Simple Obedience
We are always tempted by the enemy, God turns these temptations into tests. As hard and difficult as they sometimes are, we must always put God first. We say, to God be the glory, this should be our way of life, not just some cute little thing we say. God's glory is EVERYTHING and is what we should be seeking, ALWAYS. We are the hands and feet of the Lord, everything He does own earth, He does in and through us. There are many different parts of the body, yet only one body. Each part of the body compliments the other and when operating in unity, works like a well oiled machine, actually, like a body. When one part of the body hurts, the rest feel it, when one part of the body makes a mistake, the rest suffers. Our goal should be, to do what He says. If something drastic happens, though the rest of the body feels it and suffers from it, they must keep doing there part or else the body will stop. For example: If someone breaks a finger, the hand will feel it and be tender, the other fingers will feel it and be cautious, but they must keep doing their part.
We are children of God, when one of us falls or suffers an attack, the rest will feel the pain and suffer loss, but we must keep going. Many will pray and some will intercede, because it's their calling, it's their job. The other parts of the body can't take a day off, because one got hurt. This is simple obedience, to do what God says. This is an elementary doctrine, to obey God.
This is what I want, simple obedience. I want to do what God says, always. I don't care about some great calling or gift. I want God to use me how He will, when He will. I want to be someone God can count on. When He tells me to do something, be it great or small, I want to be one who will do it. I want to obey God. I believe I have some obedience, though, I'm far from where I want to be and where, I believe, He wants me to be.. I'm trusting God to bring to the place He wants me and it'll be by His power, not mine.
I pray God will bring us all to the place, where our desires are simple and selfless, they are to obey God and everything He says. Amen.
God bless
While Laughing Uncontrollably, God Told Us, “You’ve Just Entered The Highest Realm Of My Glory!”
This article is a reprint from The Elijah List
by Bill Yount
"...Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee...And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves...And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."—John 17:1, 13, 22-23 (emphasis added)
We hadn't planned on this. We just wanted to get together for fellowship over a meal. Just a few couples, and one we hadn't seen in years. I am sort of a caveman when it comes to getting together with people for fellowship. Being tired and feeling I needed a vacation away from planet earth, I forced myself to go, since we were invited.
I wasn't feeling spiritual and I wasn't in the mood to hear how God might be blessing others when I felt so spiritually dry.
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full...if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."—1 John 1:3-4, 7 (emphasis added)
"Our 'Downs' Became Our 'Ups'"
It seemed to begin at the table right after we had eaten. There came such freedom to share our ups and downs in our life as well as in ministry. Even as we shared our discouraging times and even the bloopers we made in ministry, something began to take place...A joy unspeakable and full of glory began to descend upon us!
Such a freedom to share our hearts and become real people to each other seemed to untie heavy yokes that had somehow wrapped around us through everyday life and the mundane stuff that goes with ministry. This joy began to trickle down from on high and, amazingly, our "downs" became our "ups" as the joy of the Lord began falling like an avalanche! I sensed the Lord saying, "You have just entered into the highest place of fellowship with Me!"
I Saw Us Inside a Huge Washing Machine Being Washed in Laughter as the Gentle Cycle of "MERCY AND GRACE" was Being Pushed!
"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."—1 John 1:7 (emphasis added)
It was dawning on me the power of being in fellowship not only with God—but with one another! I believe there is a cleansing stream that is released as we fellowship one with another in the Body of Christ.
In the old days, they used to have to wash one piece of clothing at a time with a scrub board. The clothing got a rough washing and that one piece of clothing could be seen getting washed by everyone. I am learning late in life that even in ministry and having God in my life, I better not be alone but connected in close fellowship with others so the Lord doesn't have to wash me by myself where others can see my dirty laundry! We will get dirty at times, for we live in a fallen world. But God's plan to wash us is so different.
When my wife washes our dirty clothes, she tosses them all in together into the washing machine. As they are being tossed around inside the washing machine, you can't really tell one piece of dirty clothing from another because they seem to become one as they become meshed together. No one piece of clothing can point to another and say, "You are dirtier than I." Likewise, we are all being washed and cleansed together. This often happens through fellowship without us even being aware of it. God's love in us for one another is perhaps the most powerful cleansing agent on earth besides the Blood of His Son, for "love covers a multitude of sins."
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'"—1 Peter 4:8
It's easy to judge the dirty laundry of others when you are standing outside of the washing machine. But beware, for the scrub board may be on its way to your ministry and doorstep! "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Even Two Are Better than One
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."—Psalm 133:1-3
As an earthly father I am so blessed when love flows freely between my children and me. But my joy is complete when I see my children loving one another and having a great time. When they are loving one another they are actually loving me, since they are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh! The closer they become in their relationships, the closer they get to my heart. For my heart for them is to love each other.
Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries
Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com
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