Walk and Talk with the Lord #31

For our final episode of Walking and Talking with the Lord, we go to John 21. After making several appearances to individuals and small groups, Jesus comes for a more relaxed time of fellowship.  

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”  20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21)

Much has been said about Jesus repeating his question to Peter a second and third time, "Do you love me?", reminding Peter that he had failed three times not only to confess that he was a follower of Christ, but also failed three times in talking with the Lord in the Garden.  Notice here that Peter rightly focuses not on his own faithfulness, but the Lord's faithfulness, and that Christ knows everything. That is key: the Lord knows a lot we do not; that's why we need to walk and talk with Him.  Secondly Jesus comes back to what is more important than anything else: Follow Me. Even though God had a lot in mind for Peter in serving Him by shepherding the Church, that was not the first priority; the first priority was following after Jesus.  Finally, Jesus reminds him, and us, to not get distracted from our first priority of trusting and following Him: life is not one big comparison game to others, believers and unbelievers alike. Following Him requires that each and every one of us walk and talk with Him, individually and together. Sometimes our paths will, cross, be the same, or take us different but complimentary directions in living for Christ, but as long as we all walk and talk with Jesus, we will be on the same page. So let us all keep walking and talking with the Lord. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #30

We left off yesterday with Jesus walking and talking with His disciples, going to the garden of prayer, where they promised to stay with Him, but dozed off during the conversation, and abandoned Him when he was arressted, tried, and convicted:

 So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.

Jesus bore His own cross. There was no one there to walk and talk Him through it, but the Father.  Not that long before this Jesus had made this statement: 

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Jesus bore His own cross so we would not have to.  The Father was the only One He had to talk to on His last journey, but we will not be, if we follow after Christ. He has gone before, and He will be there for us, so when we find ourselves bearing our cross, we can cry out to Him, and He will hear and answer. When we truly are following Jesus, we will walk and talk with Him often.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #29

After spending His last week walking and talking with His disciples into, around, and out of Jerusalem, Jesus goes there for His last supper. At the end Matthew 26 records:

 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. 

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Notice while they were walking and talking on the way to the Garden, they all promised the Lord their loyaly. Then, as they arrive in the garden, Jesus has Peter, who instigated this pledge of allegiance, and James and John, the two who wanted to sit right next to Jesus in His kingdom, and said they were ready for anything - He takes them and asks them to pray with Him.  All three fail. All eleven fail. The simple take-away today is this: walking and talking with Jesus is no time to make promises you cannot keep. Walking and talking with Him is a time we proclaim that we can in no way do life without His help. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #28

We've been following along with Jesus on this Journey to Jerusalem, listening as we walk to the talk He had with those He encountered, and with the disciples who were listening and later recorded these words. The day after the triumphal entry we find:  

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. (Mark 11)

Every day that week Jesus went back and forth into the temple to teach, to heal, and to talk with people. He had choice words for those he encountered in the courtyard of the Gentiles - the only place they were allowed to come and talk with the Lord.  It was noisy and cluttered, and corrupt - of better benefit to the friends of the temple leaders, than the non-Jewish people whom God welcomed there. There are many applications we could take away from this conversation, but here are just a few: First, are we allowing any activities in the house of the Lord to get in the way of people coming to talk with God. Second, am I allowing other activities to get in my way of talking with the Lord? Third, are there things in my life that are not just distractions, but downright sinful in God's eyes that He wants to come in and clean house? Finally, am I going to walk away from my talk with the Lord today leaving things in better order than when I came?

Walk and Talk with the Lord #27

 As we move into Mark 11, we are still walking and talking with Jesus:

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

Imagine you are one of these two disciples Jesus sends on this task of finding a donkey. You've encountered all sorts of people, watching Jesus heal them, hearing Him say more and more profound statements, looking ahead as you approach the descent from the Mount of Olives into the glorious city of Jerusalem with its impressive temple right in front of you.  Jesus wants to talk to just two of you. This is going to be great. Then he sends you on this mission away from all the action. How do you respond? You could complain and ask that He send some "lesser" disciple; you could half listen, miss some details, then go, not find the donkey and pine: "Sorry, Jesus, it wasn't there," or, you could listen to every word, then go fully obey, and have a front seat as you help put Jesus on the donkey and walk as the closest possible with Him down the hillside. Walking and talking with the Lord is all about listening well then obeying fully, even in all the commotion of life and the desire to do what we want to do.  Today, may we listen well. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #26

 We continue on our journey, walking and talking with Jesus on His way to Jerusalem in Mark 10: 

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Blind Bartimaeus. He had been waiting and waiting, day after day, year after year, begging to live, and hoping for a miracle. When Jesus came walking by he went to begging for the miracle, repeating over and over again: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Eight simple words that express completely Who he thought Jesus to be and what he knew Jesus could do. Jesus stopped walking and said: "I want to talk to this guy." Jesus called for him. The blind man lived dangerously; he ran without fear of any obstacle in his way to Jesus, who asks him: "What do you want me to do for you?" Well, duh. Wasn't it obvious to Jesus? Again, the words of the man are few, yet profound: "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." Rabbi - teacher. The man was saying not only that he wanted to be healed, but that he could be healed and follow after Jesus, the Rabbi of Rabbis. Jesus did, and the man joined Jesus on His journey, listening to every word He said. Do we wait and anticipate times to walk and talk with Jesus? Do we just come with a list of what we want, or want to hear His every word? Do we understand He wants to walk with us as much as we do with Him?

Walk and Talk with the Lord #25

As Jesus is walking and talking with His disciples in Mark 10, He has told them a lot of challenging things - that their priorities are messed up, that He was going to be delivered over to death, that they needed to trust God more. And their journey is not over:

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The two brothers come together to Jesus, a united front, and give Him their request. That's what prayer is all about, right? Asking God for what we want?  Jesus, as he often did, refused to say "yes" or "no". He talks to them about the validity of their request and the motive behind it.  Once again, He confronted them, and us with our sense of self-sufficiency. "We are able", we proudly say.  He assures them that they - and we - will share in His experiences - both the blessings and the sufferings. But then he goes on to the motives: "Why do you want this? Is it to serve God and others? Or to serve yourselves?" Jesus wants us to come and talk to Him. And when we do, He wants us to get on the same page as He is: doing God's will. That's part of Talking with the Lord 101 - "Thy will be done." Make sure to include that as you walk and talk with Him today. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #24

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10)

Sometimes walking and talking with the Lord can be a fearful journey.  Jesus and His disciples were on the way to Jerusalem for a great celebration.  The highway was full of travelers; anticipation of seeing the glory of the Temple never grew old; popular opinion of Jesus was off the charts, but... those following Jesus were afraid.  Why? He kept dropping this hints - no longer subtle hints - that something bad was going to happen there: He would be arrested, mistreated, and killed.  It was all so contradictory to what they were experiencing day to day with His ever-increasing popularity, powerful miracles, and profound speaking.  If we are really in tune with talking with the Lord, He will begin to let us see things we would rather not think about - not to scare us, but so we will not be shaken when they do happen, and so we will be able to comprehend that it is all part of His plan. He is not shaken or scared. He is always in control. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #23

We pick up today where we left off yesterday, in Mark 10, when Jesus was on this journey with His followers, when the rich young man came up to Him. Having been shown how poor his priorities were, the man chose to walk away depressed, instead of trusting and following Jesus:  

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” 

We could stand to hear more of this message about our trusting in riches in this affluent society in which we live, but there is one brief statement that sticks out to me here: Peter's interruption: "But we have left everything and followed you."  Jesus interrupts him back: "What you have left behind is nothing compared to what you've gained." Lots of time our walks and talks with Jesus are complaining sessions, where we justify our lives by comparing and contrasting them to others. Here Jesus humbles Peter, and that's one of the things we need most in our talks with the Lord. We forget that we are in the presence of the Holy One, and complain how righteous we are, how much we deserve, and how much we do not deserve some of the things that happen to us. God welcomes our complaint, but if we do not walk away humbled, submissive and thankful, we've missed out on the most important thing. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #22

We've begun to look at episodes when Jesus was walking and talking with people, and the challenges He gave them - "Come, follow me.  Do not be afraid."  In Mark 10 we have a series of events of what Jesus said to people as He walked and talked with them on His trip:

 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Jesus was travelling along with His disciples, walking and talking, when someone else joined in the conversation. I'm not sure the disciples always welcomed them, but Jesus did.  In this conversation, Jesus challenges the man on at least two points: "What are your priorities? and Where is your trust?"  If we are to have a meaningful walk and talk with the Lord, these two questions have to be a part of the discussion: "Lord, what do you want me to do with my day?" and "Lord, help me to trust you and your plan for my day, and really, my whole life."  Let's not just ask Him to bless our day and our plans; let's live out His plan.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #21

 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (Matthew 14)

Most of us knows what happens next, but let's just stop here. Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, while he went up on the mountain to talk with God the Father. His time talking with the Lord was a priority from which He would not be distracted by the crowds or even the disciples whom He loved.  They are heavy on His heart and mind, while all they can think about is the storm. Until Jesus comes walking by. Most of them see a ghost, but when Jesus speaks, Peter recognizes His voice. Peter, by His words and actions says "I would rather be walking with you in the storm, than be stuck in this stinking sinking boat. Let me come walk with you."  How about you? Where would you rather be? How much of a priority is walking and talking with the Lord to you? Jesus soon turned the storm into a calm sea. It's always better to be walking and talking with Him than the seemingly safety and security of our own sinking ship.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #20

So far we've been spending our time walking and talking with the Lord in the Old Testament. Today we move on to the New Testament in Matthew 4: 

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. 

Jesus had been baptized, immersing Himself into identifying with us as the Incarnate Christ - God walking and talking with us here on earth. He has wrestled with Satan in the wilderness, and is ready to move forward with God's plan. So He starts walking. As He walks, He calls others to join Him: Simon and Andrew, James and John, and a number of others, who observe Him at work: teaching, healing, interacting with all sorts of people from all sorts of background. Rather than needing lessons from them how to walk and talk with earthlings, He was teaching them. He sees what they really need - what we really need. He directs the conversation. He knows what we need to see and hear, and teaches us how to speak. Walking and talking with the Lord is not an option; it is essential to living the life God has for us. Christ showed us that with His regular trips up the mountain to be alone with the Father to walk and talk with Him. It's like Jesus is calling us: "come with me: I'll show you how to walk and talk with the Lord, because I am here." 

Walk and Talk with God #19

Yesterday we looked at what was going on near the end of the exile with Daniel in Babylon. Today we go a little further in time and a little further East to the newer, larger Persian city of Susa:

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. (Nehemiah, chapter 1)

Nehemiah was there in the service of the King, still with a heart for God and His people. Word of the plight of his people drove him to his knees, and a series of conversations with God, which he then walked and talked with others about. They walked around the city, getting a shared vision of what needed to be done. They cried out to God for supply of resources, workers, wisdom and courage, and got the job done. None of it came about without a burden and a prayer - seeing how God sees things from His vantage point, then asking Him what He wants us to do about it. What burdens do you have for God's people, for God's work? Are you walking and talking with Him about them? Has He moved you to walk and talk with others, including them in the conversation? Start where you are. Ask God to help you see what He sees. 

Walk and Talk with God #18

Yesterday we talked about the prophets of Israel, like Jeremiah, who walked and talked with God even while they watched their world fall apart.  Even among those who were exiled, there were faithful men and women who continued to walk and talk with God, like Daniel.  As the Babylonian Empire fell, and the possibility of return to Israel neared, this is what he did. 

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. (Daniel 9)

Just a few quick notes about Daniel, as He walked and talked with God. First, he was a busy man, and still found time to pray. He had been raised to number two man in the empire, and still consistently walked and talked with God.  Secondly, He was open and honest with the facts: God is faithful; we have failed; we have not listened; we have not obeyed.  Finally, he was hopeful; he still believed in the mercy, faithfulness, love and forgiveness of God.  It was not just something from the past, but for the present and the future.  Do you believe that? Whether you do or do not, it's something you and the Lord can walk and talk about today. 

Walk and Talk with God #17

We noted yesterday that the times of the Kings were a downhill run when it came to walking and talking with God. First the northern kingdom of Israel, then the southern kingdom of Judah came to ruins. During this time there were many men who did walk and talk with God, then tried to bring the people into the conversation. We call them prophets. One of them who saw the final fall of the walls of Jerusalem was Jeremiah. Here is one of his conversations with the Lord: 

21 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. 22 For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25 From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. 26 Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. 27 “So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. (Jeremiah 10)

God was tired of people going through the motions, pretending they believed in Him, by going through these meaningless rituals. He told Jeremiah as they walked and talked that even though his calling was to challenge the people to listen, they would not. Spiritually they were going backwards instead of forward. Even then, even when no one else around us seems to be listening to God, or us, we are to keep on talking with Him, because the rest of our lives through, God still has something for us to do. Don't be stubborn: come, walk and talk with God today; listen and obey; turn and head the right way. 

The last two days we've talked about King Solomon and how he walked and talked with God, and asked Him for wisdom, and to always hear the prayers of His people as they cried out for forgiveness. Overall, the rest of the time of the kings is not such a positive story. After Solomon the kingdom divided, with the Northern Kingdom taking the fast-track away from God. I Kings 22 gives us a telling snapshot of what things were like:

51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. 52 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 53 He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done. 

Ahaziah, like many of the kings of Israel and Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, not walking and talking with God, but walking in the sinful ways of their wicked ancestors.  Ahaziah "provoked the Lord to anger in every way."  The result? When Ahaziah died he had no ancestors to leave on the throne. The surrounding nations began to rip Israel apart, every attempt to reunite Israel and Judah failed, and a generation later the Northern kingdom of Israel was taken into exile.  Who are we going to be? The ones who walk and talk with God, seeking His wisdom and calling out for forgiveness? Or those who do as we feel, ignoring God, trusting in everyone and everything else, leaving a legacy of disaster? Something for us to walk and talk with God about today. 

Walk and Talk with God #15

 

25 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father. 

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. (I Kings 8)

God is so much bigger than our prayers. That makes them all the more important. We saw yesterday that Solomon started early walking and talking with God, and asking for His wisdom in living out his calling as king.  His first major accomplishment as king was to build the temple his father David had planned, and the prayer here is what he prayed before the people at its dedication. But notice as he talks, it's like God alone is the recipient of his prayer, even as he asks the Lord to answer the prayers of his people, as well as his own.  And what is the bottom line of his prayer? "Father, please forgive."  Even though he had asked God for wisdom to lead, he was already aware of his sins and failures - that he needed to talk to God every day, and walk before and with the Lord.  Today is no exception. God is a busy guy, but never too busy to talk with you, not stuck in some other location you cannot get to, never unconcerned about what concerns you today. Walk and talk with God. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #14

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (I Kings 3)

Somehow Israel survived the time of the judges to transition into the leadership of kings.  It was not long before the third king, David's son Solomon, was overwhelmed with the challenge entrusted to him.  As the passage goes on to explain, Solomon did not ask for himself great wealth or a long easy life, or power at the expense of others. He asked for wisdom. He humbly considered himself a servant. He walked and talked with God and asked for advice, decision-making ability, a true sense of right and wrong. Those are things all of us could benefit from, whatever our place of responsibility. They all cry out: "Lord, I need your help! You have put me here at this time, in this place, for your reasons. Help me do what you want done, how you want it done, and for your glory. My life and its purposes are Yours."

Walk and Talk with God #13

 

16 Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 19 But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. 20 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” (Judges 2)

Yesterday we saw Joshua addressing those who were left on the east side of the Jordan River, as he reminded them to continue walking and talking with God after he was no longer with them. He is now off the scene completely, and we see how well the nation as a whole did: they turned away from walking with God; they were stubborn and rebellious and forgetful.  What ensued was indeed a time of great chaos, with sin and corruption everywhere, and, as the historian tells us elsewhere, everyone doing what was right in his own eyes.  The only way we will all be on the same page is if we all keep on walking and talking with God.  It has an effect not just on us individually, but as God's people, and on all of society around us.  The nation of Israel at that time was spiraling downward through this cycle of sin, with people not caring until it hit home, and their region, their town, their family suffered. Let's reverse the cycle, with each of us in our lives, our homes, our churches, all walking and talking with God. 

Walk and Talk with God #12

 At that time Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 2 and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. 3 You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God. 4 And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. 5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents. (Joshua 22)

Joshua had walked and talked with God - not only for himself - but on behalf of his people. But now some of them were branching out; these tribes were staying on the east side of the Jordan, while the other tribes went on to finish taking the rest of the promised land.  They would no longer have him, or another resident leader to talk with God on their behalf.  We've seen this kind of thing before, when Abraham left Lot at Sodom and Gomorrah, and it didn't go well.  It's a scary thing, like leaving your kids at college, or moving away from where you have always lived. So Joshua exhorts them to walk before the Lord, to cling to Him, and serve Him with their whole being. In other words, they are going to have to walk and talk with the Lord for themselves.  Wherever we may go, whoever may leave us behind, we do not have to go it alone. We can always walk and talk with God.  But will we? As great as it is to have loving, believing family, and loving spiritual leaders and church family, we all need to develop this walk and talk with the Lord for those times and situations in our lives when He is all we've got. We need to cling, to hold fast to Him, and walk and talk with Him every day, all day. May you hear His voice, and He hear yours today.

Walk and Talk with God #11

 

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1)

Moses was a man who walked and talked with God all the time. Joshua had observed that. Now that the mantle of leadership was being placed upon his shoulders, God came and walked and talked with Him. When He did there was no fire or thunder or cloud; the last mention of the cloud is in Deuteronomy 31 when God met with Moses and Joshua together. As they walked and talked this time, what was there to represent the Lord's leading? The Ark: The Ark of the Covenant of God's promised presence. In that ark were the tablets of  God's law - as the Lord tells Joshua here - meditate on my Word - know it, obey it. In the ark was also a sample of the manna, reminding Joshua and the people of God's past faithfulness and provision - He would be no different with Joshua than He had been with Moses.  But most of all, the Ark was the throne of God's presence. He is still the sovereign Lord, so as they were going into this land, it was God's to give to them. His authoritative power would be behind Joshua everywhere they went. As you walk and talk with God today, remember: He is really present with you; He is still on His throne; you have much to thank Him for from the past; He has given you His Word as a discussion starter as you walk and talk with Him.  

Walk and Talk with the Lord #10

Walk and Talk with the Lord #9

Walk and Talk with the Lord #8

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. (Exodus 19)

As we said yesterday, Moses had some pretty intense times of walking and talking with God. The people of Israel had just set up camp at Mt. Sinai when God established this system of calling Moses to come up and talk with Him, then send Moses back down to share with the people the essence of their conversation. Indeed, in the very next chapter we find the communication of the Ten Commandments.  When we walk and talk with God, it isn't long before we find ourselves talking with other people who need to know what God has to say: family members, coworkers and student, neighbors and business relationships. We begin to see that when God walks and talks with us, we have some important information. That should not give us some sort of false self-confidence, like we are God's gift to the world - if the people were taken back by the thunder and lightning, just think what it was like for Moses in the front seat.  No, walking and talking with the Lord should keep us humble, wondering how we ever lived life without it in the first place. 

. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #7

 

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3)

This was obviously not a typical walk and talk with the Lord, but sometimes God really needs to get our attention. Like Moses, God may have called you to something special, but you ran away - far away - to where you think God cannot see, or you cannot hear, what He has to say. But He interrupts your day; He has something to say that you need to hear. It's life-changing.  More than any other personality in the Old Testament, we find a lot of times Moses walked and talked with God. Some were very dramatic, like this. Others were very frustrating, hard, and even humiliating. But all were necessary conversations. Stop trying to run and hide, not listening, not talking with God. Take a walk with Him and really listen - especially if you think life has become a meaningless, purposeless rut. That is about to change.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #6

Genesis 28: 

15 And he blessed Joseph and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
    the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
    and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
    and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” 

This is the blessing Jacob, grandson of Abraham, gave to his son and his sons, as he prepared to pass into eternity.  He realized that his father and grandfather had walked and talked with God, which had brought blessing into his own life.  He had been led and provided for by the Great Shepherd.  He had the privilege of witnessing the fact that his son, Joseph, had walked and talked with God, and found his place in God's plan, ending up second in command to Pharaoh, to make a big difference in the survival of his people and many others also. He now hopes and prays that this line of walking and talking with God will continue into the next generation and beyond.  We need to walk and talk with God not just for ourselves - though that is extremely important. We need to walk and talk with God for the sake of those around us - family, friends, and even strangers, who God wants to bless through us.  We cannot do it without Him, our great Shepherd, Redeemer, and LORD.  Walk and talk with Him today; hear His voice; heed what He says.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #5

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.(Genesis 12)

Abram, later renamed Abraham by the Lord, is a great study when it comes to walking and talking with the Lord.  When we are told here that the Lord said to Abram, we do not get the sense that all of a sudden out of nowhere God spoke; there was this ongoing relationship there of Abram walking and talking with God. But during this discussion, God says: "Get up and go." Abram obeys, and later finds himself at a crossroads in life. He allows Lot to take the pick of the land, then he listens as the Lord speaks again in Genesis 13:14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord. God speaks again and says arise and walk, to which Abram responds again and moves. There is this flow of life in walking and talking with God where sometimes we are walking and looking, but seem to be going nowhere, while others there is definite motion.  Listen to our next passage: Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” All of this walking and talking, 24 years later, the Lord says walk before me. That does not mean run ahead of God, but walk, knowing that God is watching you and watching over you.  This phrase comes to describe Abram and other men of faith: They walked before God. Walking before God - this life lived under His direction and care - is a direct result of walking and talking with God consistently, over time, day after day, year after year. If you haven't started it yet, there's no better time to begin. He's waiting to walk and talk. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #4

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. 25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. (Genesis 5)

When we read numbers like the above, it is almost beyond our comprehension. Some of us are glad just to be walking in our sixties, let alone three hundred or 900. But the effects of the Fall had not yet affected the lifespan of man or its toll on the earth.  What is most important here is this long walk with God. Not that it's the only reason, but notice Enoch walked with God after having a son - kids are motivation enough. But there are so many reasons in life to walk and talk with God: relationships, career, understanding the effects of sin in the world around us, even understanding ourselves and how twisted our thinking can be. God is in this for the long haul; so should we.  You'll never be too old to stop walking and talking with God - in your twenties, forties, sixties, eighties, or beyond. And when you get to that point that Enoch did, and God' takes you, guess what you're going to want to do? Walk and talk with God. So if you haven't done so already, start taking a stroll today. Just talk, and listen.  Get the conversation going.

Walk and Talk with the Lord #3

 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. (Genesis 6)

We saw yesterday how to spoil our walk and talk with God. But God continues to desire these conversations where we talk with Him about His plans, and our plans for life.  Noah obviously observed all the violence and corruption around him, and was burdened about it. But what to do? God had a plan, and since Noah was in the habit of walking and talking with God, the Lord talked with Him about it. God's plan became Noah's plan.  Often I hear people say: "I just wish God would tell me what He wants me to do!" We know deep down God made us for a reason.  But we don't give God opportunity to tells us; we haven't learned to listen by walking and talking with Him, no matter what is going on around us. If we will only do that - make walking and talking with Him a priority, we will be amazed at the plans He has, and the vision He will share, and the details He will give.  Then, may we like Noah, do all that God commands. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #2

It has often been said that "Golf is a good walk spoiled." I don't agree with that, but in Genesis 3 we find the best walk was spoiled. We begin with the same verse as yesterday:

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 

Sin made all the difference in the way Adam and Eve walked and talked with God. Instead of anticipating their time together, they hid in shame. Instead of talking openly and truthfully, they made excuses. Instead of bringing them closer together, they argued with Him and one another.  The fall was a great walk spoiled.  The good news is that in Christ we can walk and talk with the Lord in a meaningful way. God still wants us to anticipate the conversation, and to always be willing and ready to walk and talk with Him. We just need to not talk back to God they way Adam and Eve did. We need to be willing to admit our sin. God was greatly grieved by their decision to disobey, but He was also frustrated by their refusal to admit it.  We often tell our children that when they disobey, and then try to hide it: We want not only obedience, but honesty.  If you find it hard to enter into God's presence for a conversation, begin this way: "I'm sorry, Lord. I messed up." That will set the tone for a much more meaningful conversation, and you will sense a far deeper discussion than you have had in a long time. Turn the great walk spoiled into a refreshing walk and talk with God. 

Walk and Talk with the Lord #1

 

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, (Genesis 3:8)

I know I am pulling this verse out of context, but in a way it sets the context for what the passage is all about. We are presented here with a picture of something established by God earlier back in chapter 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God had created man and put him in the garden He had created for him, and God talked with him. God then made Eve, put her in the garden with Adam, and made it a habit of talking with them.  As hard as it is for us, try to imagine having a relaxing stroll with God, talking about the day.  Then you live the next day anticipating the next conversation, rehearsing what you will say when you talk again.  God is on your mind. And you know you are on His mind.  This month we're going to walk and talk about walking and talking with God.  Let's start today talking with Him, then going through our day thinking about what we will say to Him (which in fact, we don't need to wait to do; we can do it right now, at this moment), and let us live life with Him on our minds, knowing we are on His mind.