Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

Tag: walk

  • Seek

    “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 KJV

    “The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4 NLT

    David’s Goal each day was to be in the presence of God. To be with God, to walk with God and to behold God.

    He starts by describing the one and only thing he desires each morning. He desires it so much that he is going to “seek after” it.  There is a difference between seek after and sought after. 

    Seek after is to actively pursue, you are determined, it is your sole focus.

    Sought after is an adjective that describes what many people want. It is popular and they want it but not enough to actively pursue it.  They want it given to them.

    David is setting aside all other needs, desires, worries and distractions. He is focused on one single all-consuming pursuit.  To be in the presence of God.

    The Hebrew word for “dwell” is yashab. It means to stay continually, sit or remain.  David is not interested in a temporary or occasional visit with God. He wants a permanent, all-day presence.

    To behold or gaze means having your eyes, mind and thoughts in a focused look at the character of God. You are not fixating on your pain, darkness, or the circumstances of this world.

    Enquire or Inquire are the same word, just spelled differently depending upon the different parts of the world.  In this verse they mean to meditate on God’s truth, listening to His heart, and aligning one’s life with His wisdom instead of relying on human wisdom or solutions.

    “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV

    Your first focus and only focus when your eyes open in the early morning is to seek the presence of God in your life today.  In your work, in your relationships with family and friends.

    Let God’s presence dwell deep inside you today.

    Don’t ask God to walk with you. You walk with God.

    Seek Him first and all things will be added to you.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Loving People one step closer to Jesus.

    Larry

  • Blessed

    “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.”  Psalm 1: 1-3 NIV

    Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1: 1-3 NLT

    This is the start of the book of Psalms. If you have ever wondered what the difference between Psalms and Psalm is? The whole book is called the book of Psalms. An individual chapter or verse is called a Psalm.

    These three verses set the tone for the whole book of Psalms. They also describe what type of individual a follower of God should be.

    Verse, one states that a man who delights in the word of the God will be blessed. The word or law here is not a burden to be followed or obeyed. It is in the word that you find the source of Joy, Peace, Satisfaction and Affection. It is the word that brings you close to God and you feel that closeness deep inside. It is the word that transforms you from desiring a walk with the world and your own wisdom to a walk with God leading. It will bring delight to your heart to be walking holding the hand of God.

    The Hebrew word used in Psalm 1:1 for “blessed” is Ashray or Ashrei. Unlike a fleeting emotional feeling of happiness or mere good fortune, ashrei in the Hebrew Bible implies a deep, enduring state of well-being, alignment, and contentment that comes from walking in God’s ways or living a righteous, faithful life.

    The follower of God does not live the same life or participate in the same things that “sinners” do.  We do not read, watch or participate in activities that open the door to living a life that does not represent God’s Love. We don’t use social media to point out wrongs or condemnation of others. We do not sit around and talk or gossip about others. We do not participate in debates and arguments with others on the merit of God or doctrine.  We do not walk by the destitute, widows and homeless without helping. You are called to be a different person in all walks of life. Your life in all aspects represents Love.

    Verse two tells you how much time a follower of God spends in time with God and His word.  To “meditate” means to constantly ponder, recite and chew on the entire word of God.  To always be in prayer and conversation with God. You are to do this throughout the whole day, morning, afternoon, and evening. You are to be in this mindset at work and at play. The branch must stay fully connected to the vine every second of every day.

    Verse three tells you the benefits of this type of life. This person has its roots planted on the rock of God and will be nourished in all types of circumstances.  The water from God’s word will cure your thirstiness. This person will produce the wonderful fruit of the Spirit. The “prosper” that verse speaks of is not material wealth, but it is the promise of eternal walking with God. When you are planted with your roots in the word you will always bring glory to God and prosper in every situation. 

    The Three Jewish boys had their feet firmly planted in God and His word and they prospered by coming out of the fire after walking with God in the fire.

    We greatly misunderstand the first part of these verses.  The “way of Wicked” is not talking about doing evil things or the habits of world.  These are all good things to stay away from. But the true meaning of the “way of the Wicked” are those that do not walk hand in hand with God and delight in His word by spending all day in close walk with God. This describes everyone that does not let the Holy Spirit transform them from the inside. Even those self-proclaimed Christians who trust in their own control and desires but refuse to put on the robe of Righteousness. The people that Jesus utters the words “I do not know you” are outwardly followers of Him but they never surrendered and walked with Him.  

    In all your ways spend the whole day walking with God, representing His Love for all to see.

    Your prosperity comes in eternity.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Daily Living

    “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. James 1:27 KJV

    “Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world”. James 1:27 The Message

    Pure (katharos): Clean, clear, and genuine, without any hidden motives or mixed quality.

    Undefiled (amiantos): Free from stains, dirt, or outside corruption; untouched by evil or sin.

    The Greek word for “visit” in James 1:27 is episkeptomai (ἐπισκέπτομαι), which means to look upon with helpful interest or to provide relief to those in need. It means much more than a casual social call or drop-in visit. It implies going with a supportive purpose, taking personal responsibility, and actively stepping in to help someone facing hardship or distress.

    Every follower of Jesus should take the time to dive deep into this verse.  Jesus is giving you what He considers the best way to live your life before God the Father.  It is a very simple verse yet deep in its meaning and deep in what it is not saying.

    In its very simplistic meaning it is telling you that God considers the best way to show that you are a son or daughter of Him, is to always put others before yourself and to keep yourself from being corrupted by the world and its ways.  I like the NIV version of this verse where it states, “keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.

    You couple this verse with the verse in the gospel of John and you have God’s idea how you should live each day.

    “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV.

    Pure and True Religion is Action!

    Action over ritual: True religion is not just about attending services, obeying a set of doctrines, obeying the commandments, or having knowledge of scripture. It requires agape love and daily acts of mercy.

    It is putting your Love for God, your scripture reading, your heart filled with the Spirit, into your daily walk here on this earth.

    It is a purposeful and dedicated way of living in a world that is more corrupt each day.  I purposefully must show Agape love, and I purposefully have to stop doing anything that may let the corruption of the world into my mind and heart.

    It is not an accidental way of living!  It is a deliberate, intentional, determined walk each day with God.

    A lot of very strong and true Christians, who have kept all the commandments and have been a faithful follower of Jesus, will hear His voice at the second coming say to them, “I never knew you”. 

    They never let the words of Jesus change their hearts. They were perfect on the outside but inside they still wanted control.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for All.

    Larry

  • Daily Walk

    “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”. Colossians 1:10 KJV

    “We also pray that your outward lives, which men see, may bring credit to your master’s name, and that you may bring joy to his heart by bearing genuine Christian fruit, and that your knowledge of God may grow yet deeper”. Colossians 1:10 JB Phillips

    In this verse Paul is giving them the instructions for a daily walk with God. 

    It is a great reminder of how we are to live each out each day.

    Paul is describing two aspects of your daily walk.  One outward and one Inward.

    Your outward life should reflect a live that is worthy of what Jesus did for you when He was crucified and then He rose from the grave. He paved the way for you to enter the realm of eternity on the coattails of His righteousness. Your sins are forgiven! Will others see today the positive, outward praise and thanksgiving you have for what Jesus did for you?  Will they see it on your face? Hear it in your words? Is your walk today worthy of what Jesus did?

    Are you producing the fruit of the Spirit in every situation or every circumstance that may arise? In every step today are you making the atmosphere better by exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Always reflecting the light of God.

    Then Paul turns inwardly and tells you to spend the day increasing in knowledge with God. The Greek word used here for knowledge is (epignosis).  It implies a deep, personal, and relational understanding, like knowing a person intimately rather than knowing about them.

    Paul is not telling you to increase in wisdom or knowledge about God and His word. He is telling you that each day you should work on becoming more intimate with Him. If you work at becoming more intimate with Him, then all other knowledge will follow.

    “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. Matthew 6:33 NIV

    Make God’s priorities, values, and His ways your focus. See the world through Jesus eyes and His Love for all mankind.

    This is not accidental but a very intentional, purposeful habit of praying, reading and meditating on Scripture and quieting your mind to listen to His voice of guidance.

    Purposely and intentionally shut off the world and its distractions and open myself to see, feel and enjoy the presence of God walking next to me.

    You habit should be to spend time with God instead of picking up your phone to scroll or post or turn on the TV for more news and programs that are not bringing you closer to God.

    Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry