Obedience.......Really?

John 14:15

Jesus said

“If you love me you will obey what I command”

“On the line”

“Set……………Go”

As a basketball coach

I have barked that command to my players thousands of times.

Sometimes they would jump to attention………

Ready to go……

Ready to get it done!

Other times…..

Well other times they seemed to have to think about it…..

To gather up all their resolve…..

To set their minds on what was good…..

To recall their love for the game so that……

So that they might become energized…..

Energized to set aside personal comfort for ………..Love.

It’s tough to be commanded.

It’s tough to be pushed out of comfort.

They didn’t like it a lot.

I don’t like it much myself.

So why then……

Why obey?

Because we are supposed to?

Because it’s our duty?

Honestly…… I need more.

And truly…..

I believe there is a higher calling……

A higher calling that spurs me towards obedience.

Obedience from the heart.

Why obey?

It’s simple really……

Love and Trust.

Guys,

How about it…..

Let’s obey His commands.

Let’s trust Him today so that…..

Christ in us can love through us.

John 15:11

Jesus said,

“I have told you this so that

My Joy may be in you and

Your Joy may be complete.”

All praise be to You Jesus for the Life You have given us

Amen

Psalm 143 Learning by Doing

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do Your will,

For You are my God……

Notice the prayer…..

“Teach me to do Your will”

Not…….

Show me Your will….

Teach me Your will…….

Work out Your will……….

No- None of these, but….

“Teach me to do Your will”

Guys,

So many times I know God’s will….

And yet….

To do His will…..

To actually in my moment to moment living…..

Act Justly…

Love Mercy….

Walk Humbly…..

To actually in my moment to moment living…..

Love Powerfully…..

Lift up the Life of Christ and……

Courageously lead others into that Life .…….

This are what I pray for.

I need Father to teach me to do…..

I need Christ in me to rise up to do…….

I need The Holy Spirit to lead me into the doing…..

As for me….

Maybe it’s time……..

To just do…..

Father God,

I thank You that You have given me all I need to do Your will.

I thank You that I have the Life of Christ…

I thank You that I have the leading and power of Your Spirit….

I thank You that I have Your Word of Truth.

Holy Spirit,

I thank You that You are teaching me to do the will of my God.

Lord Jesus,

Today I will learn.

Today I will do.

Amen

Psalm 81 Obedience Really is the Key

Psalm 81:14

God Speaking:

“If my people would but listen to Me,

If Israel would but follow My ways;

How quickly would I subdue their enemies

And turn My hand against their foes”

Sometimes I ask God for wisdom-

He gives it-

I obey-

Life is good.

Sometimes I ask God for wisdom-

He gives it-

I disagree with it-

I do what I want-

Strife comes.

Sometimes I don’t ask at all-

I figure………. I got this one.

Strife continues.

Sometimes I don’t ask

Because I am afraid-

I just know He’s gonna tell me something-

Something I really, really, really………

Am not gonna want to do.

Strife turns to misery.

But then again……

Sometimes I ask God for wisdom-

He gives it-

I obey and…………

Life is good.

I really am getting better………

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

Father

Thank You for Your patience with me-

Thank You for Your promise of

The good things that come from

Faithful Obedience.

Amen