“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”  Philippians 2:8-9

The reason why Jesus came into the world was to die on the cross for the sins of humanity. But it was far from easy: on His last night on earth, Jesus cried out to God three times, asking Him for another way. But God didn’t provide one. So, Jesus humbled Himself to God’s will. And His obedience led Him die one of the worst deaths imaginable.

What is God calling you to do that you are finding hard to obey? Are you sensing, deep within you, that God is speaking to you about something you’re meant to do? Maybe He’s calling you to take a risk, and you’re having a hard time letting go of your comfort zone. If so, I want to encourage you to humble yourself, obey, and step out in faith just like Jesus did. The reward for you will be great, as it was for Jesus. An obedient lifestyle may not be easy, but it is possible.

We may not understand how the entire process is going to work out, but we need to trust God, because He is worthy of our trust! He is good and His plans for us are good. It just makes sense for us to be obedient to Him and to His call.

Father, give us the grace to be obedient to what You are calling us to. May we have the courage to step out in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Blessed Obedience

Obedience Leads to Blessing

God Requires Risky Obedience

The post Called to Obedience appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Has your obedience taken you to surprising places lately?

Will you stay and follow the clues to find the next step?

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

On Sunday our grandson wrote clues for the latest scavenger hunt he was inventing. “Go to where the teeth eat meat,” said the first clue. Instead of finding the next clue at the kitchen table, we found it under Snapper, his hand-crafted four-foot long blue alligator.

In much the same way, I don’t know where I’ll be led next until I follow and obey God’s call to share His good news with others. Will there be scary people? Unusual places? My heart may be pounding as I listen and respond to the nudges God sends.

Sometimes I’d rather just stay put and be silent. Yet obedience is not just about trying to live to show Christ’s love. Lots of people may be loving and kind. But that’s not always enough. Obedience is also talking about who God is and what He has done for me.

The outcome may not always feel like success. All that my obedience may bring is the knowledge that I have obeyed to the best of my ability. At times the immediate experience may even feel like failure. But success in witnessing is simply sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God.

Has your obedience taken you to surprising places lately? Do you question whether this is the place God wants you to be? If so, will you stay and follow the clues to find the next step?

Oh Jesus, grant me the willingness to follow You to the places You are sending me in my own experiences at home with my family and in my neighborhood. Grant me the humility to obey You. For I have nothing to lose in the end. Amen.

By Sue Braid
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Making a Difference

• Whatever you do…

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Clues to Follow appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For the Lord says, ‘Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in My name. When he calls on Me I will answer, I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him’” Psalm 91:14-15

Pete was the playboy type. He believed that Christ was in his life and that he had eternal life and would go to heaven when he died, but he was not willing to “go all the way with the Lord.” He wanted to live the “good life,” he said. One day perhaps he would make a total commitment of his life to Christ, but not now. He had all kinds of physical and emotional problems, but somehow he was never able to make the connection that the fact that his life was miserable was because of his disobedience to God.

All of God’s supernatural resources are latent within us waiting for us, as an act of the will by faith, to release that power. This explains the difference between impotent, fruitless, defeated Christians and those who are buoyant, joyful, victorious and fruitful in magnificent ways for the glory of God. Both are indwelt by the same God and possess the same supernatural power, but one for whatever reason – lack of knowledge, lack of faith, disobedience – fails to release the power while the other – knowledgeable, dedicated, obedient, faithful – releases the power.

John 14:21 is another way of stating Psalm 91:14 -15. Jesus said, “He that hath My commandments, and keep them, he it is that loveth Me and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” (KJV)

We demonstrate that we love God when we obey Him. And when we trust and obey Him, all the supernatural resources of deity are released in our behalf. He literally heals our bodies, our minds and our spirits and enables us to live the supernatural life.

Bible Reading: Psalm 91:7-13

Today’s Action Point: I will acknowledge Jesus daily as the Lord of my life and demonstrate my love by obeying His commandments. In so doing, I can be assured that He will be with me in trouble and deliver me and honor me as He promised.

Question: What aspect of obeying the Lord do you struggle with most often?

by Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

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“Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Matthew 8:19

As a youngster, I loved playing “follow the leader.” After the participants select a leader, the players follow the leader mimicking his actions — following him wherever he may go. By agreeing to play, players assume a certain risk, depending on the terrain of the course, which may very well include craggy hillsides, cold streams, and unstable rocks. If a player is unable to replicate the leader’s actions, then that player is excused from participating. The last surviving player still accompanying the leader becomes the leader and the game restarts.

This perilous but appealing adventure game offers many parallels to the Christian life: commitment, compliance, inconvenience, risk, and reward. In Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus confronts potential disciples with the cost of discipleship. When the scribe enthusiastically declares, “I will follow You wherever You go,” did he understand the risk and ramifications of his proclamation? Was he willing to follow Jesus unequivocally? The other disciple’s response is less definitive. He excuses himself because of an untimely family commitment.

Which disciple are you? Will you follow Him wherever He may go – without reservation? These are difficult but necessary questions for every believer. Following our leader is our non-negotiable rite of passage. Daily, we must face the call, challenge, and choice to follow Him wholeheartedly. Prayerfully, one step at a time, we walk in Jesus’ footprints, mimicking his actions. When we faithfully reflect obedience, and go where He goes, He empowers and equips us to go and take the lead so other disciples may willingly follow.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of following You. Teach me obedience. May Your Holy Spirit teach me how to walk in Your footprints. Empower and equip me to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Amen.

By Allan Mitchell

Used by permission
www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

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The post Wherever He May Go appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: Psalm 1

The Bible declares the Lord’s great power and majesty while also revealing His deep mercy and love. He is worthy of wholehearted, passionate submission, but He doesn’t often get it. Are you among the few who offer themselves to Him without reservation?

Complete obedience is a choice to follow God regardless of the consequences. This means that we obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different path or when suffering or embarrassment is guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important than our own comfort or personal ambition. We commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises: He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), and He makes good out of every situation (Romans 8:28).

Notice the word ‘commitment‘ in the title of today’s devotion. I’m not writing about obedience that is born of the moment (as in, I choose to follow God in this instance) but about submission as a way of life. Setting restrictions on compliance is so tempting–we want to be able to change our mind when obeying upsets our lifestyle, the final result is unclear, or we’re just plain scared. But let me ask you this one sobering question: If Jesus is the Lord of your life, what right do you have to limit how and when you’ll do His will?

Believers have no right to set their own limits; their one criterion for making decisions should be, What does God want me to do? The answer at times may cause suffering, but obedience is always right. And following God in all things is the surest path to favor and spiritual growth.

By Dr. Charles Stanley

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