Bullets for the Battle

The Blessing of Living a New Year: Walking with the Savior!

2010 is upon us! In the midst of celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another, we often pause to reflect on the old and make resolutions for the new. In short we consider how we have walked the past twelve months and where we would like to walk in the ones ahead. The Scriptures have quite a bit of advice on walking. Consider the following:

• Enoch walked with God, Genesis 5:22-24. If we walk right God will take us higher!
• The Godhead expects us to do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God, Micah 6:8. We demonstrate justice and mercy if we follow Him.
• “I will walk among you and be your God … and enable you to walk with your heads held high,” Leviticus 26:12-13.
• Deuteronomy 10;12, “What does God ask but to respect Him, walk in all His ways, love Him and serve Him with all your heart.”
• “Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked but delights in the law of the Lord,” Psalm 1:1-2.
• “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me,” Psalm 23:4.
• “I will walk around in freedom for I have sought Your precepts,” Psalm 119:45.
• “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord,” Isaiah 2:5.
• “No matter where you are … you ears will hear a Voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it!’” Isaiah 30:21. (The benefits of this walk are seen in verses 18-28!)
• “… ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls …” Jeremiah 6:16.
• “Get up! Take up your mat and walk,” Mark 2:9.
• “… whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,” John 8:12.
• “But, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another … and His blood purifies us from all sin,” I John 6:7.
• “… His command is that we walk in love,” II John 6.
• “Jesus walked on the water and came toward them,” Matthew 14:29.
• “My greatest joy is to see His children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded,” II John 4.

All this walking is directed to a purpose … simply put, being a person of Messiah Love. When we plot our course for this New Year, let us keep the end of this blessing in view, the blessing of being like our Savior. Our highest passion should be to demonstrate Messiah Love (Romans 5:8).

Blessed are those who wait on (expect from) Him, Isaiah 30:18, or “Oh the happiness and joy that comes to those who learn to ‘put’ all of their issues in Christ” (Mt. 5:6,8). They know that if they immerse their pressures and problems in the “living water” the Father will activate and merge them in His redemptive mix and enable them to drink the cup of His purpose and pleasure!

It is when you drink your cup for you that your waiting and expectations will be realized. Only then do you follow the Master in your walk as He followed the Father's ordained walk to His cross. This is the walk of Isaiah 53. Every true Disciple whose ambition it is to live a life of Messiah Love should “walk through” every verse of Isaiah 53. It is here we most vividly and perfectly see the path our Father has for us all. It is the path He chose for His Son to walk! Let us ponder Isaiah 53:10 and seek its implications for our own lives!

“After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied …” Isaiah 53:11

My testimony, in spite of my sin grief, is that I am satisfied!! I heartily and earnestly say with John Newton: “I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior!”

From all of us at Ventures for Christ, may 2010 be a year of His greatness in your life!