Obedience is better than sacrifice and also many times a lot more difficult. Following God is not always about doing what feels comfortable or makes sense to us; sometimes obedience requires us to trust Him when we cannot see the outcome. True surrender begins when we are willing to let God lead us even when His direction challenges our desires, plans, or understanding.
We as Christ followers need to stop with the excuses and use the “God is still working on me” line so that we can continue to do things that we know are displeasing to God. Grace is not an excuse to remain where we are; grace gives us the strength and opportunity to become who God is calling us to be. Obedience does not mean that we will never struggle, but it does mean that we are willing to keep saying yes to God.
One of the biggest signs of Spiritual Growth is being present in your personal development and understanding what is going on in the spiritual realm around you. We start off our lives in rebellion against God, thinking we are fully independent from Him. Spiritual maturity is the process of recognizing our complete dependence on God and learning to rely on Him rather than ourselves. As we grow and mature in our relationship with Him, we realize how much we need Him.
As we grow, we learn to recognize God’s voice, even though He speaks in many different ways to people. Sometimes it is perfectly clear as to what He wants us to do, and other times we are nudged to do something, or we come to understand by someone else’s direction how to move forward in life.
Jonah heard it clear as to what he was called to do and made a conscious decision not to obey and go completely the opposite direction and for that he suffered the consequences of his disobedience. It is written in Jonah1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,2 “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim [judgment] against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the Lord [and his duty as His prophet].
I know that there have been times in my life that God spoke to me, not as a loud powerful voice that the world could hear, but a still small voice with clear direction. Sometimes I listened and other times I avoided what He had called me to do, even ran from it. At this point of my life, I desire to be obedient at all times and surrender to God’s plan, purpose, and timing of events for my life whether I want to or not and feel like I fail miserably. I will always wonder what blessings I may have missed by not doing the things that God had called me to do or by doing the things that He clearly told me not to do.
But obedience today is still an opportunity to trust God with tomorrow. We may not be able to go back and change the moments when we ran, resisted, or ignored His direction, but we can choose to respond differently the next time He calls. Sometimes the greatest evidence of spiritual growth is simply recognizing His voice, surrendering our will, and taking the next obedient step.
My prayer is simple: Dear Lord, today, I give you all that I am. I invite You into the weak places of my life so that You can strengthen me to endure and be obedient. Heavenly Father, You know every decision I need to make and every challenge I face on a regular basis. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own and question everything I go through. I need You. I need your Holy Spirit to guide me, direct me, convict me, give me wisdom, and help me to be the Man of God that You have called me to be. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.
And for anyone who feels like they have wandered too far, struggled too long, or failed too many times, there is still a place for you in God’s presence. His grace meets us where we are, and His love continues to call us forward. May we encourage one another as we walk together in obedience, humility, and hope, trusting that God is still shaping us into the people He has called us to be.
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My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog
Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*
To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.
