A Commitment to Obey

A Commitment to Obey

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 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 (Heb. 13:5), and He makes good out of every situation (Rom. 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.

The Grace of Christ

The Grace of Christ

By Max Lucado

Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than did the apostle Paul. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians—an ancient version of a terrorist. Yet, Paul gave his guilt to Jesus, period. He surrendered it to Jesus! As a result he could write, “I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us” (Philippians 3:13-14 TLB).

What would the apostle say to the guilt-ridden? Simply this: Rejoice in the Lord’s mercy. Trust in his ability to forgive. Cast yourself upon the grace of Christ and Christ alone!

He Is Near to the Brokenhearted

He Is Near to the Brokenhearted
by Lynette Kittle

In much of Christian content and chatter, it’s easy to believe that God is looking for the strong, the go-getters, the over-achievers in life. Many individuals and groups assert that He is closer to those who are strong, to those who are achieving their goals and making things happen around them, the “Movers and the Shakers” of the faith.

Perhaps you’ve believed it, too? At your lowest points, maybe you’ve doubted if God is close by, or wondered if He’s turned His back on you?

When looking at Scripture, we realize God never turns his back on his children. So much is written of God’s heart towards those who are weak, broken, and in despair.

Jeremiah 31:25 states how God wants to refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Isaiah 40:29 also reveals His compassion, describing how “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Often when experiencing heartbreak, disappointments, setbacks, weakness, weariness, and more, it’s easy to feel like God isn’t near, like He doesn’t care or even has time for you.

Yet Psalm 147:3 assures that, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Still, it’s too easy to feel hopeless and fearful believing there is no one around to help you.

Nevertheless, Isaiah 41:10 encourages you to “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Through His Word, God reaches out over and over again to the weary and despondent.

Scripture describes how the Apostle Paul dealt with an ongoing weakness, yet reassures of God’s presence in the midst of it. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

During discouraging times, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 encourages you to remember God is with you, even if you are hard pressed on every side, you’re not crushed. If you’re feeling perplexed you don’t have to be in despair, and if you are being persecuted, you can be confident God has not abandoned you. Even if you have been struck down, because God is with you, you are not destroyed.

Psalm 73:28 tells us that it is good to draw near to God. So take heart today in the knowlege he always closely present in your life.

A Prayer for Prodigals

A Prayer for Prodigals
By Steve Arterburn

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” — Luke 15:31-32

In The Return of the Prodigal Son, one of Rembrandt’s most emotionally-charged paintings, you see a father and his two sons. But if you look more closely, you’ll see a tale of two prodigals. 

At first glance of the oil painting, you will see the rebellious son who takes center stage.  Remember him?  He is the wayward son that demands an early inheritance, leaves home to see all that the world has to offer, and comes to his senses in a smelly pigsty. In spite of his sin, he returns home.

When the younger son sees his father, he humbly admits, “‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son,’” (Luke 15:21). The father recognizes that he is truly repentant, forgives him, and celebrates his homecoming.      

But if you gaze carefully at Rembrandt’s masterpiece, you will see the older son who lurks in the shadows.  He is the son that does everything right and always obeys—at least, on the outside. But deep down inside, bitterness and anger consume him.

Listen to what the brooding brother says: “‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders…But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’” (Luke 15:29-30).    

Out of these two prodigals, which one do you identify with the most? Perhaps you’re like the wayward son who acted out; yet, believe it or not, you might actually relate more to the envious son who acted in. 

And let’s face it. Whether we’re rebelling outwardly or inwardly, we are all prodigals. 

It’s not too late to stop reacting and start responding appropriately to the circumstances that you are facing. No matter what you’ve been through or what you’ve done, God wants you to take your life back so that you can live with Him and for Him. 

So, what are you waiting for? Go home to your Father. After all, He is waiting to welcome you home with open arms.         

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m a prodigal and have wandered far from home. Today, I realize that I need to take responsibility for allowing my past and my pain to control me. Give me courage to step out of the shadows, and help me to lean into your grace-filled embrace.