Obedience | Kristi's Morning Devotional

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Going the Right Direction

This morning I find myself sitting in a log cabin, in the White Mountains in northern Arizona. I visited this area as a small girl. It was my favorite place to come for summer vacations; we camped on the banks of the White River, fished all day in the steam and played games with our new friends in the evenings.

As I sit here this morning in the glow of my computer screen, trying to be quiet so I don’t wake Dave, I am imagining the wonderful times we will have with our grandchildren. The memories we will make and the joy we will share.

And then my thoughts are interrupted.

I hear it…the morning song of the mountain birds. No matter where we are God reminds me of his loving care through the song of the birds. Each morning starts the same way. It starts with a chorus of those winged creatures who lift their voices in song and praise their creator for the countless ways He provides for them.

Our lives have dramatically changed since I came here as a girl. There are been some real rough patches, things I choose not to relive and there have been some great joys. As I look back I can always see the Father’s faithfulness. It’s not something I was quick to recognize in the moment but He was always there, He always provided.

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this; If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died! Now that’s not scripture but it is scriptural.

“Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay aay from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

And then this one:
“Turn to the LORD for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. 4 The LORD has a plan for everything.” Proverbs 16:3-4a ERV

God has a plan for each day – it doesn’t really matter what the activities are in the day; He has a plan! Some days His plan is to change our plan but He has a plan.

When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed! “Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have told you today. 28 But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God. So don’t stop living the way I command you today, and don’t follow other gods that you don’t know.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ERV

We have a choice – it would be silly, even disastrous at times, to think our own plan is better. Following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect. His way will keep us from being lost and give us something to sing about each morning.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good! He wants to make wonderful memories with us and He wants us to teach our children and grandchildren about His goodness and provision.

Go South today – He will provide!!!

March 18, 2019March 18, 2019

Digging In!

Ever heard the expression “digging in your heels”? It’s a statement used to indicate determination to stand your ground, strength of position, fighting against resistance, steadfastness.

I don’t see it as a sign of stubbornness. Instead, I see it much like an anchor. It’s the kind of determination that keeps us from being drawn astray or floating off with the tide and winds of popular opinion.

In the last few days I have been reading in Deuteronomy. This is Moses final instructions to the nation of Israel before the get to cross the Jordan River to their “Promised Land”. He is taking this time to remind them of the promises the Lord made to them and also of the laws that God gave them to obey. Moses is reminding them to be steadfast on God’s word.

“I taught you the laws and rules that the Lord my God commanded me. I did this so you could obey them in the land you are ready to enter and take for your own. ⁶Obey these laws carefully. This will show the people of the other nations that you are wise and sensible. They will hear about these laws and say, ‘Truly, the people of this great nation are wise and sensible.’

⁷“The Lord our God is near when we ask him to help us. No other nation has a god like that! ⁸And no other nation is great enough to have laws and rules as good as the teachings I give you today. ⁹But you must be careful! Be sure that as long as you live you never forget what you have seen. You must teach these things to your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:5-9 ERV

Moses wasn’t going to be able to go with them when they crossed the Jordan and he wanted to make sure that they knew how important it was to them and all future generations to follow God’s law.

“So you people must be careful to do everything the Lord commanded you. Do not stop following God! ³³You must live the way the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will continue to live, and everything will be fine with you. You will live a long life in the land that will belong to you.” Deuteronomy 5:32-33 ERV

God had led the Israelites with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night since the time they left Egypt. If the cloud or pillar moved they moved; it if stayed in one place they did too. Moses words reminded them to keep following the Lord and not to move unless He directed it.

They were to dig in their heels and stay put even if everything looked good to them.

Oh for that kind of determination to be close to the Lord. Too many times I have found myself running out a head of the Lord and calling back for Him to hurry and catch up. Those are the times I found myself in situations that were not good for me. Those are the times I found myself asking the Father to rescue me once again.

How much better it would be if I simply sat down and said I’m not going if You’re not. Period. End of conversation.

We get caught up in our own plans, defending our own reputation, making our way when we should be waiting on the Lord’s lead.

“…But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:20b-21

Just as the Lord led the Israelites, if was prophesied that Jesus would lead us but we need to listen for his voice.

“My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, ²⁸and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, ³⁰and I am one with the Father.” John 10:27-30 CEV

The Lord promised to lead and protect the Israelites as they followed Him and Jesus promises the same to us as we follow His leading. God will lead us by a peace in our hearts. Become determined that you won’t let your own ambitions, pride or desire for things lead you. You won’t let the enemy deceive you into following him.

Dig in your heels and say, “Lord if you don’t go, I’m staying put!”

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019

What Did You Say?

I get a kick out of God’s sense of humor. I find the Bible has many humorous stories that are often overlooked. Stories that hold important teachings for us.

“Christian brothers, think who you were when the Lord called you. Not many of you were wise or powerful or born into the family of leaders of a country. ²⁷But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise. He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame what is strong. ²⁸God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in. ²⁹In that way, no man can be proud as he stands before God. ³⁰God Himself made the way so you can have new life through Christ Jesus. God gave us Christ to be our wisdom. Christ made us right with God and set us apart for God and made us holy. Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from our sins.” I Corinthians 1:26-30 ERV

The Apostle Paul tells us that God uses the things that are thought to be foolish and weak to keep men from putting too much trust in their own efforts. It is God’s provision that we should be trusting in and not ours.

This morning I would like to tell you a story that seems foolish.

The children of Israel were in the desert and had just defeated a king who had attacked them, the king of Og. Well, there was another king who heard of that defeat and he feared that the same thing would happen to him and his armies. So he called for a man named Balaam to come and place a curse on Israel. King Balak offered him great amounts of money to do this.

Balaam took time to consult with the Lord and God told him not to go with Balak’s men and that he was not to curse the Israelites. Balaam refused to do what the king wanted. The king sent his men a second time offering Balaam even more money. Once again Balaam consulted with the Lord. God hadn’t changed His mind. God told him, only do what I tell you.

“Balaam answered, “Even if Balak offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I wouldn’t do anything to disobey the Lord my God. ¹⁹You are welcome to spend the night here, just as the others did. I will find out if the Lord has something else to say about this.”

²⁰That night, God said, “Balaam, I’ll let you go to Moab with Balak’s messengers, but do only what I say.” Numbers 22:18-20 CEV

So the next morning they started out on their journey to Balak. On their way, an angel came to stop Balaam from traveling any further. The donkey saw the angel and rode off in a ditch. Balaam whipped the donkey and got him back on the rode. Again the angel stood in the road and the donkey smashed Balaam’s foot against a wall as he tried to get around the angel. Finally, the third time, the donkey just laid down and wouldn’t move any further because the angel was standing in the way.

Balaam was so angry that he was ready to kill the donkey and then this happened.

“So it just lay down. Balaam lost his temper, then picked up a stick and smacked the donkey.²⁸When that happened, the Lord told the donkey to speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that made you beat me three times?”

²⁹“You made me look stupid!” Balaam answered. “If I had a sword, I’d kill you here and now!”³⁰“But you’re my owner,” replied the donkey, “and you’ve ridden me many times. Have I ever done anything like this before?”

“No,” Balaam admitted.³¹Just then, the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing in the road, holding a sword, and Balaam bowed down.” Numbers 22:27-31 CEV

The foolish things of the world! How much more foolish can you get than that? A talking donkey. I once heard a preacher say, “If God uses you to do something important, don’t get a big head about it. He once used a donkey.” Very true.

When God speaks to our hearts we need to listen. The message may come in our quiet time of prayer and Bible reading. It may come from a message we hear being preached. God may use a trusted friend or the words of a stranger to speak to our hearts. He could use our mate, children or grandchildren. He might even use a donkey.

The important thing is that we listen and then we obey.

Has the Lord been speaking to your heart? Have you discounted the message because you didn’t approve of the messenger? God is always willing to give us instruction, we need to be willing to listen.

March 2, 2019March 2, 2019

Simple Obedience

Am I the only one who struggles with being obedient to simple instructions from time to time? If I am, you might not find this morning’s thoughts apply to you.

When we were little kids we had a myriad of instructions to follow: brush your teeth, clean your plate, bedtime at 8:30 pm, chew with your mouth closed, be home by supper, don’t hit your sister, feed the dog. I can still hear Mom giving these instructions countless times during my childhood; I don’t need her to tell me to brush my teeth or wash my hands and face any longer, I just know to do it. That’s obedience.

As we get older we have a tendency to make obedience relative. We don’t always obey the speed limit because everyone else is passing us like we are standing still. Or what could be wrong with taking a short cut across the lawn even though it’s posted “keep off the grass”? (I know no one would do this, right?) What about those signs that say absolutely no food or drink allowed, those don’t apply to the protein bar in your pocket or purse, do they?

Little disobediences like the ones above harden us to listening too and obeying the instructions we receive from God’s word. We can rationalize away our blessings by our disobedience.

“‘I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. ¹⁹If you listen to (obey) what I say, you will get the good things from this land.'” Isaiah 1:18-19 ERV

It all started with Adam and Eve in the Garden. Disobedience is a temptation as old as the earth itself. God says something but He has given us a free will. Obedience is up to us. If we truly are God’s children then we should obey what He says. We all know that the Bible tells us to obey our parents so, let’s take this to the next level and obey our heavenly father.

“Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. ²The command says, “You must respect your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it. ³And this is the promise: “Then all will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 ERV

I didn’t get up this morning with the intention of writing a blog on obedience. However, while I was reading in John 2 I was caught up in the simple act of obedience of some servants at a wedding. I hadn’t seen this before and I have examined Jesus first miracle at the wedding in Cana many times. (I have actually written a couple other blogs on this miracle, September 2, 2018 and June 27, 2018. You might want to re-read them.)

“There were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about 20 or 30 gallons. ⁷Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ So they filled them to the top.

⁸Then he said to them, ‘Now dip out some water and take it to the man in charge of the feast.’ So they did what he said.” John 2:6-8 ERV

Miracles come from simple acts of obedience. The servants obeyed Jesus instruction to fill some water pots to the brim and then they took the water to the wedding planner. It was water when it went in to the pots and it was water when it came out of the pot. The miracle happened while it was being carried, obediently, to the manager of the wedding.

The Father’s instructions to us are just as elementary as filling water pots. “Don’t worry. Pray always. Love the Lord. Love your neighbor. Be angry and sin not. Don’t complain. Do nothing for vain glory. Don’t be envious. Put God first. Forgive.” With each of these instructions I can hear the Father say “child, obey me”.

Simple obedience.

Here’s the prayer I found myself praying this morning: “Father, I want to be obedient to all you ask me to do. That really is my heart’s desire. But…many times I fail. Forgive me for my failure and remind me to be like the servants – fill the pots, dip out the water and carry it to the place where miracles happen. I chose to be obedient. I am willing. In Jesus name.”