Tag Archives: Obedience

Sacrifice Or True Obedience??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #267

02 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Obedience, Obedience Or Sacrifice?, Obedient or NOT?, Saul's dilemma.

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Sacrifice Or True Obedience???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #267

I want us to take some time today and consider our choices and behavior; yes, our choices are important, and sometimes we try to appease God rather than obey—in our own wisdom rather than walking in the Spirit and obeying what God has clearly spoken.  King Saul made a tragic mistake in this area, and I think it worthy of our consideration, for many of us today are faced with the same kind of situations—do I please God or seemingly keep the peace around me?

“Now go and smite Amalek,

and utterly destroy all that they have,

and spare them not;” 1 Samuel 15:3a

God gave a specific command to King Saul, and he seems to obey; like we often do. (And without going deep into the context this may cause us to question, but you’ll need to go back to Exodus 17.)

“And Saul gathered the people together,

and numbered them in Telaim,

two hundred thousand footmen,

and ten thousand men of Judah.

5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek…

…7 And Saul smote the Amalekites

from Havilah until thou comest to Shur,

that is over against Egypt.”. 1 Samuel 15:4-5 & 7

But then the king decided that he had a better plan; oh how often, I’ve tried to exercise that better plan.  How about you?  We think we can walk with God in intimacy and do things our own way!  Not!  Let’s see the outcome of King Saul’s decision.

“But Saul and the people

spared Agag,

and the best of the sheep,

and of the oxen,

and of the fatlings,

and the lambs,

and all that was good,

and would not utterly destroy them:

 but every thing that was vile and refuse,

that they destroyed utterly.”  1 Samuel 15:9

Yet even before King Saul and the people returned God spoke to the prophet Samuel (and just FYI, Samuel was a priest and a prophet.). As God told Isaiah.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

Oh, that we would learn the lesson of humble obedience, and Paul gives us the key.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do

the things that ye would…

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-17 & 25

Like the King we often think, “I’ve got this!”, when we are simply walking in the flesh, in blatant disobedience to our Lord!  Saul found out how costly this could be.  I pray that we will ponder the message that God spoke through Samuel.

“Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king:

for he is turned back from following me,

and hath not performed my commandments.

And it grieved Samuel;

and he cried unto the LORD all night…

….13 And Samuel came to Saul:

and Saul said unto him,

Blessed be thou of the LORD:

I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

14 And Samuel said,

What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep

in mine ears,

and the lowing of the oxen

which I hear?

15 And Saul said,

They have brought them from the Amalekites:

for the people spared the best

of the sheep

and of the oxen,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God;

and the rest we have utterly destroyed…

…18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said,

Go and utterly destroy the sinners

the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way

which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice

unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.”                                      Portions of 1 Samuel 15:10-21

Saul had a ready answer, but God’s reply was not what he expected; and like Saul we are often surprised when God is not pleased with our way!  God’s answer is one that we need to heed today; we must see that God’s ways are worthy of our obedience-in full not in partial.  Partial obedience is disobedience!  Ouch!

“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.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity

and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee

from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:22-23

We could go on and see that while God didn’t take the kingdom from Saul immediately, when you read the rest of 1 Samuel, you’ll find that he was tormented in his heart and mind for the judgment that he knew was coming.  I encourage you to read the rest of this story, it’s worth your time.

May we truly learn to walk in The Spirit and not our own way.  There is great reward in obedience:

“Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying”!

May we ponder God’s judgment and take it to heart today!!!

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!!!

Entrusting Or Erupting??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 06

25 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Giving Or Taking?, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 06   Entrusting Or Erupting???

 

I would like to share one main, but profound passage tonight, that we might consider our actions, reactions, and attitudes toward those around us.  Jesus called us to be salt and light; yet a lot of those of us who claim His name are behaving more like ‘brine’ and ‘floodlights’ rather than seasoning, preservatives or revealing light in the darkness.  Paul tells us to use our words wisely, not as weapons against those around us.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

The main thing I want to share with you this evening is a passage from Peter.  I pray that it will speak to you and we can each find courage, godly strength, and grace to be a reflection of our Lord Jesus before a lost and dying world regardless of our circumstances—any circumstances!

“Submit yourselves

to every ordinance of man

for the Lord’s sake:

whether it be to the king,

as supreme;

14 Or unto governors,

as unto them that are sent by him

for the punishment

of evildoers,

and for the praise

of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God,

that with well doing ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free,

and not using your liberty

for a cloke of maliciousness,

 but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants,

be subject to your masters

with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man

for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him

that judgeth righteously:

his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.   

25 For

ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now

returned unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:13-25

I simply close with a prayer that we will truly let God’s Word be God’s Word, and that we will behave like Jesus IS our LORD!

“For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye (we) should follow his steps…”

Are you entrusting your behavior to “to him that judgeth righteously”, reflecting your Lord?  Or are you erupting like the rest of our culture?  It’s your choice so choose wisely—there is a test!

Living In Faith Or Presumption??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #639

01 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Presumption, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #639 Living In Faith Or Presumption???

 

There are a lot of issues floating around in this time of crises and chaos in our world.  We are seeing emotions flare, ideas in conflict, and opinions flying around in abundance.  I have only a few words to share this morning in this regard.  There are those who are claiming to disregard the requests and orders of government officials stating that they are violating their “rights” and are gathering, flaunting their confidence in “God” to deliver them, or protect them from the virus.  It is polarizing people of faith—that is the issue that I wish to comment on this morning.  Is there a difference between standing in faith in God and acting in presumption toward God?  I believe that Scripture gives us clear guidelines in this regard if we will but let them speak and then heed God’s direction.  I share The Word; you will have to decide for yourself what you will do with it.

With that said, I would like to add that being the church is our call, more so than ‘going’ to church. (And I believe that church attendance is a priority, but it is not the do-all, be-all of deciding how to be an affective witness of God’s truth before a lost and dying world.)

“Let every soul be subject 

unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power 

but of God: 

the powers that be 

are ordained of God. 

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, 

resisteth the ordinance of God: 

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation. 

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, 

but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid 

of the power? 

do that which is good, 

and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

4 For he is the minister of God 

to thee 

for good. 

But if thou do that which is evil, 

be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: 

for he is the minister of God, 

a revenger to execute wrath 

upon him that doeth evil. 

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, 

not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. 

6 For for this cause 

pay ye tribute also: 

for they are God’s ministers, 

attending continually 

upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore

to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”   Romans 13:1-8

Paul makes it so clear that we are to be honorable citizens to the government powers and subject ourselves to them (and remember that when Paul wrote the commands above the Roman government was not friendly toward ‘Christians’!) unless the commands directly violate The Word of God!

Jesus Himself gives us the greatest instruction and example in regard to presumption in all of scripture.  I simply ask that you consider what He is saying—and while He was speaking to Satan, He had it recorded for us!  I would encourage you to read the entire passage and consider the three things that Satan tempted Jesus to do; meet His own needs outside of God’s will and timing, to tempt God and His Word; and to worship anyone or anything other than GOD!  And remember, Satan used “The Word” to tempt, but Jesus used “The Word” ‘in context’ to refute him!

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels

charge concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time

thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”   Matthew 4:5-7

And just a note, tempting God with His own Word, is still tempting God.  You decide, are you walking and living in faith “IN GOD” (not in your own faith or interpretation of it) or are you being presumptuous toward God, His Will and His Word?  I’m praying that we will hear HIM and not our flesh or the flesh of others!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Is Love Enough??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #623

05 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Holy Living, JESUS, Love, Love Is Action

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #623     Is Love Enough???

 

As we continue talking about love in this month that the world calls the month of ‘love’, I want to be sure that we understand that what the ‘world’ is calling love may not always be what God calls love.  And while we’ve recently looked at 1 Corinthians 13, I’d like to look at some other things that scripture tells us about love, for your perusal.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

To say that I “love” Jesus means that I love Him enough to “do” what HE says!  To love Him is to obey, and to love others “as myself”—and in our culture that is almost unheard of.  We live in a culture of the “me” mentality.  I knew someone once who totally missed the import of God’s unconditional love; which by the way, isn’t license to sin, or selfish indulgence, but is doing that which is always best for the recipient of that love, not as my acquaintance thought, “You be good to me, and I’ll be good to you!”.  We are to keep God’s love in our hearts, but also to shine and share HIS love with those around us.  And contrary to popular belief, if I love you, it doesn’t mean that I will always give in to you, or meet your selfish, unreasonable, or wicked demands.  Love always does right!  And that means that sometimes love must say NO!  It’s only by God’s grace and indwelling Holy Spirit that we can express or extend to others this totally benevolent “God” kind of love.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”               Romans 5:1-5

When we are born again, God puts HIS Spirit within us—the very agent of our spiritual birth into the kingdom of God….  Praise HIS name, we don’t have to rely on our weak and sinful flesh to do God’s work.  Paul painted such a beautiful picture of this kind of relationship that we acquire not only from God, but with Him and He ever works to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus!

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

 and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

 and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”               Colossians 1:9-14

And while I can’t think of anything better to pray for you, I will add Paul’s admonition to each of us as believers in Jesus, to have that selfless love and devotion to Jesus, as we yield to HIS work of love in us continually!  May we ever be motivated by God’s love rather than selfish ambition, greed, or the pursuit of self-gratification!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think

soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”    Romans 12:1-3

I pray God’s blessings on your day!  And while I realize that much of what I am sharing today is repetitive, we are so forgetful and need continual reminders.  I send these reminders to you (and myself) in His love!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Others May But I Cannot??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #521

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choices And Consequences, Conviction, Obedience, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #521   Others May But I Cannot???

 

I read a tract many years ago, in fact I still have it, that impacted me and brought conviction and a comfort– that what God asks me to do, He may not ask you to do; or vice-versa! While we are all saved “by grace…through faith” we are not called to the same work of ministry, the same convictions, or the same responsibilities! God calls us all to bear the “fruit of the Spirit” in our personal ministry, but he also calls some to places of responsibility, burdens, convictions and trials that He doesn’t ask of others.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:22-25

And when we walk in The Spirit, it is a walk of faith and obedience—even when others don’t understand the constraints that God has placed upon us personally. I have learned through the years that when God calls me to something, or even away from something, I must obey even, in fact especially, when others don’t understand. And sometimes it causes hurt, because people will think that we are hard-hearted or unfeeling, but the call to obey God is our prime objective. Oswald Chambers says it best in his amazing book “My Utmost For His Highest”—that is our goal (and if you’ve never read this book I encourage you to get it and read it through this year, it is one of my ‘go to’ books that I’ve read through on many occasions!). Just as Ezekiel was called to be a ‘watchmen’ to his people, yet he wasn’t very popular, but he did what God asked him to do—even strange and seemingly crazy things, he obeyed. So must we come before God with that kind of heart?

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:

therefore hear the word at my mouth,

and give them warning

from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked,

Thou shalt surely die;

and thou givest him not warning,

nor speakest to warn

the wicked

from his wicked way,

to save his life;

the same wicked man shall die

in his iniquity;

but his blood

will I require at thine hand.

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked,

and he turn not

from his wickedness,

nor from his wicked way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”   Ezekiel 3:17-19

There are lots of “fluff” preachers and teachers today, but those who are calling people to repent of sin, and turn to Jesus in faith are not the ones being lauded today! But it’s the message that God has delivered throughout HIS Word and throughout history! Who’s listening to the watchman? Not many! But when God gives a call, a conviction, a ministry, an understanding of truth, then we must “stay by the stuff” regardless of the responses of others! I/You must seek to obey Him no matter the response of others. Our kindest attempts can and will often be met with disregard or even rejection, but we must do that which HE calls us to do! Even as Job endured!

“So thou, O son of man,

I have set thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel;

therefore thou shalt hear the word

at my mouth,

and warn them

from me.” Ezekiel 33:7

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

And Job and Ezekiel could do what they did because their confidence was in their GOD not their circumstances—Ezekiel was captive in a foreign land, Job was tested in ways that he couldn’t understand, yet they stood fast in their call and their GOD for they knew He would deliver and their reward wasn’t necessarily in this life!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:” Job 19:25 Amen!

Our call is to faithful trust and obedience, and when we draw near to our God He will always prove Himself faithful, even when we face obstacles of misunderstanding, rejection or even as Job proclaimed—“yet will I trust him”! You see it isn’t dependent on our popularity, or the acceptance or rejection of others, our spiritual ‘success’ is dependent on our God, who will “supply all your need…by Christ Jesus”! Oh what glory!

May we continue to deliver the message, fulfill the ministry, follow the call, or, as Oswald Chambers calls it, continue in the ‘mundane’ that God sets before us! It’s all about HIM, and our objective is calling others from the broken cisterns of their lives to the “living water” that IS Jesus! Jeremiah gives a vivid picture that parallels the message of Jesus!

“Hath a nation changed their gods,

which are yet no gods?

but my people have changed their glory

for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.”   Jeremiah 2:11-13

“But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water springing up

into everlasting life.” John 4:14

Amen and Amen—go forward in your Lord’s call, regardless!