We are called to remember God and His promises to us. ~Lisa Blair
God desires that we recall our spiritual journey with Him. In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminded the Israelites about the importance of acknowledging God’s authority. God wants us to remember our forefathers as well as our own spiritual journey with Him. The Israelites had forgotten God’s role in their lives. Their disobedience, creating idols to worship, and their abandonment of living holy led to an extension of their eleven-day trip. Instead of reaching the Promised Land quickly, they wandered through the desert for forty years. How often do we choose our own path over God’s, only to end up wandering aimlessly in a figurative desert?
God desires that we recollect His promises and our sojourn with Him. This includes the highs and lows. It also encompasses the successes and failures. We should remember the ordinary and extraordinary. He desires us to remember that even in the most challenging times He is here. When we felt forsaken by Him, He was invariably there. He was inspiring us. He was strengthening us. He was challenging our beliefs. He was blessing us along the path. “God wishes us to bear in mind that every advantage we obtain is dependent on remembering not only what He does for us but who He is in our lives. He also desires us to recall His laws and precepts about life on this earth” (NKJV, Stanley, C. The Principles Bible, p. 195).
Throughout our odyssey with God, we do not always comprehend the end goal. We do not always expect the result of the challenges we face. Nevertheless, we must trust that God is continuously here to safeguard, direct, and give in ways we do not grasp. For example, in Daniel’s battle with the lions, God’s care and intervention brought glory to His name. His companion’s ordeal in the fiery furnace created a deeper sense of wonder and trust in His abilities. These experiences imparted a valuable lesson to Daniel. Nothing can sever our connection with God. Even in desperate situations, we can find comfort and strength in Him.
David’s life provides another example of trust in God’s promises and obedience to His commands. David placed his trust in God’s assurances, and he modeled his life according to God’s precepts. He knew that God would always keep His promises, despite the skepticism or adversity that others show. When confronting the daunting Goliath, David’s confidence in God’s assurance of protection empowered him to stand up against a giant. He killed the giant with a single rock. He became King of Israel and was blessed because of his faithfulness.
It is crucial to remember as Christians that God’s promises are not exclusively for David or the Israelites. They are available to us as well. The promise of salvation is open to everyone who professes belief in Jesus Christ as God’s Son. Jesus assured us that whoever trusts in Him will inherit eternal life (John 3:16). God’s promises are also obvious in our daily lives. He commits to never abandoning us or leaving us without provisions (Hebrews 13:5). He also commits to fulfilling all our needs (Philippians 4:19). Additionally, He imparts wisdom when we entreat it (James 1:5). Trusting in these assurances empowers us to move ahead with confidence, knowing that God keeps His word always.
During uncertain and tumultuous times, we often question God’s promises much like the Israelites. Still, we must remember that God is steadfast in His word, and we can trust Him completely. As we contemplate God’s promises, let us renew our faith in Him, knowing He will never fail us. As we follow His leadership, He promises to honor our allegiance and obedience. Just like Daniel experienced God’s protection and favor, we too can expect blessings in all areas of our lives. Our decision to continually seek Him is the start of an enriching relationship. This relationship will make everything else pale in comparison.
To walk with God means to relinquish our will to His divine purpose for our lives. This is important even when the path ahead seems uncertain or dubious. We are called to trust in His love and guidance. We are called to obey His commands. We do so knowing that they ultimately converge for our good. As we strive to develop a deeper relationship with God, His favor will guide us. He will lead us to the blessings He has prepared for us. Daniel’s example of steadfast faith reminds us to stay confident, obedient, and surrender to God. Regardless of the challenges we face in life, we can experience God’s goodness and protection. We can do this as we journey with Him. Moses instructed the Israelites to remember what God brought them out of and through. This message is as clear today as then. God wants us to remember. He wants us to not doubt or stray from the path. The Israelites did as they grew impatient about the length of their journey out of the desert. God planned to send them on an eleven-day trip to the Promised Land. In their arrogance, they extended the journey to forty years. They should have remembered how God brought them out of slavery. We should remember how God brought us through our desert experiences.
In conclusion, let us be vigilant about the lessons we can learn from Daniel’s life, faith, and trust in God. Our relationship with God demands trust, obedience, and acceptance that He genuinely desires the best for us. When we surrender our fears, doubts, and ambitions to Him. He ensures that we head in the right direction, labors for our eventual gain, and sculpts us into Christ’s likeness. Our decision to follow God with total faithfulness and obedience guarantees that we are in trustworthy, benevolent hands.
We are called to remember!
Resources: NKJV, Stanley, C. The Principles Bible, p. 195; Generative AI
God will always give an escape route to free us from impending temptation. If we ignore the escape route, we will most certainly fall into sin. Recollect a time when you regretted getting involved in something you should not have been involved in. I am certain you can also find the moment you chose to ignore the quiet voice that told you to leave, run, go in another direction, do not enter… The quiet voice was God speaking to you offering an escape route.
Thanks to God’s loving kindness. We received freedom from reaping the horror of permanent sin when He sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross taking on our sin to give us a way out.
Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
When Christ died on the cross, he took all sin, past, present, and future. We are not bound by eternal sin. And, in the face of temptation and its cohort, sin, God always provides an escape route.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Scriptures About Temptation
Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil (sin), and he will flee from you.
James 1:12-16 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth (metaphorical, and perhaps physical) death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Hebrews 2:18 – For because He himself (Christ) has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes (temptation, sin) of the evil one (often your own desire).
Matthew 4:1-11 – Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But He answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
The Word of God provides the escape route from temptation. Temptation is a carnal want that leads to our sinful nature. Temptation glistens, smiles, seeks illicit things that cause you to feel good in the dark, never in the light. It is the final step into the dark. The escape is most prominent in that moment, turn away, run…
Learning to identify the families of temptation creates an awareness of how sin creeps into your life. Paul defined them in Galatians 5:19-20 (AMP). This is not an exhaustive list.
“Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies-any believe that is against the word of God], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.”
Temptation always comes before a fall (carnal desires/sin). Temptation always precedes sin. We should praise God that He established an escape route (through the crucifixion of Christ, the taking on of sin), providing a redemption route (repentance/forgiveness), and saving us when we sin (acting in our carnal nature). To quote Donnie McClurkin’s lyrics, We Fall Down but Get Back Up. How will you apply this study to your life? Will you listen to God’s quiet voice and run or flee, or will you ignore his warning to satisfy your human condition?
This diagram provides a pictorial of your options.
What can we learn from the diagram?
The attack begins with a thought. The thought focuses on the temptation. During this time your mind weighs the choice to listen to God and run from the temptation, or run to the temptation. If you run from the temptation you will know the escape route the Lord has provided. If you choose to run towards the temptation, you will become quickly consumed by the sin and start to ignore the quiet voice of the Lord. But, most people hear bits of His quiet voice, and eventually repent of your sin. God at once responds in love and provides the escape route. There are consequences embedded in the sin itself. Satan will not make it easy to escape, he wants us to suffer during and after we sinned. It is so much better to guard your heart, listen to the Lord’s quiet voice, and seek the escape route that God provides than to fall into the darkness of sin.
Please note, not all sin is attributed to Satan. Our nature is corrupt. It seeks gratification at all costs. Sin offers the things that you crave most. Temptation is a gateway drug tempting you to ignore God.
Scriptures – Bible.com; Diagram – Lisa Blair; Image – lifehopeandtruth.com
I imagine you think the title is a string of repetitive run-on words but it’s not! The string of words is an African American creed. This creed has carried African Americans forward through slavery and is as true today as in the past. It is founded in scripture and refers to one’s total, committed belief in Jesus Christ who came to save us from sin and offer us salvation.
Many resort to the “You know’s” in times of chaos, confusion, oppression, loss, destruction, and subjugation. As Christians, I propose that we must move beyond confessing our total trust in Christ only when we feel helpless as so many do. Confession of this nature evaporates as soon as times improve and we feel we are once again in a safe space. But as Christians, shouldn’t we know in our Spirit that our relationship with the Lord is sacred? Shouldn’t we know that our every breath rests on His love for us, His sacrifice that gave us life? We should know that the Words in the Bible bind our core beliefs to our carnal beings and that as new creatures in Christ, our relationship with Christ can only grow stronger.
You know that you know that you know is a form of the belt of truth we gird around our waist. It is founded on the Word of God and it, like a belt, holds us up, aligns our thinking, and helps us stand erect. Your very essence is knowing that our Lord knows us and we know Him.
Those of us who use this expression, wake up in the morning praising our Lord for another day’s journey, for keeping our family safe, for walking with us throughout the day, for protecting us from things seen and unseen, for breathing life into us, for directing our paths, and for giving us salvation and eternal life.
You know that you know that you know means the scriptures are living documents, they are God-breathed. God’s Word reigns supreme. And, as long as we know in our soul that we belong to the Almighty we can withstand the best of times and the worst of times because we live in the world and are not of this world. We will enjoy glory, victory, and safety.
In closing, You know that you know that you know illustrates a deep devotion to faith and the significance of unwavering belief in Jesus Christ. It highlights the comforting reliance on God’s protection and guidance, during peaceful moments and challenging times.
“…you have been raised with Christ…your life is now hidden with Christ in God…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” ~ excerpts, Colossians 3 NIV, Biblegateway.com.
My site will be temporarily paused beginning September 2, 2024. I started my blogs eight years ago and have enjoyed sharing the Word of God with you and how we can apply His Word to our lives. It is my desire to continue posting on my site soon. Our relationship has been reciprocal in nature. I learned through study, research, and most importantly, about God’s path with you. I have been energized by your visiting my sites. I hope you have deepened your understanding of the Word and how to apply it to your daily life. The Bible is not something to be read like a novel, but rather a guide or manual teaching us how to move beyond worldly thoughts and live like Christ. This has been an amazing and enlightening journey. It is my prayer that we all continue to mature in the Word and walk with Christ every step we take. During this pause, I am taking time to reflect on the past 8 years and the 1,400+ posts I have written.
A CALL FOR PRAYING CHRISTIANS
Walking with Christ is the only way we can survive this world. Loving our neighbor is imperative. The world is in chaos. We are called daily to pray for our families, communities, the nations of the world, and embittered political landscapes.
John shares Jesus’ words, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray they will become one.” (John 17:20-21 NLT, Bible.com)
Jesus prayed for unbelievers. In an article on the RedeemerRockwall.org website, they shared, “In his High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed for unbelievers – this means he prayed for us. We were unbelievers, yet he prayed for us. We also are called to pray for unbelievers.”
I believe that when we refer to unbelievers, we are focusing on future believers as well. Unbelievers are future believers. According to the Bible, all unbelievers are future believers because we are instructed to continue to spread the Good News to all people (future believers). We are told that God is calling all of his children to him. God wants all people to come to him regardless of their past; all can repent, and all can be saved. Being an unbeliever today does not mean that one will always be an unbeliever. An unbeliever is a future believer who can become a brother believer. We all sinned and fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), yet when we received Christ as our Lord and Savior, we joined his family and became one with him.
I leave this last thought with you – It is important that we, as God’s ambassadors, do not get caught up in the wiles of the day. We should continue to pray for all people and all nations. We must continue to spread the Good News and not fall prey to the evil one’s attempts to shift our love away from our Lord and Savior to him. Satan is a deceiver, liar, and killer who loves to sow chaos and destruction throughout the world. Prayer impacts, weakens, and destroys Satan’s plan to hurt, wound, maim, and destroy.
Blessings,
Lisa Blair, Owner and host of lisasdailyinspirations.com and Youngchristianwarriors.com
Heart. My recent post, Obedience vs. Rebellion: Learning from Abraham and Saul – Bible Reflection, examines the difference between obedience and rebellion. Our heart is at the center of this dichotomy.
Our heart determines whether we are going to stand fast and be obedient to the Lord or rebel by being swayed by things that entice our flesh. Both affect our walk and impact God’s design or purpose for our lives. Our spiritual development rests on how we respond to our actions, desires, and behaviors. While obedience and rebellion are at the center of this dichotomy, they are controlled by free will which our Lord instilled in us. Free Will shrouds the heart.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV, the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
God gifted us with free-will which is the ability to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong and make choices between the two. Further, He gave us free-will because He seeks our companionship and wants us to voluntarily enter into a relationship with Him. If He designed us to be robots, not humans, He would have had to program our responses which is the antithesis of His intent. A loving relationship is not possible if God had complete control over our lives and demanded that we love Him. God created us and instilled free-will to give us the option and desire to choose Him because we love Him. His greatest desire has always been to have a loving relationship with us. Adam and Eve were created for this purpose. He longs for us to choose Him over our flesh.
In Psalm 51:10-12 (NRSV), Paul wrote about the challenges we confront each moment of our lives – the choice between God or our flesh. This internal thought process begins in our mind, but is directed by our heart.
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
When we give in to our own willful desires over God, we lose our joy, we begin to feel the suffocation that it brings. Our spirit weakens to the demands of self, and we falter. Our spirit is no longer willing to fight the good fight. Our heart begins to hurt. When we fail to stay alert, we do not recognize the numerous (threat alerts) warnings that our flesh is taking over. We begin to vacillate between the loving care of God and our earthly desires of the flesh. The vacillation often begins to outweigh our relationship with God as we justify seeking the desires of our flesh. Another way to look at this is, we live in a world of conflict between good and evil. In Galatians 5 we are told that we should use our freedom to walk in the Spirit and should not gratify the flesh.
Paul spelled out the desires of the flesh and explained they are obvious and yet still inviting. Sexual immortality, impurity, excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, anger, blind- ambition, envy, drunkenness, and arrogance are some of the desires.
On the other side of the dichotomy, we find the Fruit of the Spirit, those things of God that reflect the characteristics of Christ. The Fruit of the Spirit are joy, peace, temperance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:25 implores us to live by the Spirit that lives in us and to keep in step with the Spirit. We should not take on conceit, provoke others, envy our neighbors, or gravitate towards any fleshly behavior that separates us from God.
Hebrews 10:22 NIV, Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Our heart is filled with good and evil traits that appear as behaviors. When we live by the Fruit of the Spirit we experience a state of obedience demonstrated through our actions towards others. When we focus on self and personal gain we experience rebellion which separates us from God. We are shackled when we are driven by blind ambition and rebellion. We project God’s love when we are driven by a giving, caring heart.
These things also determine our faith. Abraham lived in a constant state of faith. Whatever God commanded he followed. Saul on the other hand, lived a life of self-indulgence and did not obey God’s commands, choosing instead to comply to a portion of what God asked, never fully complying. Partial obedience is disobedience or rebellion. Most of us are more comfortable when we try to appease God and simultaneously satisfy ourselves. Satan is the author of justification, deceit, disobedience and rebellion.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV implores us to stay alert and Guard (y)our heart above all else, for it determines the course of (y)our life.
Guarding our heart is difficult, it is not pure. Free-will provides the soil to make choices to either serve God or self. Consequently, it is important to focus on our heart. What state is your heart in? When reflecting on your life experiences, do you find that you more heavily weigh in on the spirit side or gravitate towards the flesh? When are you the happiest or experience freedom? When do you experience God’s love? Through self-examination, you can measure the depth of your faith. Do you experience joy and live to serve and support others or do you seek personal gain contrived by Satan?
Our hearts play a key role in who we are. It determines how we will respond to God’s Word. A calm heart gives life to our bodies. As Christians, we should always look through the lens of Christ to refocus our decisions. Do you desire to live as a servant, like Christ, and help others to draw near to Him, or do you prefer to be governed by the flesh and focus more on your advancement regardless of cost? We should not allow our hearts to reside in a state of rebellion, but rather in a state of love and obedience, with love being the more important of the two. If we did not love God we would not desire to please Him through our obedience. If we do not love God we live in a state of chaos, disobedience and rebellion. Our love for God activates our obedience while denying the self destruction of rebellion.
James 4:7-8 NLT, So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world (flesh).
Hebrews 10:22 GWT, So let us come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let us keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.
AdditionalScriptures that highlight the importance of the heart:
Ezekiel 36:26 NIV, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Heart of flesh is not referencing the evil behaviors identified in Galatians.)
Psalm 119:11 NIV, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Matthew 5:8 AMP, Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 73:26 NIV, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
John 14:27 NLT, I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV, 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Matthew 22:37 NIV, Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Images: Google free images, LABphotos, Pixabay.com
The Bible teaches us that we are to be faithful and obedient. Most of us think we are faithful and obedient because we follow the Word of God in the most general of ways. However, God is not looking for general adherence to the Word. He looks at how we listen and interpret His commands.
When God told Abraham (Genesis 22) to sacrifice his son, Issac, he did not deliberate, he did not weigh the loss of a son, he, in faith, knew God had a reason he wanted him to sacrifice his son Isaac. He believed God’s commands had purpose and the outcome depended upon his response and love for the Lord. In this case, because of his obedience the angel, in verse 12, told him not to lay a hand on the boy.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” ~Genesis 22:12 NIV, Biblegateway.com
Sometimes God tests our faith and sometimes He instructs us in which way to go. The angel of the Lord called out to Abraham a second time to convey God’s declaration to him.
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you… ~Genesis 22:15-16 NIV, BibleGateway.com
All scripture, that means every word in the Bible is God-breathed. He uses the Word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV, Biblegateway.com
The NLT version says that it teaches us what is true to help us realize what is wrong in our lives. The Word teaches us to do what is right.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT, Biblegateway.com
We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV, openbible.info
Abraham clearly chose to listen and follow God’s command. He was 100% in. He did as instructed. How often do we follow God’s instructions for our lives?
There was a time when God instructed me to stop spending. I thought, I was not overspending and interpreted His message as being more of a request and not a command. God knows the path to our destiny. He is the great architect. I had prayed for Him to reveal the next stage in my life to do His good work. Little did I realize that overspending was a lesson I needed to follow to get to the next stage. I did not follow His command like Abraham. I scaled back, like Saul who interpreted the commandment to meet his own needs.
To borrow a quote from Radical.net, God help us. Help us to give to you in worship what you have asked, the obedience of our hearts. God help us to hear your Word, and to obey your Word; hear your voice, and obey your voice. We pray that you would be glorified in our obeying your voice. ~Obedience of Sacrifice,1 Samuel 15:22 ESV.
God knows us. He created us and He knows how we will respond. The money was not the issue. My heart was the issue. Jesus said to Peter, if you love me obey my commands (John 14:15 KJV, Biblegateway.com), meaning follow my Word. He commands each of us to do the same thing, “obey/follow my commands.”
We pray that you would be glorified in our obeying your voice. God, we pray you would keep all of us, from at any point, getting caught up in practicing religion, and going to church, and taking part in this or that activity, while disobeying you and your word in our lives. ~Obedience of Sacrifice,1 Samuel 15:22 ESV, Radical.net.
In looking back, I now see where I strayed. I did not immediately follow His commands. I did not curtail my spending. I, like Saul, who told Samuel, that he did kill all the Amalekites as commanded, added I brought back Agag their King. I thought I followed God’s command to stop spending, however, like Saul, I left one thing out. I slowed my spending down. As a sidebar, I felt guilty each time I did, but that did not stop me. How often do we fail to listen to the quiet voice telling us we are in the wrong yet forge ahead anyway? My decision to follow God’s command my way was a form of rebellion.
Samuel told Saul: 3 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night! “What did he tell you?” Saul asked.17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord your burnt offerings and sacrificesor your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols!” ~1 Samuel 15 NIV, Web.mit.edu
Like Saul, I heard what I wanted to hear. I interpreted what I was commanded to do in a way that satisfied me. I did not obey the Lord as Abraham did. As followers of Christ, we must train ourselves to be obedient in all things, not just some things. God listens to our voice and watches our actions that demonstrate either our obedience or our act of rebellion.
We reap the consequences of self-love/rebellion, following our own interpretation of what God commands. In my case, our finances spiraled downward. If I had listened to His command, I would not have been in the position to have to rebuild financial solvency, and Saul would have been the King of Israel.
26But Samuel said to him, “…You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as the king of Israel!” ~1 Samuel 15 NIV, Web.mit.edu
All scripture is God-breathed. The Word is not open to interpretation that satisfies our pride. It requires complete obedience. Obedience is defined as an act or practice of obeying, dutiful or submissive compliance. ~ Online Dictionary.
Our actions are judged through the lens of obedience or rebellion. As Christians, we are being observed by many. Our actions speak louder than words. If we tell others to submit to the Word and be disciplined, we must first practice what we preach. As doers of the Word, we must learn to be obedient. God, through the Holy Spirit, reinforces His Word and His Will for our lives. We are rebuked as needed, trained, and corrected in righteousness. God continually prunes the dead and withering branches in our lives to strengthen our dedication and submission to Him.
This article is purposeless if we do not examine our motives and submission to the Word of God. Ask yourself:
Am I an Abraham or a Saul?
What have you learned about yourself from this study?
Do you obey God’s commands like Abraham, operating in the spiritual realm being obedient and specifically following God’s commands and instruction for your life?
or
Do you operate in the carnal realm of rebellion like Saul?
What are your plans to fully submit?
Our life is a journey. We will stray from the straight and narrow path more than once during our lifetime. Our mission is to learn from each mistake, apply it to our lives, submit to God, work to eliminate rebellion and serve our God by sharing the Good News with all within our scope of influence.
We must always work to be faithful and obedient understanding that God’s way is not our way and stop interpreting His Will for us using our finite scope of understanding to forge our own path.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~ Isaiah 55:8-9 NIv, biblegateway.com
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all of your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. ~Proverbs 4:26-27 NIV, biblestudytools.com
Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ~Isaiah 30:21NIV, biblehub.com
Lisa’s Daily Inspirations 