How to walk closer to Jesus in 2023 than you ever have before!

Hey friend! Here’s the video version of this chat.

In my ongoing efforts to serve you better, I may do more of these teachings going forward so you can read, if you prefer, or watch, if that suits you better! If you have a moment to let me know if you have interest in the videos so I can gauge the effectiveness, please do! And now….let’s get to it!

Here’s how you and I can walk more closely with Jesus in the new year than ever before! In 1^st Corinthians 10:23 Paul writes, “All things are lawful (or permissible) for me, but not all things are profitable (or beneficial).  

It is for freedom that Christ set us free, Galatians 5:1. But beware: our Christian freedom without the oversight of Holy Spirit is unproductive at best, and ultimately destructive because it invites chaos and the consequences of giving free reign to our own excessive tendencies, desires and obsessions. 

Can you relate? I can! But stay with me. There is a super charged key to using our freedom wisely and walking closer with Jesus in the second half of I Corinthians 10:23. We’re told that while all things are permissible, not all are profitable or beneficial. That’s our acid test.

Is the freedom we’re taking for ourselves leading us right back into bondage? By way of example, we’ll look at social media with all of its problems and potential, but first, let me share how I’m approaching my social platforms in 2023.

I wrote about this at ShellieT.com but I’ll repeat in here. Many of my friends and family are taking social media breaks in January. If that helps you reset, do it! But I won’t be taking a block of time away because I know me and I’m prone to falling back into the same patterns with these platforms when I return. Instead, I’m asking the Lord to help me be more purposeful about the time I do spend on social media. For years now, I’ve taken a social media sabbatical on Sundays. These time outs have become so nourishing and meaningful I’m building on the idea for 2023. I’ll be designating more social media rest days during the week to reclaim even more of my time, while still hopefully using these platforms to help you believe and keep believing in the glorious gospel that is Jesus, our Savior, Redeemer, and coming King! 

Now, back to that acid test. As a believer, I have freedom to use social media. It’s lawful and permissible for me. But is it beneficial? Is it constructive, God-glorifying, salvation-spreading, and life giving? The over-arching answer, of course, involves how I use it or let it use me. Let’s break that down even further by considering it in light of our desire to walk closer to Jesus.

There is nothing unlawful or wrong with me scanning social media in the mornings before I sit down to pray. But, but, but… I’ve learned when I do, it’s harder for me to focus in prayer because I’ve filled my head with other faces and words. It takes longer for me to settle down into prayer, and that in itself hinders my prayers. My enemy will try and use my wandering thoughts to discourage me from praying and defeat me in my desire for Christ’s soul restoring fellowship, all because I’ve opened a door for the enemy to derail me before I begin.

I hope you’re seeing the acid test. We could stay here all day and apply it to different illustrations but the Holy Spirit lives in each of us to help us do just that in real time. Use your acid test in 2023 and walk closer to Jesus than you ever have before!

Hugs, 
Shellie