Get On The Journey
Devotions for JourneyMen (That Can Also Be Read By Women on the Journey)
by
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As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked with them.
Luke 24:15
I participated in a small group Bible Study Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels. During this study I read that the average man takes 10,000 steps a day, and that during the course of your life, you will have taken enough steps to have circled the globe four times! You are probably glad to see I am not using a television show or a movie as my source of wisdom, but instead have shifted gears to a respected Christian pastor and author. As I thought about taking enough steps to circle the globe four times I thought about how many steps that is, yet how impactful just a few steps can be, walking with Christ. I also wondered if this is why women need so many shoes? Probably not! Walking with Christ is part of our journey as Christians. When we follow Christ’s lead and walk with Christ, we are led along the right path. When we don’t walk with and follow Christ, we lose our direction and get lost. This reminds me of another question from The Man Test.
Man Test question. “What, in your opinion, is the most reasonable explanation for the fact that Moses led the Israelites all over the place for forty years before they finally got to the Promised Land?”
a) “Moses was being tested.”
b) “God wanted them to appreciate the Promised Land when they got there.”
c) “Being a man, he refused to ask for directions.”
Once again some of you probably answered this question with a or b, but some of you also answered c! During my life, I have gotten lost my share of times, and then some. Being a man, I usually refuse to ask for directions unless I have to. My wife will say to me, “Maybe we should stop and get directions.” Can any of you relate? Do I usually listen to her? No! I keep wandering around the desert for what seems like forty years until I finally give in and stop to ask for directions. Usually by the time I do this my wife has asked me multiple times and has reached the point of pleading! Several years ago I bought an iPhone that contains Global Positioning System. Even with this GPS unit I still occasionally get lost driving. One day the address I plugged in took me wandering in the dessert to a location that didn't even have buildings. Maybe they were invisible or hidden? I never did find the place I was trying to locate despite using GPS. It must have been a bad address or GPS malfunction. I doubt if it was user error? Bottom line is despite my iPhone GPS, and my best human efforts, I still get lost. During a sermon Pastor Ted Schubkegel talked about our need for a different GPS, a God Positioning System. Sometimes in my life I get lost. I forget I have direct access to the all-powerful GPS, God. If I can remember to access and follow the lead of the all-powerful GPS, God, I will never truly be lost! That is the provision and comfort we have as JourneyMen, being led by the all-powerful GPS, God, walking with Christ. We just need to ask for directions!
My walk with Christ took me to a funeral visitation that involved a small number of steps. As I walked into the funeral home, I was glad that Christ was walking with me. One step I was outside the funeral home, the next step I was in the funeral home, along with the pain and mourning that the earthly loss of a loved one brings. As I met with my Christian friends who were grieving their loss, tears were shed by all. I was glad that Christ was walking with us to comfort us all.
A few steps later I was out of the funeral home and heading back home. My thoughts quickly drifted to what life is like walking with Christ, as opposed to those walking without Christ. Those walking with Christ have been saved by grace through faith, and are able to cling to the hope in all circumstances, even death. It is hard for me to imagine, by comparison, what it is like for those walking without Christ, and without the hope of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
As Journeymen, we are men on a journey walking with Christ. We have the privilege and joy of always having Jesus walking with us as do other Christians. As Journeymen walking with Christ, let’s make sure we take steps to walk over and talk with those who are walking without Christ. These could be some of the most important steps and conversations you ever have in your journey.
Dear Lord,
As we come humbly to Your throne of grace, we thank You for sending Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. It is an amazing gift and pleasure to walk with Jesus in our journey of life. As we go through our daily walk, please help us to not take any of our steps for granted. They are all a blessing and a gift of grace. Help give us the strength and courage to take the steps needed to walk across the room, with Jesus, to share our faith with those who are not walking with Jesus.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Questions for Self -Examination
1) Describe your journey of walking with Christ.
3) Why does God want you to walk with Christ in all you do?
4) What are the benefits that you receive when you walk with Christ?
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About the Book
What is Get On The Journey?
Several years ago I felt led to start writing men’s devotions. They were primarily written for JourneyMen, men on a journey and walking with Christ. I soon found out that my devotions were not only being read by JourneyMen but also by women on the journey. Daily and “manly” activities end up being themes for devotion. God’s Word can be applied to my life, and in turn to your life, through these devotions. Devotion life topics include fishing, washing the car, cleaning the pool, watching television, Peyton Manning being released, working, sleeping, winning, losing, granite shopping, etc. Each devotional also contains probing questions that can be used for self-examination or for small group study. Get On The Journey contains fifty-two devotions that recap a year of my life and writing but can be read and explored on your journey at your own pace.
—David Smith, Journeymen
Why should you get on the journey?
“Through trials and temptations God will strengthen our faith as we journey in the race of life. It is here I find David’s devotionals an inspiration for each one of us who gather together in the name of Christ.
David has a special talent for reflecting life’s circumstances as a tool to help us all join in the race together. Sometimes we laugh, and sometimes we cry. As you read David’s devotionals, meditate on your own life circumstances. Consider how God is shaping and molding you to be a JourneyMan—a man on a journey in life with Jesus as his Savior.”
—Pastor Rod Lindemann, Journeymen
About the Author
David Smith is a member of Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs, Missouri, where he is active in the men’s ministry, JourneyMen. David has been blessed with the opportunity to develop and lead Bible studies through small group ministry. Many studies have been prepared and led jointly with his loving wife Deb Smith. David and Deb are parents to Avery and Sarah.