Immanuel (God With Us) Dynamics
Do you desire to be a growing, mature, and devoted disciple?
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, and on You, I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5 NKJ.
A disciple of Christ walks with God — Immanuel. The Immanuel dynamics lead us to the essential elements we need to live a life of devotion. With open eyes, we need to see His Word, with a clear mind, grasp His truth, and hear His voice with open ears.
We must live the “with God” life.
It requires faithful attention as the Holy Spirit instructs, corrects, rebukes, and trains us to live with Him. What He values, we value. What He says is true—always faithful.
Esau walked with God, and Noah found favor with God because he, too, walked with God. Joseph could withstand betrayal, exile, imprisonment, and much more because God was with Him. Moses, King David, the prophets, and the apostles had a special relationship with God.
They all walked with God.
For the past three or four years, we’ve hopscotched from one book of the Bible to another. It has been in depth and powerful, but we have not taken the time to see God’s heart in leading us into the “with God” life.
Hand-in-hand, let’s walk the good path set by the Lord. It leads to wisdom, insight, and spiritual instruction. It requires the Spirit’s help, counsel, guidance, and truth. With this truth in hand, we will not go through just one book of the Bible but learn the actual dynamics of living with God daily.
We’ll begin with the spiritual foundations and then move to the power of prayer and personal growth. Furthermore, we will discover the truth behind spiritual empowerment, spiritual unity, leadership, stewardship, and ministry. It will be a journey and take a considerable amount of time. But the Creator of Time takes time for us, and we’ll do the same.
Our objective is to gain wisdom and understanding of the dynamics of the with-God life so we do not stumble but walk confidently into the future:
- Grow in godliness (righteousness — right standing with God)
- Cultivate a dynamic devotion
- Pursue holiness (set apart for His good purposes)
- Walk in faith
We have only two choices in life: walk with God or without. Come with me as we learn together the beauty, power, love, and joy found only in the disciple/Master relationship. Willingly and undoubtedly, join me on the journey to the heart of God — the way of the “with God” life.
This journey to the heart of God is what it is all about. You see, He who prepares a place for us prepares us for that place. It’s a covenant, a devotion, and a relationship—it’s the with-God life.
Come, Lord, Immanuel, and walk with us.
Therefore, the LORD Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call Him Immanuel. Isa 7:14 NKJV.
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name “Immanuel,” which is translated “God with us.” Matt 1:20:23 NKJV.
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them… You shall be My people, and I will be your God. Ez 36:25-28 NKJV.
Every “I will” draws us into the “with God” life because He takes the initiative to make it so. The new heart is teachable—the new spirit communes with God. The indwelling Holy Spirit transforms and conforms us to God’s will—the good path.
Walking with God is a good thing: “Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good… with all My heart and soul.” (Jer 32:41 NKJV)
Let’s go; the adventure begins now — today!
Next Week’s Reading Assignment: Psalm 19:7, Psalm 119:89-91, Psalm 119:105, and Prov 30:5-6