Learning To Obey In Faith

In review of Hebrews 11:7a it says, “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.”

Bottom Line:

In faith you can hear God’s warnings about things you can not yet see. Obey and you’ll do well for yourself and your family.

What this means to me:

It is only by faith that I hear God’s warnings about things that have yet to come. It is my responsibility to obey and do what God tells me.

What I’m learning is that faith is obedience when I don’t understand it. In the New Testament, there are over 1,000 commands, and they’re all there for my benefit. God says things like, “Love your enemies” and “Forgive the people who hurt you.” There are a lot of commands in the Bible that seem difficult, unreasonable, unrealistic, un-achievable, and even impossible. But when God says things like, “You should save sex for marriage,” he’s not being mean. He says it because he knows best and what will make me happy more than I do.

It's likely that every time God tells me to do something, it would be a test of my faith. The question is: Will I trust God, or trust my own gut? Will I trust the Word, or will I trust the world? And more importantly, will I obey?

Faith is believing when I don’t see it, but it’s also obeying when I don’t necessarily understand it. In this life, If I do not learn to obey, I’ll miss many blessings that God has in store for me.

But, if I can learn to do what God tells me to do without question, even when it seems absurd and the exact opposite of my natural tendency, then I’ll grow in faith, and I’ll be blessed.

In summary it is In faith that I can hear God’s warnings about things I can not yet see. Obey and I’ll do well for myself and my family. Thank you God, for this reminder that faith is demonstrated best in my obedience to what you have told me. Also it is faith that allows me to really hear what you are saying. I need to remember that I should obey what you say, even when it doesn’t make sense to me or not what I want to do.

I Need To Believe It Before I Can See It

In review of Hebrews 11:1 it says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Bottom Line:

Faith is confidence in what we hope for will happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

What this means to me:

Faith in my life will be illustrated in a confidence in what I hope for will actually happen, it allows me to be certain of things we cannot see.

What I’m learning is that faith is me being able to visualize the future. It’s believing it before I see it. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (NLT).

A lot of people say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” God says the exact opposite is true: “I will see it when I first believe it.” There are many things in life that have to be believed before they can be seen.

Jesus said, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Before there is spiritual transformation in my life, I was too narrow-minded to see the possibility of what God wanted to do in my life.

Wernher von Braun, the father of the nuclear movement, said, “There has never been any great accomplishment in history without faith.” It is faith that causes an architect to design a building because, first, he believes it can be done. It is faith that causes an Olympic athlete to practice and go to the Olympic trials because she believes she can achieve. It is faith that causes a sculptor or an artist to believe that he can paint a picture or attempt the sculpture. It is faith that causes the scientist to believe that we can put a man on the moon. Someone has to believe it before you see it. It is a universal principle of life.

In summary, faith is confidence in what we hope for will happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. I will see it only when I first believe it. I thank you this morning God for the reminder that I need to first believe before I can see. I have found that I don’t always have the confidence to move forward on some endeavors. I think I get caught up in wanting to see the whole plan and outcome all laid out, sort of, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” As I have seen in some past experiences, I need to take a step of faith and move forward before the next steps will be revealed to me. So, I believe this morning God is reminding me that I need to believe, visualize and then have faith to move forward, knowing that if God has commanded it or has asked me, that he will provide what I need to complete it. He wants me to have faith (confidence) that what I hope or the idea he has implanted in me will actually happen.

What Others Would Say My Priorities Are

In review of Matthew 6:21 it says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NIV)

Bottom Line:

Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

What this means to me:

What I treasure in life will be what my heart is wrapped around.

This verse says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).

As I consider the question of where my heart is, I can best look at this in terms of where I put my money and my time. Where I put my money and my time reveals my priorities. I can say one thing, but if I don’t spend any time doing it, then I don’t treasure or give it much priority in life.

It’s not about what I say, but what I do. The way I spend my time and the way I spend money says what is really important to me.

When I give to God, my heart goes toward God. It draws me closer. It’s an act of worship.

In summary, the things I give priority to and focus on (treasure) are the things that are in my heart. God, today you are reminding me that I should consider what I’m currently treasuring in life. I just need to look at my calendar and my bank account. You in a short statement, you quickly point out that my life and what I do will be revealed by these two areas. Since my heart is revealed by looking at what I spend my time and money on, Today I will consider what I’m doing with both categories. Regarding my bank statement, I think people may be surprised that we have some money set aside from the sale of our last home to re-invest into another home, but not using any of it to eliminate existing debts. I’m on track to pay these off, however, I’m also spending money needlessly on interest that could be going back into our account.  My wife and I do continue to give above a tithe, but have not considered how I could be helping out more with ministry. I know from what God has revealed and what I have learned it is much better for me to invest in things that will last; such as relationships with others, and helping out others who are reaching out and sharing the good news. Given this eternal perspective, I should consider re-prioritizing my spending and giving. I should continue to invest my time into relationships with others and sharing the good news.

Not Letting Fear Hold Me Back

In review of Ephesians 2:10 it says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Bottom Line:

God has pre-planned and fashioned you in Christ to good things for others.

What this means to me:

I am one of God’s masterpieces, created new in Christ Jesus to do good things. This he had planned well in advance so that I could spend my life helping others.

Fear seems to be at the root of me developing my full potential, being what God wants me to be and building a legacy that will last into eternity.

What I’m learning is that there are three kinds of fear that will keep me from developing my talents and accomplishing my purpose.

First, self-doubt. This will keep me locked in a prison and unable to develop my potential. This is a fear of failure. What I need to remember is that failure is not fatal! In fact, the fear of failure is far worse than the failure itself. Failure is actually a good thing. Failure is how I can learn what doesn’t work. And it’s how I grow into a better parent, partner, and professional. I shouldn’t let self-doubt keep me down. It will be better for me to attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed.

Second, self-consciousness. If I worry about what other people think, nothing will ever get done in my life. I just have to do what God tells me to do. That’s all I’m accountable for. I’m not called to be the best in the world. I’m only called to be the best that God made me to be.

Lastly, self-pity. There were two disciples that had spectacular failures. Peter and Judas both denied Jesus in clutch time, but they responded to their failure in very different ways. Judas went out and had a pity party and hung himself. Peter, on the other hand, wept bitterly, grieved about it, repented, asked God to forgive him, picked himself up, and went back to serving God. And 40 days later, Peter spoke to the whole city of Jerusalem on Pentecost, and 3,000 people became believers and the Church was born. Of all the people God could have used to start the church, he used the guy with the biggest failure. That means there’s room for me in the family of God!

Instead of living in fear, believe what God says about me in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).

In summary, I am one of God’s masterpieces, created new in Christ Jesus to do good things. This is something he had planned well in advance so that I could spend my life helping others. This morning I remind myself that it is you who have created new in Christ to do your will and serve others. Of the three types of fear I believe I get caught up in the first two, self-doubt and self-consciousness. I often tell myself that failure is not good. In reality it’s the mistakes that really end up shaping me and making me better. I also find that I look quite frequently to what others think of me, ignoring what God tells me. Today, I will ease up on myself about failures and look toward God for my approval. I will work toward not letting fear hold be back.

Thinking Through How Will My Decision Affect Others

In review of Romans 14:12-13 it says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong.”

Bottom Line:

We will all give an account for what we do, so try to live in a way that won’t make others stumble.

What this means to me:

I will ultimately given an account to God for what I do. Therefore I should live in a way that I won’t cause another to stumble, fall or otherwise make them question their faith.

I should never lose sight of how much my actions can influence those around me. I can be tempted frequently to make decisions that may be the best for me, but have a devastating effect on those around me. So in order to make wiser decisions, I need to ask, “Will my choice harm others?”

This kind of thinking is opposite that of culture. This culture teaches us to think only of ourselves. But this verse reminds me that God expects me to think more of others than you do yourself (Philippians 2:3-4). Scripture tells me that one day I’ll be judged by God on how my decisions affected others.

Romans 14:12-13 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong” (TLB).

I need to remember that I’m being watched. I need to be careful about what I say and do because I’m influencing not just my life but the next generation as well.

A mature person will limit their freedom for the benefit of others. I should do it out of love. So, in situations where there is no clear right or wrong, you have to ask yourself, “How will my decision affect other people?”

In summary, we will all give an account for what we do, so we should try to live in a way that won’t make others stumble. Unfortunately, it’s quite easy for me to only think of myself when decisions come. Today God, I ask for your help to remind me that decisions I make will not only affect myself but others around me. I really need to consider the impact of what I’m deciding on.

What Happens When I Do What I Know is Wrong

In review of Proverbs 10:9 it says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Bottom Line:

Integrity will keep you safe, dishonestly will eventually be discovered.

What this means to me:

If I walk in integrity, I’ll always be safe in doing what’s right. But if I choose to take a crooked or dishonest path, I’ll will be caught.

The verse in Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out” (NIV). When making decisions, I’ll have to have the integrity test.

The test of integrity is that my public and private life match; what’s in my heart and what’s in my life are the same thing. I should ask myself the question, “Would I want everyone to know about this decision that I’m making?” The truth is, when it comes to integrity, even if I can fool everyone else, I can’t fool yourself. And if I violate my own conscience, I’ll end up paying for it.

There are times when I know I’m about to do the wrong thing. I know I shouldn’t do it, but this thought comes to my mind: “I know God is a forgiving God.”

Unfortunately I can’t do something that he says is wrong and not face the consequences of it in my life. That’s the very reason he doesn’t want me to make that decision; because he loves me and not because he wants to keep me from having fun. He knows there are consequences to every decision. He knows every bad decision will leave a scar in my life. And he wants better for me.

God will forgive me for the wrong things I do, he is a forgiving and gracious God. But that forgiveness does not free me from the pain and the consequences that come from bad decisions. I can be forgiven and still have regrets. I can be forgiven and still face pain. I can be forgiven and still have a broken relationship. I can be forgiven and still lose rewards.

Romans 14:14 says, “If someone believes it is wrong, then he shouldn’t do it because for him it is wrong” (TLB). This verse simply says that when in doubt, don’t. It’s a violation of the integrity test.

In summary, integrity will keep me safe, whereas dishonestly will eventually be discovered and bring consequences. This morning I thank you God for protecting me as I live with integrity. You have provided me with your word so that I can know what is right and true. As long as I trust in you and attempt to make it part of my life, you will provide protection. If I step off the path and decide to do something else, I’m also stepping outside of your protection and I’m subject to the consequence of it. Next time I am tempted to not walk in integrity, I ask the Holy Spirit to remind me that there are consequences of going off of his path and that I’ll risk affecting not only my life but also those around me.

Good Decisions Will Always Agree with God’s Word

In review of Psalm 119:105 it says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Bottom Line:

Your word lights the path ahead of me that keeps me from stumbling.

What this means to me:

Your word is like a flashlight that lights the path ahead of me. It will keep me from stumbling.

When I need to make a decision, I should be asking myself, “Is my decision in harmony with God’s Word?”

I need to decide what will be my ultimate authority for life. This choice can be narrowed down to: God’s Word or the world. Will I base my decisions on what God says or what others or the world says?

The world or “popular” opinion, will always be out of date, because it changes every day. What was “in” yesterday will not be “in” today and what’s “in” today will not be “in” tomorrow. If you base your life on popular culture, political correctness, or opinion polls, you do not have principles to live by. I’d be living on a shifting foundation!

If I base my life on God’s Word, the truth never changes. Truth is always true. So if God says something was wrong 10,000 years ago, it was also wrong 500 years ago, it’s wrong today, and it will be wrong 1,000 years from today. It doesn’t really matter what opinion polls or political correctness or the media says. If God says it’s wrong, it’s wrong. It always has been, and it always will be. If God says it’s right, it will always be right. That is a solid foundation!

What I’m learning is that God set up the universe with certain laws; physical, moral, and spiritual. God built the universe around these laws not because he’s capricious but because they’re all for my benefit. When I cooperate with the principles in this universe, I’ll succeed. If I reject, rebel, disobey, and ignore God’s principles, I’ll end up being the one who gets hurt. I cannot just thumb my nose at God and get away with it. There’s inevitably a reckoning. Any time I violate God’s principles, I’m asking for trouble.  

With all this in mind, you can be confident in your decision. If God says it’s OK, then I do it. If God says “no,” then I don’t.

For “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

In summary, God’s word is like a flashlight that lights and illuminates the path ahead of me. This light will keep me from stumbling or taking the wrong path. God this morning I thank you for reminding me that you have already provided me with the greatest source of illumination on direction and steps I should take. I don’t think I spend enough time looking for direction on decisions I’m facing from the word. I spend time each day in the word, on various verses, but I do not always seek out direction on specific decisions. Today I will consider how I might use the Bible to help me with a large decision my wife and I are considering, the purchase of a home in new town we have moved to several months ago.