The Value of Obedience (and other devotionals)

The Value of Obedience

Proverbs 2:1-6

Despite Peter's vast fishing experience, he returned from a night's work with nothing to show for his efforts. It's quite possible that the Lord's request to let the nets down one more time struck him as unreasonable—after all, Peter and his partners were the professionals. Nevertheless, the fisherman complied, and his obedience blessed many.

Scripture demonstrates that divine plans often defy human logic. For instance, who would design a battle  strategy that involved only marching and shouting? God told Joshua to conquer Jericho that way, and doing so proved successful (Josh. 6:1-5).

Moses is another example. When he felt unsure about his leadership potential, the Lord gave reassurance in an unusual way—by telling him to throw down his walking stick. When Moses obeyed, God powerfully confirmed His choice of leader (Ex. 4:1-3).

Our Father may ask us to do something that seems illogical—perhaps to accept more responsibility when we were hoping to reduce our workload, to leave a position that He provided just recently, or to take on an assignment for which we feel ill-equipped. His plan might feel unrealistic in view of our age, stage of life, or health concerns. We must press forward in obedience, regardless of how impractical the request may appear.

To grasp the importance of obeying, think about children receiving instructions from parents or teachers. Careful listening is needed for the task to be done safely and properly. Some steps may seem pointless, but the rationale often becomes clear later. Always make obeying God your priority.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

_________________________

And for the stranger that sojourneth among them - Joshua 20:9

It is interesting to note this provision, made in the Land of Promise, for the passing over of sins which were not sins of presumption. In this verse there is that great word "Whosoever." These cities of refuge were not for Hebrews only, but for whosoever had killed any person, without malice or forethought, but quite unintentionally, and had fled thither. Some poor Gentile might be sojourning among the chosen people, and suddenly find himself liable to the pursuit of the avenger of blood; but the gates of the refuge city were open to him, and the elders of the city were bound to give him a place that he might dwell among them (Jos 20:4), not only safely, but in rest and peace.

Herein there was a foreshadowing of the days when God should open the door of faith unto the Gentiles. "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all them that call upon Him."

There were two mysteries made known to the Apostle Paul: one he unfolds in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the other in the Epistle to the Colossians. First, he teaches us that the Gentiles may be fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise of Christ through the Gospel. Next, he expatiates on the riches of the glory of this mystery, among the Gentiles, that the living Saviour is prepared to dwell in their hearts also, as the Hope of Glory. It is a serious question, how far we are participating in our inheritance. The gates of the promises made to Abraham and his seed are open for us to enter in and dwell there; but there is too much backwardness and hesitancy in us all. "Whosoever will, let him take."

~F. B. Meyer~

________________________

Going Through the Valley

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Psalm 23 is perched between Psalm 22, which tells about the crucifixion of Jesus, and Psalm 24, which is a prophecy of the coronation of Jesus. It is beautiful trilogy about the Savior’s cross, the Shepherd’s crook, and the Sovereign’s crown.

Psalm 23 is the valley between the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion. Thank God for every valley, because there must be a mountain.

ACTION POINT:

If you are in the valley today, remember that you wouldn’t be there had there not been mountains to cross. There is vision in the valley and hope in the hills.

~Adrian Rogers~

____________________________

In Your Anger, Do Not Sin 

“Be angry, and do not sin”:^[f] do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil.  - Ephesians 4:26-27

What in the world does that mean? Where does “anger” fit in the
list of the fruit of the Spirit?

We could say that getting that angry quenches the Spirit and
takes away your peace so it must be bad. But what kind of anger doesn’t do
that? Today, I got so angry that I saw red and started shaking. Anger is one
thing but does the Lord call “seeing red and shaking with anger” sin?

If I think about the many verses that deal with God’s anger,
we could say that He saw red too as the mountain in Exodus burned with fire.
Moses was definitely furious when the people grew impatient and they started
worshiping the golden calf. Personally, if you remain with the Lord and keep
His perspective through the circumstance as you continue to represent Him,
anger is not sin.

If the anger causes you to run off at the mouth, lose self
control and only represent the things you want to say and do, we have crossed
over to being angry and sinning. Yes, this definition is definitely simplistic.  When it comes right down to it, there are a
few things to remember when (not if) anger happens:

1.  Ask God to help you maintain self control right
at the time your anger flares.
2.  Remove yourself
to honestly pray for His perspective on the situation.
3.  Go to the Word of God for wisdom.
4.  Lose the emotion before you try to communicate
your point of view.
5.  Ask the Lord to help you communicate His heart
on the matter
6.  Pray to not keep records of wrong regardless if
there is an apology or not.

We are responsible for our behavior, not others. We are 
accountable before the Lord on how we handle the situation and then how we
decide to resolve it.

~Daily Disciples Devotional~

_________________________

To Glorify Christ Jesus 

"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you"   (John 16:14).

The Holy Ghost Himself cannot better glorify the LORD Jesus than by showing to us Christ's own things. Jesus is His own best commendation. There is no adorning Him except with his own gold. The Comforter shows us that which He has received of our LORD Jesus. We never see anything aright till He reveals it. He has a way of opening our minds and of opening the Scriptures, and by this double process He sets forth our LORD to us. There is much art in setting forth a matter, and that art belongs in the highest degree to the Spirit of truth. He shows us the things themselves. This is a great privilege, as those know who have enjoyed the hallowed vision. Let us seek the illumination of the Spirit; not to gratify our curiosity, nor even to bring us personal comfort, so much as to glorify the LORD Jesus. Oh, to have worthy ideas of Him! Groveling notions dishonor our precious LORD. Oh, to have such vivid impressions of His person, and work, and glory that we may with heart and soul cry out to His praise! Where there is a heart enriched by the Holy Ghost's teaching there will be a Savior glorified beyond expression. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly light, and show us Jesus our LORD!

~Charles Spurgeon~