Positioned for Purpose Series | Ep: 3 Locked in + Walking with GOD | The Spiritual Journey

Hearing and Recognizing The LORD’s Voice

Earlier this week I made a social media post about walking with God and the difference between relationship with YAHWEH versus religion. The thing is, religion can be performative devotion and if a person does not practice its traditions to the extent of its rule (”law”), they can be outcasted and or persecuted. If you are not careful, in an effort to be accepted and approved, you pledge your allegiance to religious doctrine instead of God. Haven’t we seen this somewhere in the Bible? Is this not the same rebellion we saw the Children of Israel perform as Pharisees. They’d become lovers of their status and positions enforcing laws that maintained their ranking and prestige, while keeping the focus on them instead of GOD. A sure-fire way to lead God’s people into idolatry. Sometimes we get so caught up in performing for God’s love, we completely forget that He first loved us. Since we’re listening to what our church leaders are saying, we could ignore that small still voice calling us on our walk, and causing us to miss out on His purpose for our lives. You can lose your position in God’s army when you are unclear about why He put you here in the first place, which is to worship. But who or what are you worshipping? The enemy’s game is confusion. When you are lost, he is winning. But never forget God knows your coordinates.

Your Holy Temple

There is so much more to church than is taught in the church. Ha, that’s funny but not funny. In the Old Testament we see the church is depicted as a building, and temple. Later in the New Testament we learn we are the temple (our physical vessels), which means we are the church of Christ.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

1 Corinthians 19-20

Religion would have you believe you are confined to the law and conditions to receive God’s love, while Christ introduces us to grace and God’s unconditional love. Here is why we need Jesus Christ, since on our walk with Yahweh, we have to grow into His likeness and character, The Imago Dei. Here is what it means to be pure, spotless and blemish free. If you recall in Genesis 17:1, God calls Abram to walk before Him blameless and spot free. We know that Abraham sinned also but GOD counted his faith as righteousness. The purpose for religion was to help us maintain relationship with God in holiness, but anything man gets his hands on, sin has access to. We will never be righteous on our own. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we appear before God, like God (spotless and blemish free). God will not watch or walk with us in sin. Here is your reminder to seek your salvation and deliverance in the right place and from the correct source. Yahweh is looking for relationship. He wants your time, energy and attention. That is the true tithe. Your energy is currency. God wants your full devotion and it starts with your temple.

The Spiritual Journey

There were three men besides Jesus Christ who we know walked with GOD. Abraham, Enoch, and Elijah. Two of which were translated and did not see death, the other God affectionately called His friend. This is a testament to just how personal the LORD wants to get with us. He wants friendship and intimacy. Imagine that, being able to call YAHWEH your best friend and He in turn calls you friend. What an honor?! A GOD so mighty who needs nothing, wants you. So how do we develop a close bond and intimacy with Yahweh? Here’s my theory.

Make Time

Remove yourself from all distractions and designate at least 30 minutes to an hour of your day to be in God’s presence. That can look like reading His Word, a devotional or talking with Him as you would a friend. When you talk to yourself, God is listening. Go ahead and acknowledge Him.

Consult with God in Prayer

When you are not sure what to do, which direction to go and who to talk to about life, invite God into the mix. Often we seek counsel outside of Yahweh, looking to family, friends or “trusted” sources. The problem with this is, those people have problems of their own and you could be burdening them. They won’t always tell you this because they love you, but if you really love them, you’ll consider they may already have a full plate. Codependency is a form of oppression and our Father desires us to be fully dependent upon Him. Plus, no one has better strategy than GOD.

Maintain a Fasting Practice/Routine

Since you are aware you are seeking a more intimate relationship with God, you must also consider He resides in you. How you treat your body is a reflection of how you love Yahweh. Fasting is an opportunity for spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit and a great tool for mental purification and detox. You can hear the voice of God on an empty stomach and with a clear gut (mind) which is great since you’ve been praying and seeking answers. Prayer is the language of asking, but fasting is the spiritual language to receive.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

-Romans 7:5-8

Final Thoughts | Walking With God

As someone who walks with God, I must inform you this path is not for the faint at heart. There have been many days where I want to give up, but never enough to go back to who and what I was. The comfort that God has given me as He cleanses me of my impurities, is unmatched. The vulnerability and intimacy I have with Him is irreplaceable. The road is lonely at first but as God strips you of all that is not Him, He is grooming you for your village. The way He has explained it to me is, “I want you to be a better version of yourself so you can love my people correctly.” The spiritual journey is all about becoming a greater version of yourself for God, yourself, the people you love and the world, and who wouldn’t want that?! Right now God is saying to you, pick up your cross and walk with me. Will you answer the call?

If you’re not sure where to begin with your spiritual journey, and or you’re looking for your people to do this walk with, it is possible, I am your people. To learn more, join my self-love focused Pretty Beast Fit VIP Community and sign up for my Re-Align Masterclass & Workshop launching in October. (If you prefer to do things at your own pace, check out the e-course.) To get first dibs on details, subscribe to my email list.

Join Email List

La'Tara Jackson is Author/Owner of Ground Up Self-Love Workbook and .com, and Holistic Coach both certified in personal training and yoga. She has over eight years experience in nutrition and wellness and it all began with being a single mom desiring a better life for herself and children by starting a woman's community bootcamp that would go on to change the lives of many. And that was just the beginning.

ReAlign Masterclass E-course

Buy Now

Total Body @ Home Fitness

Buy Now