WHERE WILL YOU GO FROM HERE

WHERE WILL YOU GO FROM HERE? by Valerie Burton

This book gives some good “thinking tools” to help a person that is going through problems of life to grow because of them.  Scripture is used.  Some of the chapters involve questioning the path that led to the problem, regaining confidence after the problem, thoughts they may be holding a person back, and finding good and growth because of the problem.  Many true-to-life examples are given throughout.

At the end of every chapter thoughts are given as to the power of thoughts, words, actions, relationships, and prayer.  Each chapter also ends with a true story of someone who actually lived through the particular problem.

Although the problem of divorce is one that is used a great deal among many others, the principles discussed can be applied to any of life’s problems.  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.”

F – WALKING WITH JESUS – 6

As a Christian our greatest desire must be to walk with Jesus.  This involves our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.  1 Tim.4:12   We walk in Truth for Jesus is the Truth.  Jhn.14:6   Not only is Jesus the Truth, He is the Way that we walk when we walk with Him.  He knows the Way. 

As Paul prayed for the Colossians, he prayed that they would be filled with knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding as they bore fruit in every good work to please Jesus and walk worthy.  Col.1:9,10   This should be a picture of our walk with Jesus as we strive to please Jesus in every way.

We are walking with Jesus because we love Him.  Loving Him means that we are going to put Him first.  Matt.6:33   When we put Jesus first, we will want to please Him and in turn we will want to do His will which means obedience to His every command.  If we walk with Jesus we have to know Him.  1 Jhn.2:3,4   By keeping His Word, our love of Him is perfected and this becomes a blessing for we then know we are in Him.  1 Jhn.2:5

We can’t walk with Jesus with love for Him and still love the world at the same time.  We put off that old man and things we loved in the past.  1 Jhn.2:15,16   Old habits, worldly success, types of entertainment, friends of the world all are set aside in favor of pleasing Jesus with whom we walk.  A great blessing follows as we know those things of the world will just pass away but the blessing of those that do God’s will have eternity in view.  1 Jhn.2:17

If we are walking with Jesus we will strive to imitate Him.  Jesus had a servant heart.  He saw the needs of others in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways.  We cannot walk with Jesus if we also do not have a servant heart.  We all have been given a gift with the purpose of using it for Jesus.  1 Pet.4:10   Whether our gift is speaking or serving or both, the purpose is not for our own glory but for the glory of God.  1 Pet.4:11

We can obey; we can serve; we can walk with Jesus.  This must all be done with all of our heart and not just in a mechanical way.  The word, “heart”, is used often in both the O.T. and N.T.  It certainly is not the organ of our physical body.  The heart is used in the sense of our emotions, desires, thoughts, and decisions.  We love God with all our heart.  Our desire to walk with Jesus involves all of these. 

As God looked upon the sinfulness of man before the flood, He saw the thoughts of their hearts were very wicked.  Gen.6:5   As God commanded the Israelites to obey His laws, He added that they were to do so with all their heart.  Deut.26:16   David prayed that the meditations of his heart would be acceptable to God.  Ps.19:14   God’s law is stowed away in our heart.  Ps.40:8   In walking with Jesus our paths will be made straight as we trust in Him, but we must do so with all of our heart.  Prov.3:5,6

  

The Lord knows our heart like an open book.  He senses our emotions; He knows our desires; He searches our thoughts; He is very aware of our decisions.  Heb.4:12,13   We cannot hide from our Lord. 

Where is our treasure?  What thought consumes our mind the most?  That is where our heart will be.  Lk.12:34   Our desire and purpose cannot be on material things nor things that would be to please men.  Eph.6:6   As we work in an earthly capacity, we work with a sincere heart as if working for the Lord rather than for man.  Col.3:22,23; Eph.6:5

Many times our words show what is in our heart.  Matt.15:18   We may “look” religious and seem to be religious but in a moment of stress our mouth detracts from our sincerity.  Our words show our walk with Jesus.  Rom.10:8-10  

Our purpose centers in our heart.  This is true whether in giving, serving, speaking or in whatever capacity we are striving to please our Lord.  2 Cor.9:7,8   We were created to serve our Lord.  Eph.2:10   This is the way we walk.

Our heart is involved in many facets of our walk.  Reasoning or thinking comes from our heart.  Mk.2:6-8   Grieving is part of life and centers in the heart.  Jhn.16:6   Not only does grieving come from the heart but also does rejoicing.  Jhn.16:22  

As we develop a strong desire to walk with Jesus, may the eyes of our heart be open to realize our hope and inheritance in the Lord.  Eph.1:18   May we be willing to follow in the steps of Jesus whatever may come.  1 Pet.2:21,22   As we test and purify our hearts as to the emotions, desires, thoughts and decisions that ensue, may we have a sincere love of not only our Lord but also of one another in Christ

E – WALKING WITH JESUS – 5

Like a child imitating Daddy, we try to imitate Jesus when we walk with Him.  It we walk side by side with a friend, it is much easier if we keep in step with each other.  So it is when we walk with Jesus.  We need to keep in step with Him as we do our best to imitate Him.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  Lk.19:10   When a commission is given it is an order to do something.  Jesus gave what is called the Great Commission and indeed it was great for it continues to all who follow Him until this day.  Matt.28:18-20   Jesus’ last words before He ascended into heaven was for His followers to witnesses the world.  He had died a cruel death to bring salvation to the lost and then rose from the dead that we, too, might have victory over death and someday be with Him in Heaven.  This face is so important that if it had not happened, our faith would be in vain and our sins would not be forgiven.  1 Cor.15:17   If we are walking with Jesus, we need to be spreading His Word in whatever capacity we can, whenever we can, wherever we can, and to whom ever we can.  This is Jesus’ will for us.  Lk.12:47

Let us walk along with Jesus as we follow Him in the Scriptures.  Jesus had a servant heart.  He was not concerned with Himself.  He must have been exhausted at times.  He was not worried about negative reactions of those that opposed Him.  Jesus saw the needs of people around Him and He knew He could help meet their needs.  He didn’t just know but He stepped forward to act upon those needs.

Today the idea seems to be “Leave it to Beaver”.  The same ones keep doing the tasks that are needed and those “same ones” are getting fewer and older.  It isn’t always easy to leave your comfort zone.  This wasn’t the way of Jesus nor was it the way of His apostles.

Jesus was a servant  Matt.20:28   He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords and yet He came to serve and not to be served.  This is our ultimate example.  A servant works for someone or for some cause.  A servant ministers to the needs of others in assisting them, helping them, and providing for them.  Jesus had open eyes to see the needs of others and He had the compassion to serve them in their needs.

As Christians we have all been given gifts of various and numerous types.  We are to use these gifts in service to others.  1 Pet.4:10   We are given these gifts by the grace or favor of God and we are to be good stewards of them.  We are given to give.  Rom.12:7   Because we are given these gifts, we want to be sure that we give God the glory.  Our service is not to pat ourselves on the back.  It isn’t our own glory that has enabled us to serve but only by the grace of God.  Matt.13:12   God has given and expects us to use His gifts.  We use or loose.

We need not think that what we can do is so small it is of no significance.  Jesus spoke of those that even gave food and drink to those who hungered and were thirsty.  Matt.25:40   Whatever we do, we do as unto the Lord.  1 Cor.4:7   No gift is to our glory, however small or great it might be.

Just as in giving, our attitude is important.  Elders were exhorted in this fashion but it would certainly hold true with any Christian.  We should be willing and eager to serve.  Can you imagine Jesus being out of sorts when He had to heal some one?  1 Pet.5:2   Neither should we ever be resentful.  2 Tim.2:24   “I’ve had to do it more times than my brother.”  We are serving our Lord and not men.  Eph.6:7,8   We should take great joy in serving our Lord.  Heb.9:14

If we are observing the second greatest commandment, we will be serving in love.  Gal.5:13   Being is true servant of our Lord may indicate our love for Him as well as for our neighbor or brother.  Lk.10:27

To be a servant our eyes must be open to the needs of others.  We can’t make the blind see or heal a leper or cripple but many needs are evident if we just observe and stay alert.  People are suffering physically and/or emotionally.  Some are in grief.  Just to be noticed and included as a friend is a great need for those who are lonesome.  Smiles, maybe hugs, greeting, phone calls, cards, visits, food items (maybe cookies), invitations to go or to visit your home are just a few starters.  You can be creative.  Helping with church affairs is also important.  Your presence is a beginner!  Picking up after yourself first and then others that won’t (remember without resentment), cleaning some portion of the building, straightening song books, helping serve food at meals and then helping with clean-up.  So many ways can help those that “always do it”.  We are not a servant to just sit and watch others work.  Some do.

Don’t be afraid of menial tasks.  Matt.20:26,27;  Matt.23:11,12   Jesus even performed the most lowly task of a slave—washing the feet of His disciples.  Jhn.13:4,5   At our very best we are still unworthy servants.  We need to realize this.  Lk.17:10

Jesus took on the nature of a servant.  Phil.2:7   How precious to our ears would be the words, “Well done…”.  Matt.25:23   May we be found walking with Jesus, having a servant heart, and faithfully imitating our Master.  Matt.24:46

D – WALKING WITH JESUS – 4

When we are walking with Jesus, it might seem that our walk would be peaceful in every way.  We do have peace with God and our Lord if we walk with Him.  Jhn.14:27   This is the kind of peace that is more lasting—eternal.  Arrows of trouble may hit us on the outside but a Christian can enjoy an inside peace that the world does not understand.  Rom.8:6   It is important that we understand this peace because walking with Jesus will have Satan at our heels.  Phil.4:7  Even though this kind of peace is beyond understanding of the world, yet it guards us because we know the Spirit within us is greater than Satan.  1 Jhn.4:4   As we walk with Him the peace of Christ rules us—controls us.  Col.3:15

Because of this peace in our hearts, we should not be surprised when we face problems because of walking with Jesus.  Jhn.15:18,19   The world does not want to face their sin.  An example is found in 1 Kgs.22:8.  The king wanted a prophet to tell what would happen but he didn’t want Micaiah for he would tell the truth and it would not be good for him.  The king did not want to hear it.  Too often people today will leave one church to go to another because they don’t want to hear about their sins.  They want their ears tickled to feel good.

We can expect to be persecuted just as prophets of old suffered persecution.  Lk.6:22,23   A reward in heaven is promised if we remain strong and continue to walk with Jesus.  We cannot be ashamed of His name or of the fact that we walk with Him.  Rom.1:16   If we confess His name to others, Jesus will confess us before God.  Matt.10:32,33   Many times we will be hated because we confess His name.  Mk.13:13  

Just saying, “Lord, Lord”, does not mean we are walking with Jesus.  It may sound like it but Jesus knows the difference.  Matt.7:21   When we walk with our Lord, our purpose is to please Him and do His will—not just talk about it.  Rom.8:8,9   Walking with Jesus requires a decision from us.  We either follow men and the world to please them or we follow Jesus to please Him.  Gal.1:10   Some try to follow a little of both.  It is impossible.  Matt.6:24   When we walk with Jesus, we walk with Him alone.

With Satan following at our heels, what are some of the ways he tries to trip us?   We may have had habits that now must be broken.  These habits may be addictions or perhaps we have used language not acceptable to Jesus.  Have we enjoyed jokes or crude thoughts that would please Satan but not Jesus?  Picture yourself in your old life with Jesus participating in the same.  Just picture Jesus with a cigarette hanging from His lips or a can of beer in His hands.  That thought is atrocious.  No one, not even a person of the world, could imagine these things.  Yet we think we can walk with Jesus and continue in these habits.  If we walk with Jesus, we try to imitate Him.  3 Jhn.11

Perhaps we have enjoyed success professionally or financially and to “climb the ladder” has become a very important goal in our life.  Christians are needed in every honest field of endeavor—the word “honest” is of great importance.  Some new in Christ have had to acknowledge that complete honesty was not a part of their life in these realms.  To walk with Jesus, they have had to give up some success in order to excel in their walk with Jesus.  Riches and worldly success does not follow us to heaven.  Jam.1:11   Our walk is of first importance and then comes success in this world.  Too often success professionally or financially leads one to fall into temptation.  1 Tim.6:9,10       

Friends are very important to us.  We may have walked with them for a long time.  Walking with Jesus doesn’t mean we completely give up those friendships but now that relationship changes.  Jesus is first and pleasing Him surpasses any other goal we might have had.  Matt.6:33   Our goal now becomes our ability to walk with Jesus on through eternity.  Our interests change.  We no longer want to accompany our old friends to the same places or converse with them in the same way.  Neither to they want to accompany us to the places (church, Bible study) we want to go.  1 Pet.4:4   Sometimes this hurts because we now realize their destination.  1 Pet.4:12-17   Friends may even be lost.  Jam.4:4   Is eternity worth our loss?  This is an important decision in our walk.

Today it seems that entertainment has become a god.  Perhaps it would be well for us to assess the time we spend in entertainment as well as the quality of it.  Educational tests have taught us that what goes into our brain through our eyes is the strongest source of learning next to actual participation. 

Our entertainment could include some physical activity.  This is good in balance of the spiritual.  1 Tim.4:8   Watching shows through various media as well as reading material is another source of entertainment and widely available today.  It is like choosing friends—will it make us a better Christian and help us to follow Jesus more closely in our walk or deter us from the path.  Lk.8:14   Some day time yourself in the amount of time you spend in entertainment, prayer, Bible study and meditation, doing good for someone, calls and cards for encouragement, etc.  We need to be good stewards of our time.  We need to take care of our bodies and our mind and our spirits.  Jam.1:27; 1 Pet.4:10

For any loss that we might have on this earth, we gain far more in eternity.  1 Jhn.3:1,13   In enduring our trials, we strengthen our spiritual muscles to gain greater ability to walk with Jesus.  Jam.1:2,3   We can take courage in that the world does not hate us in a personal way but they dislike our devotion to the One who exposes their sin.  Matt.10:22   We must always remember the One with whom we walk.  Heb.12:3