Daryl Pint – Page 215

Walked with God

“And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

Genesis 5:22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him

Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

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,

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Genesis 48:15 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,

1 Thessalonians 2:12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Exodus 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

Colossians 1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Deuteronomy 5:33 You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

Psalms 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalms 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

How we perceive God will direct how we walk before Him. If we seem Him as our heavenly Father full of love, mercy, grace, power, strength, and might we will walk in a manner that is worthy of glorifying God. If we see Him as knowing our thoughts and intents we will keep these in check and recognize those thoughts that do not bring glory and and honor to Him. If we see Him as one who has plans and purposes for our daily lives we will seek to hear His whispers of leading. We will wait on Him when there is uncertainty.

If we perceive Him as distant and only seek Him when there are troubles and trials our lives will come up lacking. Our lives will lack purpose and we will jump from one thing to another seeking satisfaction for this life. The problem is that there will be no lasting purpose found outside of humbly serving, honoring, glorifying, following and obeying God.

His word is full of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and holiness of God. In it we find food for our souls, purpose for our days, and understanding and hope for tomorrow.

Walk with God each day. Stay in His presence.

This Hymn speaks of walking with Him.

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

How can they call upon God?

“who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.”

Genesis 4:26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 26:17-18 You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,

1 Kings 18:24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD,

Isaiah 63:19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Those who have called on the name of the Lord and believe and trust in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and have repented of their sin are saved, born again, a new creation, in-dwelt with the Holy Spirit, are called children of God, are promised eternity with God in heaven where there is no more tears, pain, or death. All of this is by faith in the one and only God.

Talk about a life saving decision with an eternal consequence!

Do you remember who it was that spoke to you about God’s love through Christ? Loran Witlash, a truck driver for HyVee food store spoke of Christ to me while unloading his truck when I was 15. My wife’s uncle spoke of Christ to me while taking me fishing when I was 22. My neighbor invited my wife and I to an evangelistic service when I was 23. Joe Schultz the evangelist spoke sin, forgiveness, redemption, and repentance.

I still remember each of these men in my life. I thought Loran was a little different because he spoke of the need for Christ the whole time we were unloading the trucks and he never swore. Harold, my wife’s uncle, was a wise man who was very successful, respected, and spoke of Christ. Rich, our neighbor, I don’t remember him speaking of Christ before he invited us to hear the evangelist, but there was something I saw in how he acted. Our interactions were nothing more than passing moments of hellos, waves, and seeing how he interacted with his wife and children. Rich and his wife then became our friends and almost everyday spent time with us in scripture explaining the new life we had begun.

We never know who is watching our lives and will see light of Christ. When we speak of the love of God and need for Christ we will never know how God will use this to soften a heart. We never know how a life may be changed for eternity through what we say and how we act and the time we invest.

One thing is for certain and true – “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Sin is crouching at the door

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin”

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

Isaiah 3:10-11 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.

Romans 2:7-10 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Desire, want, pride, coveting, self-seeking all have root in our very nature. We are born with this and it is never far from coming to the surface. Even when we seek to do good there can be wrong motives.

How do we become aware and expose these. It is hard when the culture we live in lives by different rules and expectations. Pornography is labeled adult entertainment, abortion is legalized and a right, and christian values are mocked. Though these are easily recognized as wrong by many with a background of bible teaching, they are not even close to being seen wrong by the culture that has no background of the bible.

Scripture speaks of both sin and righteousness. The difference though should be clear as night and day, are not when God is not placed number one in our heart mind and soul. When humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying God is not a desire everyday we are easily influenced by what seems right in our own eyes.

We can not rightly fight sin in our lives without a basis of knowledge and understanding of what it is. Our thoughts, intents, and actions are all places where sin takes root. How can we grow in this understanding of sin? Only by an understanding of God’s Holiness, grace, mercy, patience, justice, anger, wrath, and steadfast love.

As we read God’s word it exposes more and more of His holiness to us. It peels away layer upon layer of false truths, fake lives, and self centered lukewarm living.

Do not neglect His word. Do not become complacent in living each moment for His service and direction. Godly and holy knowledge and understanding do not just happen without effort. Effort does not exist when there is no desire. Where there is no desire the heart, soul and mind starve of the very essence of life. Choose to live this and everyday with His word in your heart, mind, and soul, to grow in your understanding and knowledge of serving and obeying Him.

How sad is the state of the culture when God’s word is at each person’s finger tips 24/7 and it is neglected days on end.

Whoever follows me

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Psalms 100:3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We are created by God with a choice to follow Him or not. He has given us scripture to know of Him and His holiness, justice, love, grace , mercy and power.

In scripture He warns us of the god of this world, the evil one, the tempter, the liar, the prince of darkness, the devourer, the deceiver, the divider, the enticer, the author of false hope. Our sinful nature is inclined toward things not of God. We are inclined to lust, greed, pride, and self. “SIN”

“The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.“

Yet God, in His love for His creation, and knowing the corruption of the soul of man which separates them from Him sent His only Son, Jesus to redeem mankind. Our Creator has reached out to mankind with His arms wide open through Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

His ears are open to their prayer.

Deuteronomy 32:39 “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Isaiah 45:19 I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

1 Peter 3:10-12 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.”

Choice is something we have. It is an act within our heart and mind that turns into action. Seeking God for forgiveness, salvation, healing, strength, rest, peace, love, doing His purpose and plan, serving Him, and willing to be led by Him are humble life changing choices that will bless our soul.

On the other hand seeking self interest, wants, desires, putting ourselves before all others, and denying God’s call in our lives to humble serve, honor, worship, praise, follow and obey Him is a choice that will curse our soul.

Do not lose sight of these

Deuteronomy 32:47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

Leviticus 18:5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 Timothy 4:8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

It does not take much time to understand the way of the world has a way of creeping into the life of those opposed to it. Slowly it finds cracks and sets root into the heart. Keep these ways out of your heart and mind. Stay in His word. Live to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him alone. Do not this culture’s wisdom of what is right and wrong be your guide, but rather allow His word to be your light and path this side of eternity.

They forgot Me

Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.” So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel. And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.” When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, “Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the LORD. How much more after my death! Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands.”

Hosea 13:6 but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.

Our life this side of eternity has many trials, temptations, troubles, blessings, joyous moments, and precious peace.

Hope, faith, and trust in God during times of trials, temptations, and troubles yields blessings, joyous moments, and precious peace. No one wants trials, temptations, or troubles in their life. It is in these times that we grow in our understanding and knowledge of the awesome love and power of God. Yet it is deep within our sinful nature to forget God, the need for God, how worthy He is of honor, glory, and praise, and soon become complacent, neglectful, and deaf to hear His whispers of guiding, purpose, love, joy, rest, peace, courage, grace, and mercy, when “they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me” . Humble service to Him leaves our thoughts. Seeing His creation and praising His awesome power and might is gone.

God gave us instruction on how to fight this sinful nature of complacency and neglect. “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates,“

The LORD is your keeper

Psalms 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalms 146:5-6 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

Isaiah 40:28-29 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

God is just as present in the journey as in the destination. The one who looks to the Lord can have confidence in the fact that God does not sleep. God’s watchful eye is always open looking with love and care upon His people.

“Nothing either of the day or night can harm us if God is keeping guard. God is our covering against every calamity. He is our shade against the visible troubles of the day as well as the hidden troubles of the night.” (Boice)

“Our soul is kept from the dominion of sin, the infection of error, the crush of despondency, the puffing up of pride; kept from the world, the flesh and the devil; kept for holier and greater things; kept in the love of God; kept unto the eternal kingdom and glory.” (Spurgeon)

“When we go out in youth to begin life, and come in at the end to die, we shall experience the same keeping. Our exits and our entrances are under one protection.” (Spurgeon)

We can trust in His everlasting, ever present, all powerful, faithful, limitless grace, mercy and love at all times. God never changes “He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever.” Hope and faith in God is never empty. It brings life’s purpose for today, a reason to look forward to tomorrow.

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:6-10 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand. “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Denying God’s word as inspired by man does mean it is not.

Denying God does not make Him exist.

Denying God as creator does not mean He isn’t.

Denying His power does not make Him weak.

Denying God is in control does not mean He is not.

Denying God has a purpose and plan for each of us does not mean He doesn’t.

Denying His love does not make Him a hater of man.

Denying Heaven and Hell does not mean they are not real.

Denying eternity does not mean it does not exist.

Denying a day of judgement coming does not mean it isn’t.

Denying God knows our thoughts and intents does not mean He doesn’t.

Denying sin in our lives does not mean it is not present.

Denying the need for Jesus’s redemptive work on the cross does not mean it is not needed.

Denying God can do more than we ask does not mean He can’t.

Denying God can bring peace to your life does not mean He won’t.

Denying God can prosper us does not mean He can’t.

Denying God can heal does mean He can’t.

Denying God can satisfy does not mean He can’t.

Mankind’s wisdom has every reason thought of to deny God. To them it is weak and foolish to believe, trust, and worship the one and only true God. To those who believe it is heart, mind, and soul deep knowing and growing in His unending grace, mercy, and love, with a satisfying hope for today and tomorrow. In Him and through Him we believe and grow in satisfaction of His limitless provision and purpose for our life. His word brings newness each day to our soul.

Lying lips of slander

Psalms 120:1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

Ezekiel 2:6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

“When we are slandered it is a joy that the Lord knows us, and cannot be made to doubt our uprightness he will not hear the lie against us, but he will hear our prayer against the lie.” (Spurgeon)

“It is of little use to appeal to our fellows on the matter of slander, for the more we stir in it the more it spreads; it is of no avail to appeal to the honour of the slanderers, for they have none, and the most piteous demands for justice will only increase their malignity and encourage them to fresh insult.” (Spurgeon)