The Dilemma Of Obedience

“And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.” – 1 Samuel 3:15

God never speaks to us in startling ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand, and we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spake to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of circumstances. Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking. Do we discern His hand or only mere occurrence?

Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, “Speak, Lord”; make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Recall the time when God did speak to you. Have you forgotten what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thess. 5:23? As we listen, our ear gets acute, and, like Jesus, we shall hear God all the time.

Shall I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? That is where the dilemma of obedience comes in. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences – I must shield “Eli,” the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli; he had to decide that for himself. God’s call to you may hurt your “Eli;” but if you try to prevent the suffering in another life, it will prove an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own peril that you prevent the cutting off of the right hand or the plucking out of the eye.

Never ask the advice of another about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will nearly always side with Satan. “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

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Max Lucado – Look Over Your Shoulder

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  Hebrews 12:1-2

In Matthew 14:28, Peter took Jesus at his word:  “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.

Jesus said, Come  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”

Storms prompt us to take unprecedented journeys.  For a few historic steps and heart-stilling moments, Peter did the impossible.  He defied gravity and nature; he walked on the water to Jesus!

But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Peter shifted his attention away from Jesus and toward the squall—and when he did, he sank like a brick in a pond.

Whether or not storms come, we cannot choose.  But where we stare during a storm—that we can!

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The Privilege of Your Quiet Time

by Rick Warren

“You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 NLT)

I mentioned yesterday that it’s quite a privilege to have a quiet time. We get to have an audience with the king of the universe, the creator of everything.

What makes our quiet times such a privilege that we wouldn’t want to consider missing it? Here are four miraculous things that happen when we spend time with God.

1. You get to give God your devotion. “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you” (Revelation 3:20, MSG). He’s your creator, redeemer, provider, sustainer, counselor, and comforter. God deserves our worship. We’d have nothing without God. Better yet, God wants your devotion, too! He wants to spend time with you.

2. God gives you direction. “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:4-5 NIV). You and I need direction on a daily basis. God wants to give that direction to you, but to get the direction you must spend time with him. Your quiet time gives you an opportunity to get a daily mid-course correction in your life.

3. You gain delight in God. “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11 NLT). Spending time with God will actually make you happier. Your quiet time is when you enjoy God. Knowing God is the secret to joy.

4. You grow to be more like God. The more time you spend with God, the godlier you become. Spend time watching television, and your character will be shaped by the people you’re watching. Spend time studying God’s Word and with him in prayer, and your character will be shaped by the character of Christ.

Are you spending time with God every day? Do it, and it will be the best decision you’ve ever made.

Talk About It

In what area will you ask God for direction today?

Have you noticed that your day goes differently if you start it in the Word and in a quiet time with God?

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Get Up With God

Wake Up!

Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
(Romans 5:14)

Feeling a bit snooozzzzzzy? I am.

It’s 5:36 a.m. and I’m already on my second cup of coffee. Unfortunately, it appears that I’m becoming immune to caffeine and I’m giving serious consideration to climbing back into my warm and comfy bed.

I need a supernatural wake-up call. Without further ado, here are my favorite DON’T-EVEN-THINK-ABOUT-HITTING-THE-SNOOZE-BUTTON-AGAIN-YOU-SLACKER-GET-UP-GET-OUT-THERE-AND-GO-LIVE-FOR-GOD-THROUGH-THE-POWER-OF-THE-HOLY-SPIRIT-STARTING-RIGHT-NOW VERSES:

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
(Proverbs 6:9-11)

“Why are you sleeping?” Jesus asked his disciples. ”Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
(Luke 22:4)

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.
(Romans 13:11-12)

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
(Revelation 3:3)

GET UP!