Free to Obey

He loves you with an unfailing love.

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

Therefore you HAVE HOPE because He, 'the God of hope', (Romans 15:13) is with you.  

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

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

'Free? to obey? doesn't sound very freeing', you say?

Rebellion to the Word of God, sin, and living in any way that is not according to His truth set forth in His Word, 'handed down once for all to the saints' (Jude 1:3) is actually setting yourself up for slavery. "Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience, resulting in righteousness?" Romans 6:16

It is for freedom that Christ has set you free (Gal. 5), freedom from sin, from the power of sin and its devastating consequences, and freedom to walk in obedience to how He 'knows' that it 'works' and how it works well, for peace and abundant life and eternal life.  He knows, because He is THE Creator of all of life. He does have the right and rule and reign on how it all correctly functions well, for our good and His glory.

Therefore, freedom, real freedom, is in the Holy Spirit empowered ability to live in obedience to Him alone, not an 'I can do it myself how I want freedom' or in obedience to the "lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, which is not from the Father, but is from the world." (1 John 2:16)  No, a freedom to obey God and find LIFE: dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11,13). That is what Jesus has miraculously done for us, Church.  God forbid that we ever find ourselves fighting for the right to encourage sin! Do you realize that it is the LEAST LOVING thing we could do!  Don't fall into that trap of the enemy. 

The TRUTH is... 

(and I feel like someone out there may want me to be softer and kinder and not include these next few verses, but I feel like we are in a 'serious' time where God is not calling us to be 'softer' and edge around the truth and allow the enemy to continue deluding and 'creeping into' even the church's thinking, but it IS time to hide, store up, 'treasure His Word'- all of it's truth, not just the easy, feel good- and not only hear it but DO it.  -"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46-  Free to obey. And another honest side note here: I would kind of like to stop there and skip to the last line and verse in my notebook, but I put pen to paper this morning for this assignment-what to put on my blog TODAY- and prayed and asked God what He wanted to talk about, and this is what just came and these are the verses that He brought to mind in this context.  This is what He says in His Word. And it is truth that we need to live by and teach and not lower any of His standards for our own lives and the lives of others. And let us NOT listen to the enemy's lie that whispers, 'Well, maybe we don't know how to correctly 'interpret' that.  That may not be what it really means.'=LIE!, a pervasive current lie of the enemy.  Let's love one another enough to not be part of the 'deluding' (2 Thess. 2:11) problem.  Let's not be influenced by the 'persuasive arguments' (Col. 2:4). And honestly, we are so bombarded that to not be negatively influenced, we ALL MUST know His Word like the back of our hands, having it always before us! Are you 'treasuring' it?!)

The truth is: 

"Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4 .."Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6:9-11 That is what we were, and now we are free to obey and live abundant life with the peace that the world is desperately SEARCHING for! That is good news. 

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions (heresies), envying, drunken, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:19-24 

 We live in a society that is fighting for the rights of its citizens to freely live in that first list.  And if we come alongside that movement with an attitude of 'live and let live', we are not caring about the eternal consequences nor the peace and fruit of the Spirit that we are able to enjoy but is kept from those who do not know Him as their personal Savior.

Therefore, speak the truth in love. And if I may put that in other words: 

Love enough to speak truth! All truth.

"All scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16


Even though this is long and I've probably already lost a lot of you, rather than just writing the reference to that familiar truth of speaking truth, let me close with that verse in its larger context from the Amplified Version Eph. 4:12-15

 "...12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. 15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ."

Serious Times Take Serious Measures

 God says, 'I AM serious, and you cannot be 'too serious' about Me.'

Do not be deluded by "persuasive arguments" (Col.2:4). 

They may be persuasive, but "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Col. 2:8). 

Oh church, may we have our eyes wide open. And may we be used by God, to whom He sends us to, 'to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:17,18).

These are not times to encourage people in so-called 'freedom' that leads to sin and death, but to encourage death to self that leads to righteousness: dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:6-11).

  These are serious times.  

Without the truth of THE Word, we will not make it. It is the Word that cleanses, washes, and is the power to change and to build faith. 

If truth is not lifted up, along with the call of obedience to it, then we have the opposite: unclean, without power, no change, and lack of faith.  And without faith, it is impossible to please God. 

Has God been calling you to something that you've had some inner resistance to, thinking it to be a little too 'serious', too radical, being 'too hard on yourself', too risky, or thinking 'I don't see anyone else doing that, so why must I?', etc? 

If you seek Him for clarification and, following Paul's example, don't 'immediately consult with flesh and blood' (human beings, Gal. 1:16),  He'll confirm if that 'serious, radical' call is of Him or not. 

Serious times take serious measures. 

God IS serious, and you cannot be 'too serious' about Him.'

Oh may we have hearts that He can strongly support because they are completely His!

Stand On the Truth of the Word

I believe that there will be more and more lines drawn in the sand, more and more issues for those who carry the name of Christ to decide: 'Where will I stand? Will I STAND FIRM WITH God and on His Word or will I stand on the wrong side of truth and therefore against Him (Matt. 12:30)?'

 This is no time to be neutral, undecided, or double-minded (wavering, uncertain).  Double-mindedness only leads to being unstable in ALL our ways (James 1:5-8, 4:7,8) and therefore 'unable' to STAND, being 'tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming...'  (Eph. 4:14). 

We are warned of those who creep in unnoticed (Jude 1:4) and twist the application of truth (turning the grace of God into licentiousness). We are told that some will pay attention to 'deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons' (1 Tim. 4:1) and are told to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all handed down to the saints (Jude 1:3).

Choosing to be 'neutral' is not an option. On the issue of sin, God is not neutral, and the culture cannot redefine sin. Being 'neutral' and 'silent' will not only be part of the problem, but it will also be siding with the enemy.

One 'whose heart is completely His' stands on the truth of the Word and is not afraid to proclaim it.

"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:26-31

A Heart Fully His

"For the eyes of the Lord 

move to and fro throughout the earth 

that He may strongly support 

those whose heart is completely His." 

2 Chronicles 16:9 

Globally we are living in a time of great trouble, strife, shaking, and demarcation, and many are in need of the strong support that only He can give.

We MUST have His strong support to be victorious overcomers in 'this present evil age', and His Word says that He strongly supports those whose hearts are fully given to Him. Because we want His strong support (but even more than that, because He deserves our whole heart), shouldn't this be a goal not only for our own lives but also a goal in the forefront of our discipleship, mentoring, parenting, and friendships? 

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen." Galatians 1:3-5

Welcome to my write31days start page. (I have company visiting until mid-october, so I plan to fully start my 31days then.  But here are some thoughts until then.)

Click on the link below to be directed to the other days of this series: A Heart Fully His

Day 2: Stand On the Truth of the Word
Day 3: Serious Times Take Serious Measures

(Okay, here we go.)
Day 4: Free to Obey
Day 5: Bow To No Other

31 Days Wrap Up: Awaken and Stand

"..., knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;...." Romans 13:11

Amplified version:
"Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality).

For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). The night is far gone and the day is almost here. 

Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.

 But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)." Romans 13:11-14 

These are PERFECT closing verses for this 31 days series! They actually summarize what I was trying to convey these 31 days.  

Awaken, rise up, and stand for truth! 

Thank you all for reading.  

  

God is SO big and able. I continue to pray that He has and WILL use something that has been shared to bring about change. Only He can. And we ALL NEED change. 

It has been a blessing to me. I hope that it has been to others as well.  

Thank you for being a part of the process. 

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time now and forever. Amen." Jude 1:24,25

AWAKEN and STAND. 

31 Days: Awaken, Arise, and Use Your Authority

May we realize who we are and what we have in Him, be encouraged, and use our God-given authority. It's as if the enemy has thrown a cloak of hopelessness over the church in an attempt to silence us from using the authority that he knows we have. 

If you are at all feeling hopeless, shake off that cloak; it is NOT from Him.  Hopeless, with the God of Heaven with Whom all things are possible?

May we know who we are by knowing Who He is.  May we daily be renewing our mind in His word, where we see what He has done, what He does, what He promises to do, and more importantly- Who He is.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, knowing the end from the beginning and holding it all. This truth brings great hope.

"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country.  Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it." Isaiah 46:8-11

Will you AWAKEN, arise, and put into practice all that you say that you have faith for?  You have faith that He 'can'.  Now have faith that He 'will'.  And go and DO...(Luke 6:46-49)

You, who have been given weapons of warfare that are divinely powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3-6), will you choose to use them?  Choose.  It is not a question of if you can, it's a "will you?"

May His people call out His Name, allow Him to heal up their own woundedness, be appalled at sin among His people (rather than expecting it) (Ezra 9:3-10:6), walk in repentance and put away any form of evil from their midst, serve Him with their whole hearts (1 Samuel 7:3), pray, and go make disciples.

What if through our prayers we could take the oxygen, so to speak, the 'fuel' out of the flame of evil and infuse it instead into the flame of the true Light, which is so much greater (John 1:1-13, 8:12), shining brightly for the world to see: Him, high and lifted up? Could prayer 'shift' the 'fuel' from evil to the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to feed the flame of righteousness and snuff out the flames of evil burning brightly? That would be revival. Awaken and fast and pray for that shift- the shift to snuff out evil and ignite truth and righteousness.  Pray for the turning of the tide.

Be filled with His boldness and big faith to move into the midst of the darkness and bring His powerful life-changing LIFE.

"..pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith;..." 1 Tim.6:11 and "be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Tim. 4:5

31 Days: Stand

He is for you, so who can be against you? (There's a lot packed into that statement.) He supports you so that you can stand 'warriorously victorious'. So why fear? 

Is 40:6-8 "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of The Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  So why would we bow down to and try to appease flesh and fear man rather than The Lord and submit to His eternal word?

Hear His voice.  Take heed.  Listen for His heartbeat, which beats for ALL.  There is a message of love for all to hear- a broad, broad ocean of deep love and truth (a straight plumb line of 'how' to live). 

Walk in a manner worthy.  Be unafraid to give of the hope you have, to those who agree and also to those who disagree and need it most.  Be unafraid (not fearful) and courageously speak His words of truth and hope and joy.  In this world you will have tribulations, but take heart; He has overcome the world (John 16:33). And as the world looks like it is in such disarray, that is a good word.

 The enemy has been defeated by the Risen King.  He took on flesh, "that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.." Hebrews 2:14 

Bring that truth into any and every situation and circumstance. 

Pray. Trust. Believe. Be unafraid. Take heart. Stand on His Word. And courageously speak His Word, which stands forever.