#walkthesame
Kindness over Condemnation (#wtsdevo kindness)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) -John 4:9
This is such a sweet parable. Not only was it taboo for a man to confront a woman back then, it was well known that Jews and Samaritans did not associate with one another. A double whammy. So when Jesus approached “the woman at the well” He was overstepping some major boundaries.
Unfortunately, there are still some people groups and locations that are considered off limits. Certain races aren’t welcomed and certain social classes are thought to be best remaining separate. But there is one universal action that could open the door that leads to change. It could loosen the brick that drops the entire wall.
Kindness. And at its finest it’s given undeservingly. This kind of action can’t be mustered up from our will. Granted, we can be really, really nice. We can be compassionate. But kindness—this kindness only comes through the very Spirit of God.
It’s nothing different from the grace He gives us or His eagerness to give us good things. At the very least, He is kind to give us a roadmap with all the directions and detours to avoid destruction. See, kindness meets a need. It bridges the gap. So we offer it freely as it is offered to us.
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Devotional Series: Kindness (#wtsdevo kindness)
By: Julian Davis \ Personal // Walk the Same
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Even in the winter, even in the midst of the storm, the sun is still there. Somewhere, up above the clouds, it still shines and warms and pulls at the life buried deep inside the brown branches and frozen earth. The sun is there! Spring will come! The clouds cannot stay forever. - Gloria Gaither #WTSInspire
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The cross is the hinge of history. The great events that were compressed into the four days surrounding Christ’s death touch the lives and hopes of everyone. - George Muller #WTSInspire
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Desire
Type & Edit byJasmine Ruigrok
What is desired in a man is kindness,… - Proverbs 19:22
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Be merry, really merry. The life of a true Christian should be a perpetual jubilee, a prelude to the festivals of eternity. - Theophane Venard #WTSInspire
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Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet. - John Flavel #WTSInspire
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God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them. - Augustine #WTSInspire
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Kindness Unaware (#wtsdevo kindness)
At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” - Mark 7:35-37
Commanding His followers to secrecy can be seen on more than one occasion in the Bible. It is clear that Christ wanted to make sure that His kindness towards others didn’t end up becoming a show for others to enjoy and gossip about.
And this makes me wonder as to how many times in my life has God intervened without me realizing it. I’m pretty sure it is more times than I can even imagine.
With Jesus acting and reacting the way He does around kindness, He commands us to do the same and asks us to avoid putting on a show when it comes to treating others with love, genuine concern and care.
Being kind to others is something that should come out of us by default especially with us being Christians. Being able to understand one another, help those in need and to be able to be that person who stands as a pillar of hope in times of hopelessness should be traits that shouldn’t hesitate to come out through our words, actions and interactions with others.
To be kind to expect something in return is most certainly not the way of Christ considering how sacrificial He was when it came to kindness and love. He gave up His all in order to ensure that our lives were elevated and lifted up closer to God. This should be us when it comes to our kindness towards others.
I can only image how many more smiles there would be if we realized that there was more and more of kindness coming from people around us in unexpected and secret ways. Maybe you and I can start.
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Devotional Series: Kindness (#wtsdevo kindness)
By: Jude \ Personal//Walk the Same
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Walking with Jesus is not a stressful satisfying of His demands - it is a lovingly seeking after Him and living by and through His grace. It is pure and simple devotion to loving Him. - Maggie Orme Brandow #WTSInspire
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God is the one who clasps your hand as you move from one place to another. He is the one who has gone ahead of you, prepared a place for you, and will hold out His hand for you to cling to. - Susan Miller #WTSInspire
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Unexplainable Joy Leads to Cheerful Giving (#wtsdevo joy)
Seven years ago, our family had the opportunity to visit an orphanage for disabled children in India that our son’s foundation helps support financially. I’ll never forget the long journey to reach these children. After a fifteen hour flight from America to New Delhi, we travelled six hours by car and twelve hours by train in order to reach the tiny town in which these children lived. My visualization of poverty transformed as we made our way to the orphanage. Women bathing children on broken sidewalks, families of five traveling together on one motorcycle, small children begging for money on every corner………………..
Nothing about my life seemed to be lacking anymore.
I looked out the window of the train as we moved along the bumpy track, and the sea of homes made from all kinds of random material with lines of laundry strung between them moved me to tears. I thought about the children we would soon be meeting. I wondered what kinds of conditions they lived in and what it would take to make them happy. Almost immediately, my mind jumped to thoughts of my suitcase and what I had packed as gifts for the kids at the orphanage………………….
Candy.
Small, hard candy in plastic wrappers.
This was all we had brought for these little children who needed so much more.
I felt certain my hands would feel empty as I reached out to give such a little gift to children with such great needs.
When we finally reached our destination and made our way to the home where these children lived, I found myself second-guessing the gifts in my bag. Although we had been told the kids would love little pieces of candy, I was sure we should have brought clothes or books …….. gifts that would last much longer.
As the door to their home opened, a group of young children – some deaf, some blind, some crippled – greeted us excitedly.
My family and I began hugging them, and I found myself completely overwhelmed with the huge smiles on their faces. These children, with so many reasons to feel unloved and forgotten, were beaming with joy in spite of all the aspects of their lives that could have caused them to weep.
As we handed out our tiny gifts, the children squealed. I couldn’t imagine them being any happier than they were in that moment. Our candy, in their hands, seemed like precious gold.
And then the most unbelievable thing happened.
Children started coming towards us, one by one, trying to give the candy back.
I was confused at first, “Why would they want to give back the very thing they had just received so joyfully?”
Our guide must have realized our entire family was confused as we were trying to push candy into the hands of children who were pushing it back into ours. He smiled and explained that the children were so happy to see us and this was their way of trying to say “thank you” for our visit to India. Since they had nothing else to give in return, they were giving the one thing they had…………….candy. No one was forcing them to give. No one was asking them to even say, “thank you.” Their hearts were so full of joy that giving was the natural response.
Tears ran down my face as I realized this is exactly what 2 Cor. 9:7 would look like if it were captured in a photograph.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
These children, who had nothing, were teaching me what it means to give freely and joyfully.
Several years have passed since I stood in that tiny village in India surrounded by children who had every reason to feel sad but instead chose to feel joy, but my heart still feels just as overwhelmed when I think about their faces….their beautiful faces beaming with joy as they tried to give back the one thing they could offer us as a “thank you.”
My face should beam with joy today as I think about all the ways God has blessed my own life. Because of this joy, I should want to cheerfully give back to Him in every possible way I can in order to say “thank you.”
No matter what you’re facing in life, find reasons to feel joy and turn to God with a beaming face, cheerfully giving back to Him from the blessings He has so freely given you…..even when they seem like tiny pieces of candy wrapped in plastic. Overwhelm Him with your joy in spite of your circumstances and watch what happens. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
By: Tammy \ Personal//Walk the Same
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Joy comes when you know who you are in Christ (#wtsdevo joy)
I get the most upset, angry and exhausted when I feel lost, and when things seem uncertain. When I feel like I can’t unravel my thoughts and emotions, I just end up keeping my emotions and actions on the down-low. However, when I do have an idea as to who I am and what I am doing, then I’m fueled in a positive way. I’m happy and outgoing and just want to do more and more.
In our Christian lives, when we move with no direction, or when our understanding of ourselves and our purpose is vague… We start to feel blue and unhappy. We would feel that way because we are in a position where we have no idea about our calling or what we are meant to do. The joy in our lives dries up, and we are left with nothing but the dry, dusty emotions of anger, sadness and frustration.
As a Christian, it is key for all of us to identify who we are in Christ and to also allow God total control over all aspects of our lives. Give Him control of our plans, our present and our future. Usually when we are lost and feeling misguided, we are compelled to take things into our own hands and do it our way. This typically ends up with us reliant wholly on people and the world in general.
Seeking help from people isn’t a bad thing. We are called to place ourselves within community and interaction. But leaving God out of the story of our lives isn’t going to do us a favor. It is important for us to understand that God alone is our steadfast anchor in life. No matter how much the world shakes around us, by trusting and holding onto our faith in God, we are held safe in His hands. Even when the world seems like its crashing down on us, our joy and strength remains because God remains unshaken. Therefore no matter the road ahead, we can still move on strong and hopeful. Most importantly, our joy remains untainted.
When we know who we are in Christ, we essentially map ourselves clearly in the middle of a chaotic world. And when we identify who we are the way Christ meant us to, we place ourselves in a position where we are filled with His wisdom and guidance when it comes to whom to approach and making the right decisions. Everything becomes crystal clear when we identify ourselves in Christ.
Pure joy is so much needed in this life. We all live today and it is sure to take over our lives when we finally know who we are in Christ. We are all His, and each of us are meant for amazing and joyful things. This promise is something we need to pray on everyday and believe in.
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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
By: Elle \ Personal // Walk the Same // Color Movement
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Finding Joy
Words byJohanna Loh
The topic of joy is immensely broad. So many articles and books have been written, not to mention countless sermons preached about it. Yet, I meet and know of many Christians who struggle with keeping their joy. It is an elusive concept, easy to visualize in the head but at times hard to grasp in the heart.
Interestingly, some of the most eye-opening perspectives I have had about joy have been from non-Christians. One episode was gleaned from a conversation with a Sikh man in his sixties. Tall and skinny, he possessed an observant glint coupled with a turban wrapped neatly around his head. From initially giving me some running advice, the topic of conversation turned to religion. I told him I was a Christian, and I got the most heart-warming response.
“So you’re a Christian! That’s good! Remember to pray more. Thank God for everything. Wake up early to pray! I tell you, don’t worry about anything. Trust God and be happy!”
His words stuck with me for a long while, as I had been feeling at that period like I was losing my joy and didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t a nice feeling as I was a generally optimistic person. I knew the theology regarding joy and understood it. But at that point in time, it seemed that my heart had gotten so callous and reserved. I was struggling with depressive phases that seemed to have no proper explanation. But upon hearing his words, something sparked inside of me.
The other incident that taught me about joy was from a conversation with a security guard who patrols the residential area where I go for evening runs. He earns an average of $300 USD per month. He hasn’t been back to his home country for at least five years because he is unable to afford the air fare. However, he said something that has remained with me too for all this while.
“I see so many rich people drive past here and they are all frowning and down… I don’t want to be like that. I thank God for what I have and remember Him. Money can’t make you happy… I don’t have much, but I look to God and am happy.”
It seems that what both men were referring to had more to do with the notion of joy rather than happiness. Something that goes beyond a temporary emotion, a state of mind that speaks of resting in God despite circumstances. As Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18*, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Logically speaking, it is impossible to be happy all the time. With the setbacks and pitfalls that will happen in life, we cannot be perpetually upbeat and carefree. It is hard to be jovial as we hear the news that a loved one has cancer. It is difficult to remain cheerful as we face the prospect of retrenchment, the hurt of failed relationships, personal struggles with fears and worries… Going back to Paul’s words, we are not asked to be “happy” always but to “rejoice” always. A deep, steadfast and real joy is cultivated as we look continuously to the hope that we have in God, who is bigger than anything that life throws at us. It is an attitude of assurance that our heavenly Father truly cares for us as well as believing that nothing else matters as long as we have God. And in doing so, we can sincerely rejoice, pray and give thanks in everything, from the best to the worst of things.
A deep, steadfast and real joy is cultivated as we look continuously to the hope that we have in God, who is bigger than anything that life throws at us.
Psalm 23 is probably the most well-known psalm that David penned. Most of us know it well, if not by heart. The fourth verse of the psalm depicts David’s absolute trust in God and one could say, a constant joy.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
He never asked to be brought out of the valley. Instead, he declared confidently that he would not fear, because God was with him.
A few psalms later he writes, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)
Historical research points to the fact that both psalms were most likely written during the period when Absalom, David’s own son rebelled and caused a civil war. The then King David was compelled to wage war against his own son. In such broken circumstances, David’s joy was found because his heart trusted in God. He had a solid assurance that God loved him along with the knowledge that God would walk beside him in the valley and come through for him in trying circumstances. And that is the reason for having joy. Joy can be found in the mountaintop experiences of our lives, but more often it is in the valleys that our joy is nurtured and flourishes accordingly. Why? Because God walks with us.
In the words of a Sikh man, trust God – have joy.
In the words of a security guard who would not amount to much by society’s standards, look to God - have joy.
In the words of a troubled king, trust in God and be helped – have joy.
*All verses quoted are from the NKJV Bible
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The Source of Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
Life can get hard. This being a constant occurrence, it is easy for us to get tied down to the negativity that it brings- fear, anger, hurt and insecurity.
Since we are a people who want and crave things in the “now” we seek out for joy in quick and easy things. However this pursuit of easy “joy” turns and puts us into even more of a struggle, because the joy that we seek from worldly things isn’t joy at all, but simple happiness. Good comes with happiness, but it is fleeting and temporal.
Once we fall into this cycle of chasing unsatisfactory happiness, we fall into the trap of seeking joy from the world rather than the source of all joy. And what do we get? Cheap happiness simply disguised as joy. Although we may not realize it at the time, cheap happiness kills us on the inside day after day.
How different would things be if we went to the source of joy for our joy! The joy that Christ brings isn’t quick, fast and easy but rather it endures and is relentless, just like His Word and truths are eternal.
When we seek out joy from Christ Himself and fill ourselves up with the goodness and love that He has to offer, our struggles, pain and worry all drown under the immense weight of His mercy and love. The negatives in our lives go away and is replaced by pure joy and every other blessing that God brings down upon us.
When things don’t seem to be working and when joy seems to be lacking in your life, seek the source of it all. Let His presence fill you with joy that the world cannot give you. In Him may your joy be complete.
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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
By: Jude \ Personal//Walk the Same
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Be Glad, Sing for joy, Rejoice!
Type & Photography by Christeen Janning
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you! - Psalm 5:11
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Joy is coming. (#wtsdevo joy)
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Psalm 126:5
Around this time of year, a sense of dread will start to crawl up my spine. It’ll work it’s way into my heart and my mind, and I’ll grow restless and discontent. I’m not sure if it’s the cold weather or the lack of sunlight, I just know that this is the time of year satan uses most to try and steal my joy.
I’m aware by now that I can prepare in small ways every year for this, and I try my best. However, it seems like every year, I spend at least a few January nights in tears. I weep over the feelings of hopelessness and exhaustion. My heart aches with longing for glimmers of spring.
I am also aware by now, however, that this is the time of year God uses the most. He gently pulls me back into His warm, loving arms, and once again lights the flame in my heart. By spring, I am renewed in Him- filled with His joy and fire once more.
Prayer:
Father, the deep cold of these winter months can take a toll on a person. I know though, that you are using this time to prepare me, to remind me of who you are, and to once more fill me with your joy. Thank you for your constant presence and love.
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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
By: Autumn Holbert \ Personal//Walk The Same
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Joy in a Prison Cell (#wtsdevo joy)
I was nine years old when my minister preached a sermon on Philippians. I remember vividly his description of Paul’s conditions in prison as he wrote this book- a cold, damp cell. Isolation from those he loved. An uncertain tomorrow. Paul had every reason to complain and feel anything but joy. Yet in Philippians 4:4 he penned the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice!” I can almost see my little hand grasping the bright blue ink pen as I carefully underlined those words in my Bible. “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say, Rejoice!” I remember thinking, “If Paul can rejoice while he is in prison, surely I can rejoice no matter what I might face in life.”
Many years have passed since I claimed Philippians 4:4 as my life verse. I have now been married thirty years and have four adult children. I also have two children waiting for me in Heaven – a daughter who died of SIDS in 1992 and a son who died of brain cancer in 2008.
When I underlined that verse in my Bible many years ago, I had no idea just how often I would cling to it in times of great sadness. I love the thought that even though I didn’t know what was coming in my life, God did. And I believe He knew I needed this particular verse planted deep in my soul.
Are you facing a tough season right now?
If so, take some time to read Philippians 4 and think about Paul’s ability to praise God in the midst of great uncertainty and suffering. Ask God to help you learn how to rejoice even when very little about life makes sense.
He promises in Psalm 126:5 that if we “sow in tears we will reap songs of joy!” I have seen Him keep this promise in my own life time and time again.
Life is hard. There will be tears.However, God is good. And He promises joy to those who live for Him.
I am praying for you today. Praying you have a day filled with unexplainable joy!____________________________________________
Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)
By: Tammy \ Personal//Walk the Same
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