Tag Archive - obedience
17

Get In The Boat

Genesis 7:1 The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

As I was reading through the story Noah a few days ago, I had this thought…

What if Noah, after all that he had done, all the steps of obedience he’d taken, refused to get in the boat?

What if Noah, after spending his time, energy, and effort building this big boat, would have failed to step inside?

What if Noah, would have failed to make the leap after the preparation?

What if God’s been preparing me for something?

What if God’s been working something in my life?
Guiding me through the process.
Teaching me step by step.

And I refuse to get in the boat and obey?

What if God’s doing the same in your life?

Don’t waste what God’s done in and through you because you’re unwilling to get in the boat and take the final step!

Get in the boat and…

turn the world UPSIDE down.


Written by on January 31, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Devotional Thought, Encouragement

12

Snow Day. No Way.

Yesterday, a snow storm hit the south east.

Here in Orangeburg, we didn’t get the worst of it, but we did get enough.
Yesterday afternoon, Melissa and I began to get a little stir crazy and talked about getting out of the house.
While we were trying to decide if we wanted to brave the weather (we don’t get snow often enough to fully know how to handle it), I mentioned to her that it’s crazy that something that looks so pretty can be so dangerous.

Later, I thought about how true that is in other parts of  life as well…

  • We like what we see in others, so we try to be just like them instead of being who God called US to be.
  • We see what someone else has and think we need to have it too, so we go into more and more debt to get it.
  • That sin looks so tempting, but has great consequences down the road.
  • We can blame others for what we should take responsibility for, but we ultimately made the decision and pulled the trigger on the plan.

Sometimes, things may look really good in appearance, but have dangerous consequences.

Sure, we can choose to ignore the consequences and chase after the attraction, but it may do SERIOUS damage to us and those around us.

Choose wisely.


Written by on January 11, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Life

5

Just Do It

I’m not sure what prompted this post.
I hardly ever post on the weekends.
I just have to tell someone reading this that you need to make your move.

Prayer is no longer your excuse for inactivity.
Do what God has been telling you to do.

You know it’s Him.
It aligns with His word.
He’s gifted you to do it.

Go!

Make the move.
Take the leap.
You don’t have to know the details, just take the first step.

The feeling isn’t going away.
God’s gonna get it done anyway.
Let Him do it through you.

I think we all get nervous when we step out on faith…

“What if it’s not Him speaking to me? ”
“What if I fail? ”
“What about MY plans? ”

FORGET IT.

OBEY GOD!

JUST DO IT!


Written by on October 2, 2010 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement

11

3 Revelations About Our Heart

I was reading through 1 Samuel 16 the other day and came across this…

1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:12 says, “So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”

Here’s the thought.

God told Samuel not to look at the outward appearance to select who would be the next king.

Yet…

When Samuel obeyed, God’s choice was someone good looking and tall.

The very thing that God told Samuel not to look FOR was apparent in His selection.

God instructs us to test OUR heart.

God often wants to give us beyond what we desire, but waits to see if we’re willing to trust His ways first.

Our hearts really are what matter to God.
He wants to see our hearts and lives tuned into His Spirit and obedient to His prompting.

1. Seek to follow God’s instruction and He will provide the blessing.

2. Desire to be yielded TO Him, not the blessing.

3. Follow the ONE that owns the blessing rather than your appetite for delivery of the blessing.


Written by on August 17, 2010 and categorized under Blog, Devotional Thought, Featured

7

3 Experiences God Wants You to Have

The fact that God has mercy on us to keep us alive is amazing enough.

The fact that God desires the best for us is the icing on the cake.
The way that He works with us to glorify Himself and allow us to experience joy is simply astounding.

Here are 3 things that God desires all of His people to experience…

1. Salvation. God desires that we be reconciled to Him. In fact, He desires it so much that He was willing to part with His only Son for it to happen. God wants all to know Him. He wants none to perish.

2. Worship. God wants us to experience worship. God wants us to worship Him by accomplishing our purpose and living lives that glorify Him. Worship is essential to us. God desires it, but we are the ones that really need it. To find who He is and how much we need Him more today than yesterday.

3. Obedience. Our obedience to God reveals our faith in God. God desires that we experience obedience to Him. Through obedience, God is able to receive our love and bless us accordingly. Obedience is so much more than being a puppet controlled by God, it reaches deeper, it fulfills our need for purpose.

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Will you experience what God desires you to experience today?

What other experiences does God desire for you and I?


Written by on August 4, 2010 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement, Featured

10

The Reward of Moving

This past Saturday, Melissa and I packed up all we owned and moved across town.

After a lot of sweat, a little blood, and maybe a few tears (I was worn out!) :) , we finally managed to get everything settled in.

As I was spending some time reflecting on my day yesterday, I had this thought…..

Moving is sometimes a hassle, but the joy that comes from completing it exceeds the hassle.

Here’s what I mean…

Life happens.
Sometimes good, sometimes tough.

Through it all though, God is moving us to places in order to bless us.

Sure, sometimes the moving process is painful.
Sure, sometimes we’re forced to do some things that aren’t comfortable.
Sure, sometimes we even find ourselves face down asking God to explain why He’s doing what He’s doing.

However, the joy that comes from the movement far exceeds the pain.

There’s no greater feeling than knowing we’re doing what God’s calling us to do.
There’s no greater joy than coming to the next place in our lives and seeing a piece of what God is planning.
There’s no greater fulfillment than moving with God!

There will be no greater joy than when the journey is completed!

So,

no matter what you’re going through,
no matter what you’re facing,
no matter how things may appear,
keep moving with God.


Written by on July 27, 2010 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement, Featured

9

4 Secrets for Spiritual Growth

James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

OK, so it’s in the Bible and it’s not really a secret.
The problem is, we so seldom take the Bible’s advice, the priciples found in it often become like a secret.

James 4:7-8 gives great insight into 4 simple things we can do to grow closer to Christ…

1. Submit yourself to God.

That’s where it starts…turning our lives over to Him. Submitting everything we have and all of who we are go His control.

2. Resist the Devil.

We can’t underestimate the enemy’s frustration with someone that is completely submitted to following God. We must be on the lookout. We need to take proactive steps in resisting the devil. If a certain thing, place, or person puts you at risk for sin, avoid that thing, place, or person.

3. Come near to God.

I remember reading these verses as a 13 year old and thinking, “So if I try to come near to God, He’s gonna meet me in the middle?” Even at that age, I realized how of an amazing promise this is. Come near to Him, and He’ll come near to you. You have to spend time seeking Him!

4. Purify your hearts.

If you put junk in, junk is going to come out. You reap what you sow. Use any catch phrase, but they all mean the same. You must guard what enters your mind and heart. Resist the junk, take in the good things of Christ. You don’t have to be a monk, just dedicated to purifying your heart.

So, let’s learn from each other…

What’s the most critical element to your spiritual growth?


Written by on May 13, 2010 and categorized under Blog, Devotional Thought, Featured, Life