Obedience

November 18th – Hebrews 10:36

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Hebrews 10:36

When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised to make him a great nation. The years came and went, and as each one passed no fulfillment of God’s promise came. But instead of giving up, Abraham endured and, “believed in the Lord.” (Gen. 15:6) Finally, at the age of 100, Abraham received the son he had waited for, his beloved Isaac. But then God asked the impossible. He wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son. I can’t even begin to imagine the confusion and sorrow Abraham felt because of God’s request. Regardless, Abraham continued to trust and place his hope in the Lord. And even though he didn’t understand, Abraham endured and obeyed. And because of his obedience, God blessed Abraham, and the world, mightily. What if God asked you to sacrifice what you love the most? Could you do it obediently and without hesitation? God wanted Abraham, and each of us, to learn to wait, trust, and hope in Him no matter what He asks of us. And when we do, God promises to bless our obedience greatly!

November 18th – Hebrews 10:36 Read More »

October 2nd – Psalm 104:10-15

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Psalm 104:10-15

Everywhere we look, we can see the hand of a loving and caring Creator. And with all He creates, especially us, God shows just how deep that love and care go. Because not only does our Heavenly Father meet our basic needs, but He also blesses us with beauty, variety, and abundance. His generosity knows no bounds. And our hearts should overflow with gratitude at all God gives to us both material and spiritual. For on our own, we are worthy of nothing except death. Yet just as God provides for the animals and the earth, He also cares for our needs and desires. And He encourages us to be responsible stewards of the resources and blessings He has granted us. To manage those gifts in a way that honors Him, benefits others, and furthers His kingdom. A responsibility which reflects our love and obedience to God. And in acknowledging His abundance, we can find contentment, share with others generously, and find deep joy in recognizing the Creator’s lavish blessings that surround us.

October 2nd – Psalm 104:10-15 Read More »

July 14th – Proverbs 29:1

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Proverbs 29:1

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

We serve a God of second, third, and fourth chances. But although His patience, is immense, it’s not infinite. While God’s mercy and grace abound, there comes a point where persistent disobedience and unrepentant hearts can exhaust His patience. Eventually He’ll wash His hands and give us over to our sin. (Rom. 1:26-28) That’s why it’s so important to understand that God desires our genuine repentance, obedience, and a humble willingness to live lives according to His will. Procrastinating in our spiritual growth, ignoring His instructions, or taking His grace for granted can lead to severe consequences. A stiff-necked attitude towards God rejects the opportunity for growth and humility. It hinders our ability to learn from our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and make necessary changes in our lives. And most sad of all, unrepentant sin distances us from the One we should be closest to. The only true source of wisdom and grace, our Heavenly Father.

July 14th – Proverbs 29:1 Read More »

April 23rd – 2 Timothy 1:9

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2 Timothy 1:9

Whenever I would hear people talk about how they found God’s purpose for their lives, I felt jealous. I didn’t understand why God made their paths straight and clear while mine was crooked and murky. Did they have some special phone line to Heaven that I didn’t? Why were they part of the “it” crowd while I remained on the outside looking in? I was so caught up in finding out what God had planned for me, that I forgot what His calling is truly about. It isn’t what I can do for God, but rather what God can do both for me and through me for others. God has personally set each of us apart to have a close personal relationship with Himself. And He desires hearts that earnestly seek His will above all else. Those who joyfully spend time daily with Him and in His Word, and are open to being used by Him. Answering God’s call means submitting every area of our lives to the Lord and being obedient to the direction of His Spirit’s leading. Knowing that there is no greater calling than bringing  glory to His name!

April 23rd – 2 Timothy 1:9 Read More »

April 21st – Revelation 16:9

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Revelation 16:9

Throughout the book of revelation you see a people with a hardened heart against God. And for the life me, I couldn’t understand why they would choose suffering over joy, death over eternal life, and judgement over blessing. But the more I reflected the more I realized that I have had an unrepentant heart wanting its own will done instead of God’s. I too have turned my back on Him, choosing instead to continue to walk in sin. And I have cried out against the Lord when I haven’t gotten my own way. So I can honestly tell you the path of rebellion which takes you away from God leads to nothing but despair, loneliness, sorrow, and regret. Yet when you choose to walk in faith and obedience to His will, God will bless you beyond imagining, take you places your heart couldn’t dare hope for, and protect you from the wrath to come.

April 21st – Revelation 16:9 Read More »

April 7th – Isaiah 6:8

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Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever thought you washed a window to crystal clear perfection only to find it full of streaks when the rays of the sun shined on it? That’s how it is with us. No matter how hard we try, or how clean we think our lives are, they are nothing more than dirty, streaky, windows compared to the perfect goodness of God. But because of His boundless love, just like He did for Isaiah, God provides a way for our sin to be taken away and forgiven. That way is Jesus Christ. Through His work on the Cross and the shedding of His precious blood, the minute we receive Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit goes to work. First he humbles and convicts us about the filthiness of our lives. Then He begins transforming, cleansing, and getting us ready for God’s service. No longer unworthy, and like the prophets before us, we can be eagerly obedient to God’s calling. And after our own life changing encounter with the Lord, with a thankful heart we too can say to God, “Here am I. send Me!”

April 7th – Isaiah 6:8 Read More »

April 4th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive a calling to walk away from our old, sinful lifestyles, and walk worthy of our new calling. And what is our new calling? To live life in a manner that is consistent with the high standards and values of the Christian faith. It means intentionally choosing to die to self daily. Instead walking in obedience to God and following the example of Jesus Christ. This includes living a life of humility, love, and forgiveness as our Lord did. For as Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” When we surrender our own desires and plans, allowing Christ to live in and through us, we walk worthy of our calling. And that in turn leads to a life centered on God and His purposes, rather than our own.

April 4th – Ephesians 4:1 Read More »

March 27th – Deuteronomy 28:3

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Deuteronomy 28:3

God doesn’t give us commands to feed His ego or to make us suffer. He loves us beyond measure and wants us to have the very best life. An abundant life that His Son sacrificed His life to give us. But the Lord will only bless us if we walk in faithful obedience to Him. And when we do, God promises those blessings will follow us no matter where we roam, or where we settle. Because God isn’t limited to specific areas or situations. His goodness and provision are available to us whenever and wherever we are, as long as we remain faithful to Him. In our obedience, we show our trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty over our lives. A trust which in turn leads to God’s very best blessings. Blessings including material prosperity, physical health, and spiritual growth.

 

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March 24th – Deuteronomy 4:7

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Deuteronomy 4:7

The people of Israel were God’s special possession, His very own. And He wanted with them, like He does with us, a close personal relationship built on love and obedience. As His chosen people, God offered them not only a land filled with milk and honey, but victory over their enemies. Gloriously and graciously the Lord led them and performed wondrous miracles in their sight. And at any time, for any reason, the people could call on God. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we too receive the blessing of becoming a part of God’s very own. He is near to us and just like the people of Israel, we can call on Him. God wants us to have the very best life possible. There is no one who loves you more, will fight harder on your behalf, or is more worthy of your complete faith and devotion. So draw near to Him, remember Him in all things, believe and obey, and watch the blessings flow!

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February 27th – Romans 12:10

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Romans 12:10

I love the saying humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. And there’s no better example of this than Christ. From start to finish Jesus, in humility and obedience, always put the will of the Father before His own. Never once seeking His own glory, His joy was found in serving God and others. As His followers, it is our job to cultivate that same kind of humility in our own lives. Because no matter how bad our circumstance, there is always someone worse off. And nothing takes our mind off our own troubles than helping someone else with theirs. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” As Christians we are to put others before ourselves, and show love and respect to everyone we meet. And by doing so, not only are we bringing blessings into our own lives, we are reflecting the love of God and helping to make the world just a little more loving.

February 27th – Romans 12:10 Read More »