obedience

Follow: Laying Down Our ‘SELF’ in Obedience to God

DevotionalsJuly 22, 2019July 11, 2019

Our response to God’s call is often “Yes, but…” We must surrender our ‘selves’ in obedience to God and intimately follow His leading for the Kingdom.

Courage isn’t doing what you want in life; courage is laying down your life. Otherwise, it’s not courage – it’s self-gratification.
Ann Voskamp, The Way of Abundance

Follow Me…

There is a passage in Luke, which I have read since childhood, subtitled, “The Cost of Discipleship”. In my past Bible’s, it was in red letters. I imagine over the years I have secretly, self-righteously judged the people to whom Jesus spoke these words, but as I’ve grown older it has become easier to see myself in them…

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.’ And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’
Luke 9:57-62, NKJV

Misunderstanding

Now, I must admit, often when I’ve read that over the years, beneath my self-proscribed piety, I have winced at the harshness of the responses of Jesus. They seemed dissonant with His character. They weren’t fit for the kingdom because one wanted to bury his father and the other wanted to say goodbye to his family? Something was inconsistent here…

Therefore, there had to be misunderstanding on my part. One thing I learned was about the priorities of the would-be disciples.

Robert Stein said in The New American Commentary on Luke, “In both the second and third sayings, the individual’s ‘first’ priority was clearly something other than following Jesus… discipleship requires a radical shift in priorities. Jesus must be first. He will not accept second place to anyone or anything. Even a good thing… cannot usurp the place of the best thing, which is to love Jesus with all one’s heart, strength, and mind.”

Yes, but…

Jesus doesn’t appreciate a “Yes, but…” from us any more than we do from our children. Even though I learned as a young Christian that ‘delayed obedience is disobedience,’ I can’t say that I practice immediate obedience each time I hear my Father’s voice.

Example: The Holy Spirit has said to me, “Dodie, I want you to call this person who needs encouragement.”

I say, “Yes, Lord, but first I need to ___.” (and then sometimes I forget completely until He tells me, again!)

Or, “My child, pray for _____. They are in need of strength in this very hour.”

“Yes, Lord; I will, but I need to finish this first…”

These are small things to us, my friends, but to the Lord, it speaks to our priorities and our willingness to obey His voice immediately. If I am lackadaisical about obedience in the small things, why would God entrust me with the mighty things of the Kingdom?

To follow Jesus and place Him above everything, requires the courage of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Two things our culture knows little of…too often, two things I know little of.

Forsaken

Another way of better understanding the passage is a reference on the last phrase of the chapter. It takes us to a short verse in 2 Timothy.

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica – Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
2 Timothy 4:10, NKJV

Demas – there are few mentions of him in the New Testament. In fact, the only other references to him are found in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 24, when he was called a “fellow laborer” with Paul and Luke. Can you imagine working alongside the apostles Luke and Paul and then deciding to chuck it?? Not only did he decide the Christ-life wasn’t for him, but he also deserted Paul when Paul needed him, (verse 9). Demas revealed himself as someone who “put his hand to the plow and looked back.”

Why did he look back?

Because he loved this present world…

Loving the World

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.
I John 2:15-16, NKJV

Do you sense a slight bristling here?

Perhaps we’ve grown deceived in believing we never look back, (which is literally looking unto the things behind, or the things we’ve left behind for Jesus). Or, it has been awhile since we’ve confessed anything, so the thought of us loving the world feels odious or foreign to us.

Really, ME? How?

Intimacy with God

Recently, I watched a Beth Moore training DVD where she taught women writers, teachers, and speakers, (or those aspiring to). Once again, I was struck and humbled by her passion, not for ‘the ministry,’ but for Jesus and His Word. She declared, “There is no short-cut to long-term effectiveness: Bible Study and prayer will never change concerning your intimacy with God.”

How do we love the world? By spending on luxuries or drinking excessively?

No, it’s much more subtle than that. Our time and energy get sucked up by Facebook, Little League, Twitter, the fitness club, soccer, volunteering, church activities…then we fall in bed at night, arise the next day and begin it all again.

Intimacy with our Father? Seriously, who has time?

Will He love us less? NO. But will we be effective in the Kingdom?

No.

Living Foolishly

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 3:3, ESV

Like Demas and the Galatians, we may all begin strong, with a passionate, intimate relationship with Jesus. However, the moment we begin to trust in ourselves, in our own effort to continue the walk, we will fail. We may keep up the charade for a while; we’ve all known people who have.

But…it’s like living in the same house with a husband you used to love and now you’re divorced.

Can you imagine?

We may all begin strong, with a passionate, intimate relationship with Jesus. However, the moment we begin to trust in ourselves, in our own effort to continue the walk, we will fail. Click To Tweet

Evie S.

Obeying: Learning to Be Hearers and Doers of The Word

DevotionalsMarch 13, 2019March 13, 2019

To fully follow Christ, we must learn that obeying God means not only being hearers of the Word but doers also. Understanding God’s commands required following through as well.

It’s not a subject that’s all flashy and dressed up in lights. In fact, it’s a topic that some preachers try not to touch, even with a ten-foot pole! It’s obedience. No, I did not just curse. But by the time this nine-letter word hits some believers’ ears, it shrinks down to a four-letter word!

By contrast, messages about God’s grace, favor, blessing, and prosperity gently tickle our ears. But when it comes to obedience, lead balloons are released, promptly falling onto toes. All joking aside, I truly believe that this simple topic of obedience serves as a key to unlock all of those other–seemingly more flashy–things such as blessing and favor.

Truly Obeying?

So what does the word “obey” really mean? We tend to think of it as following orders, being compliant, submitting to authority, etc. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for obey is “shema,” which essentially means to hear. But shema encompasses much more than simply hearing a command. It also means to listen, internalize, understand, and respond to that order or command. This element of responding brings this scripture to mind:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22, KJV

In other words, obeying doesn’t just mean listening to an order. It implies actually doing that which we have been commanded to do. As parents, when we tell our kids to do something, is it enough for them to simply nod their heads to acknowledge they’ve heard what we’ve said? Of course not. We want to see our children, in fact, do what we have told them to do. As children of God, we not only must listen to and understand what the Lord says, but we must also follow through and do that which He calls us to do.

As children of God, we not only must listen to and understand what the Lord says, but we must also follow through and do that which He calls us to do. Click To Tweet

Disobedience…

Perhaps the quintessential story in scripture that demonstrates disobedience occurs in 1 Samuel. Before King Saul goes into battle with the Amalekites, Samuel the prophet gives him a very clear instruction from the Lord: completely and utterly destroy the enemy and all that they have. But Saul does not obey this instruction. Rather, he captures alive Agag, the king of the Amalekites. Furthermore, he instructs his men to save the choicest animals for a burnt offering to the Lord. When Samuel learns of Saul’s outright disobedience, he asks him why he has done this thing.

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22

But Saul claims to have obeyed the command. And when Samuel presses him further, Saul tries to deflect the rebuke by blaming his men for keeping the enemy’s livestock and spoil. Isn’t this the perfect picture of our sinful nature when we’re caught doing something we shouldn’t do? We claim ignorance. We get defensive. Or we try to blame someone else for our own actions. But Samuel is not fooled, and the Lord is not mocked. When he finally realizes how badly he has botched the Lord’s command, Saul repents. But it is too late. And as a result of his disobedience, Saul loses his kingship. Samuel delivers the verdict:

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

1 Samuel 15:23

I Didn’t Want To…

A few weeks ago, the Lord taught me a lesson in obedience. Had I chosen to disregard and disobey the leading of the Holy Spirit, I might have missed an incredible experience. That morning, I woke up feeling run down and sick. Drained. For two weeks, I’d been battling one sickness after another: a severe head cold that turned into a sinus infection, then strep throat, followed by a couple of days of who-knows-what that knocked me flat! All I wanted to do was pull the covers back up over my head and stay in bed all day.

As I considered the prospect of getting some extra rest, it suddenly dawned on me that I had something I had to do that morning. Every Wednesday morning, my pastor’s wife has a wonderful show called Welcome Home that airs on television. During the show, I help field phone calls from viewers who call in for prayer. Some days I don’t get any calls, but other days, I’m flooded with people calling in with all kinds of prayer requests. As I laid there in bed, I secretly hoped that no one would call for prayer that morning.

A Divine Appointment…

And just about the time I had that thought, the Holy Spirit checked my spirit. Feeling guilty, I immediately repented and asked the Lord to forgive me. I prayed that He would strengthen me and give me the energy to take any calls that might come in. And as soon as I prayed that prayer, a rush of adrenaline washed over me. I didn’t know why, but I was actually getting excited about who might call in. Little did I know, the Holy Spirit was quickening my spirit in anticipation of a divine appointment.

Sure enough, that morning the Lord had arranged for me to talk with a young man named Joe. Joe called in and said he needed a prayer of forgiveness. He had done some terrible things to some people in the past, and he knew that he had hurt them. The burden of what he’d done was weighing really heavily on him. Now in the past, I had kind of made the assumption that folks who watch a Christian broadcast and call into a prayer line are already saved. But the Holy Spirit was showing me that this was a different kind of call.

Holy Ghost Boldness…

When I asked Joe if he attended a church, he said he had gone to church with his girlfriend. Then the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask Joe whether he was saved. When I asked the question, there was a kind of awkwardly long pause on the line. At first, I thought maybe I had offended Joe by asking him this question. But I just waited in silence on the line. And that’s when the Holy Ghost took over the conversation with a boldness I would not have had on my own.

I asked Joe if he had ever invited Jesus to come into his heart. I explained that in order to truly be forgiven for the things we’re ashamed of, we have to ask Jesus, Himself, to forgive us. Only then can we truly repent and fully receive God’s forgiveness. Only then can Jesus cast our sins as far as the east is from the west and give us a clean slate. So I asked again, “Joe, do you want to ask Jesus to come into your heart today? He can give you a new heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone.”

Obedience Brought The Blessing…

Finally, Joe answered. Kind of shaken up, he said, “You know, my girlfriend has been telling me that her God is a jealous God. That I can’t be halfway in and halfway out. So, yes. I do want to be saved.” So, I lead Joe through the prayer of salvation, and his name is now written in the Lamb’s book of life. When that call ended, I was jumping for joy. I praised God along with the chorus of angels who were celebrating and rejoicing in heaven. Hallelujah! Praise God!! Thank you Jesus!!!

When I didn’t feel like obeying, I could have texted my pastor to tell her I couldn’t take calls that morning. But had I pulled the covers up over my head, I would have missed out on an incredible blessing–the blessing of helping lead a lost soul to Jesus Christ. The blessing of witnessing someone being raised from death to life. Obedience brought this blessing. And I will continue to do whatever it takes; obeying Christ because He is the blessing!

How have you learned a lesson in obedience? What was the blessing that your obedience ushered in?

All scriptures are from the King James Version of Bible.

Annie Spratt

obedient, obedience, Christian living, salvation, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Obey: Accepting Loving Discipline in Our New Identity

DevotionalsMarch 5, 2019March 5, 2019

Desiring to obey the Lord is a natural response to our new identity in Him. We don’t need to fear discipline for it is a natural action of love from our Heavenly Father.

I have a wall hanging in my bathroom that has the famous verse from Joshua on it.

It reads: HOME, home is where your story begins. Then at the bottom, it says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I see this verse every single day and it’s not something I take lightly. We learned nine years ago the lesson of truly choosing to obey and serve the Lord.

Lip Service

We had been living a lip service Christian life. We went to church. Said prayers at mealtimes and bedtime, but that was as deep as our relationship with the Lord went. He allowed me to get very sick and I immediately knew He was disciplining me.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My Child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’

Hebrews 12:5-6, NLT

I lost the ability to bathe myself, get myself dressed and to walk more than a few feet at a time. My husband became my caretaker through chemotherapy and steroids. I read through the Word twice in nine months and completely surrendered my life to Christ during this time.

My husband also laid down his own will for God’s through this ordeal. Not all our trials are a chastisement, but we needed this season to truly make God the Lord of our lives. Praise Him for His care, His discipline, His working in our lives. We aren’t the same people we were before.

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15, NLT

Set Apart

Have you noticed that something you weren’t aware of before is drawn to your attention, and once you’re aware of it you see it everywhere? In psychology, this has a real name- the frequency illusion. Let me tell you, when you have decided to follow and actually obey Christ, you realize very quickly how many profess His name but deny Him with their lifestyles.

When Christ dwells in us and we surrender to Him totally, His Holy Spirit is there to teach, guide and correct us. His Word is alive and active and judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. When we compromise who we are in Christ to look like the world, we are disobeying His command.

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.

2 Corinthians 6:16-17, NLT

World Appearance

We each have our own journey and our own relationship with Christ that we will one day answer for. My encouragement for you today is to really evaluate any part of your heart and life that you’ve allowed to be influenced by the world. Or parts you may not have ever surrendered to Him. Do you still dress like the world, have filthy speech like the world, watch TV shows that encourage you to lust like the world, listen to music that glorifies sin like the world?

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

1 John 2:15-17, NLT

We each have our own relationship with Christ that we will one day answer for. We must evaluate any part of our hearts and lives that we've allowed the world to influence. Evaluate and surrender them to the Lord. Click To Tweet

Desire to Obey

I have made many changes to my life in order to obey and bring glory to God. I don’t dress how I used to dress, make the same jokes I used to make, or watch TV shows that highlight my struggle against lust. Don’t get me wrong, I still have many struggles against sin in my life, and the Lord brings them to my attention often. I wrestle with a couple in particular that I have a hard time talking about. My mind truly is a battlefield and the war is ever raging…

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

1 Peter 1:14, NLT

God isn’t asking us for perfection. He knows we are helpless and our hearts are desperately wicked. All he wants and expects is the laying down of these desires that wage war against our souls.

Desire to obey Him, plead for His grace and mercy and He will give us the strength to make these changes in our lives that shape us into His image. Then He will receive all the glory and honor for how we’ve changed, and others will see His love and character slowly emerge in our everyday lives as we obey our Father in heaven.

abide, obedience, peace, striving, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Posture: The Difference Between Striving and Obedience

Devotionals, Stay SaneDecember 3, 2018January 13, 2019

Outwardly, striving and obedience may look exactly the same. It is the posture of our hearts that determine if we are acting with confidence.

The week was spent running errands, making phone calls, meeting with other people, processing what was gained from the meetings, making stuff, prepping meals, laundry, loving on children, correcting children, loving on children more. Tiring? Yes. Peaceful? Actually, yes.

The following week followed the same pattern: On the go, checking stuff off the list. But it felt different. Everywhere I turned I seemed to be hitting a dead end. Nothing was going smoothly. Instead of tired and peaceful, I was exhausted and frantic. Outwardly, my actions looked exactly the same. Inwardly, I was drowning.

Striving

I can drive myself bonkers and wear myself out striving to do good things, giving things, ministry things. But if it is not what God wants me to do, or at the time He wants me to act, then it is the wrong thing and my work will not be fruitful. If I am striving to make things happen in my time and in my way, then I have made my ministry about myself.

Striving leaves us looking for the next win, the next pat on the back, the next recognition. More than likely, we are looking to fill a void within ourselves, rather than serving out of an abundance.

Striving leaves us looking for the next win, the next pat on the back, the next recognition. More than likely, we are looking to fill a void within ourselves, rather than serving out of an abundance. Click To Tweet

Rather than striving, we are to be obedient. Obedience may not bring any recognition from people. It will, however, bring us closer to our Lord. Only His love and affirmation will sustain us. Praise received from people runs empty very quickly. Trust me, as a self-proclaimed “Approval Junkie,” I know.

Obedience doesn’t mean everything is suddenly simple. God still calls us to move forward. But our spirits are calm because the source of our energy is coming from Him. We are not mustering the energy from within ourselves.

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

John 14:21, NLT

Posture

On the outside, striving and obedience can look very much alike. The difference lies within the posture of our heart. If we give, and do, out of our own will-power then we are going to end up depleted, exhausted, and burnt out. But, serving from His power and out of abundance leaves us fulfilled and at peace.

The only way to serve in this manner is to abide in His love. He is the source of our love to others. He is where our focus has to remain. And He is who brings us fulfillment and peace.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:4, ESV

Are you striving, or obeying? It is a daily acknowledgment we each must recognize.

obedience, fight, flee, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Flee: When it is Time to Run Away Instead of Standing to Fight

Devotionals, Stay SaneOctober 10, 2018January 13, 2019

Certain situations in life beat us down, overwhelming us with discontentment. How do we know if we are to stand and fight, or if we are to flee?

Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught to love and be kind to other people. I was also taught to be a fighter. Not with my physical strength like my brothers were, but with my determination. I was taught to never give up and to fight for what I wanted. This determination still serves me well, but there have been significant moments in my life when running away from a fight actually brought peace.

Permission to Quit…

Before my son was born, my husband and I “birthed” a coffee shop. It was a dream that was becoming a nightmare. We were working non-stop. Up before the sun rose, and to bed long after the sun had set. And instead of making money, we were going deeper and deeper into debt. But we were fighters. And to give up meant that we had failed.

So we persevered, even after I became pregnant. Giving up the business never entered the conversation. It was simply not an option. Then I had a baby, along with postpartum depression. Thankfully, someone who loved me gave me permission to quit. It was an incredibly freeing moment. There was still a lengthy process to fully unload the business, but the weight started to lift at that moment.

Obedience Over Acceptance

For eight years my husband and I lived in Chicago. Many people feel this is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. For us, it was very difficult. We never really felt we fit there, and Lord knows we tried. We tried to invest in church, friends, a house. And we were involved with church, and we did have wonderful friendships, and we did make our house a home. But, I kept finding myself looking at job ads in other cities.

For so long I felt guilty about this. I felt that I should learn to be content with where I was and that I should just accept that this was my life. Until I realized that maybe we weren’t supposed to stay there. Maybe I was discontent so that we wouldn’t stay. It wasn’t giving up. It was letting go.

Do I regret starting the business? No. I know it was part of the journey I needed to walk. There were people we ministered to, and relationships that were developed that exist to this day. Do I regret living in Chicago? No. It was an intense, long season that taught me about people, myself, and how to be thankful. I was obedient in starting the business, and I was obedient to flee from it. We were obedient to go and live in Chicago, and we were obedient to flee from it.

Fight or Flight…

In the Bible, there are times God calls followers to stand and fight. In the book of First Samuel, chapter 17, we read about David and Goliath. We all know this story. Here is this young man, the baby of the family, going up against a massive, strong, arrogant warrior. David knows that he, on his own, does not have the strength to fight this man, but God does. He defeats Goliath and gives all glory to God! David was obedient to stand and fight.

“I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts… This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

1 Samuel 17:45-47

There are also times God calls followers to run and hide. In the book of Matthew, chapter 2, we read about an angel telling Joseph to take Mary and young Jesus, and flee to Egypt because King Herod was setting out to destroy Jesus. They didn’t even take time to plan their trip. They just up and fled in the middle of the night. Couldn’t God have simply struck Herod down like Goliath? Certainly, but He didn’t. Joseph and Mary were obedient to run away.

“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…”

Matthew 2:13

If we find ourselves in destructive places that suffocate our souls, it is alright to ask the Lord if we are to stand and fight or flee to Him. Click To Tweet

Stand or Flee…

If you find yourself in a destructive place that is suffocating your soul, it is alright to ask the Lord if you are to stand and fight or run and hide. Maybe you are to fight in the name of the Lord and glorify God through this battle. Or maybe you need to protect yourself, and/or your family, and run to a place of refuge; even if it is just for a period of time to rest and recover.

Maybe you have just needed someone to give you permission. Permission granted.

All Scripture from the ESV Bible

obedience, Ezekiel, speak, truth, bold, Oh Lord Help Us

Obedience: How Do We Speak In A Culture That Isn’t Listening?

Devotionals, Stay SaneAugust 27, 2018June 27, 2019

Today we are living in a time of spiritual drought. God told Ezekiel, His prophet, to stand up and speak out. He calls us to the same obedience.

Today I had coffee with a sweet friend. She and her husband recently visited the Creation museum, which is located in northern Kentucky. They both admired the attention to detail and beauty of the garden, but what completely awed her was how one man’s disobedience (Adam), and another man’s obedience (Noah), changed the course of mankind. Throughout the story of man, God raised up judges, prophets, and kings – some who were obedient to His voice, and many who were not. The results of each reverberated like tremors of an earthquake.

Drought

Does it ever feel to you as though we are living in a time of drought? Not literally, although Californians might beg to differ, but spiritually. Do you experience the tremors of a peoples’ disobedience?

With the latest surge of news concerning Bill Hybels and Willow Creek last week, and the recent indictments of the Pennsylvania Catholic church concealing more than 1,000 cases of clergy abuse of children, it’s one dry heat wave rolling after another. My heart breaks.

In my lifetime, our nation has gone from praying and displaying the Ten Commandments in schools and government buildings, most people at least believing in God, to the nearly opposite end of the spectrum – suing Christian businesses for not conforming to post-Christian cultural norms (i.e. paying for abortions, etc.). Adhering to Christian principles is mocked, equaled to “privilege,” and shamed on many college campuses, and Christians are sometimes referred to as bigots. As the people of God grow more comfortable in our bondage to the culture, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand up or speak the words of God to a rebellious people…which may cause us to become rebellious, too.

And Satan loves it so…

How can a holy God look upon this people and spare us? How does He continue to have compassion on us? How do we move forward when those we trusted or followed or admired have fallen in such disgrace? Why doesn’t Jesus return before we utterly and completely forever tarnish His name?!

God’s Response to Dryness

And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; And I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse – for they are a rebellious house – yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Ezekiel 2:1-5, NKJV

Wow; it sounds like God is speaking to us in the present day, doesn’t it? Rebellious, impudent, stubborn children.

Israel was living in exile in Babylon at this time. One would think they would be desperate for God to deliver them, desperate enough to listen to His priest and prophet, desperate enough to be obedient to His Word. But no. Like us, they had grown comfortable in their bondage…in their dryness…in their sin. They liked blending in with the culture which held them captive.

Our Response- Obedience

Consequently, Ezekiel knew his message, or rather God’s message would not be popular.

“And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

Ezekiel 2:6-8, NKJV

But remember, like Ezekiel, we are living among scorpions. (I hate those suckers! They sting like crazy, but they are not deadly!) We are not to be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks – and sister, you know the LOOKS you can receive when you talk about Jesus in the public square!! However, God told Ezekiel he had to speak whether Israel listened or not.

Our fearlessness comes from the certainty that it isn't up to us. Everything depends completely on God. Click To Tweet

God Speaking Through Us

But here is the great part: God doesn’t want you to speak unless HIS HAND IS UPON YOU! We aren’t instructed to babble incessantly to anyone who crosses our paths. (You know someone like that, don’t you?)

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones…And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophecy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Surely I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live”…So I prophesied as I was commanded.

Ezekiel 37:1-7, NKJV

Oh, dear sister! We, too, are living in a valley of dry bones. There are absolutely no words in any human language that will convince the dead souls around us that they are dead. However, when the hand of God is upon us He gives us His words to utter and they are filled with the holy breath of Life. It is never up to us to conjure up the perfect words to say! Hallelujah, amen, right?!

Our fearlessness comes from the certainty that it isn’t up to us. Everything depends completely on God. We are to do as Ezekiel was commanded – obey His voice.

So you might wonder what obedience looks like in a place of dryness. It isn’t really difficult. In the words of Brennan Manning:

Christ wants Christians to live in the present, to love now, to touch this person in these concrete circumstances.

Whose dry bones is Jesus asking you to love, speak to, touch today?

Sources:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-willow-creek-elders-step-down-20180807-story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/08/14/pennsylvania-grand-jury-report-on-sex-abuse-in-catholic-church-will-list-hundreds-of-accused-predator-priests/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.501b0862cfe1
http://www.beliefnet.com/news/home-page-news-and-views/are-us-colleges-hostile-to-christian-students.aspx
http://www.beliefnet.com/news/home-page-news-and-views/are-us-colleges-hostile-to-christian-students.aspx

To love our children is to teach them to obey. First, to the Lord, and, in turn, to us. How do we teach our children to be obedient and respectful?

Living the Obedient Life

Devotionals, Stay SaneSeptember 27, 2017January 13, 2019

To love our children is to teach them to obey. First, to the Lord, and, in turn, to us. How do we teach our children to be obedient and respectful?

Yikes! That title is super intimidating, but let me sell you for a second. What if I told you it’s vital for Christian living? It’s God’s love language. Our obedience makes His heart happy! Doesn’t it make your heart happy when your children do what they are told without a grumble or a whimper?

“Whoa! How do you get results like that, Katie?” I don’t. Not always. And, I don’t always give my Lord the same respect. I also grumble and complain.

As a parent, I give in. I’m clear on the rule, I communicate the consequence, but, if I am honest with myself, I can be easily swayed. Not hearing the complaining and the whining is a reward to my mental state. This is one of the biggest lies I feed into. “You will be happier if you don’t have to hear one more tantrum.” Am I teaching true obedience to my children if I continually buckle under the pressure of the arguments and crying fits?

Our youngest, at the ripe age of 2, quickly learned to cry for Mommy when he wanted a drink of water at night. The rule is set: no drinks in bed. Consequence: a wet bed, extra laundry, and a grumpy child. It seemed that no matter how many bottles of water I filled during the day or how much was consumed at dinner, his thirst was not quenched until he had that last sip while snuggled under his super hero blankets. We stood firm. Water Nazis, if you will. The worst ever. The tears, the anguish. Ultimately, I submit to one more sip of water to ease my ears and my patience. Choose your battles, right? No. He’s not thirsty. He’s letting me know that he can be disobedient without recourse. He’s getting his way.

Parenting is not for the faint. It’s a constant cycle of holding to account our child’s actions and being held accountable for our own. It’s absolutely impossible to be a successful parent without first bowing to the Lord. How do we teach our children to be obedient and respectful? The answer for obedience is obedience. Respecting and submitting to the Lord’s commands. Love God with our whole existence. To love God is to be obedient to God because He loves us.

I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (MSG)

Because of this verse we have this verse:

Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, ‘so you will live well and have a long life.’

Ephesians 6:1-3 (MSG)

To love our children is to teach them to obey. First, to the Lord, and, in turn, to us. The lie says we will be happier in the end, but the truth is the exact opposite. When we choose disobedience in any form, we choose death. Life or death? Thanks, I’ll choose life. Somehow I think that if I would just remember this in the midst of a battle of wills, I would find strength to follow through. If I would just remember that when my children choose to be disobedient they choose to be separated from the Lord. Heavy. No, most children can’t grasp the intensity of this. Especially when it’s “just a sip of water”. So, how do we convey the importance?

Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (MSG)

We can’t instill honesty, kindness, love, self-respect, responsibility, and OBEDIENCE in our children with “giving in.” We have to LIVE in obedience without wavering. We have to speak the truth of God. We have to completely submerge our whole existence in God’s living word! This is the most important assignment the Lord has given his followers and ultimately those he has bestowed parenthood upon.

When we choose disobedience in any form, we choose death. Click To Tweet

You’re turn!

Listen, Ya’ll! I feel convicted, even now, while writing this post. It’s difficult. Life is hectic and nuts! It’s easy to let the day pass with just a short devotional, a 5 sec prayer, or even nothing at all (Gasp! For shame!). Honestly, it happens. It shouldn’t but it does. It does for every single one of us. That’s how I know this message is important. Parent or not.

In what ways can you better your obedience to God?

How can we practically show this important lesson to our children?

Daiga Ellaby

Living Vulnerable

Devotionals, Stay SaneSeptember 17, 2017January 13, 2019

Learning to be vulnerable can be scary, but the reward of living this way is great. Being open allows God to redeem us and be an encouragement to others.

This is one of the hardest posts I’ll have to write. It’s all about me. I’m not particularly fond of talking about myself, but I am an expert on the matter (sometimes). Simply put, I’m Katie! This is the most “to the point” I can ever achieve. “But who IS this Katie?” So far, I have attained the titles of wife, mother, daughter, friend. Most specifically, I am an Executive of Household Management. Majoring in the Studies of Efficiency, with a minor in Cooking Sciences and Day Planning. Seriously, I’m a homemaker. I make our home run while chasing three handsome boys (one of which is my husband).

I get through the day on coffee, wine, and my sweet friend Jesus. I adore science fiction movies and fantastical stories. I love creating and imagining. I gain most inspiration after conversations with my husband (he’s the “talker” of the relationship) and trips to the beach. Being a mom… Wow! Two of the greatest moments happened when my two boys took form (biased)! They are difficult, and confusing, and make me say the strangest phrases sometimes (I’ll let you imagine what two boys can accomplish). But they bring a beautiful level of love and energy to our home that I would never want to replace.

Now, to the nitty bits… GERONIMO…

It’s difficult for me to pinpoint one or two specific instances that started me along my journey. Most moments in my mind are not compartmentalized. It’s gray in there. However, I can say, starting at a fairly young age, I allowed insecurity to guide my thoughts. I allowed people, loved ones or otherwise, to heavily influence decisions I made and, ultimately, the way I thought of myself. I allowed negativity, of all shapes and sizes, to make their homes in my mind. Instead of a flourishing confidence, a dangerous spirit took hold of my heart. I found it easier to listen to whispers than the booming voice of God.

As you can imagine, if a trend like this continues into teen years, the outcome in early adulthood is crippling. There was, and still is, a constant battle of overcoming negativity and insecurity. Outcomes of this mindset are not shining moments in my life. I entered toxic relationships, cut off friends, passed up opportunities, ignored family, caused myself physical harm, made unhealthy decisions. I don’t look back fondly on these choices. They are ugly, and raw, and very difficult to discuss. These are the bits that are the dingiest and can push people right out the door.

...to make something beautiful, there is a level of vulnerability required. Click To Tweet

However, when you turn your darkest parts over to the Lord and ask Him to make something beautiful, there is a level of vulnerability required. The gritty, nasty pieces need to be on the table to make your testimony valuable. That’s my prayer. That my continued lessons, my pain, my journey bring hope through the saving grace of Jesus. That this life will glorify God, and all that I do and say be in obedience to His commandments.

God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (The Message)

I may not always write about new and exciting things. At times, we may get heavy and raw, but I hope the words you read will, ultimately, uplift, encourage, and wrap you with a warm blanket. Don’t like warm blankets? I have ice water. Let’s laugh and cry together. Let’s learn some hard lessons together! Let’s “do faith” together.

Julia Caesar

Do You Trust Me?

Stay SaneAugust 28, 2016

This past winter my boys were thrilled that we had a significant snowfall here in South Carolina. Especially my oldest. He loves the snow and misses living in Chicago where snow was a guarantee each winter. And to make things even better, my parents were in town for it. In addition to snow, my oldest loves breakfast. It has now become an expected thing that he gets to have “second breakfast” with his grandparents when they get up and going.

The morning of the snow he was completely torn. He wanted to play in the snow, and he wanted to have second breakfast, but in his mind it didn’t look like he could do both. I encouraged him to go outside and play, knowing that he would still be able to sit and eat with them when he came back in. He, however, was in a panic trying to figure out how he could have both things. What I said to him was, “Do you trust me?” He responded with some protest and “buts” so I said again, “Do you trust me? Do you trust that I have good things for you?” And in that moment, I heard the Lord speaking to me, “Do you trust ME?”

I am no different than my son. I want to have it all, and will stress myself out trying to manipulate the situation so that I get my way. I think that I want to control things, but in reality I am unable to do so. And honestly, I cannot handle the pressure of being in control. I have to trust the Lord. If I truly believe that He has good things for me, then I can trust Him to take care of me.

My Past and Current Season

A few months ago I was sharing my heart with a new friend, and she was asking at what point God became real to me. It was a great question that really got me thinking. All relationships go through different stages, and a relationship with Christ is no different. The years we lived in Chicago were tough. To be honest, I was angry with Him. But I truly believe that that was alright. I may have been yelling, but at least we were talking. Maybe you have heard the quote, “The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is indifference.” That kind of sums up my relationship with Christ for that season.

Then when we moved to Greenville, I felt like all my prayers were answered. My anxiety melted away, I liked people again, and my soul was able to rest. My relationship with Christ became loving once again. When I came to that thought, I gasped. I realized that I am a spoiled brat. It was not until I got my way, that I was happy with the Lord. And in that moment I could hear Him whisper, “Your time of rest is coming to an end. Do you trust me?”

Since it was finalized that we will be moving, I have been struggling with trying to understand. There have been so many wonderful connections and open doors recently, and it has left me confused. My life has been seeming to unfold the way I had envisioned it. I have felt like I am doing what I am suppose to be doing and am where I am suppose to be. Through tears, I have submitted that I am simply just not required to understand. I am required to be obedient. And obedience requires trust.

The weeks leading up to getting our house on the market to sell were extremely stressful because I had a long to-do list and little time. It was on me to get the stuff done. Sometimes stress is reality in certain seasons of life. Once the house went on the market, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. I had done all that I could do, and now it is out of my control. All I can do now is pray for a buyer. Now I have to trust.

I’m no longer feeling overwhelmed, but I am having to fight feeling discouraged. See, we haven’t had a single showing. Not one. And I can hear Him saying, “Do you trust me?” And several times a day I have to say out loud, “I trust you, Lord.”

Final Thought

Trust is not an emotion. It’s a choice that does not require me to understand. And it is one that I am very aware of at this moment. My family is entering a new season, and we must trust. Things may not go as planned, but I will trust. I will trust that it is not about me, or my comfort. I will trust that He wants good things for me, but that may mean being uncomfortable. I will trust Him.

What are you trusting for?

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 ESV

xoxo

3 Bad Words

Love, Parent, Stay SaneApril 10, 2016April 15, 2016

I’ve been known to use a few bad words in my life. Actually, I think a well-timed, well-placed bad word can be quite effective. There are times that it is simply the best way to get your point across. That being said, I don’t typically use bad words on a day to day basis. You know, the whole kids-are-always-listening thing.

There are other not-bad words I use that have gotten a nasty reputation. Which is a shame because they are vital to three areas of my life that I am extremely passionate about: my faith, my marriage, and my children.

My faith requires obedience.

This feels uncomfortable. It’s ok to use that word when we are talking about our children, but as an adult this seems preposterous. I’ve paid my dues. Now that I’m all grown up I can do whatever I want to do.

…to obey is better than sacrifice… (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

There is a quote by Timothy Keller that says, “If your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshipping an idealized version of yourself.” Insert punch into gut. Sometimes I need to be confronted with truth. And sometimes that truth may require me to make a change. Our thoughts and actions have consequences, good and bad. Anything that we do has an effect on others. We may say, “It’s my life I can do what I want,” but what about the child, or spouse, or even stranger that feels the ripple of that decision.

The Lord requires obedience so that our lives will be blessed, not hindered. I don’t limit the amount of sugar my children consume because I want to hinder their lives. I limit it because I want them to live a fuller, healthier life and enjoy more things. I don’t put boundaries on how far they go in the backyard because I want to control them. They have boundaries so they don’t run into a copperhead snake or mountain lion (I know, crazy life we live). Likewise, the Lord places boundaries in my life to protect me.

My marriage requires submission.

This feels icky. What a horrible thing to ask of a wife. It seems like this could lead to abuse. As women we have fought for our rights. I don’t want someone, even my husband, telling me what I can or cannot do.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18, ESV)

Isolating this single scripture doesn’t make me feel any better. Let’s add the next one, shall we?

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19, ESV)

There, I like that one much better. I really like how both of these are written in The Message:

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.

To be submissive to my husband is respecting his decisions and supporting him in that process. Being supportive does not mean saying, “Yes, dear” to whatever he wants to do. Being supportive is asking questions to help him think something through, or providing suggestions if he needs help. Being supportive is encouraging him to take the next step, or warning him that something doesn’t seem right. And then sometimes being supportive is knowing when to keep thoughts to myself and let him figure something out on his own.

In my husband and mine’s relationship, everything gets discussed. And if we ever are at an impasse and can’t come to an agreement, that is when I take a deep breath and let it go. I’m showing my husband respect by trusting his decision. And in return, he goes “all out in love” for me.

My children require discipline.

This feels harsh. All children behave this way, it’s just how they are. I want them to experience a full life. I want them to learn independence and be free thinkers.

Let’s revisit Colossians again.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20, ESV)

And again, let’s add the next verse.

[Parents], do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21, ESV)

To discipline our children does not mean to punish them all the time. It means to train them. Sometimes training is simply having a discussion, and sometimes it is working through a consequence. We have to train them to do everything, right? How to hold a spoon, how to drink, how to walk, how to use the toilet, how to spell, how to ride a bike, how to tie their shoes. So why do we think that they do not have to be trained to be polite, to be kind, to be generous, to be considerate, to be thankful, to forgive, to trust. These things do not come natural. We all want our children to be independent thinkers, but without training, their thinking can develop into only focusing on themselves.

Whenever I have to confront my oldest, now 8 years old, on why he shouldn’t behave a certain way, I explain to him that I am not scolding him. I am teaching him what is appropriate, and how to love others, and how to be respectful. I am not training his behavior, I am training his heart. This leads to him thinking through situations on his own. This teaches him how to grow and become a considerate, independent free thinker.

Now, when my son was younger we could not take this approach. It is not fair to expect a 2 or 3 year old to understand the concept of heart issues. Yes, they are talked about, but there is also a concrete consequence that comes along with the discussion. This teaches them that their are consequences to our actions. Our entire lives we have to deal with the consequences of our decisions.

I truly do not enjoy discipling my children. Training is not easy, it is sacrificial. But isn’t that a wonderful way to show that we love them?

So gosh-darnit-fiddlesticks! Important things in life take work. But doing what is uncomfortable in the present can lead to a future of positive results. Don’t be afraid of using these bad words!

Have you experienced the positives of using these bad words? Please share by commenting below or joining the conversation on the Facebook page.

xoxo