The litmus test to see if we are truly following Christ is if we are living our lives according to His Word.
John 8:31
#InHisJOY!
John 8:31
#InHisJOY!
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Walking in pain because I am obedient
Jesus agonized over the reality of pain for the honor of doing God's Will. He made the conscience choice to walk in obedience and accept the suffering so God would receive glory. He was praying for strength to do God's Will. We too must accept any suffering that may be a direct result for doing God's Will and pray for strength to continue on despite the suffering. We do not seek to be honored for it, we only seek to bring glory to God so others may know Him.
Romans 8:36, Luke 22:39-46
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Romans 8:36, Luke 22:39-46
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Sunday, August 18, 2013
"Stop rockin' the boat, just leave"
Jonah 1-3
How do you handle direction? If God where to tell you to move to a different state, find a new job, or just some major change in your life how would you handle it? Would you consider where God is sending you, to whom He is sending, or maybe you would ask yourself "How does this benefit me?"
I look at Jonah, God give Him clear direction to go speak to a rebellious people but Jonah rejected that notion and went the opposite direction (Jonah 1:1-3). But God got His attention by giving Jonah the worst cruise experience ever and followed it up by making Jonah seafood (Jonah 7-17).
Jonah did relent and do what the Lord had directed him to do (Jonah 2). But it took God allowing that adversity in the life of Jonah for Jonah to change his mind and obediently follow God.
So I ask you are you following God? Has God provided you with clear direction and you have clearly gone the opposite way? Is God calling out of a corporate office and into international missions. Is God calling you out of the pulpit and into an office. Is God calling you to go a speak with your next door neighbor. Is God calling you to humble yourself and take a job that does not pay well. Or God may even be calling you to share Christ with your enemy. But I assure you God is calling you to do something but if you neglect to obedient to the call do not be shocked when He "rocks your boat", and much like Jonah, God does not "rock your boat" to take His anger out on you. No He is simply trying to get you headed in the right direction. He wants you to see the bigger picture. His callings for our lives have nothing to do with what we want, it has all to do with leading others to repentance that they may know Christ.
Jonah was to go Nineveh deliver God's Word, and their godly sorrow lead them to repent (Jonah 3:6-10). That is what God has called us to do. We are to reconcile others with God through Jesus and show them how live a Christian life (Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Now where He has chosen for us to do it is His Sovereign Choice, not ours. We have to get over being selfish and wanting things done our way. It's not about "you" or "me", it's all about Him and bringing salvation to those who need it wherever they are. Stay focused, you can do this.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
How do you handle direction? If God where to tell you to move to a different state, find a new job, or just some major change in your life how would you handle it? Would you consider where God is sending you, to whom He is sending, or maybe you would ask yourself "How does this benefit me?"
I look at Jonah, God give Him clear direction to go speak to a rebellious people but Jonah rejected that notion and went the opposite direction (Jonah 1:1-3). But God got His attention by giving Jonah the worst cruise experience ever and followed it up by making Jonah seafood (Jonah 7-17).
Jonah did relent and do what the Lord had directed him to do (Jonah 2). But it took God allowing that adversity in the life of Jonah for Jonah to change his mind and obediently follow God.
So I ask you are you following God? Has God provided you with clear direction and you have clearly gone the opposite way? Is God calling out of a corporate office and into international missions. Is God calling you out of the pulpit and into an office. Is God calling you to go a speak with your next door neighbor. Is God calling you to humble yourself and take a job that does not pay well. Or God may even be calling you to share Christ with your enemy. But I assure you God is calling you to do something but if you neglect to obedient to the call do not be shocked when He "rocks your boat", and much like Jonah, God does not "rock your boat" to take His anger out on you. No He is simply trying to get you headed in the right direction. He wants you to see the bigger picture. His callings for our lives have nothing to do with what we want, it has all to do with leading others to repentance that they may know Christ.
Jonah was to go Nineveh deliver God's Word, and their godly sorrow lead them to repent (Jonah 3:6-10). That is what God has called us to do. We are to reconcile others with God through Jesus and show them how live a Christian life (Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Now where He has chosen for us to do it is His Sovereign Choice, not ours. We have to get over being selfish and wanting things done our way. It's not about "you" or "me", it's all about Him and bringing salvation to those who need it wherever they are. Stay focused, you can do this.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Sunday, June 30, 2013
"Wine Water"
John 2:1-11
Jesus showed up for a wedding party and everybody was having fun. The electric slide was playing, people were laughing, and food was awesome. But they quickly ran out wine and it was customary to have the wine flowing at a wedding celebration. Now the wine of that time was not the kind we have now. The wine back than was for water purification and not meant to get people drunk. To us it would taste like flavored water. Jesus' mother Mary was also there and heard that there was no more wine, she went to Jesus for help. His reply was "Women, what does that have to do with me, it's not time for me to show miracles yet" Mary turned to the servants who were responsible for serving the wine and said "Do what He says" (John 2:1-5) The next thing we know Jesus says, "Fill the water jugs used for purification up with water and go out and serve the guest." The servants filled the water jugs and when they began to serve everyone exclaimed how must people wait until the end to serve the best wine but they can clearly see that they are drinking the best wine now (John 2:6-10). And when those following Jesus saw the water had become wine the believed in Him and God was given the glory (John 2:11).
Such a rich moment of time that is retold here in the book of John. How hard do we make it for God to show Himself strong in our life? We come to Jesus much like Mary with a need that is present in our lives or the lives of someone else. We plead with Him for help and when He gives us direction all we have to do is what He says. We do not need to add to the plan of God or take away from it. All we simply need to do is what He says regardless how ridiculous it sounds to us are how dumb it seems. cannot read God's Word and get clear direction of how He desires for us to live and then neglect to actually do what He says. The Bible calls this mindset foolishness (Matthew 7:26-27) and it says that we are deceiving ourselves (James 1:22-25) thinking we enjoy success doing it our way. We have to actively do what God's Word says and not merely passively listen. Because for those who trust in God's Way, He will do what His Word proclaims and He will never fall short of His Word (Isaiah 55:10-11). But we have to willingly obey His Word to receive His result for us about the situation we are facing. God's faithfulness is not in question but our faithfulness to God's Word is. We all have failed in this area from time to time but thank the Lord for His Grace, Mercy, and Patience with us.
When it comes to following God's Word we must replace our fear with His Faith. Replace our doubt with His trust. And replace our will with His Way. Then we can watch how He turns our water (our situation) into wine (our testimony), He will receive Glory, and others will come to believe in Jesus. You can do this!
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Jesus showed up for a wedding party and everybody was having fun. The electric slide was playing, people were laughing, and food was awesome. But they quickly ran out wine and it was customary to have the wine flowing at a wedding celebration. Now the wine of that time was not the kind we have now. The wine back than was for water purification and not meant to get people drunk. To us it would taste like flavored water. Jesus' mother Mary was also there and heard that there was no more wine, she went to Jesus for help. His reply was "Women, what does that have to do with me, it's not time for me to show miracles yet" Mary turned to the servants who were responsible for serving the wine and said "Do what He says" (John 2:1-5) The next thing we know Jesus says, "Fill the water jugs used for purification up with water and go out and serve the guest." The servants filled the water jugs and when they began to serve everyone exclaimed how must people wait until the end to serve the best wine but they can clearly see that they are drinking the best wine now (John 2:6-10). And when those following Jesus saw the water had become wine the believed in Him and God was given the glory (John 2:11).
Such a rich moment of time that is retold here in the book of John. How hard do we make it for God to show Himself strong in our life? We come to Jesus much like Mary with a need that is present in our lives or the lives of someone else. We plead with Him for help and when He gives us direction all we have to do is what He says. We do not need to add to the plan of God or take away from it. All we simply need to do is what He says regardless how ridiculous it sounds to us are how dumb it seems. cannot read God's Word and get clear direction of how He desires for us to live and then neglect to actually do what He says. The Bible calls this mindset foolishness (Matthew 7:26-27) and it says that we are deceiving ourselves (James 1:22-25) thinking we enjoy success doing it our way. We have to actively do what God's Word says and not merely passively listen. Because for those who trust in God's Way, He will do what His Word proclaims and He will never fall short of His Word (Isaiah 55:10-11). But we have to willingly obey His Word to receive His result for us about the situation we are facing. God's faithfulness is not in question but our faithfulness to God's Word is. We all have failed in this area from time to time but thank the Lord for His Grace, Mercy, and Patience with us.
When it comes to following God's Word we must replace our fear with His Faith. Replace our doubt with His trust. And replace our will with His Way. Then we can watch how He turns our water (our situation) into wine (our testimony), He will receive Glory, and others will come to believe in Jesus. You can do this!
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Sunday, March 3, 2013
"Looking for a ram"
Genesis 22
Abraham had enjoyed the many years he had spent with his son Issac. I am sure he was a proud father and he had learned that the Lord is faithful to His Word. He had learned that what ever God says He will do no matter how wild or difficult the task, Abraham understood that God is faithful. But God was not done with Abraham, there was still room for Abraham to grow.
God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac as a burnt offering. As crazy as it sounded Abraham was content with doing the Lord's Will even if he did not understand it. He did not tell a soul about God's commandment to him. A secret Abraham kept until the time of sacrifice. Abraham arrived at the mountain and told his servant "Me and my son will go there to worship the Lord (Genesis 22:5). I do not think Abraham was trying to deceive anyone, I think he had already determined in his heart that at the end of the ordeal he and son would praise God for the outcome. Issac seeing that there was no animal to sacrifice asked farther "Where is the lamb?" (Genesis 22:7). Abraham simply replied "The will provide the lamb" (Genesis 22:8). Abraham was confident that God would work this out and provide the lamb. He knows that God is faithful to His promise so he knew matter what it looked like or how God was going to do it, God would provide.
But the moment was upon us. The time had come and a burnt offering was required. Issac laid down and offered himself as the burnt offering (Genesis 22:9). Abraham lifted the knife and prepared to strike (Genesis 22:10). But the Lord stopped Abraham and said "You are a man who fears the Lord" (Genesis 22:11-12). Sometimes we need reassurance that we are doing the right thing. Sometimes we need to hear that we a good and Godly person. Sometimes we need a test to build us up and mature us to be more like Christ (James 1:2-4).
Abraham looked up and there was a ram in the bush. The offering that Abraham knew would be provided was before his eyes. Th time of worship he had said would happen was now happening. Abraham knew God would be the hero. He knew God would save the day. He knew that obedience to God would be rewarded. He knew that THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, PRINCE OF PEACE, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD, and SAVIOR would provide. Simply put Abraham knew God and that He was faithful to the end.
So friends I urge you walk the path the Lord has lite before you with His Word and seek to do His Will because wherever the Lord leads you, tells you to do, or has you to go He will always provide (Matthew 6:33). Stay focused you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Abraham had enjoyed the many years he had spent with his son Issac. I am sure he was a proud father and he had learned that the Lord is faithful to His Word. He had learned that what ever God says He will do no matter how wild or difficult the task, Abraham understood that God is faithful. But God was not done with Abraham, there was still room for Abraham to grow.
God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac as a burnt offering. As crazy as it sounded Abraham was content with doing the Lord's Will even if he did not understand it. He did not tell a soul about God's commandment to him. A secret Abraham kept until the time of sacrifice. Abraham arrived at the mountain and told his servant "Me and my son will go there to worship the Lord (Genesis 22:5). I do not think Abraham was trying to deceive anyone, I think he had already determined in his heart that at the end of the ordeal he and son would praise God for the outcome. Issac seeing that there was no animal to sacrifice asked farther "Where is the lamb?" (Genesis 22:7). Abraham simply replied "The will provide the lamb" (Genesis 22:8). Abraham was confident that God would work this out and provide the lamb. He knows that God is faithful to His promise so he knew matter what it looked like or how God was going to do it, God would provide.
But the moment was upon us. The time had come and a burnt offering was required. Issac laid down and offered himself as the burnt offering (Genesis 22:9). Abraham lifted the knife and prepared to strike (Genesis 22:10). But the Lord stopped Abraham and said "You are a man who fears the Lord" (Genesis 22:11-12). Sometimes we need reassurance that we are doing the right thing. Sometimes we need to hear that we a good and Godly person. Sometimes we need a test to build us up and mature us to be more like Christ (James 1:2-4).
Abraham looked up and there was a ram in the bush. The offering that Abraham knew would be provided was before his eyes. Th time of worship he had said would happen was now happening. Abraham knew God would be the hero. He knew God would save the day. He knew that obedience to God would be rewarded. He knew that THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, PRINCE OF PEACE, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD, and SAVIOR would provide. Simply put Abraham knew God and that He was faithful to the end.
So friends I urge you walk the path the Lord has lite before you with His Word and seek to do His Will because wherever the Lord leads you, tells you to do, or has you to go He will always provide (Matthew 6:33). Stay focused you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Saturday, February 9, 2013
"GIVE ME...GIVE ME...GIVE ME!!!"
Philippians 2:1-11
I want to preface this by saying being obedient to Lord is only possible through the power of His Spirit.
Obedience to the Lord is something we all should seek to do. We should want to please God with how we conduct our lives and the contents of our hearts. But sometimes we are obedient to God because we are seeking the reward of obedience and not to please Him, this ought not be. Seeking a blessing because of your obedience is not true obedience rather is trying to bribe God. And God cannot be bribed (Deuteronomy 10:17). It's like saying "God I will read Your Word if you give me a new job." It just does not work. Not only is this selfish it is prideful because we are telling God we will do His Will only if He fulfills our desires.
When we read Philippians 2 we find Paul discussing humility (Philippians 2:1-6). When we arrive to verses 7 through 11 Paul focuses on the life of Jesus an example of humility. Jesus willing appeared as a slave as opposed to appearing as a royal king (Philippians 2:7). But He humbled Himself more still by becoming obedient until death (Philippians 2:8). Jesus was not looking at what God could do for Him or what God would reward Him with. Jesus was only concerned about doing God's Will. He just wanted to please His Father. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that Lord's Will be done despite how He felt (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus only wanted to please Father and do His Will because His love for God outweighed the desires of to do His Will. This is how we respond in regards to God's Will. Obedience should come from a heart that wants to please God and not from a heart that seeks rewards.
The true blessing in obedience is being obedient and not the reward to come. When we focus on the reward we will only have peace and joy when we get the reward we want. But if we the reward of our obedience does not meet our expectations we can easily become bitter and anger at God. Although our bitterness and anger stem from our selfish heart. We are simply mad because we did not get what we wanted so now we are throwing a tantrum like an undisciplined child. But when we focus on pleasing God our joy is complete because we know we have pleased the Father. God did reward Jesus for His obedience (Philippians 2:9-11) but that is not why Jesus did it. He died for us and was obedient until death so that we may come to know God and be forgiven for our sins. It is my prayer that we can model this in our walk with Christ. That we will walk in obedience to God not because we want something in return but because we simply please the Lord. Stay focused you can do this.
In His JOY!
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