OBEY… FOR THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

OBEY… FOR THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!

 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. —I Samuel 15:23

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. —Luke 14:33

            Following Jesus calls for obedience. We are not to be like King Saul who was given a mission and carried it out half-heartedly. He told Samuel that he had obeyed the Lord, but Samuel said that was not the case. To half-heartedly follow the Lord is to be in disobedience and it was said by Samuel that this half-hearted attitude was rebellion and “is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.” Because of his half-hearted obedience, being rebellion against the Lord, Saul would lose his kingship. It would be given to another whose heart was after the Lord’s (Acts 13:22)

            Our Lord does not look to the outward appearance of man to measure him by.   No, He looks directly on the heart of man. He cares more what is in a man than what a man appears to be. The world looks on the outward appearance— what a person looks like, what a person owns, how they dress, how influential they are… But God looks at the inner character of a person.

            So it is with being a disciple of Jesus. God looks at our heart. Is He truly first place in my life (Matthew 22:37-40)? Am I being obedient to Him (John 14:21)? Am I serving in the work He prepared for me (Ephesians 2:10)? How well am I persevering in the race He has marked out for me? Am I keeping my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)? Do I truly see myself as a steward of the responsibility He has given me (I Corinthians 4:2)?

            God does not NEED me to serve Him! God doesn’t NEED anyone or anything. BUT He desires my fellowship and service to Him willingly. Think on that! He who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things desires fellowship… with me…and with you. That is awesome!

Dear Father may I be a faithful follow in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. Oh, may this be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IUM08nFpHM

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