Do you feel like you’re in a waiting position? A position that seems like a stand still? Where you know Jesus has promised you something, and you trust he is going do it. However, you’re uncertain as to when. 

Can I make this announcement this “Clarion Call”

You’re in a season of OBEDIENCE!!

The season isn’t exactly what you would like it to be. There is a daily dying to self that is taking place. Dying to your way, your plans, your way of seeing things, even your way of accepting things. Just a mere season of surrendering to the plans of God, although you may not know exactly where He is leading. Are maybe you know the end game but the process of arriving there you have no clue. God told Moses (Exodus 19:5-6) “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,  you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

 Despite the way you feel or what is going on around you. You’ve decided to stay the course. See, I’ve concluded from personal experience serving God isn’t comfortable or easy.

Sacrifice and Self-denial:

In Phil 2:8 “and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross.” As His followers we are called to take up our cross, as stated in Matt 16:24 :”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”

Persecution and suffering: (2 Tim 3:12), warns, “Indeed all who desire to live godly lives in Christ will be persecuted”

Living a life filled with obedience will cost you something. It will cost your need to be right; old habits, some friendships, and breaking sin off your life.

This is where Sacrifice happens in the word of God it mentions in, 1 Samuel 15:22, “obedience is better than sacrifice.”

But, both are required!!

We sacrifice those things we’ve loved or held on to that are contrary to God’s plan for our life. The importance is being obedient through and with Christ.

See, being obedient to Christ is following his will over our own will.

The beautiful thing about it is God never requires us to accomplish His will for our life on our own.

“For I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future” (Jer 29:11)

“We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” (Phil 4:13)

God tells us in Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.”

There’s the secret. Abraham obeyed by faith. So what does that mean?

If you were going to travel by bike, that means the bike is how you would travel. The bike is what you would use in order to travel. In the same way, if you were going to obey by faith, that means faith is how you would obey. Faith is how we pursue Christian obedience.

(Desiring God)

On the flip side of our obedience is the reward attached to our obedience.

Divine Favor and Blessings:

1)    (Deu. 28:1-2) “If you live fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. And these blessing will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Lord your God.”

2)     Intimacy with God: Obedience fosters a closer relationship with God. Jesus emphasized this in John 14:23: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him." Obedience is a demonstration of love and results in deeper fellowship with the Father.”

3. Eternal Rewards: The ultimate reward for obedience is eternal life and heavenly treasures. In Matthew 19:29, Jesus assures, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."

4. Peace and Joy: Obedience leads to inner peace and joy. Psalm 119:165 states, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble." The joy of living in accordance with God's will is a profound reward for the obedient heart.

If you are feeling alone on the road of obedience, your not alone. Jesus is walking with you, take refuge in Him. He’ll strengthen you on the road.

Ways to remain obedient:

Commune with God, stay in close proximity with Jesus

Trust that He is leading you exactly where you need to go

Have faith in His process, fight the urge to do it alone

Get around people who are like minded and choosing to live an obedient life for Jesus

Look for the rewards from your obedience, don’t miss God’s hand on your life

Fight the urge to compare, compete or complain / run your own race

Obedience to God, not only has rewards it’s satisfying to your very soul, it’s wonderful to know you are in the center of God’s will

Scripture in Obedience:

 (Isaiah 1:19) “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land”

(Luke 6:46) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

(Hebrew 11:8) “ By faith Abraham, when to go to a place would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

(James 2:26) “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead”

(James 12:2) “ Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says.”

Lastly, obedience is:

Saying what Jesus has led you to say

Doing what Jesus has led you to do

Forgiving people

Clearing up issues

Making things right

Setting things straight

Blessing others when God tells you to

Surrendering to your own will and accepting His will

Being honest with yourself on things that He has impressed on your heart to do concerning yourself

It’s also keeping silent when he tells you to

Quitting that thing has told you to quit

Praying for others when He leads you to do so

Obedience isn’t attractive all the time, however it is necessary

Obedience is building the character in you, you’ll need for your next level!!