Walking With Jesus — Another Quote

I’m evidently not done with last month’s theme, because I came across this quote in my daily devotions. Edward Pusey (1800-1882) was one of the major figures of the Oxford Movement, a reform movement in the Church of England.

“If we be faithful and humble, God will increase our faith by enabling us to obey more faithfully, and will strengthen our sight by enabling us to do what we now see. As in our daily walk we become nearer towards heaven, He will open to us more of heaven. And so the veil which sin laid upon our sight being taken away ‘we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord,’ studying His countenance, watching His looks, seeking to have His gracious and compassionate look cast upon us in the midst of our frailties and infirmities, may catch some faint reflections of its brightness and be changed into the image wheron we gaze, which we love, which in our weakness, we would long to copy and transfuse into ourselves; we too may be ‘changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Edward Pusey

For more quotes by Edward Pusey see:

Surrendering Every Day

Clothed With Christ

Victorious Faith

How Does It Feel to Walk With Jesus?

John Kenneth MacKenzie (25 August 1850 – 1 April 1888) was an English medical missionary to China. I’m sure he encountered many difficulties that could have discouraged him. Yet, in this quote, I can see that walking with Jesus kept his attitude positive.

“My position has come to this, Am I living near my Savior?; then I am as happy as the day is long, and as light-hearted as a child. It may be that I have plenty of annoyances, but they don’t trouble me when His presence is with me. Am I downcast and worried?: then I am away from God.”

Walking With Jesus–Devotion #9

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way…” Psalm 37:23

Have you ever watched a young couple teaching their baby to walk? They stand or sit a few feet apart and gently entice the little one to take a few steps. How happy they are when the baby turns loose and takes a few steps on his own. They hug the child and the baby is happy.

Sometimes in life we have sickness and trouble which cause us to try to walk again. A lady broke her leg in a car wreck and after many weeks of not walking was told she could start again. She thought of when she learned to walk as a baby, and that made her laugh. Soon she was going to try to walk again, like a baby.

As Christians we are eager to walk with Jesus. We try to serve Him but make mistakes and must learn to walk with Him all over again.

How safe a Christian should feel, knowing God cares for us when we come to an obstacle too hard to cross. When walking with small children, you will notice that their legs get tired or they come to a step too high for them — well, we just lift them up and carry them over.

Jesus in the same way holds our hand and lifts us. He is happy to see us come to Him. He will never turn us away, no matter what the problem or situation is. Can’t you just see Him with arms outstretched reaching for His child who needs help? His is always there to guide our steps and help us over the rocky parts of our lives.

Difficult steps, fearful steps, misunderstood steps, sinful steps, painful steps– wherever your path will lead you–you as a child of God, have the assurance that Jesus will help to see you through your difficult times.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you; and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:15

1. What do you remember in your life as a difficult step?
2. How did you handle it? Did you ask God to guide you or did you try to work out a solution on your own?
3. What happened in your situation when you asked for God’s guidance? What happened when you tried to “do it alone”?\

A Quote on Walking with Him

“In the night of distress, feel after somewhat which may quiet and stay thy heart till the next springing of the day. The sun will arise, which will scatter the clouds. And in the day of His power, thou wilt find strength to walk with Him; yea, in the day of thy weakness His grace will be sufficient for thee.

Isaac Pennington

For more Christian quotes about facing challenging times see:

Martin Luther Quote #2 on Facing Challenges

Dietrich Bonhoeffer– Facing Life’s Challenges Like Christ

Martin Luther on Facing Challenges

Be a Child of the Light

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”  1 Thessalonians 5:5

The hymn, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light was written by Kathleen Thomerson in 1966, after she visited Church of the Redeemer in Houston, Texas.  The simple folk-like melody is of her own composition.  It speaks of God’s sanctifying grace in our life as we walk with Him.  Listen and remember your commitment to follow the example of Jesus.

How Do I Want to Walk?

We sang this hymn by Kathleen Thomerson recently in church, and it’s been in my head ever since.  I thought maybe I needed to share.  The simple words are almost childlike, but contain many Biblical references to Jesus, the light.  They speak of our journey of sanctification with Him.

It is included in With One Voice, a contemporary Lutheran hymnal we sometimes use.  If you would like to listen to some other music from this hymnal, you can use the following links:

Gather Us In

Remembering John Ylvisaker