God works through people who obey Him.
There was a pastor who, when officiating at a graveside funeral service, would arrive an hour before the funeral home workers and the family. He enjoyed strolling in the cemetery and reading the epitaphs on tombstones. Many epitaphs contain only names and dates, while others give a slice of the departed one’s life. There was one tombstone on which was engraved "Pause now stranger as you pass by; as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so soon you will be. Prepare yourself to follow me!" Next to the tombstone someone placed a piece of wood on which this note was written, "To follow you I am not content until I know which way you went."
There is a natural reluctance to follow until we know it is safe, wise or beneficial.
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Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
There was a pastor who, when officiating at a graveside funeral service, would arrive an hour before the funeral home workers and the family. He enjoyed strolling in the cemetery and reading the epitaphs on tombstones. Many epitaphs contain only names and dates, while others give a slice of the departed one’s life. There was one tombstone on which was engraved "Pause now stranger as you pass by; as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so soon you will be. Prepare yourself to follow me!" Next to the tombstone someone placed a piece of wood on which this note was written, "To follow you I am not content until I know which way you went."
There is a natural reluctance to follow until we know it is safe, wise or beneficial.
.
Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
(John 14:23-24)
We are often reluctant to obey God unless we know what the outcome will be. That’s where faith, trust, comes into play. Do you love God enough; do you trust God enough, to follow Him although the outcome is unclear?
Consider Mary and Joseph. Mary was told by an angel that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son; she was to call him Jesus (Y’shua or Joshua, which means “The Lord Saves”). Mary asked how that could be since she was a virgin. The angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Then Mary replied, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:26-38) Obedience.
We are often reluctant to obey God unless we know what the outcome will be. That’s where faith, trust, comes into play. Do you love God enough; do you trust God enough, to follow Him although the outcome is unclear?
Consider Mary and Joseph. Mary was told by an angel that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son; she was to call him Jesus (Y’shua or Joshua, which means “The Lord Saves”). Mary asked how that could be since she was a virgin. The angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Then Mary replied, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:26-38) Obedience.
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to put her away privately. But after he had considered this, an angel appeared in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25) Obedience.
Joseph and Mary had THEIR goals of marriage, comfort, normalcy, success. God had a goal, too: the Christ-child, hardship, salvation for all humanity.
New levels of obedience always call for new levels of trust (faith); not merely trusting in Jesus for salvation, but literally placing your life in His hands; placing yourself totally at His disposal.
Do you trust God enough to obey God? Are you willing to take Step 1 before you see Step 2. Obedience is risky business.
New levels of obedience always call for new levels of trust (faith); not merely trusting in Jesus for salvation, but literally placing your life in His hands; placing yourself totally at His disposal.
Do you trust God enough to obey God? Are you willing to take Step 1 before you see Step 2. Obedience is risky business.
The irony, as we struggle with the risks associated with faith, is that we take a greater risk by remaining independent of God than we do when we take a step of faith that seems to be risky.
Karen Watson (1964-2004) was a Missionary to Iraq. In March 2003 she resigned her job, sold her house, sold her car and all her earthly possessions. She packed what was left in a duffel bag and headed to Iraq. All that is left is her duffel bag, her Bible, and her devotion to Christ.On March 13, 2004 the five missionaries were in a car in eastern Mosul when they were attacked with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Their assailants remain unidentified. Three died at the scene: Larry and Jean Elliott, and Karen Watson. A fourth person, David McDonnall, died en route to a military support hospital in Baghdad. Four U.S. military surgeons had worked for six hours to save his life. His wife, Carrie, was airlifted to a hospital in Germany in critical condition.
Karen wrote in a letter just days before the fatal event: “There are no regrets. My calling is to obedience, suffering is expected, and His glory is my reward”.
Do you and I trust God enough to obey God?
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