Tag Archive | obedience

Obedience And The Holy Spirit

Nov18

When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” — Acts 5:27-32

Here we find Peter before the Council again with not just John but the”apostles” also. I love the fact that they shared the gospel message here before the Council. The circumstance did not dictate where or when they shared. They shared because “we must obey God rather than men”.

How important is obedience? The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey as a living witness in them. How we tend to miss that. Could that be why we are not effective witnesses for Christ? We are quick to come to salvation, for eternal well being, but when it comes to obedience that is another story. Could our disobedience quench the witness of the Holy Spirit* in us?

The apostles had no problem sharing the gospel wherever they happened to be by the power of the Holy Spirit by obedience to God. How’s the obedience factor going in your life?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

To Speak Or Not

Nov16

And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:18-20

Do you ever think about what your response would be if confronted by the law and told not to share Jesus? Has Jesus made such an impression in your life that you are willing to risk imprisonment, ridicule, your very life? Is Jesus so alive in your life that you can’t stop speaking of what you have seen and heard?

If not, what needs to change about your walk with the Lord? Are you reading His Word, seeking Him through prayer, loving Him with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and strength and heeding His words in obedience?

Today is the day to make a change. Take time during worship to come face to face with where you are spiritually and humble yourself before the mighty God confessing, repenting and let the healing begin to bring you back into a right relationship with God so that you are effective for His glory.

God bless your worship today.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

I Give You Jesus

Nov11

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”  And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. — Acts 3:1-10

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” We, who have Jesus as our Savior and Lord, have something to give the world more precious than silver and gold. Hope, power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. When we live under the authority and power of God people will be amazed. Lives will experience transformation that will bring about praise to God. The evidence of the work of God is recognizable because the result is glory and praise to God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Concerning Grace

Oct31

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! — Romans 6:14-15

May it never be!? But don’t we take advantage of God’s grace? A gift through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Himself! And then knowingly, blatantly sin, making excuses for our sin? It’s as if we are mocking Him and spitting on Him*.

Let me give you an example that I was convicted by.
[Be Subject to Government] Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)

Does that include the speed limit? “It’s okay to go over by 5 mph because the police won’t stop you for that”. Doesn’t “Go with the flow of traffic” sound the same as saying “everyone else is doing it”? Are the police our authority or is God and His Word? (If God and His Word, then we ultimately obey the police and the law of the land).

There are many more examples as we travel through our day when we have opportunity to obey or take advantage of God’s grace by not living up to God’s standard but the standard of man. Hopefully we are now more aware of our responsibility concerning the wonderful, sacrificial gift of grace.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

*Mark 10:34

The Greatest Thing In All My Life: Loving You

Oct28

Mark Pendergrass
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.
I want to love You more; I want to love you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.

http://music4christ.cjb.net

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” — Luke 10:27

by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” — Deuteronomy 30:20

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, — Daniel 9:4

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Amazement

Oct22

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; — Luke 5:4-9

It is amazing what God can do when we obey and let Him work through us. This testimony of Simon Peter’s encounter with Jesus tells us just that. Peter worked, along with others, all night and caught nothing. Under their own power they worked very hard through the night. I am pretty sure they felt defeated, tired and lacking hope. What changed that next morning? Jesus instructed, they obeyed and the outcome was plentiful.

They were amazed and Peter humbly fell down at Jesus’ feet. God’s power is bigger, better, stronger and more productive than ours. Our reliance on Jesus as He works through us will keep us amazed at what He can do with a willing, humble and obedient heart and soul. Do you want to be amazed? Let Jesus work in you.

This amazing event was only a taste of what Jesus had planned for Peter and the disciples. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10b) Can you only imagine what our Lord can do through you to catch men for His sake? These fish that Peter and the others caught are slim pickins compared to what Jesus can do through us to reach a lost and dying world.

Be amazed!!!! Start by obediently following the Lord Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Love And Obedience

Oct20

but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here. — John 14:31

Jesus’ words. He did EXACTLY as the Father COMMANDED so that the WORLD MAY KNOW His love for the Father. Powerful words.

Jesus, our example of love and obedience to God.

How’s that going for you?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

It’s Really Jesus Doing The Work

Oct2

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. — 1 Corinthians 3:7-8

How humbling and revealing these verses are. It is a wonderful thing to lead someone to the Lord — exhilarating, exciting, pleasing and a bit of pride can slip in thinking that “we” led someone to the Lord. Truth is revealed here. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ we share the gospel. The Lord is the one who changes the heart of the person to whom we are speaking. So the only part we play is surrender and willingness to be used for God’s purpose and glory.

As some of you may remember I spent two years with my Mom and Dad caring for their needs in another state, away from my family. While I was there the Lord taught me the reality of these verses. I often thought about my family and how I was not there to speak of Jesus and be an influence on them. How in the world are they going to continue to follow and grow in their relationship without me there to remind them and be an example?!!!

I tell you that my family grew in ways that blew my mind in those two years and the only real influence I had was my time of prayer for them each day. I had to rely on the Lord to change their lives and be the reminder that He is alive, loves and is with them always.

Jesus can do more and be more of an influence on your family than you can. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with Jesus. The closer our walk with Him the more influential we are to others “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) Are you willing to surrender to the will of God and let Him use you to lead others to Jesus? He is waiting to transform you into a witness of His glory.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Bible — Word of God

Sep2

Just how important is the Bible — the Word of God? To mankind as a whole? How important is it to you? Is it a priority in your life? Do you consider it the sustenance that keeps your spiritual life alive and well? Are you well fed?

The Bible says the Word of God is:

“the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” — Romans 1:16
“faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17
“you have been born again through the living and enduring word of God.” — 1 Peter 1:23

The Word blesses those who read and obey:

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” — Revelation 1:3
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” — Joshua 1:8

The Word of God brings light to the darkness, understanding:

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” — 2 Peter 1:19
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
“The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130
“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life” — Proverbs 6:23

The Word of God is used for convicting, discipline, teaching:

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12
“and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” — 2 Timothy 3:15-16

The Word of God is food for growth:

“like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,” — 1 Peter 2:2
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” — Acts 20:32

The Word of God tells of Jesus!!!:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;” — John 5:39

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. — James 1:21-25

My hope is that you are feasting richly on God’s wonderful Word.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Promise: The Holy Spirit

Sep1

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. — Ezekiel 32:27

O how blessed we are to have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Have you received Him? To receive the Holy Spirit we must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and for our sake died on a cross and was resurrected from the dead so that we would be reconciled to God. When we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord we receive the Holy Spirit.

God puts the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit will cause us to walk in our God’s statutes and help us to observe His ordinances. Who knows the statutes and ordinances better than the Spirit of God? God wants us to succeed in following Him and obeying Him. He does not set us up for failure. Let us thank God for His Holy Spirit. What a wonderful promise.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon