I read something that really got my attention: In Gen 44 v 2 Joseph tells a steward to put his silver cup in Benjamin's sack along with the money they had used to buy grain and the steward did according to what Joseph had said.
That jumped out at me. Firstly, Joseph asked the steward to do something odd. And secondly, the steward just obeyed! He did not question the request! I felt the Lord was telling me, "I know I ask you to do things that in the world don't make sense, but just obey in faith because I have things under control."
Another example of outright obedience despite the request sounding, um.., somewhat odd, was the walking around the walls of Jericho. Would you have raised your eyebrows just a little bit? I would have!
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| Obey - and watch your spiritual walls come down! |
All I can say to this is Isaiah 55 v 8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and My ways are not your ways," declares the Lord.
My encouragement to you is to trust and obey God outright. Obedience brings blessings. God's blessings are much to be desired. And believe me, obedience is something I have to work on big time too so don't feel alone.
God bless
Tracy
Linking this week with (click on the names below to follow the blog hop link):
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| Joan Jen Shanda Joan Laura Stacy |
"Obey....and watch your spiritual walls come down." You're so right....it's not ours to ask how or why or what?!...but simply to obey. Our victory comes with our willingness to do what God asks of us.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Tracy. Thank you for your faithfulness to point us always in the way of the Lord.
Hi Stacy - so true, we only need to obey, no questions asked
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Great post. And so true. Obedience is easy in talk, not so easy in practice. I'm trying.... Could probably try harder.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - agreed, its to never give up trying and in that we will grow.
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You have a very valid point here, so often I hear the lord and then think, that can;t be right I'll just wait for confirmation.
ReplyDeleteHi Stefanie - I doubt you are the only one, I also look for confirmation. Its to take that step of faith and just... obey. the blessing in doing that is awesome
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I often ask myself "are You talking to me?", and wonder if I am doing what God wants me to do. I know I need to stop listening to my own mind and start listening to God. When he says to jump I need to jump and not wonder what’s going to happen! :)
ReplyDeletePerfect words to inspire me this morning Tracy!
Blessings and bunches of hugs Tracy!
Denise
Hi Denise - I know I too am over cautious, was that really the Lord? Did I get that right? To obey and get it wrong is growth too :)
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A resounding YES! Obedience does bring blessing!Once I even had to march around our store to "claim" it as our territory as God commanded, and yes, the result was victory! If we want to be blessed we have to know God's mind, we have to seek His will! Patsy from
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Hi Patsy - This is something that I am learning slowly but surely! I love that you walked around your store claiming your territory in obedience to God.
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Trust and obedience seem to go hand in hand. If I trust, I should obey. If I want to be obedient, I must trust Him. Trust is my One Word for this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I also think of Noah and the looks he must have received when building the ark.
Have a great day!
In Christ,
Laura
Hi Laura - I forgot about Noah. His neighbours must have teased him endlessly or derided him, depending on what type of neighbours he had :)
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Obedience is such an amazing blessing. Hard. But oh my the blessings are amazing! Since God knows everything, and knows us intimately, we can be assured His ways are best. :D
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, sweet (((((Tracy)))))!
Hi Lisa - I am learning to leap to obedience (every now and then i get it right) and its so true that He blesses us in our obedience.
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((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Lisa)))))))))))))))))))))))))
This is true! A wonderful blessing comes from obedience as well...Jesus tells us that we are His friends when we obey. "You are my friends when you do what I command," John 15:14 (NLT)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, great scripture. I must remember that one.
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A great word today -- thanks! True obedience doesn't question the Lord...it trusts! Blessigns!
ReplyDeleteHi Joan - you said it...true obedience does not question!
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Such timely words. Sometimes as I step out in faith to God's request for obedience I feel a little crazy. I'm so thankful he's trustworthy!
ReplyDeleteHi Beck - I think we do have to be a little crazy to step out :) Like you, I'm thankful He is so trustworthy
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God does have knack for giving us illogical instructions. But if he says, we should be found doing it indeed.
ReplyDeleteAmen, if He says, we should do!
DeleteGod bless Wanda
Obedience is not a popular theme to write on, you keep it simple and honest Tracy, thanks. It is still the fastest way to grow and be blessed :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - i think what you say here is so true, obedience is the fastest way to grow and be blessed.
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appreciate these words of encouragement today. i love how you are able to pick a point, hone in on it, and get the job done. i know that may sound weird, but it's like a nugget to chew on all day long. i don't get lost in all the details, and that is good for me :-)
ReplyDeletethanks, as usual, for your sharing. and for being you!
steph
Hi HopeUnbroken - thank you for the encouragement! I'm so grateful that you are encouraged too. This is what my heart's desire is.
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This makes me think about how I sometimes tell my children, "Just obey!" - instead of asking me 800 questions about why we have to put shoes on, or where are we going, or I'll do it in a minute. God must feel the same way about me! Just obey - even when it doesn't make sense to me or I've got a lot of questions. I don't think God minds the questions, but he wants us to obey first. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHi Courtney - being a parent has definitely made me see God more as the parent that He is and me more as the rebellious child that I can be too :)
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Fabulous post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise - so glad you enjoyed it
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Great "words of wisdom". Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie - thank you, God's word is full of wisdom and when we find these nuggets of truth its great to share them
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Wonderful devotional. I am always questioning instead of just acting. Have a fabulous day :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen - don't feel alone there. I question too and God doesn't always answer. Obeying first time is definitely a thing I struggle with. The thing is to never give up trying
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Oh how I want to obey and not question knowing His direction is always right!
ReplyDeleteObedience brings blessings!! So true
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, I ave to admit that sometimes I question even though I know I shouldn't. My goal is to "just do it!"
ReplyDeleteBlessings...Chelle
May I not think, "God, that is so silly!" but instead respond with a soft and willing heart.
ReplyDeleteObedience automatically makes me think of Mary, the Mother of God. She said yes, no questions asked. And yes, obedience brings blessings, her obedience brought about the greatest blessing of all time! Jesus!
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