Listen And Obey

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Listen And Obey

Mark 1:9-11
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from[d] the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Psalm 2:7-12
“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Devotional:
I wonder, as I read through the life of Jesus in this season, if I really understand the impact of my Savior. I wonder if I truly comprehend the profound meaning of Him, His life, His all-encompassing magnitude.

I have been reading about His crucifixion this week. My heart was full of sorrow as I contemplated the betrayal by Judas, and how Judas was moved to suicide when he came to realize just what he had done. I sat helpless as He was falsely accused and identified with Peter when he denied Him. When He rose again, I was grateful yet again that He demonstrated His deity and authority on my behalf and on your behalf to bring us into His kingdom.

As I move into Mark’s account of His life, and prepare to look at another angle of His ministry, I want to take a moment as I enter in to gaze upon what God says about Him here. He is God’s beloved Son. I am to listen to Him.

Listen, and obey.

This is a phrase I was given by my wonderful mentor and counselor in my most recent session. A finger on the ear, “Listen.” A finger on the heart, “Obey.” This is a way to model to my children how to simplify their job at this stage in their life. Listen, and obey. As an adult, I can tend to complicate my walk with the Lord. In truth, I need to listen and obey my Lord. When I see His Words before me, I must listen. And more than listening….I must obey. As I walk out this simple truth, He will cause my path to become more straight and simple. A walk of faith is minute by minute, day by day.

The words of a simple and beautiful hymn come to mind:

Trust and obey
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

Jesus is the One Who models God’s heart and will for us. He has shown us and instructed us in how to Be. Today, let’s strip away anything that takes away from Who He is and what He has called us to.

Let’s Listen and Obey.

Prayer:
Father, I come to You today and ask that You will strip me down of any pride, selfish ambition, desire to control, or reliance on myself. I lift my life and this day to You. I am Your child, and I am the mother of this/these children by the grace of God alone. I commit day by day to listen to Your still, small voice and to obey step by step what You impress upon me. I thank You for the counsel of Your Word which gives me a clear awareness of Your heart and will.

Intercession:
I lift up my child(ren) today. I ask that they would be stripped to obedience in their hearts. I pray that You would give me great peace about exercising the authority You have given me with them, and teach me to train them in obedience.

(Spend time naming and listing the needs of your child(ren). If you have not already begun a small journal, begin to name the needs of your children in a journal to keep a record of God’s work in their life/lives. Pray earnestly over them. Cover them with prayer today.)

In the name of Jesus I give You this day, Father.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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