Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4 September 2022 | Keeping In Step

Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4 September 2022 | Sunday Message

Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4 September 2022

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TOPIC: Keeping In Step

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. – Galatians 5:25

Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4 September 2022 MESSAGE

That’s good advice for those of us who try to live too far ahead in the future.

We book our calendars through June before the first March daffodils poke through the frost. Our minds range far and wide over distant, misty horizons and our eyes strain to peer over hills and around corners. When obstacles loom in the path of our carefully plotted course, we think of them as “barriers” to our goals and objectives.

In a society where we’re pushed forward so quickly, we tend to forget it’s the moment that counts.

That’s why I love verses like Galatians 5:25. How in the world can we expect to live by the Spirit if we seek to move through life mile by mile rather than step by step? Our walk in the Spirit is to be just that – a walk, not a sprint.

When we get ahead of ourselves, we end up disregarding the present…the people around us right now…the opportunities immediately at hand.

When we get ahead of ourselves, we make the mistake of ignoring the specifics. Specifics like sin. And instant obedience. Preoccupied with future agendas, we don’t have the energy to engage in that daily, moment-by-moment struggle with the sinful, selfish habits that dog our feet.

When we’re keeping in step with the Spirit, he can pinpoint those areas in our lives that need change. But when we get ahead of him, trying to take life in leaps rather than steps, we tend to gloss over the daily obstacles and challenges.

Our prayers become too general.

Our Bible reading becomes merely a 10K run that needs to get finished.

Our obedience centers around a lot of outward actions rather than a daily cleansing.

Jesus becomes a “goal” rather than a Person to whom we relate moment by moment.

Heaven gets placed on a shelf in the faraway future rather than on a meal table marked “today.”

So what I say to you, I say to myself. Slow down. Take time to chew on a few meaty words from James the apostle…and Jesus the Lord:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. James 4:13-16

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn’t some broad, general outline – it’s a long walk with a real Person. Details count: passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words, little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins.

If you’re going to walk with me, the Spirit seems to be saying, pay attention to the present.

If you keep running ahead, you may find yourself walking solo. And that’s not only dangerous; it’s lonely.

The Glorious Pursuit

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. – Ephesians 3:16-17

Every moment of every day, Jesus is walking beside you. His Holy Spirit is living inside you. That’s reality. But – amazingly, sadly – we forget about him. Growing toward a passionate faith means in part, learning to more consistently enjoy the immense privilege of the presence of the Lord of the universe, Jesus Christ, dwelling within you. Bow in your heart to him now. Talk to him. He’s still there, urging you to keep in step with him every day.

Joni And Friends Daily Devotional 4 September 2022, Sunday