The Trials of Life - Episode 1
From Sitting with Jesus to Walking Like Him
Have you ever gotten so comfortable sitting in your favorite chair that getting up just didn't sound appealing?
Well, sometimes our Christian walk can look a little like that!
We love Jesus. We believe in Him. We attend church, listen to teachings, and know a few scriptures. But somewhere along the way, we may have become more comfortable learning about Jesus than actually following Him.
And that's not an accusation. It's an invitation to consider something wonderful!
In this opening episode of The Trails of Life, Diana explores the difference between identifying as a Christian and intentionally living as a disciple of Jesus.
What did Jesus mean when He said, "Follow Me"? What does discipleship look like in our ordinary, everyday lives? And how do we grow without turning our relationship with God into another exhausting list of things we're supposed to do?
Together, we'll explore Luke 9:23, John 8:31–32, and the beautiful truth that following Jesus isn't about earning His approval. It's about learning to live from the love, grace, and life He has already given us.
This isn't a journey toward becoming worthy of God's love.
It's a journey of discovering what life looks like when we walk with the One who already loves us.
So grab your walking shoes, bring your questions, and join us on the trail.
After all, faith isn't simply about knowing the way. It's about following the One who is the Way.
Everything we are not has been covered by the blood of Jesus.
Grace and peace everyone!
Diana’s Notes
WHEN THE CHAIR GETS TOO COMFORTABLE
Hello, my friends! Welcome back to Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, where we share real conversations, practical encouragement, and biblical truth to help us grow in our relationship with Jesus.
Well, we've finished The Night Is Normal, and I have to tell you, what a journey that was!
We talked about disappointment, disillusionment, trusting God when life doesn't make sense, and learning to recognize His faithfulness even when we cannot see what He's doing.
And one thing I hope we walked away knowing is this:
The night doesn't get the final word. Jesus does.
But I've been thinking about something.
What happens when we've learned a little more about trusting God, when we've begun recognizing some of the beliefs we've been carrying, and when we've discovered that maybe the way we've been looking at things isn't quite the way God sees them?
Do we just settle into our favorite chair, pull up a blanket, and say, "Well, Jesus, that was wonderful! Thanks for everything. I'll be right here if You need me!"
Now, don't misunderstand me. I am a big fan of sitting with Jesus! We've talked about that throughout our Psalm 23 series.
Resting in Him is important. Learning to receive His love is essential.
But here's something I've been wondering.
Have we become so comfortable identifying ourselves as Christians that we've forgotten we're also called to be disciples?
Ouch! That one stung me!
And before anybody starts feeling uncomfortable, don't worry. I'm not pointing fingers. I've been asking myself that question. And I was just wondering if anyone else has been?
Because sometimes the questions God invites us to consider are not about whether He loves us.
Sometimes they're about whether we're allowing that love to change the way we live.
And that brings us to our new series, The Trails of Life: From Sitting with Jesus to Walking Like Him.
So grab your water bottle, put on your walking shoes, and let's see where this trail takes us!
THE INVITATION — FOLLOW ME
Let's begin with something Jesus said in Luke 9:23.
Luke 9:23 (NLT) Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
In the NIV, Jesus tells His listeners that anyone who wants to be His disciple must deny themselves.
Now, that's an interesting invitation!
Notice Jesus doesn't say, "Whoever wants to be My disciple needs to know a lot of Bible verses, attend every church service, and make sure everyone knows how spiritual they are."
No.
He says, "Follow Me."
And in John 8, Jesus speaks to people who already believed Him.
John 8:31–32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
He explains that continuing in His teaching is evidence of being His disciples, and that knowing the truth - His Truth - brings freedom.
Let's think about that.
Jesus is speaking to people who already believed.
Yet He invites them into something deeper than simply agreeing with what He says.
He invites them to continue in His Word.
To remain.
To learn.
To follow.
And this is where I believe our conversation needs to begin.
There is a difference between knowing something about Jesus and allowing what we know about Jesus to influence the way we live.
We can know that Jesus forgives and still struggle to forgive.
We can know that Jesus gives peace and still allow worry to influence every decision.
We can know that Jesus loves people and still have a difficult time loving the person who irritates the daylights out of us!
And sometimes that person lives right in our own house!
But here's the good news.
Jesus isn't asking us to manufacture a life we don't have the strength to live.
He's inviting us to draw from the life He has already made available to us.
That is the beauty of grace.
And that's where discipleship begins.
Not with trying harder to earn God's acceptance.
But with learning to live from the acceptance we have received through Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS A DISCIPLE, ANYWAY?
The word disciple describes a learner, a follower, someone who learns from a teacher.
But Jesus isn't simply teaching us information.
He's teaching us how to live in relationship with the Father.
And He doesn't ask us to figure it out on our own.
Now, before we go any further, let's clear something up.
We're not talking about two different categories of believers here.
In Acts 11:26, Scripture tells us that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 11:25-26 ( NLT) Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch(AN-tee-awk). Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)
Did you catch that?
They were disciples, and they were called Christians.
So when I ask, "Are you a Christian or a disciple?" I'm not suggesting that one is saved and the other is somehow enrolled in the advanced Christianese program!
I'm asking us to consider whether the name we identify with is reflected in the life we're learning to live.
Because following Jesus isn't simply about what we call ourselves.
It's about whose voice we're learning to recognize, whose truth we're allowing to shape our thinking, and whose example we're learning to follow.
And none of us has arrived!
We're all still learning.
That's why we're called disciples.
Think about the first disciples.
They walked with Jesus. They listened to Him. They asked questions. Sometimes they misunderstood what He was saying.
Sometimes they argued about who was the greatest!
Can you imagine?
You're walking with the Son of God, and you're worried about who's going to get the best seat!
Oh, wait a minute.
Maybe we shouldn't laugh too hard.
Because sometimes we do the very same thing!
We become so focused on our own positions, preferences, and expectations that we forget the most important thing.
We're supposed to be followers of Jesus.
Not that Jesus is a follower of ours!
And that's something worth thinking about.
RELATIONSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP — THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
Now, let's look at John 15.
Jesus uses a beautiful picture to help us understand what it means to remain in Him.
He describes Himself as the Vine and His followers as the branches.
John 15:1-5 (NLT) “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. “
In John 15, Jesus explains that those who remain in Him will bear much fruit, because apart from Him they can do nothing.
I love that picture.
Think about a branch on a grapevine.
That branch doesn't wake up one morning and say, "All right! Today's the day! I'm going to try really hard to produce some grapes!"
No!
Its ability to bear fruit comes from the life flowing through the vine.
And sometimes I wonder whether we've been trying to produce the fruit of a relationship with Jesus without consistently enjoying fellowship with Him.
Now, there's something I want us to understand here.
There's a difference between having a relationship with Jesus and actively enjoying fellowship with Him.
Our relationship with Jesus is established through faith in Him.
We belong to Him.
We are His.
And that relationship isn't something we have to reestablish every morning by proving we've been good enough.
But fellowship speaks to the ongoing communion we enjoy with Him.
It's spending time in His Word.
Talking with Him.
Listening.
Learning to recognize His truth and allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and decisions.
Think about a marriage or a friendship.
You can have a relationship with someone and yet become so distracted by life that you hardly spend any meaningful time together.
The relationship still exists.
But you're missing the joy, the closeness, and the understanding that grows through fellowship.
And here's what I love.
Jesus doesn't invite us into fellowship because He's keeping attendance!
He's inviting us to enjoy the very relationship He made possible for us.
So when Jesus talks about abiding in Him, He's not giving us another spiritual chore to add to our already overflowing to-do list.
He's inviting us to remain connected to our Source of life. Jesus is our Source, our Vital Supply for everything we need. Everything you need, God already provided, and Jesus came to make sure you had access to it. Freely.
Relationship tells us whose we are. Fellowship helps us grow in knowing the One to Whom we belong.
And the more we know Him, the more His love and truth begin influencing the way we live.
That's discipleship.
Not striving to earn a relationship.
Learning to live in fellowship with the One who already loves us.
And here's something else.
We tend to become more like the people we spend time with.
Their expressions rub off on us.
Their habits become familiar.
Sometimes we even find ourselves saying things exactly the way they would say them!
Well, think about that in our relationship with Jesus.
Things begin to rub off on us when we spend time with the Shepherd that simply won't develop in the same way when we keep Him at a distance.
We begin to recognize His compassion.
His patience.
His wisdom.
His way of responding to people.
And as we spend time in His Word and learn to follow the Holy Spirit, those things begin influencing us.
Not because we're pretending to be Jesus.
But because we're allowing Him to transform us.
Romans 12:2 teaches us that transformation comes through the renewing of our minds.
Romans 12:2 (NLT): Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
And that renewal is an ongoing process.
We learn.
We recognize.
We adjust.
We grow.
Sometimes we discover that something we've believed for years needs to be reconsidered in the light of Scripture.
And that doesn't mean something is wrong with us.
It means we're learning!
We are not trying to become someone Jesus will love. We are learning to live as someone He already loves.
WHEN THE TERRAIN GETS DIFFICULT — HABAKKUK 3:17–19
Now, I want to share something personal with you.
There was a season in my life when I was walking through some very difficult circumstances.
And I was tired.
Not just physically tired.
I was weary.
I had reached a place where I was asking God to please bring that season to an end.
I didn't want to keep going through it.
And as I sought the Lord, I began to recognize something.
There was a difference between being unable to continue and not wanting to continue because what I was experiencing was uncomfortable.
Now, I want to be careful here.
I'm not suggesting that we should remain in dangerous or harmful situations simply because we believe enduring them somehow pleases God.
Sometimes the faithful next step is to seek help, establish a boundary, or leave a harmful situation.
But in this particular season of my life, I was learning something about trusting God through circumstances I wished would change.
And He led me to Habakkuk chapter 3.
Beginning in verse 17, Habakkuk describes a situation where everything seems to be failing.
The fig tree isn't blossoming.
There is no fruit on the vines.
The fields aren't producing food.
The flocks and herds are gone.
Now, that is a pretty bleak picture!
But then, in verse 18, Habakkuk makes an extraordinary declaration.
He chooses to rejoice in the Lord.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation
verse 19 - The Lord GOD is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.
The Amplified Classic describes the Lord as his strength and speaks of God giving him hinds' feet, enabling him to walk and make progress upon high places even amid trouble and suffering.
When I read that passage, something settled in my heart.
I actually wrote a note beside it in my Bible.
I wrote:
"Hinds feet — the surefootedness of knowing that it is God who enables me to walk in high places despite the difficult terrain. He gives me divine enablement."
And then I thanked God for leading me to His unfailing Word during such a difficult time.
I wrote that He had reminded me I could walk through it.
Because sometimes, to get to the other side of something, we have to go through it.
And not every passage is easy!
But there was another lesson I was learning.
I needed to recognize what was mine to do and what belonged to God.
And then do my part faithfully while trusting Him with His.
In His time.
Now, I would love to tell you that I immediately responded with a great big smile and said, "Wonderful, Lord! Let's keep going!"
But sometimes our response to God's instruction is a little more like...
"UGH! Okay, Lord!"
Have you ever been there?
But here's what I've learned.
Faith doesn't always change the terrain beneath our feet. Sometimes it changes how we walk across it because we've learned where our strength comes from.
Habakkuk's circumstances hadn't suddenly improved.
But he knew where his strength came from.
And that's what I want us to understand about following Jesus.
Discipleship isn't reserved for the easy seasons.
It's learning to trust Him in all of them.
And sometimes, we don't fully appreciate the significance of a Scripture until we've lived long enough to recognize how faithfully God has sustained us through it.
CLOSING — AN INVITATION TO THE JOURNEY
Well, my friends, I can’t believe we have already run out of time, but the good news is that we have officially stepped onto the trail! Whoo hoo!!
And over the next several weeks, we're going to explore what it looks like to walk with Jesus in everyday life.
Not just in church.
Not just when everything is going well.
But in our relationships, our decisions, our disappointments, and even those moments when we discover that perhaps we've been looking at something from the wrong perspective.
And speaking of perspectives...
Next week we're going to ask a rather interesting question:
Who Moved My Chair?
Oh, we're going to have some fun with that one!
Until next time, remember:
Everything we are not has been covered by the blood of Jesus.
Grace and peace, my friends
Make sure to check us out on Facebook! - like us & follow us and help us to get the Gospel of the Good News out to more people!
And on our Facebook page, you will find Daily Delights with Diana - short, easy-to-read daily encouragements to get your day started with our LORD.
You can find a link for Valley’s Sunday service, the notes with scriptures from today’s podcast, and teachings from Valley Family Church. This week, our Senior Pastor Eric Jones: The Romans Experiment - Week 1.
You can find all of it on our website -heartfeltconversations.com
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) ❤️
God bless & I’ll see ya next time on Heartfelt Conversations with Diana!
Pastor Eric’s message:
The Romans Experiment: Romans 1:1-17 | Pastor Eric Jones
Valley Family Church YouTube Channel for Sunday Service:
https://www.youtube.com/@ValleyFamilyChurch/streams
Heartfelt Conversations with Diana Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583338513059
Diana’s Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkeS6qzdekMr55A_b1cG_Yv2fy_BvQ27D
Thirst Quenchers
Songs to Inspire You
Phil Wickham - The Jesus Way (Official Music Video)
Passion - Follow You Anywhere (Live) ft. Kristian Stanfill
Foundational Encouraging Verses:
Isaiah 42:16: God’s Word Translation
I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a light unto our path and a light unto our feet.
Isaiah 54:17: But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Isaiah 52:12: (EASY) But you will not have to hurry and run away. No, the Lord, Israel's God, will keep you safe. He will lead you at the front, and He will be your guard at the back.
Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times,what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Matthew 7:11: So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Peter 2:23 tells us - When He was insulted, He did not answer back with an insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but placed His hopes in God, the righteous Judge.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”
The New Living Translation reads it this way: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose life."
Luke 6:37“Forgive, and you will be forgiven”.
Matthew 6:14: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Romans 8:31 in the AMP Bible tells us: What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
Psalm 65:11: You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 32:8: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Proverbs 15:3: The Lord sees everything, whether good or bad.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Additional Resources:
Steven Furtick: Triggered Taking Back Your Mind in the Age of Anxiety
Beth Jones: Getting a Grip on the Basics is a great resource to help you get the basics of how vital you are to God and how good He desires to be to you
https://www.thebasicsuniversity.com
Joyce Meyer: The Mind is a Battlefield - https://joycemeyer.org
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus has given salvation, healing, and countless benefits to all who call upon His name. These benefits can be yours if you receive Him into your heart by saying this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I choose to turn away from sin, and I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead so that I may be justified and made righteous through faith in Him. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose to follow You, and I ask that You fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. I declare right now that I am a born-again child of God. I am free from sin and full of the righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This prayer and the comment above were taken out of the book:
Secrets to Powerful Prayer - Discovering the Languages of the Heart
By Lynne Hammond and Patsy Cameneti
If you have just received Jesus as your Savior, please write Lynne Hammond Ministries at:
PO Box 29469
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55429-2946
Or, email one of the ministries listed on the Additional Resources Tab and let them know that you are a brand-new Christian and need some direction on the next steps for your new life in Christ.
Or email us here at Heartfelt Conversations with Diana, and we will forward your information to you.
Congratulations if you are a brand new Christian or if you have Returned Home! Welcome!!! Get in God’s Word and get it into you.