Free to Obey

Week 2 Introduction

Thank you for your perseverance.  For some of you, most of the ‘requirements’ of this exercise have already been part of your normal routine.  For others this may be a stretch.  Stretch yourself. 

My prayer is that you would persevere through these six weeks, taking the time to allow God to speak and do some work in the depths of your heart, and that you would even fall in love with some new ‘spiritual disciplines’ which you decide to continue after this 6 week commitment.  

God spoke the phrase ‘watch the ramparts’ to my heart a few years ago, and we’ll talk more about that in week 4. But first I long for us to be built up in truth and reminded that we have all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), that we may be protected and stand firm.  

Times of shaking are coming, and have come, for the body of Christ. There is a ‘deception’ that seems so inconsequential that will be our downfall if we do not know the unadulterated truth of His Word. Satan uses scripture. We see that tactic in the Word itself (Luke 4:1-12).  As we hear 'misinformation' and quickly think, 'oh, that's scripture and truth', let us not forget that we must use our discernment and know the truth of the Word in its context, that we may realize what may have been added or left out. 

May we be like the noble-minded described in Acts 17:11, who "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so."

Satan's ploy is to take the truth of scripture, put his twist on it, and use it to lead astray. Some are already 'believing' his lies, thinking that it is truth. We must know the truth of the Word to recognize the LIE within the 'application' of the enemy's 'truth' to recognize the great deception. Because we have steeped ourselves in truth and our protective 'ramparts' of truth are strong, may we quickly realize when the ‘application’ of scripture is from the great deceiver. 'Certain persons have crept in unnoticed' just as the Word warns us (Jude 1:4), and we must 'content earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints' (Jude 1:3).

Many, sadly, are already being deluded by the persuasive arguments (Col. 2:4). Therefore when the lines are drawn, they will 'fall' easily on the wrong side of truth. His people must know the Word to not fall on the wrong side. I believe that the temptation will be so great that it will be almost impossible to resist without knowing the truth that will make you free.  

So that is where we are focusing here in the beginning of these 6 weeks: on having our foundation strong in His Word and therefore our ‘rampart’ of truth, our outermost protective wall, of knowing what and Who we believe, firmly in place and built up high so that we may stand firm.  

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth,…” Eph. 6:13,14

Week 2- day 1

Free to Obey

You HAVE HOPE because I,  'the God of hope', (Romans 15:13) am with you.  

I love you with an unfailing love.

I will not fail you, leave you, or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Your mind is the seed-bed of life.  What you allow to grow (and what you cultivate there) affects all of life because the way you think inevitably influences the way you live.

Therefore 'think' My  TRUTH.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).  

If you have hidden and "treasured" My Word in your heart that you may not sin against Me, you will KNOW truth, (John 8:32) and the truth will make you free to obey.

-What specific truth about God (His power, authority, or love) or about yourself do you need to ‘cultivate'? (You may consider starting a new section in your notebook to continually add to this list as you read through His Word.)

-Once you have answered that question, ask God what truth He says you need to cultivate deeper into your heart.

Now think and treasure that truth. 

(This is part of a 6 week prayer strategy series. To return to 'watch the ramparts' homepage: click here)