The Process is Good

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

I've got to admit that I enjoy mystery-type books and television shows probably a bit too much for my own good.  Maybe it comes from my dad being a homicide detective for all those years, but I enjoy solving puzzles - putting the pieces together.  From an early age I learned to read on Hardy Boys Mysteries and watched shows like Murder, She Wrote and Colombo with my dad.  Now I find myself drawn to the likes of NCIS (both series), Bones, and, of course, the ever-popular Castle.  There's something about figuring things out "who done it" that brings about a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

In more recent books, movies, and shows, I especially enjoy the forensics of it all.  It seems like they have a test for about everything and anything to narrow down the suspect list.  They can take a fingerprint, hair fiber, skin sample, dirt under fingernails, and even look at the bugs to determine details about a person.  They run tests and those tests eliminate people from the list and narrow in on the one person they are trying to identify.

Walking with God is much the same way.  The more we renew our minds with God's word, the more we are able to run "tests" to determine whether a thought comes from God or not.  The more we hold on to the good (God-thoughts) and throw away the bad (not-from-God-thoughts), the more we are "transformed" by the renewing of our minds.  Our tests become more accurate and we know more and more when a thought is from God.  Then we "approve" the thought by acting on it the way we should.  Our minds start matching the mind of God, and our lives begin to "bear fruit" as well.

It's a process.  Walking with God is not a switch that we flip on or off.  It's a process...a journey...a walk.

Take the time to begin each day stepping in the right direction.  Take the time to listen to Him (through His Word), adjust your perspective to match His, and to talk to Him in prayer.  Then, as you go throughout your day, keep on talking with Him.  When He answers, test those thoughts against His Word to recognize whether it came from Him or not.  When the answers are from Him, approve them by following them.  Your entire day, then, becomes a journey...a walk with Him...and it is good.

Use the Tools

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 HCSB)

Anyone you forgive I also forgive. Was there anything to forgive? If so, I have forgiven it for your benefit, knowing that Christ is watching. We don't want Satan to outsmart us. We know how he does his evil work. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIrV)

Whenever I work on construction projects, I usually pull out my "tool belt" so I have some basic tools available to me wherever I go - up on a ladder, roof, in a crawl space, etc.  The tools I carry around all the time are ones I find myself using all the time, so they go with me wherever I go.  My dad used to have a saying, "Any job is easy if you have the right tools!"  He was right.  That piece of truth applies to our walk with God as much as any other place in life.

One of my "standard tools" is the tape measure.  I have it with me so I can "call down" a measurement for something to the person on the ground.  The person on the ground also has a tape measure and can cut whatever I need (board, drywall, etc.) to the size I yell down.  Why?  Because we are using the same standard of measurement.  God's Word is the standard by which we "measure" our lives and even each individual thought.  When I measure my thoughts the way He does, we stay in sync and the truth "sets me free."

Another standard tool is my hammer.  It's the most versatile tool I have.  I can use it to nail two objects together, move something that is stubborn, or knock a hole in something.  The claw on the back is used just as often as the front.  It's especially usefully to separate two things that are stuck together that shouldn't be.  Forgiveness acts in much the same way.  The weight of evil is "stuck" to me as long as I hold on to it.  When I forgive, though, I separate it from me and let it go.  The weight of that evil goes where it belongs - Jesus takes care of it.  He judges.  He executes justice.  When appropriate, He forgives.  It's in his hands, so he carries the burden.  I am set free.

When we walk with God, we experience the fruit of His Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).  When we walk with God, we put to death the "deeds of the flesh" through the power of His Spirit.  When we walk with God...it is good.  

Use the tools He's given you.  It makes the job easy...and it sets you free.

Recognize Roadblocks

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV)

Once you've taken the time to be alone with God, entered into His presence, and listened to His Priorities for your day, the next thing you will almost immediately recognize roadblocks.  Sometimes, I hear leaders refer to them as "challenges."  That's probably a better way to look at them.  These are things that seem to block us, but actually just distract us, from walking together with God.  They are temptations, if you will, to go in another direction or set other priorities for our day.  They can drag you in and drag you down before you know it.

These interruptions, challenges, or roadblocks may come in the form of a phone call, text, facebook message, or someone walking into the room.  They don't fit into your daily schedule.  They're not on your calendar.  They present problems, situations, or concerns that you weren't ready to face today.  Often times, the challenges present themselves inside our own minds...distracting us from the Garden Walk God intended for us to experience today.

In any case, it's not a bad thing to recognize those roadblocks that try to stop you from doing what God has called you to do today.  Remember, Jesus said His to-do list would be "easy" and "light."  It's the weight of the world that will wear you down and pull you out of His Garden.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Remember, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you to do.

What is God calling you to do today?
What challenges are trying to get in the way of your walk with God?
How does He want you to overcome them?  

Remember Our Priorities

Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don't wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does. A few of you in Sardis have not dirtied your clothes with sin. You will walk with me in white clothes, because you are worthy. Everyone who wins the victory will wear white clothes. Their names will not be erased from the book of life, and I will tell my Father and his angels that they are my followers. (Revelation 3:3-5 CEV)

God has a design for our lives.  I make that statement in the plural, "our lives," because there are some things in our walk with God that are the same across all of humanity.  God wants to walk with us.  God lets us decide whether we want to walk with Him or not (through the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit).  In the end, God will give us the desires of our hearts, whether good or bad.  We don't know when "the end" will be.  We will be tempted to turn away from God - probably many times in our lives.  We need to keep choosing Him throughout our lives.  When we do, this is victory.

Since this picture is the only one with eternal implications, it is the highest priority for our days...every day.  When you have a battle to fight in your mind or heart where the tempter is trying to draw you away from God: fight the battle.  Don't wait.  Don't put it off.  You don't know when He will return, so waiting till tomorrow may not work out too well.  When you have someone close to you who doesn't have God in their lives: talk with them.  Make sure the talk is filled with grace as God tells us to do, but follow His instruction to talk with them now.  Don't wait till tomorrow...you get the idea.

It's incredibly important in our time alone with the Father to realign your priorities to match His priorities.  This may change your whole day!  The task list you had laid out may not be at all what He had in mind.  Be careful to ask for His Kingdom to come, for His Will to be done here on earth just as it is in heaven...especially in your day...this day...the day you have been given.

See Yourself His Way

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you." (Zechariah 3:1-4 TNIV)

When we enter into the presence of God, it's far too easy to see ourselves through the lens of our faults.  Our sins get in the way of seeing the person God designed us to be.  Remember, that's not the way God sees you - not if you have turned back to Him.  Earlier blog posts describe how you can "Join Him" when you've been away from God.  Once you've come back, you need to start seeing yourself the way He sees you.  He doesn't see the "filthy clothes" of sin covering you.  He sees the "fine garments" He has given you to replace the old.  You should see yourself this way as well.  Some refer to this as "forgiving yourself."

We try to act the way we see ourselves.  When you see yourself as successful corporate executive, you work hard to become one.  When you see yourself as a grade school teacher, you go the necessary training to become one.  When you see yourself as a doctor, lawyer, athlete, politician, or minister, you find yourself doing all the things necessary to become what you believe you are meant to become.

When you see yourself as created in the image of God, you will work hard not to tarnish that image.  When you see yourself as receiving undeserved forgiveness, you will remain humble.  When you see yourself as a "new person" and the "old has passed away" you will start living the new life you have been given.  Take the time to see yourself the way God sees you.  It will keep you humble.  It will keep you strong.  It will keep you focused on what is important for your day...walking together with God.

Listen to Him

Probably the greatest difficulty in any relationship is the ability to open healthy communication lines.  It's no different in our relationship with God.  All to often we want to turn to God in prayer and tell Him everything that we want Him to do.  We finish our prayer with an, "Amen," then move on with our day.  What if He had something to say back?  What if He wanted to say something in the first place, before we gave Him our list of things to do for us.  In fact, He even has something to say about this very topic.


Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.  (Proverbs 29:20 NIV)

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV)

I've heard the saying before that God gave you two ears and one mouth because He intended you to listen twice as much as you speak.  I'm not sure if the ratio is exact, but I do know that I learn much more with my mouth shut and my ears open.  When building a relationship with God, these principles hold true.  How do I learn to listen to God and hear His voice?  Simple.  Listen to what He's said to other people in the past.  His Words are captured in the pages of your Bible.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your ordinances. My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end.  (Psalms 119:105-112 NASB)

You've set aside the quiet time each day.  You made the effort to enter into His presence.  Now take the time to listen to Him.  You might be surprised at what you hear.

Draw Near to God

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. (Heb. 10:19-22 NLT)

I've tried so many times to have "quiet time" alone with God, only to end up frustrated, distracted, or sleeping.  These results seem to come after a battle for focus and an uncomfortable fear of facing Him.  Knowing that God is everywhere does not comfort me when I'm struggling through an issue where I know He and I don't see eye to eye.

I've had many people tell me over the years that they are afraid to face me or talk to me because I will "just know" what they have been doing wrong.  Some have even accused me of having the power to see into their souls by simply looking in their eyes.  I know it's not me they fear.  It's the Spirit of God who dwells in me.  They are afraid to face God and I just happen to be the person on earth that they associate with Him.  While I'm honored by the association, I know the truth.

The truth is that I've had the same feelings many times over the years.  "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  (Hebrews 10:31 NASB)  This is true when you know you have something to fear.

Building a relationship with God requires that we draw near to God.  We cannot do this when thing separate us from Him and we are afraid.  This is where Jesus comes into the picture.  Through Jesus we see God approaching us as one of us.  Through Jesus, we are offered forgiveness for our sins.  Through Jesus, we are offered reconciliation with God the Father.  Through Jesus, the "curtain" that separates us from God is torn open and we can "go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him."  We can draw near to God without fear.

Many of my earlier posts under the topic, "Join Him" detail just how this is done.  Once it is done, however, you can draw near to God...any day...any moment...without fear.  When you take the time each day to be with Him, make sure you draw near to Him.  Picture Him in the heavenly realms.  Be overwhelmed by the magnitude of His creation around you.  Do whatever it takes to let go of your world and enter His.  This is the best step you can take to begin your day.

Take the Time

At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. (Luke 6:12 MSG)

I know it can seem a bit complicated to talk about Walking with God when I've written 140 different blog posts just getting to this point.  Add that to the label structure you see on the right and it starts to seem daunting.

Walking with God, however, is much easier than we realize.  The details I've shared up to this point all help us see a process that will take place and last a lifetime.  To help you see how simple that process looks on a daily basis, the next week's blog posts will show you how simple this relationship-development process really can be.

Relationships only grow when time is given to them.  Marriages strengthen, parents and their children grow close, friendships grow stronger as the people involved in these relationships take the time to get to know one another.  Time is necessary for a relationship to flourish.

Walking with God is the same way.  Time is necessary for the relationship to flourish. Jesus understood and modeled this through his time spent alone with his "Father" in heaven.  Jesus would purposefully leave the crowds to be alone with God in prayer.  His twelve apostles were chosen after an entire night in prayer before God.  Jesus knew that his words reflected the Father's words because he spent so much time with the Father.


Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me...For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. (John 12:44-49 NIV)

Are you close enough to God that you know what He wants you to say or do?  You build that kind of relationship with time.

Do you spend time with God?

Take the time.  It's worth it.