us to prioritize grace over strict rule-following, emphasizing love, justice, and mercy.

Walking is a spiritual practice that benefits our body, mind, and spirit. Despite the barriers we may face, Jesus provides us with the Holy Spirit and the church as support systems. Our faith community is a source of encouragement, helping us to walk with Jesus and support one another in our spiritual journeys. As we walk, whether physically or metaphorically, we are reminded of God's presence and the joy that comes from walking in His ways.

Key Takeaways

1. following but about finding freedom and joy in following God's path. As we walk with Jesus, we experience His grace and bring that grace to those around us. [19:38]
** [19:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[02:04] - Reflections on Baptism and Walking
[03:36] - The Significance of Walking
[05:17] - Stories of Falling and Getting Up
[06:22] - Celebrating Scout Sunday
[08:06] - A Scouting Adventure
[08:53] - Lessons from the Wilderness
[10:22] - Learning Leadership and Worship
[13:37] - Grace Over Rules
[16:26] - Walking as a Spiritual Practice
[17:41] - The Church as a Support System
[19:38] - Joy in Walking with God
[21:00] - Closing Thoughts and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Deuteronomy 30:16 suggest about the relationship between obedience to God's commandments and receiving blessings? [01:04]
According to Psalm 119, what are the characteristics of those who are happy in their walk with God? [02:04]
How does the pastor describe the significance of walking as a defining human trait and spiritual practice? [03:36]
What role does the faith community play in supporting our spiritual journey, according to the sermon? [17:41]

Interpretation Questions

How might the Israelites' journey through the wilderness serve as a metaphor for personal spiritual growth and learning? [10:22]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that walking with God is about finding freedom and joy rather than rigid rule-following? [19:38]
How does the pastor illustrate the importance of grace over strict adherence to rules through the example of Jesus healing on the Sabbath? [13:37]
What are some ways the church can act as a support system for individuals facing barriers in their spiritual walk? [17:41]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt lost in your spiritual journey. How did you find your way back, and what role did prayer play in that process? [08:53]
Consider the barriers you face in your spiritual walk. What practical steps can you take to overcome these obstacles with the help of your faith community? [16:26]
How can you prioritize grace in your interactions with others, especially when rules or expectations become burdensome? [13:37]
Identify a personal milestone in your spiritual journey, such as baptism or a significant moment of growth. How does this milestone continue to influence your walk with God? [03:36]
In what ways can you actively contribute to your faith community to support others in their spiritual journeys? [17:41]
How can you incorporate walking, both physically and spiritually, into your daily routine to enhance your connection with God? [19:38]
Think about a time when you experienced joy in following God's path. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your life? [19:38]

Sermon Clips

But God has given us light in our life. And we have been talking each week about spiritual practices that can help us connect to God and bring light into our life no matter what form of darkness we are feeling. Today, I would like to open with a prayer and a couple of our Bible verses for today. [00:00:43] (21 seconds)

And here in chapter 30, Moses is saying, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today by loving the Lord your God, walking in God's ways and observing God's commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous. [00:01:30] (19 seconds)

Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. Here ends our reading. [00:02:14] (12 seconds)

Now, once we start walking, though, walking, walking really is one of the things that defines us as humans. There's really no other animals that walk the way that we walk. If you look at the fitness apps that many people have on their smartphones and their smartwatches these days, one of the things they measure is not just how many steps have you taken and how far you have walked in a day, but some of them even check the gait. Like, are your steps even? Are they consistent? [00:04:48] (30 seconds)

Now that was a walk that was not what was planned. It was not entirely pleasant, but I will say my prayer life got much stronger on that walk as I was praying a mantra, God help me now, to make sure that all of us could get back to the cabin safely. [00:08:53] (21 seconds)

And I think in many ways this is what God was doing with the wilderness time for the Israelites. They were learning leadership. Moses was learning how to be a leader. Moses was told to recruit judges and other leaders to help lead the people. God raised up Joshua and Caleb. [00:10:34] (18 seconds)

I want us to remember that following God's path is not about rigidly adhering to rules. But following in the God's path is a way to find freedom. It is a way to have a better life. The rules that God has given us are the guidance of how we live. Live together in community. They're guidance of how we make time for God in our life. So that we are healthy both emotionally and physically. Mentally and spiritually. [00:13:07] (29 seconds)

Walking is just an integral part of who we are. And our researchers are finding that walking does more and more and more for our body, our mind, our spirit than we ever realized before. But it is hard to make ourselves go walking every day. Some of us have jobs where we don't move a whole lot. We have cars to get a lot of places. Sometimes we just don't feel like walking. And some of us have some major mental health struggles which make getting out of bed, much less going for a walk, a really hard thing. [00:15:54] (32 seconds)

And so Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is walking with us every day. We can get up and we can go because Jesus is giving us the strength and guidance. The other gift that Jesus gave us is the church. Jesus gave us a faith family, a group of people that also are on a journey with Jesus, who also know what it's like to have a faith family. And so Jesus gave us a faith family, a group of tough days, dark days, days when it is hard to get going, where we can each fill in for each other. We can each get together and say, hey, have you taken a walk today? Let's go grab your dog. Let's get a walk in today. [00:17:04] (37 seconds)

Our reading from Deuteronomy reminds us that there is joy in the journey, that we are stronger and life is better when we are walking with Jesus. The psalm reminds us that there is happiness in walking in the way of the Lord. There is happiness of being connected to Jesus. [00:17:58] (19 seconds)

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