Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The importance of obedience

Immediate obedience to Jesus is so very important. When it's clear that Jesus is saying, "Do this," or "Don't do that", hesitation is foolish. An opportunity or blessing may be missed; a negative circumstance or even tragedy may result.

A friend tells the story of the time he was driving along a familiar road, when suddenly he heard the Spirit of God say, "Stop the car now!" He immediately pulled over and stopped the car. The next instant, a car came careening around the corner just ahead of him. The car was sliding on the ice, coming around the corner on the wrong side of the road. Because my friend had stopped his car when God spoke to him, he was parked far enough away to allow the driver of the other vehicle room to get his car under control and back on the right side of the road. If he hadn't obeyed, it would have been a head-on collision and certain tragedy.

The importance of obedience.

God's love for us is so great. He never asks anything of us that isn't for our good. So why do we sometimes hestitate or ignore His requests? It simply isn't possible to say, "No, Lord." When God asks us to do, or not do, something, it's either, "Yes, Lord," or "No, You aren't my Lord."

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Guard Your Heart

Today's Scripture
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind and heart to You. I choose to guard my heart and ask that You guide and direct my everyday choices. Purify me by Your spirit so that life will flow from me in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.