Sometimes students in my class are busy and active,
but are not actually following my directions.
They might be doing something "good",
but they are not truly on task if it differs from the instructions.
Some even assume they are right, but then they hear,
"Are you following directions? . . . What did I say to do?"
Often they were distracted by their own plans, but other times they never actually listened.
Obedience is hard for all of us.
We try to teach it to children, but adults still struggle.
Listening requires discipline.
It means stopping, and it means setting aside our own agenda.
Obeying God means our choices are based on His Word, not our feelings or perceptions.
Faith is our trust and belief that anything God says will be right and good.
It's believing that He will prove faithful, regardless of the circumstances.
There is a perfect place where Faith and Obedience join.
This is the foundation for our partnership with the Holy Spirit,
for our journey as disciples of Jesus.
If we listen with the intent to follow
and act with faith in what He says
the floodgates open.
The power of God is available to accomplish what He intends.
And God proves faithful.
Let us hold fast to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
-Hebrews 10:23
Obedience as a follower of Jesus goes beyond just "right and wrong".
Obeying the general commands of scripture are fundamental for all of us,
but God wants us to lean in closer.
As we worship Him, seek Him, and desire Him, He begins to reveal unique visions for our lives.
Scripture starts to speak specifics as we give Him ownership of our lives.
He wants to direct a path for you.
God has a vision for the world, for all people, but He has one that's just for you.
He has created you for purposes you will never find on your own.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23
Obedience is in the :
wait or go?
now or later?
here or there?
all or part?
Faith is essential, because God usually leads in pieces and stages.
Sometimes just one step at a time.
Most often, it's a step without a "why" or a "how".
We have to act in obedience with that faith,
before God will add to it.
But, each time we do
our faith grows.
We see His faithfulness
Again and again.
And the next time -
that "parted Red Sea" from your journey yesterday
builds boldness now
as you approach the "Jordan".
And you pray "Do it again, LORD."
as you step into the water.
Joshua 3:15-16
Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
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