OBEDIENCE AND GOD'S PLAN

Life's struggles and trials are very common to every human being including christians.It just annoys  me to hear that a lot of christians attribute all their struggles as a " testing from God".While it is true that some of the struggles in this world are a test of faith which develops perseverance that will lead to a strong and mature christian character, (James 1:2-4),some of the problems can also be consequences of certain actions,or to make it straight-a consequence of  sin.No one is perfect ,life is not perfect and on certain occasions,we make mistake ,that is  doing things that are not  pleasing to God.Yet many christians don't want accountability  for  their  actions and use God for their scapegoat.As one saying goes" we are free to make our actions but not free to choose the consequence of our actions."Nobody will escape the consequence of his choices.

Whichever way  I look ,everything points  to this word,"OBEDIENCE".Obedience to God and His word is extremely important.It is a mandatory part of our christian lives.If we love God,we will obey His commands,not just part of His commands,not just the ones that we like or agree with.(Jn 14:15,23,24;2 Thess.2:15;2 tim.1:13). Some christians today  are not taking God's command seriously,and one mistake is  that after receiving the gift of salvation ,God's commands are forgotten.

The Lord has given us all the  instructions in the bible,that many people have ignored.The bible is every christian's lifeline,a guide for the christian's  everyday living and way of life.Meditate on His word day and night,then you will be properous and successful.(Joshua 1:8).If we obey God's word,we will be blessed in many ways.(Deut. 28:1,2).To be blessed means "to endue with power,and longevity."Abraham is a great example as a man of obedience,the "Father of obedience".(Gen. 22:15-18).

To be able to know and be ready for God's plan for us ,we need to prove our faithfulness to Him by OBEDIENCE.God's spectacular plan for us is not difficult to find.The bible says we can hear the sheperd's voice.We just have to go through certain steps.We must mature and develop a strong christian character.Maybe God is only asking you to be a good wife,good husband,or work well in church.Once you have been faithful in these things ,He will open the doors for greater ones.

God's plan doesn't make sense to us at times.There will be moments when God asks us to do something  and often we will start reasoning in our mind.Our human logic will start arguing it and ultimately we will ignore the message.God will trust you with His affairs if you act immediately on His promptings.

To obey is better than sacrifice.(I Sam. 15:22).It is impossible to miss God if you desire in your heart to please Him.

PRAYER:

Lord,teach me to do the thing that pleases You.

I want to know your guiding voice and to walk

with You each day.

Lord,make me quick to hear and ready to obey.

I am seeking to do the thing that pleases you.

In Jesus Mighty Name......Amen

RUNNING A MARATHON

Philippians 3:14

It was my very first time to join a marathon last May.I was very hesitant at first because I didn't really think I have the stamina to do it.I actually have been going to the gym and working out to keep myself fit. I didn't really know what to expect so I  prepared for it. I found it very exciting to do this marathon.It actually meant so much to me.There was something about this marathon that I needed to see .
Our christian life is like a marathon.In a marathon,you need to run a certain number of miles until you reach the finish line.It is a long distance race.It is open,unusually long and exhausting.It is therefore an endurance run.A christian life can be a harsh  journey at times .You take an uphill or downhill battle.There will be big rocks along the way.The force of the wind ,the cold air or the heat of the sun makes it even more challenging .Paul spoke of reaching forward to those things which are ahead and pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We might get thirsty,tired and think about stopping along the way but when we set our eyes on Jesus,He will get us to the finishing line where there is a prize that awaits us,the eternal life.

I remembered when my husband was telling me his stories as a young man who became a prayer  warrior and a young preacher then.I was so amazed by his stories about how he and his friends were doing the works for God's kingdom.The fasting,the Holy Spirit night,how the Holy Spirit was moving in their lives,were all living and powerful testimonies in their young lives  .They became an inspiration to other young people in the church as they began to share with boldness and power the word of God.
As I was hearing this,I thought about my marathon,or my christian walk,so to speak.I was thinking then that it would be nice then if I too have met accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at a younger age and that maybe I would have done the same as a teenager.But then I realized that it really doesn't matter how young or how old you are when you accepted  Jesus  as your Lord and saviour.I believe that God always has His own time.And there is never an accident in His time.It's not how long you've been a christian.The question is ,are you going to finish the race well?Just like a marathon,there are some christians today who started very strong  but never made it to the finishing line.2 Tim. 4:7 says :" I have fought the good fight of faith,I have finished the race,I have kept the faith."
At the end of the race,there is a prize,a crown that awaits for those who finished the race well and  to all those who eagerly await for our savior;while we wait for the blessed hope,the glorious appearing of our great God and savior,Jesus Christ.
1 Tim. 6:12,Paul's instruction to Timothy : "Fight the good fight of the faith.Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witness."
So let us continue in the race and press on toward the goal.Let us fight the good fight of faith.Praying,trusting,waiting,always standing firm and putting  our hope on Christ Jesus.Let us not put out the Holy Spirit's fire in our walk.Our citizenship is in heaven(Phil.3:20) so our mind is set on heavenly,spiritual things ,not on earthly things.
In a sense,we as christians are all running in a marathon.It takes patience,endurance and perseverance to run and finish the race well.The secret to finishing well is to look forward to the joy that awaits us after life's race---the eternal life with Him.