Wisdom for living: Cultivating a personal walk with God

By Tope Banso.
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1 NKJV).
Walking with God is a personal decision. I urge you to take that decision today to walk with God this New Year and beyond. Only your decision is important, not others’ decision, opinion or feeling. Joshua said, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 NLT). He wouldn’t be influenced by what others decided.
Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24), Noah (Genesis 6:8-9), Joseph (Genesis. 39:8-9, 39:2) and Abraham (Genesis 12:4, 17:1; 2 Chronicles 20:7) are some examples of people in the Bible who walked with God.
They all took the personal decision to walk with God despite the way others lived their lives. Out of this list, unfortunately, Noah became a victim of drunkenness after the flood, and the Bible does not tell us how he lived his life thereafter (Genesis 9: 20-29).
Your name can be added to the list of those who walked with God if you’ll make a personal decision today notwithstanding what others do or don’t do, the mistakes you’ve made in the past or your previous failed decisions.
When Abraham was 99 years old, 24 years after he had left Haran in obedience to God, He said to him, “l am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1 NKJV).
Wasn’t Abram already walking with God? Yes, he was, but our walk with God on earth must get better and be continuous.
God wants you to come into personal relationship and fellowship with Him. Will you take that decision today? First, if you’re not born again, you need to admit that you’re a sinner and you can’t save yourself. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross shedding his blood to save you, and resurrected from the dead the third day. You need to confess him as your Savior and Lord. Will you do that right away? It’s the best decision you can ever make.
What other things must you do to walk with God?
(1). Deny yourself and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:23-24).
(2). Consecrate yourself (Romans 12:1-2; Revelation 3:4).
(3). Fear God (Deuteronomy 4:24, 8:6; Hebrews 12:29; Nehemiah 5:9; Joshua 24:14;Genesis 39:9).
(4). Maintain unbroken fellowship with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11; Jude 20; Galatians 5:16-18; John 4:24; Ephesians 5:18-19; Isaiah 40:30; Habakkuk 2:1).
(5). Treasure the Word of God (Job 23:12; Psalm 119:105, 1, 11; Joshua 1:8; Romans 12:2, Isaiah 1:19).
(6). Develop a healthy church life (Hebrews 10:25; Psalm 92:13; 1Kings 20:40).
(7). Live a life of faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11:6; John 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:7).
(8). Look away from the crowd or others but don’t forsake fellowship with fellow believers (Romans 14:12; Numbers 14:24; Genesis 6:8-12; Galatians 1:15-16).
(9). Submit to the spiritual leadership God has placed over you (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Colossians 2:6-7; 3 John 4).
(10). Don’t be complacent. Our walk with God is a continous one (Philippians 3:10-16, Genesis 17:1).
Walk with God.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org)
T. O. Banso
Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria
cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947