How many times a day do you make a choice? Simple decisions made throughout the day flit into your mind and quickly leave before being forgotten. Choices you think has little to no value reveals a life of obedience or disobedience towards God. But don’t you worry, God is growing your character and preparing you to accept the purpose of your life.
Luke 16:10 (MSG)
Jesus went on to make these comments: If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
But what about those times, and we all have had them, where we wonder what we should do? Should I take that new job? Should I date this person? How many kids should I have? Should I buy a house? Should I tithe? Should I give volunteer my time? Am I ready to use my gifts to further the kingdom of God? Are we ready for kids? Am I following God’s will? Am I listening to God? How do I know?
The Word of God directs us on where to go and what to stay away from. Understanding God’s Word has a direct proportion to knowing and obeying His Word. For if you do not know God’s Words, how can you expect to journey the road of obedience successfully?
In reflecting on my past, I made some awful choices as a result of not knowing, caring, or thinking the Word of God was valuable. After I accepted Jesus in my life, I paid painful consequences for my “before” actions.
However, along the pathway of obedience to God, I found joy, peace, love, strength, friendship, loyalty, forgiveness, wisdom, and, most of all, mercy. As far as my sin took me to my darkest place, grace caught me and delivered me into the hands of the One who loves me. It hasn’t been easy. I lost friends and family members along the way.
Everyone wants to be accepted, but when you choose a life of Christ, many in this world will reject you. But take courage because the One who made this world is in love with your obedience and accepts you.
John 15: 18 (MSG)
If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.
Reflecting on my present, I found I became His daughter. I have made conscious decisions regarding Him, and He prospered me. When I made neutral choices, I neither decreased nor increased in prosperity—what a perfect example of God’s grace! I tear up with gratitude at His love and provision.
John 15: 9 – 10 (MSG)
“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
Let’s look at ways we can stay in daily obedience to Him:
1. Your attitude, regardless of circumstances, can be either:
a. Positive
b. Negative
2. Expressions of Obedience include:
a. Loving and trusting God’s plan.
b. Our acceptance of negative consequences to the sin in our lives.
3. Make active choices, such as:
a. Choosing obedience.
b. Listening to His voice.
4. Focusing in a loud world includes:
a. Study the Word.
b. Obey, especially when you don’t understand.
5. Embracing obedience brings:
a. Spiritual insight.
b. Faith building.
c. Authentic worship.
6. Imitating God in holiness, humility, and love brings:
a. Motivating obedience.
b. Fearlessness.
c. Wisdom.
d. Amazing Grace.
e. Spiritual freedom.
f. A more profound love for God.
g. Quality relationships.
If you have read through this far, don’t stop, the best is yet to come!
There is no greater love than the love God directs towards you! Obedience is a path full of blessings waiting to be discovered and cherished.
If you are in a time of testing right now, take a moment and ask, Is this a result of obedience or disobedience to God’s Word?
He loves you more than you know, and He will provide for all your needs as you obey Him. He will take your obedience to generations coming after you. Wow, think on that. You have the power to affect those coming after you in your circle of friends and family.
Blessings,
K-Trina