Gratitude and Prayer

Ann asks, what one spiritual practice has helped you most on your journey with Christ?

Hmmmm… wheels cranking, heart seeking, head spinning; just one?

I would have to say OBEDIENCE.

Sing with me: O – B – E – D – I – E – N – C – E…

Obedience is the very best way

To show that you believe:
Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
Doing it happily.
Action is the key–do it immediately,
The joy you will receive!
Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe.
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E (Yes, sir!)
Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe.”

Do you remember singing that catchy tune as a small child? I was more concerned with trying to memorize the word itself, and saying it faster than the child next to me; for I was always up for a good competition. Who am I kidding, I still am!

Now that I’m an adult (eek), a wife (wow), a mom of 2 (ahhh) . . . I am daily examining myself before the mirror of God’s Word. Not that I wasn’t before I had those titles; but each new phase of life, brings about a beautiful test of our will.

Our will :: or the Lord’s?

Our will :: or sacrificing time and energy to show affection for our spouse?

Our will :: or selflessly loving, caring, nurturing, equipping, disciplining, our children?

Our will :: or daily dying to our flesh, and obeying Him above all else?

Isn’t obedience the key? When I am obedient, everything else makes sense! I am in His Perfect Will; therefore, I am content, whatever state I am in.

When my flesh is nagging at me to accomplish my wants, my to-do-list, my plans for the day; and the Lord is gently leading me in another direction;

Do I choose MY way;

or will I be obedient to my Father?

When MY will seems overpowering, when I am stressed to the max, when I yell at my kids, when I feel like pulling out every last strand of hair… do I wallow in MY “selfish state”;

or will I be obedient to my Father, and confess my sin?

When MY weary body doesn’t want to emerge from those warm, comfy covers; but He is calling my name: “Come spend time with my in prayer and reading of my WORD”. Do I make excuses and throw the covers over my groggy, sleepy-seeded-eyes, and messy hair self?

or will I be obedient to my Father, who has the best intentions, best plans, best everything in mind, when He calls me to obey? Jeremiah 9:11-13

OBEDIENCE is hard.

It is a choice.

Sometimes a split-second decision, that will determine the course of our day.

Obedience always brings beautiful blessing; even when we don’t understand or see the ending.

Just as the song says “The JOY you will receive”!

Disobedience will be bring lonely consequences.

1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for visiting!