Closer Walk

Closer Walk January 18, 2026 service

As we move through 2026, the noise of the world hasn't quieted down—it has only changed frequency.
Many of us have spent years "going through the motions" of faith. But God is calling us out of the shallow end.
This year is not about better religious performance; it is about presence over perfection.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Necessity of Leaving the Past
Before we can walk closely with Jesus today, we must address what we are dragging behind us.
Identify the Anchors: You cannot run the race God has set for you while carrying the weight of yesterday's regrets or the "old man" you used to be.
The Act of Letting Go: Borrowing from Paul in Philippians 3:13, we must "forget what is behind". In 2026, this means auditing your life to see what relationships or habits are draining your faith rather than fueling it.
Repentance as Renewal: True intimacy requires "cleansing your hands" and "purifying your hearts" (James 4:8). Repentance isn't just a one-time event; it is the daily act of turning your face back toward Jesus whenever you feel yourself drifting.

Led by the Spirit: Our Divine GPS
To have a "closer walk" in 2026, we must rely on the Holy Spirit as our daily guide.
Sensitive Navigation: The Spirit's voice keeps us from error and keeps us anchored in God's presence.
1 John 4:6
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Yielding Control: Intimacy grows when we stop trying to "force" righteousness and start yielding to the Spirit's nudges.
Galatians 5:16-17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Application & Challenges
A closer walk with Jesus has to be intentional—it doesn't happen by accident.
Commit to a Free Zone: Set aside 15 - 30 minutes daily to be still in the Lord's presence without distractions.
Practice Praise: Keep a daily journal of three small ways you saw God's hand today.
Choose One Area of Surrender: What is one thing—a habit, a fear, or a plan—you haven't fully given to Jesus yet? Give it to Him today.

The Promise: When you take that first step toward Him, Jesus is already running toward you. He is not distant; He is waiting to show you the abundance of a life lived in deep, daily intimacy with Him.

New Hope Fellowship, Green Forest, Arkansas, God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Matthew Spate