| August / September 2006 |
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Hello Beloved!
I pray that you are enjoying your summer.
It seems to fly by so quickly but, I have had a
few days that just seem to drag because the kids
can’t get long, or they just don’t want to listen to
or obey what mom has to say. That brings me to the second key that keeps us whole
in a broken world and that is obedience.
I know…I know…it’s never a good time to talk about that word obedience is it? It’s
okay if we talking about the kids but it is not okay or comfortable when we talk about
it in regards to our relationship with Christ. I have to tell you that I don’t like this
word. In fact, I searched and searched for another word. I have never liked this word,
and truthfully I’m more of a, “don’t tell me what to do” kind of a gal. Ask my
mom…I don’t like being told what to do…and in fact, Mom bless her heart, she used
to quote Exodus 20:12 to me all the time…
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the lord
your God is giving you.”
Every time I heard that verse I cringed…I still do! It was like nails on a chalkboard.
For me to obedient meant that others felt I was not equipped to make my own
decisions, and after all, it was my life…I can do what I want. Sounds a little prideful
doesn’t it? Well, for someone who has always been headstrong and stubborn obedience
was tough to swallow. I mean I have always wanted to do things my own way, but let
me tell you my own way has always been the hard way. I can truthfully tell you that
my own way cost me wasted years, tons of heartache…I made a real mess of my life.
I know I’m not the only one with a rebellious streak in me. You have one too…come
on now, don’t deny it. That rebellious streak is part of our old sin nature. It is a form
of pride…which we will be talking more about next month. Now one thing you should
know that obedience is counter cultural in today’s society. Obedience implies
weakness to the world. Culture teaches us to “just do it”, and “you’re your own
person, make your mark, do it your way”. Right? We are taught to be independent
and some how that has translated into this live life by your own rules mentality that
exists today. It is fine and dandy to be strong and independent as long as we
remember that we still need to obey God and depend on Him if we are going to call
ourselves His children.
Now what is obedience? Really the word “obey” should not put us off…the Hebrew
word shama/ shaw-mah, simply means to hear, listen to, and be guided by. That doesn’
t sound so bad, right? We can do that, can’t we? Now let me be very clear. Obedience
is NOT following the law hoping that it will get you to heaven. It is not the law that
saves but our trust in Christ and His work on the cross. Obedience is very simply
asking God to show you His best for your life, and then following it. It is asking Him
to give you guidance and wisdom as to how you live you life. Those things protect us
and keep us from making huge mistakes that could have life altering consequences.
Really what we are talking about is living a life that honors God, in our actions words
and deeds.
Obedience keeps us from making huge mistakes that could have life altering
consequences. Obedience brings about blessing and protection in our life, and
disobedience well…friend, what would have happened if Eve had obeyed God and not
eaten from the tree? If Lot’s wife had obeyed God she would not have become a pillar
of salt. Jonah would have avoided becoming fish food had he gone to Nineveh the first
time he was told. There are countless examples in the bible of people choosing to go
their own way…all with disastrous results. But, there are countless examples of people
who choose to be obedient for example; Noah – he never questioned when God asked
him to build an ark; even though I’m sure he was criticized for it. Job, although he
sat in the ashes of His life, never cursed God. Mary, never once said no Lord, I don’t
want to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph did what few men would have done, and Jesus
willingly and obediently followed the plan set out before time began to reconcile us to
Him through the cross.
Great blessing resulted from the obedience of each of these people. And in the life of
the believer, obedience is the mark of maturity and it is an outward expression of our
love for God. And really what we are talking about is living a life that honors God, in
our actions words and deeds. Obedience is more than just obeying the big 10 yes we
need to obey those but it goes much further than that. Often obedience looks
different for you than it does for me. God designed each one of us personally so He
knows how we tick. He knows what is good for us and what is dangerous. As you live
your life in prayerful dependence on Him, there will be things that when you do them,
you feel convicted or this tinge of uneasiness. What is that? That is the Holy Spirit
telling you that this is not God’s best for your life. So you need to rethink what you
doing, asking God to show you what He wants for you in this situation or
circumstance.
I recommend that you read Psalm 119. In it David describes how important God’s
word was to Him as a guidebook for how to live His life.
Next month we will talk about the obstacles to living an obedient life…pride and peer
pressure. So until next month…
Father,
I know that obedience is a difficult topic. I know that most of us would rather not talk
about it…but Lord I know that when we make an effort to live the way you want us to
you help us. We want to have teachable hearts, we want to follow you. Help us to
understand that you only set up boundaries to protect and help us get the most out of
life. Help us to remember that you want us to have an abundant life, a life of joy, and
a long life. Shape and mold our hearts Lord, making them more like you each day.
In Jesus name,
Amen –
Love you guys - CJ
I pray that you are enjoying your summer.
It seems to fly by so quickly but, I have had a
few days that just seem to drag because the kids
can’t get long, or they just don’t want to listen to
or obey what mom has to say. That brings me to the second key that keeps us whole
in a broken world and that is obedience.
I know…I know…it’s never a good time to talk about that word obedience is it? It’s
okay if we talking about the kids but it is not okay or comfortable when we talk about
it in regards to our relationship with Christ. I have to tell you that I don’t like this
word. In fact, I searched and searched for another word. I have never liked this word,
and truthfully I’m more of a, “don’t tell me what to do” kind of a gal. Ask my
mom…I don’t like being told what to do…and in fact, Mom bless her heart, she used
to quote Exodus 20:12 to me all the time…
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the lord
your God is giving you.”
Every time I heard that verse I cringed…I still do! It was like nails on a chalkboard.
For me to obedient meant that others felt I was not equipped to make my own
decisions, and after all, it was my life…I can do what I want. Sounds a little prideful
doesn’t it? Well, for someone who has always been headstrong and stubborn obedience
was tough to swallow. I mean I have always wanted to do things my own way, but let
me tell you my own way has always been the hard way. I can truthfully tell you that
my own way cost me wasted years, tons of heartache…I made a real mess of my life.
I know I’m not the only one with a rebellious streak in me. You have one too…come
on now, don’t deny it. That rebellious streak is part of our old sin nature. It is a form
of pride…which we will be talking more about next month. Now one thing you should
know that obedience is counter cultural in today’s society. Obedience implies
weakness to the world. Culture teaches us to “just do it”, and “you’re your own
person, make your mark, do it your way”. Right? We are taught to be independent
and some how that has translated into this live life by your own rules mentality that
exists today. It is fine and dandy to be strong and independent as long as we
remember that we still need to obey God and depend on Him if we are going to call
ourselves His children.
Now what is obedience? Really the word “obey” should not put us off…the Hebrew
word shama/ shaw-mah, simply means to hear, listen to, and be guided by. That doesn’
t sound so bad, right? We can do that, can’t we? Now let me be very clear. Obedience
is NOT following the law hoping that it will get you to heaven. It is not the law that
saves but our trust in Christ and His work on the cross. Obedience is very simply
asking God to show you His best for your life, and then following it. It is asking Him
to give you guidance and wisdom as to how you live you life. Those things protect us
and keep us from making huge mistakes that could have life altering consequences.
Really what we are talking about is living a life that honors God, in our actions words
and deeds.
Obedience keeps us from making huge mistakes that could have life altering
consequences. Obedience brings about blessing and protection in our life, and
disobedience well…friend, what would have happened if Eve had obeyed God and not
eaten from the tree? If Lot’s wife had obeyed God she would not have become a pillar
of salt. Jonah would have avoided becoming fish food had he gone to Nineveh the first
time he was told. There are countless examples in the bible of people choosing to go
their own way…all with disastrous results. But, there are countless examples of people
who choose to be obedient for example; Noah – he never questioned when God asked
him to build an ark; even though I’m sure he was criticized for it. Job, although he
sat in the ashes of His life, never cursed God. Mary, never once said no Lord, I don’t
want to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph did what few men would have done, and Jesus
willingly and obediently followed the plan set out before time began to reconcile us to
Him through the cross.
Great blessing resulted from the obedience of each of these people. And in the life of
the believer, obedience is the mark of maturity and it is an outward expression of our
love for God. And really what we are talking about is living a life that honors God, in
our actions words and deeds. Obedience is more than just obeying the big 10 yes we
need to obey those but it goes much further than that. Often obedience looks
different for you than it does for me. God designed each one of us personally so He
knows how we tick. He knows what is good for us and what is dangerous. As you live
your life in prayerful dependence on Him, there will be things that when you do them,
you feel convicted or this tinge of uneasiness. What is that? That is the Holy Spirit
telling you that this is not God’s best for your life. So you need to rethink what you
doing, asking God to show you what He wants for you in this situation or
circumstance.
I recommend that you read Psalm 119. In it David describes how important God’s
word was to Him as a guidebook for how to live His life.
Next month we will talk about the obstacles to living an obedient life…pride and peer
pressure. So until next month…
Father,
I know that obedience is a difficult topic. I know that most of us would rather not talk
about it…but Lord I know that when we make an effort to live the way you want us to
you help us. We want to have teachable hearts, we want to follow you. Help us to
understand that you only set up boundaries to protect and help us get the most out of
life. Help us to remember that you want us to have an abundant life, a life of joy, and
a long life. Shape and mold our hearts Lord, making them more like you each day.
In Jesus name,
Amen –
Love you guys - CJ
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