The Christian Journeyman WALK-LINE

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Walking The Christian Walk

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Walk-Line: I don't do as much walking as I should. I used to walk a lot when I grew up on the farm. Performing the farm chores as a young boy, required a lot of walking. As Christians, we are called to "live a life worthy of your (our) calling, that you (we) received."

In this Christian journey that the apostle Paul encourages us to travel, he refers to as being like "a walk." And in this "walk", we are to be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love. As we walk this walk, in our relationships with others, we are to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace." There are a lot of Biblical mandates that is to help us to be strengthened in our Christian walk. Bible study, prayer, assembling together with fellow Christians to worship, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, are all essential activities that are involved in our Christian walk.

I have to say that I have not accomplished these objectives that Paul has lays out for us, as I should. There are times, when I exhibit a selfish attitude. There are times, when I become upset, at the little things, and it does not contribute to the unity that God wants us to have. There are times when I doubt the faithfulness of God, in times of trial. And there are times, when I look to the world for my answers, and happiness, instead of to the Lord.

But walking is not always easy, especially when it is all up hill. And conflict in our relationships makes it as difficult as that. So my exhortation to myself, and the challenge I give to all of us, is to heed the words of the apostle Paul, and strive to walk in the love of Christ. (His love for us, and our love for others through Him). We must strive to achieve what Paul lays out for us in every step that we take in our Christian walk! GP

The walk that Jesus calls us to,

is a walk that is not so easy to pursue.

But if we try to do the best that we can,

We will maintain a life of love and peace.

And a unity, that is solid and true.

Photo: 강춘성 Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com

Having A Relationship With Jesus

Having A Relationship With Jesus!

"Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

Walk-Line: In my Christian walk, and work as a pastor, it has been a blessed experience to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There have been times, when He disciplined me, and helped to get me back on the right road to righteousness and direction. In the times of trial in my life, I have felt the inner strength that only the Lord can give.

John quotes Jesus in our text, giving to all man-kind an invitation to open the door of a wonderful relationship with Him. I remember at the first full time church I served, there was a painting up front, right behind the pulpit of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, to enter the hearts of people. If you look close at that painting you will see, that the door handle is in the inside. The artist made it clear, that it is up to the one who hears Jesus' knock, and His voice, to open the door and let Jesus in.

To be honest, my relationship with the Lord, has not been an easy one. Because of the lack of cooperation on my part to follow through with the Lord's will for my life. In this relationship, there has been conflict. But I have learned to trust, and I have learned submission. And in so doing, I have come forth with more stability, maturity, and peace.

The Lord is knocking on the door of your heart. What will your response be to Him today? Will you open the door of your heart, and let Him in?

Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts.

His voice is gentle with the invitation

Will we open our heart's door today?

And let Jesus be our way to salvation?

Photo: Ramona Moore's Post - Free Printable Clicp Art

What Is A Family To Do?

What A Family Is To Do?

"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14) "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

Walk-Line: There is no family that is perfect. Just like there is no church that is perfect. But in spite of our imperfections, we are to strive to have love reign in the family. Too much of the time, selfishness and self-centeredness shows it's ugly head, and causes all kinds of bitter feelings and disunity. The apostle Paul tells us that the main thing that a family is to do, and it should be ingrained in all that we do is to LOVE! Peter writes that "love covers a multitude of sins." Love doesn't ignore wrong doing, but it chooses mercy over vengeance. Just as divine love offers forgiveness, human love can extend grace to others. It is being patient with the flaws that all of us have. And one of the areas where selfishness really causes problems, is in the high expectations we have for the memebers of our family. If they do not live up to our expectations, or are not doing things for us, we treat them coldly, and make them feel as it they are not apart of the family. This is not what a family is to do! GP

What is a family to do?

In the way that we treat one another?

Love and selflessness is the key,

In truly loving our sisters, and brothers!

TCJ Lesson Outline

How To Serve others

How To Serve Others

Walk-Line:

The Bible is rich with wisdom on how we're called to view others and actively impact their lives. Here are five Scriptures that tell us how we can actively be involved in making a difference in People's lives.

1. Let Your Light Shine:

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Our actions, either big or small, can reflect God's love and inspire others.

2. Serve Selflessly:

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Ministry to others is the heartbeat of Christian living. Whether you are helping family, a friend, or helping in some way in the community, it matters.

3. Speak Up For The Voiceless.

Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. Advocacy is a powerful way to live out justice and mercy.

4. Encourage And Build Up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Encourage one another and build each other up." There is nothing so encouraging than a kind word, or lending a listening ear. Doing these things can be life-changing.

5.Share Generously.

Hebrews 13:16 "Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Generosity that is shown, whether it is time, resources, or attention, is a spiritual act of love.

Our world needs to see these five ways of ministry, that can make such a difference in our world. They are so necessary today!

They walk beside us, seen or not

With burdens heavy, dreams forgot.

A stranger's sigh, a silent plea-

The face of Christ in whom we see

Not ours to judge, but ours to love,

To lift, to serve, as called above.

For every soul bears heaven's breath,

A spark of grace, defying death.

The widow's tears, the orphan's cry.

The weary hands that reach the sky-

We are the hands, the feet, the voice,

To make the broken hearts rejoice.

So let us live with eyes unclosed,

Where mercy follows and grace is sowed.

For in the giving, we are healed,

And in the loving, God is revealed. (CoPilot)

Photo: Toan_Le - Free for use under the Pixabay Content License - www.pixabay.com

Leaving Our Upper Room

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samara, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Walk-Line:

I got a call from a lady who was a stranger. I wasn't sure what her motivation was for calling me. Maybe this was a dangerous thing to do online, but I went ahead and told her that my main concern was that she come to know Jesus Christ, as her Savior and Lord. It wasn't long in our conversation, that I knew she wasn't interested at all.

I want to share a link to a blog-post I prepared back in September of last year (2024) It is entitled: "Leaving Our Upper Room." I hope that it will be an encouragement to you as you look for those opportunities to witness for Jesus Christ! Please Click Link Below!

Leaving Our Upper Room

The doors were locked

The disciples were hiding in fear.

Then our resurrected Savior came to them,

And showed Himself alive, and near.

In victory, He stood before them,

And sorrow, quickly turned to joy.

And now they were to leave the upper room.

The Gospel story they would go and tell.

Will we leave our upper room and do the same?

Or will we stay in our comfort zones,

and watch the world go to hell?

Keeping Our Focus

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established." (Proverbs 4:25-26)

Walk-Line

My son Nathan and I, talk about how hard it is to stay focused. How easy it is to become distracted. Both of us, when we are trying to do one thing, will be thrown off by what someone says, or does. Maybe you have a hard time staying focused, when you are in the middle of accomplishing something. As Christians, it seems that what we are supposed to do, we have a hard time doing, because we allow the things of the world to distract us. The Hebrew writer says it well, that our priority is to "keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2) And the Apostle Paul tell us to "set your (our) mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) The priority is clear, that we as Christians, are to keep our focus on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to focus our attention totally, on what He would have us to be, and to do. That means discipline on our part. That means, strong effort, on our part. Satan, our enemy knows that we can be easily distracted, and tempted to do those things that please us, instead of the Lord. And there are those distractions, that can lead us down a path of destruction. When the eye doctor tell us to look in a certain direction, he/she does not want us to be distracted, and look in another direction. That's the way it is with the Lord. For Him to help us in our lives, He wants us to always be focused, and looking His way! What a difference it will make, when we do! GP

Photo: Unslash / 9175 images - CCO Public Domain - Free for commercial use -

No attribution required - www.pixabay.com

Turn you eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Songwriters: George Romanacce / Kevin Winebarger / Nathan Stiff / Nic Trout

Petty, Or Priority?

Walk-Line:

The Scripture is rich with wisdom on keeping our eyes fixed on what truly matters and not getting tangled in the trivial. Here are some Scripture verses that help us to focus on priorities over pettiness.

1. Seek First What Matters Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

2. Set Your Mind On Higher Things

Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not one things on the earth."

3. Trust God's Guidance

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

4. Examine Your Treasure

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

5. Resist Worldly Distractions

1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

I don't know why it took me so long to learn this vital lesson. That the Lord, must be my top priority, and that His will for my life must come first instead of my own. A life that was focused on the pleasures, and pursuits of this world, seem to have come first, even though I had professed to be a Christian, and served as a pastor for many years. It was a life of disappointment and despair, mainly because I had my priorities in the wrong place. My challenge: Allow Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord, to be first and foremost in your life. You will experience a peace, and a contentment that you never felt before. GP

A life that is lived without Jesus being first

Is a life of disappointment and despair.

There is just an emptiness that comes,

When the Lord Jesus is just not there.

The Christian Journeyman WALK-LINE

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Walking The Christian Walk

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Having A Relationship With Jesus

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

What Is A Family To Do?

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

How To Serve others

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Leaving Our Upper Room

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Keeping Our Focus

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Petty, Or Priority?