[REPEAT] - Explore A New Way of Life

[00:00:00] What steps can we take to dive into a new life with God? Are you curious about faith, but unsure where to start? What would happen if you started a completely transparent conversation with God today? Stay tuned to learn more.

[00:00:20] Welcome to the Walking in Step with God podcast. Here we empower you to walk boldly with God. Follow our podcast to stay up to date with new content. Visit our website at walkinginstepwithgod.org for resources, videos of our messages, and more information about our ministry. Once again, that website is walkinginstepwithgod.org.

[00:00:45] Welcome to Walking in Step with God. Today's episode is titled Explore A New Way of Life as we kick off a brand new series, Daily Doses of Meaning. This series is for those of you who are just getting started in living a life closer to God. You may be on the fence about God, or maybe you've heard about Him only through friends and family, and you would like to know more. Perhaps you have been in a routine of attending a place of worship, but you just aren't connecting the dots.

[00:01:14] Whatever your experience or exposure to a life of faith, we hope that this series can help reveal the basics of what it's like to live your life, day by day, with God. There is so much information and misinformation out there that complicates a common truth. God loves you, and He loves everyone on earth more than we can fathom. God wants a relationship with you no less and no more than every single person you know.

[00:01:40] We hope to share information in this series that will help you cultivate and nourish a relationship with God, and in doing so, experience all the benefits of living an entirely new life. We hope you will find that living a life that respects and honors God has far more benefits than a life that does not. If you haven't learned what it is like to have a relationship with God, the best time to start learning is today.

[00:02:06] So let's dive into the first message in this series, where we go over some of the basic building blocks of living a new life with God. Before we get started, if you are watching on YouTube, we would immensely appreciate it if you could click that like button and subscribe. Your engagement truly helps us share God's Word with more viewers. Your feedback helps us reach more hearts seeking spiritual nourishment.

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[00:03:55] Text 431894 to 855-575-7888 when you're ready. We are so thankful for your generosity. Welcome back. Let's continue in our discussion of how we can explore a new way of life and living with God. Break for section, Explore Creation.

[00:04:25] The first step that I'm going to recommend might seem a little peculiar, but we think it is the easiest way that you can become familiar with the works of God and how He impacts all of our lives day to day. Quite simply, our suggestion is to get out and explore God's creation. What do we mean by this? We mean removing yourself from your normal daily routine and finding some way to immerse yourself in nature that is all around you. Obviously, we are all over the world coming from different environments.

[00:04:54] Some of us are in major city centers, some of us are in the suburbs, and some of us are already deeply immersed in nature. All of us are exposed to man's creation. That includes homes that we live in, the offices that we commute to, and the cars, buses, and trains that we travel in each day. These were all created by man. A good way of getting to know God is to look at and experience what He created. What did He create? Not only did He create you and everyone you know,

[00:05:24] but He created this entire world, the entire universe. You need only find the time to take a stroll in a nearby park or even a coastline of a lake or ocean, maybe even a national park. Make the time to surround yourself with what God created. When you find yourself in this place, we invite you to pause all of your thoughts about work, school, stressors, and to-dos. Do your very best to quiet your mind and simply listen and watch all that God has created around you.

[00:05:53] It is so easy to forget the complexity of God's design and the beauty that it beholds. We become so caught up in our busyness that we lose sight of the gift of His creation that is all around us. As you consider a life that includes God, our first step for you is to make time to immerse yourself in His creation. Examine your life. Now that you've had some time in God's creation, the next step we have for you is to take out the time to examine the state of your life.

[00:06:21] This is not an exercise in being judgmental in any way, shape, or form. It is just you giving yourself time to reflect on what you consider being the good, the bad, the mediocre, and the goals that you have yet to achieve, whether you have a plan to achieve them or not. Consider writing down your goals and the current state of your life in every way, shape, and form. For example, your relationships, your finances, your health, your occupation, your education,

[00:06:50] and whatever else you feel would be a snapshot of you. We don't think it's terribly important to focus on the past. We do think it's important for this exercise to be very transparent with yourself about the present and your vision for the future. Don't try to filter your observations by what you think God sees in you. This is just your own analysis of yourself. This is an exercise to learn how you see yourself at this point in time and where you'd like to see yourself in the future.

[00:07:18] Be honest, be open, and be transparent with yourself. There is no one who will see this list but you and God, so don't hold back. Take as much time as you need, whether it's a single afternoon or many days and weeks. When you feel you've completed your life snapshot of the present and future, we can continue to the most important step. Break for section. Start the conversation. The most important step in this episode of exploring a new way of life with God

[00:07:46] is to start the conversation with Him. So far, we've taken time out to see His work, how we show up in the world according to ourselves, and even how we would like to see ourselves in the future. Now, we can in earnest make the time and effort to start that conversation. By the way, He is delighted that you've taken these steps so far, and He is looking forward to starting this conversation with you. One of the most important things you will learn in a relationship with God

[00:08:14] is simply making that step toward Him. He is available anytime, 24-7, and He is always near when you call on Him. Today, we start the conversation by presenting to Him what we've reviewed about our lives, our state of affairs, our observations about ourselves, and the goals we have for the future. Here is the great news. God knows you better than you know yourself. The things you've jotted down are not new to Him.

[00:08:41] In fact, there are many more things He already knows that you didn't jot down, including details that you are completely unaware of. In coming to Him sincerely with a purposeful examination of yourself, we posture ourselves with humility, explaining to God what we think we know, but yielding to Him to learn what He knows about us. We encourage you to start this conversation. This is often known as prayer. Don't worry. There are no hard and fast rules with prayer. We certainly recommend, if possible,

[00:09:10] that you find a time and space to pray where you won't be distracted. In any event, God hears all of your words to Him, so do it at a time and place that feels right for you. You can pray in the quiet of your home, and you can pray as you walk down a busy street full of noises all around. He hears every word. This isn't like a presentation to your employer or a professor. This is a conversation with your Creator. Be transparent and honest. Let Him know your concerns and observations.

[00:09:39] Ask Him the questions you have about your life and your future. Most importantly, ask Him to guide you and show you how to live a life that includes Him. Ask Him to lead your steps and show you the way He knows is best for you. Ask Him to show you what it means to turn away from the things that don't honor Him and toward the ways that do. How does God respond? That's a good question. God responds in many ways. You communicate with words and language. God speaks on a much deeper level.

[00:10:08] God may speak to you by placing thoughts in your mind that were previously not there. He may lead you to someone who can speak to you in very clear terms that you will understand. He may even allow you to have an understanding on a concept you did not have previously. When it happens, you will know it is Him. We promise you that God hears every word you speak. He knows everything you are capable of and all the gifts planted in you. He even has plans He has already perfected for you.

[00:10:37] Plans you could have never dreamed of on your own. No matter where you are in your life, if you seek the plans God has in store for you, He will guide you back to them. You need only ask. In today's episode, we go back to the basics of exploring a new way of life and approaching God for the very first time. We laid out three steps that would be a great approach to learning about God.

[00:11:06] First, we talked about God's creation. We are all surrounded by and immersed in man's creation. Our homes, our cars, trains, buses, planes, workplaces, schools, and so forth. Part of getting to know God for the first time is exploring what He created. One of the best ways to do this is to find time to explore nature. Some of the most beautiful places on earth are completely untouched by man. When we immerse ourselves in these environments, we start to see the craftsmanship of God's design.

[00:11:35] It allows us to take a break from ourselves and our busyness and wrap ourselves in the soul of the nature around us. The next step in getting to know God is to take a personal inventory of our life. This does not mean harping on the past. It means taking an honest look at our present and our aspirations for the future. It is actually okay if we don't know what our goals are yet, because God knows exactly what gifts He has planted in each one of us, even if we haven't found them ourselves.

[00:12:04] Taking out time to reflect on our day-to-day, our occupation, our social circles, and the questions we have about our lives is a great way to get organized in our thoughts. The last and most important step we discuss today in getting to know God is starting the conversation. The good news is that there are no hard and fast rules for talking to God. He is available 24-7, and He hears every single word you speak to Him. Don't worry. He's heard it all before.

[00:12:34] When seeking a relationship with God, we suggest a posture of humility and respect. We take time to review our lives so that we can share these notes back to God, not because He doesn't know, but because we can share what is top of mind for us. In fact, God knows so much more than what you recorded for yourself. He knows every thought, every challenge you are facing, and the opportunities you may feel nervous to pursue. He also knows the perfect plan for your life. This plan may or may not be aligned

[00:13:04] with what you currently have in store for yourself, but the plans He has laid out for you are perfected. The most important step in exploring a new way of life with God is to initiate that conversation and keep it going for the rest of your days. Let conversations with God be a constant and persistent part of your life, and He will accompany you in ways that you would have never imagined, step by step, day by day, and even moment to moment. If you are new to a life with God,

[00:13:33] these are concrete steps you can take to begin an entirely new way of life and an adventure the likes of which you have never experienced. A few moments ago, we recommended that you approach God in prayer. Here is a prayer you can consider as you approach Him, maybe even for the very first time. Of course, feel free to tweak this however you see fit. The important thing is that you approach Him with humility and sincerity.

[00:14:03] Father God, I come to you today humbly to ask for your guidance and direction in my life. I know you know me better than I know myself, and I ask you to guide me and direct me to plans that you know are best for me. I do have goals and dreams, and I ask that you reveal to me what you know is best. Provide me with what I need to be in alignment with your will and plans for my life. Help me to live a life that honors you. Guide me to a community that you know

[00:14:32] will allow me to grow and thrive in my faith. I look forward to growing closer to you and learning more about you each day. Amen. Are you interested in learning more about the sources guiding this message? Stay tuned after the break for our Going Deeper with the Word segment. Here we examine how God's Word provides clear guidance and direction

[00:15:00] about getting to know God for the first time. If you are catching this episode on YouTube or in our Facebook group, please be sure to click that Like button and also be sure to leave your comments about today's message and exploring a new way of life. If you are new to our ministry, please subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow our podcast so you are notified of our future messages. The greatest way you can get involved with this ministry

[00:15:30] is to be involved in the community. We have four specific ways. Join the discussion by asking and engaging with questions in our community space. Share a prayer on our prayer wall or take some time to pray for others. Share your story and testimony about how our ministry has impacted your walk with God. And lastly, you can walk with us as a financial partner so that we can grow the community and ministry. Learn more about these opportunities to get involved

[00:16:00] by visiting walkinginstepwithgod.org slash getinvolved. If you're yearning for a deeper connection with your creator and want to explore a new depth in your spiritual life, check out 100 Steps with God, inspiring messages to strengthen your faith by Steve McDonald. It's not just a book, but an experience. Nurture your faith with 100 uplifting quotes full of wisdom and inspiration that will guide you to spiritual growth and nourishment. Want to go deeper? Get the special edition packed with bonus content, including scripture, a reflective prompt,

[00:16:29] and space for journaling. Visit 100stepsbook.com. That's 100stepsbook.com. Welcome to Going Deeper with the Word. In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God. Let's review examples

[00:16:59] from God's Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today's message. Today's scripture will be from the Amplified Bible. Let's start off with Job 12, verses 7-10. Now ask the animals and let them teach you, and ask the birds of the air and let them tell you, or speak to the earth and it will teach you, and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not recognize that the hand of the Lord has done this,

[00:17:29] in whose hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind? This verse is one of many in the Bible that explains the splendor and awesomeness of creation. It reflects on the fact that God creates every single living thing on earth. In today's message, admittedly, we focused on the splendor of what you might see across the lands, our landscape, our beautiful skies, and every variation of plant, tree, and flower. This verse, however, dives into the living things as well.

[00:17:59] Every single animal you see in the air, on the ground, and even in our seas was created by God. We even see emphasis on the fact that good and evil dwell among human creation. God has created everyone, but there are also times that humans and society choose evil over good. Remember, God created a framework where we all have free will. Let this scripture be a reminder that every single form of life you experience today was created by Almighty God. Here is a question

[00:18:28] to consider. Do you have a favorite animal? What about a favorite plant or tree? In either case, what makes it unique and a favorite to you? Let us know in the comments. Let's have a look at another place in the Bible that speaks to the idea of exploring a new way of life with God. Lamentations 3, verse 40. Let us test and examine our ways and let us return to the Lord. In this very brief verse, we see an example of reflecting on life and bringing those observations to God.

[00:18:58] As we spoke of today, this is not to suggest that God does not know the things you do not share with Him, but it is an exercise in humility to bring the things before Him that we choose to share, knowing that He knows everything. Honesty is a cornerstone and bedrock of any strong relationship, and with God, it is no different. The more transparent we are with God, the more fulfilling a relationship we can have with Him. As He seeks to teach us and guide us, we will make much more progress when we are sincere, obedient,

[00:19:28] and seek His guidance as compared to when He finds ways to lovingly get our attention due to our own decisions of defiance. Here is another question for you. If you were to reflect on your life in this current day and you had a chance to be as transparent as possible to God, are there elements of your life that perhaps you would hesitate to admit even though you know that He already knows? What are some of these things and why would you hesitate to share them with God? Let us know in the comments.

[00:19:58] Let us look at one last passage. Jeremiah 29, verse 12 and 13. Then you will call on me and you will come and pray to me and I will hear and I will listen to you. Then you will seek me and require me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. In this scripture, it is made abundantly clear that when we call on the Lord, He hears us. He hears every single word, every word of joy and praise, every word of anguish and fear.

[00:20:27] Even in our silence, He hears, sees and knows our spirit. If you are getting to know God for the very first time, this scripture outlines a fundamental fact. God will not leave you or forsake you and He is always by your side. God will lead you, He will hear you and He will guide you. You can ask Him anything. God's ways are not our ways so we must also keep in mind that whatever we ask of Him, if it is His will, it will be done. We learn throughout our lives that God's will

[00:20:56] is all-knowing compared to our own. Therefore, the best thing we can do is seek His will in every aspect of our lives. One last question for today. Can you recall the most recent thing you shared with God? Was it a request or were you sharing your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for your time today as we start a brand new series, Daily Doses of Meaning, and our first message, Exploring a New Way of Life. We hope this message was successful in laying out

[00:21:26] the building blocks for starting a relationship with God for the very first time. Whether you are brand new to the idea of walking with God or a long-time believer, we hope that this message can bring light into your day and give you reminders of how important it is to cultivate and nurture a relationship with our Father in Heaven. We look forward to exploring more avenues of living life with God ahead in the series. Please be sure to share your thoughts in the comments about what it's like for you

[00:21:55] if you're learning to live a life with God for the very first time. God bless you and we look forward to joining you on the next message. Thank you for listening. Please share this podcast with others if this message has blessed you. Consider becoming a supporter of Walking in Step with God to help others walk boldly with God. Visit our website at walkinginstepwithgod.org to learn more.