May 06, 2026 | Be Connected
Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk
Scripture: Acts 18:20-23(NIV)
20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Devotional
Our family took a 2-week family vacation camping trip across the USA every summer. My mother was a schoolteacher, so she was off every summer. My Dad’s factory would shut down for 2 weeks in the summer. Mom packed the camper and off we would go! Our church gave attendance pins every year. To receive one when we went to church on vacation we had to bring back the bulletin to show proof we had attended elsewhere. We visited many churches.
Paul too visited many churches on his third missionary journey. He was based out of Ephesus. Paul visited more than just the churches he had already founded. His primary focus was aimed at strengthening existing congregations and planting new ones.
How does one strengthen believers in Christ? You walk the walk and talk the talk. What does that mean? Let me explain. To walk the walk, you cultivate your spiritual disciplines by studying the scriptures, prayer, and meditating on God’s word. Live out your faith by obeying His teachings, focusing on repentance, serving others, and walking humbly. Build a supportive environment by engaging with community, curate your content and share your story.
God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you where you are. Spiritual growth is living more like Jesus. Many Christians believe that spiritual growth is mostly learning more information. The truth is that spiritual growth is not just knowing more about Jesus. Spiritual growth is not just doing more for Jesus. Spiritual growth is living more like Jesus. God wants you to look and act like Jesus. 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” That is God’s goal for you. Is that your goal?
