March 30, 2015
How to Make God’s Deepest Truths Truly Yours
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams(1 Samuel 15:22 NLV).
Friend to Friends
Today I was pondering a quote by Oswald Chambers that I have dog-eared from October 10 in his book My Utmost for His Highest. It is one that I go back to time and time again. I wonder if it will resonate with you.
All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately…If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight. Don’t say, “I suppose I will understand these things someday!” You can understand them now. And it is not study that brings understanding to you, but obedience. Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.
It’s those last two sentences that make me pause and ponder. “Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.”
If I ever feel like I’m not hearing from God, my first question should be whether or not there is something He has ALREADY told me that I haven’t done? Is He waiting for me to obey step one before He tells me step two?
· Is there someone He’s told me to forgive? But I haven’t.
· Is there someone He’s told me to encourage? But I haven’t.
· Is there someone He’s told to bless financially? But I haven’t.
· Is there something loving He’s told me to say to my husband? But I haven’t.
· Is there something caring He’s told me to do for my neighbor? But I haven’t.
· Is there something that requires stretching beyond what I’m comfortable that He’s told me to do in ministry? But I haven’t.
· Is there a habit He’s told me to quit? But I haven’t.
· Is there speech He’s told me to change (such as gossiping, complaining, nagging)? But I haven’t
· Is there an unhealthy or ungodly relationship that He’s told me to turn away from? But I haven’t.
One of the most important facets of the Christian life is obedience, and most people don’t even like the word. But what I’ve learned is this: obedience is not what God wants from you, it is what God wantsfor you. That, sweet friend, is where the abundant life filled with moments of sudden glory is found.
So if you are waiting for a word from God, ask yourself if there is something He’s already asked you to do and do it.
Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want everything You have for me. Show me ways that I am not doing what You have already told me to do. If You are waiting on me to do step one before You tell me step two, give me the courage and the power to make it so. I want to have a life filled with moments of sudden glory where You make Your presence known. Help me to pay attention and then respond.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Today’s assignment is simple. After praying the above prayer, pay attention to what God shows you. Go back up to the bullet points in today’s devotion and let them be a trigger to something God may have already told you, but He’s waiting for you to do.
And I can’t say it any better than Nike…Just do it!
More from the Girlfriends
Do you long to hear God’s voice? Can you imagine that He wants to speak to you? He does! If you would like to sharpen your spiritual listening skills, then Becoming a Woman Who Listens to Godcan help. Learn how God speaks, how to remove roadblocks to hearing, and how to tune your ears to the frequency of His voice. This book also includes a study guide for group study or individual use.
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