Tag: obedience
Jesus at twelve!
Scripture reading for March 5: Luke 2
“And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:48-52
Children sometimes give their parents reasons for stress and distress. Our oldest son once decided to go on a self-proclaimed retreat without letting us know where he went or for how long. This was before cell phones or air tags! We looked all over and finally got word that he was camping several miles away. This same thing happened to Jesus’ parents after a trip to the temple in Jerusalem for a festival of Israel. Jesus failed to join the journey home and his absence was finally noticed part way there. The parents returned distressed and looking for Him. They found Him in the temple asking questions and listening to the rabbi’s and teachers.
When Mary and Joseph asked Jesus why He had treated them so disrespectfully, He answered them with a curious statement: “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” Mary and Joseph did not know how to process that at this point. Their world-view was being challenged by their Son. There is no comment on how Joseph dealt with this, but Mary, His mother, pondered these things in her heart. Jesus submitted to their will and understanding and lived in obedience. As He did, He grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. That’s good advice for us all and a good word for your children!
Have you ever been misunderstood by those in your family? Have you ever been the cause of distress for your parents? How did they and you end up handling this?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for causing distress in the lives of those in authority over me. Help me to continue to grow in wisdom and favor with You and those around me. I treasure in my heart Your Word and ponder Your instructions to obey in faith. Amen.
Sin is deadly!
Scripture reading for January27: Exodus 21-24
We sometimes laugh when our young children defiantly disobey. When our adopted daughters were first released from the orphanage to come with us, they were so cute! But on one of our first outings, we were holding their hand and waiting to cross a street with cars speeding by. One of them stuck her foot out towards the street and looked up mischievously to see what we might do! Mary and I had a good laugh but realized that we had a job ahead of us!
God’s commands aren’t suggestions. What He says will happen and He has the authority and power to bring it to pass. We can choose to sin, but consequences will follow that God chooses. The law that God gave Moses on the mountain included Exodus 21-24. These were practical explanations of the ten commands that helped work out how these laws would play out in the community of Israel.
Some of the laws in this passage remind us of the “deadliness” of sin! In Exodus 21:15 and 17, the penalty for attacking father or mother or even cursing them was death. If a man owned a bull that was known to gore others and he did not restrain him and a person was killed, the bull and the owner would die! (Exodus 21:28-29) A sorceress must be put to death! (Exodus 22:18) Anyone having sexual relations with an animal must die! (Exodus 22:19) In Exodus 22:22-23 we read that anyone who takes advantage of an orphan or a widow would die if that orphan or widow cried out to the Lord! God gets angry when we mess with those who are hurting or hurt others knowingly!
Our God is compassionate and loves us enough to confront sin. He knows it’s deadly–it cost Him the life of His Firstborn Son! Has God ever confronted you or disciplined you for sin? How does our culture make light of sin?
Exodus 24:7-8 “The He took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the Covenant that the Lord made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Wise to what is good!
Scripture reading for June 6th: Romans 16, Psalm 112, Proverbs 19
Romans 16:17-20 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise for what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Paul closes his letter to the Roman believers by personally sending greetings by name to over thirty workers there, plus their families! His last appeal is for watchfulness over the brothers for those causing doctrinal divisions. These people are not serving Christ Jesus, but their own appetites. They try to seduce those who are young and immature. Paul encourages them in their obedience. His pastoral desire is that they stand firm, opposing evil and standing strong for good. He encourages them that God’s power will soon crush Satan and his evil schemes through the grace flowing from Jesus Christ! He rejoices in this prospect and their obedience!
Psalm 112:1-2 “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for being a God of peace that gives His people victory and discernment. Thank You for Your amazing Word and instruction and the peace that is ours through Your promises. I claim that my offspring will be mighty in the land and that those following me in faith will be blessed by You and protected and used for Your glory!
Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
The Baptism of Jesus Christ
Scripture reading for April 10th: Matthew 3, Psalm 71, Proverbs 9
Matthew 3: 13-17 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a Voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.””
Jesus was a truly righteous man, never having sinned. He lived under God’s Law in pure obedience, enabling Him to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. However, He was directed by the Father to be baptized by John. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. What was Jesus doing in this baptism? I believe that as our representative, He was identifying with us in our need for cleansing. He was establishing a pattern for His disciples to follow of humility and obedience to the desire of the Father. All followers of Jesus are told to believe and be baptized (immersed) in water in identification with Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Have you been obedient and faithful to follow Jesus?
Psalm 71:15-16 “My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the humble example of Your Son in His identification of our need of repentance and cleansing from sin. Thank You for the holy ordinance of water baptism that You have called Your people to obey if possible. I am not saved by water baptism, but through obedience and identification with Jesus Christ, I receive grace and forgiveness and His righteousness as a gift! Amen!
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Destroying strongholds of fleshly thought
Scripture reading for September 29th: Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2nd Corinthians 10
2nd Corinthians 10: 1-6 “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ–I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away. I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every though captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Paul’s heart as a pastor was to help those under his oversight to grow in spiritual understanding of Christ Jesus and His Word. Paul was meek and gentle and humbly implored them while in person to follow Christ. There were other false teachers that maligned Paul and sought to manipulate people into following them. They used arguments and myths and opinions to destroy the truth of God’s Word. Paul assured the believers that even though he appeared meek and humble, he was bold because of God’s truth and the powerful weapon that Truth was in destroying these fleshly strongholds and those who espoused them. Obedience to Christ and His Word would spare them and us from punishment and eternal loss.
Psalm 75:2, 7-8 ““At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. . .but it is God Who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.” For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and He pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving watchful prophets, pastors, and apostles to humbly speak Your Word to Your people to turn them to reverence and obedience. Protect Your people from those who use arguments, opinions of men, and lies to trap men and cause division in Your Church. Thank You for the powerful weapons of Truth, righteousness, and humility that destroy satanic strongholds.
Jeremiah 5:24-26 “They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, Who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned these away and your sins have kept good from you. For wicked men are found among My people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait. The set a trap, they catch men.”
Let God’s light shine!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: Philippians 2
Key Scriptures: Philippians 2:12-16 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of life. . .”
Paul encouraged the believers, calling them “my beloved” and asking them to continue to obey the Lord no matter what situation or trial they were experiencing. Paul was himself in jail and awaiting his sentence, which could mean death. He knew that his salvation was secure in Jesus but must be worked out and walked out by faith. God by His Holy Spirit was working inside each believer to strengthen them and reveal God’s will and image. Believers are to cheerfully cooperate in obedience and faith, living a holy and blameless life, not grumbling and complaining. In doing so, they would shine with the light of Jesus Christ and draw others to lay hold of God’s promises through the Gospel of eternal life.
Philippians 2:17 “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, my delight is to live for You and please You. Forgive me for grumbling and fear and help me as I work out my salvation in holy fear and respect of Your great grace and powerful promises. Help me to walk by faith, cheerfully rejoicing and giving thanks to You, shining as a light in this world of grumbling and fear.
Joshua 1:8 “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 good success,”
The fruit of obedience!
Scripture reading for January 25th: Mark 6
Key Scriptures: Mark 6:7-13 “And He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff–no bread, no bag, no money in their belts–but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And He said to them, Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”
Jesus had taught His disciples and modeled for them ministry by preaching repentance, healing the sick, and casting out evil spirits. He now sent them out two by two with careful instructions to live by faith and follow the Holy Spirit in ministry. They were to go where people would listen and receive them. If they were rejected, the act of shaking dust would be a witness against them. They were given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. This simple ministry assignment was embraced with obedience. They preached, they anointed sick people and they were healed and they cast out unclean spirits. All ministry is by faith in simple obedience to Christ’s commands. The results are up to Him and He receives all glory!
Psalm 119:112 “I incline my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the end.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, I thank You for the simple instructions You give Your disciples concerning ministry. Help me to listen, heed and obey each time You give me opportunity to minister to those You send me to. To You be all glory, honor and power, now and forever! Amen!
Mark 16:20 “And the went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”
Obey the Lord!
Scripture reading for July 24th: 2nd Kings 9-10, Psalm 49, Matthew 7
Key Scriptures: Matthew 7:21-23 “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?’ And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.””
As Jesus was ending His message, He gave a warning to the people listening and to His own disciples. Some who called Him “Lord” would not enter the kingdom of heaven! Confession of Jesus as Lord but with no repentance and obedience to God’s Word was futile. Even doing works in Jesus’ Name without a humble and submissive relationship would result in being cast out of God’s presence. These are sobering and searching words.
Psalm 49:7-9 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I call you ‘Lord’ and desire to live a life of obedience to You and my Father in heaven. I trust fully in Your grace through faith in Jesus Christ.”
2nd Kings 10:28-29 “Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin–that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.”