Immediate Obedience

“Now, I can work!” I heard it so clearly. I had to make some hard, uncomfortable decisions in order to hear it. The Holy Spirit was guiding and leading me to do some things that I didn’t necessarily want to do. I prayed for direction, and my prayer was answered, but I wasn’t listening. I tried to scramble the voice by rationalizing in my head, but finally I gave in. God said clearly to me, “Now, I can work!”

I was standing in my closet, picking out my outfit, praising God for another day and bringing me through the night. Then, as clear as someone standing in front of me, I heard, “Now, I can work!” Not only had He given the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth, He also confirmed that my obedience had been of God. Then, I wondered if I had listened and immediately obeyed His directives weeks ago, where would I be right now? He was waiting on me to act.

So let me admonish you. When you have entered into a devoted relationship with our Almighty Father, please commit to immediate obedience. Only time will show what exactly He is working on in my life. I’m sure that it will add richness to our testimony and further strengthen our earthly ability to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

What is God telling you to do? With haste, DO IT!

Devotional Readings: Immediate obedience Genesis 22:1-3, 12-18

Delayed obedience Jonah 1:1-17, 3:1-3

Blatant disobedience Numbers 20:7-8, 11-12

Since I Laid My Burdens Down

This old song speaks to me much more potently these days. The Holy Spirit ministered to me this morning that not only do I need to lay my burdens down; I need to do it EVERYDAY!

“Glory Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down. I feel better, so much better, since I laid my burdens down.”

Let’s add a little something.

“Glory Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down TODAY. I feel better, so much better, since I laid my burdens down TODAY.”

It is essential to cast your burdens and cares on the Lord daily. I used to believe that once you laid your burdens down, you were done. That was until a new burden or care popped up. As believers, we sometimes believe that we are not going to have burdens or issues, but uncomfortable times mold us and strengthen us. The Lord will never put more on you than you can bear.

I was reading in a Dr. Oz book about his isometric workout. When you do pushups or any type of exercise, you are supposed to do it until you have completely fatigued the muscle. The chemical that is released helps with building the muscle, which in turn increases your metabolism. I know you’re thinking, “What does that have to do with anything?” Well, God made our muscles. And He is a God of order, so, if our muscles work that way, our faith (mind) works that way too! He will stretch us, push us, and test us until it feels like we can’t take any more. He does that because it will build the most strength and give us long-lasting results in our faith and perseverance.

Lay your burdens down AND gain strength from them. You will see that you will want to praise God (Glory Glory, Hallelujah) and you will definitely feel better!

Hit Delete

I hear so many people speak about how their computers need more memory because it is processing too slowly. We buy extra software to speed up a crawling computer, when what we need is to DELETE some of our archives, software, and files. Our minds and lives are the same way. We wonder why we can’t seem to break through. We wonder why we are having difficulties starting fresh. We wonder what we need to do to get to the next level. HIT DELETE.

Delete all past hurts.

Delete all past mistakes.

Delete all embarrassing moments.

Delete all thoughts of hopelessness.

Delete all thoughts of inadequacies.

Delete all negative experiences.

Hit Delete…

How? The blood of Jesus Christ washes us clean. We should cast all of our cares on Him. You will feel better. You will look better. And what’s more, God can use you better because He now has room to give you what you need to bring Him the most glory. He has room to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He has room to give you a fresh anointing. If something went wrong 5 minutes ago, DELETE IT. God wants to bless you! Leave room for Him to do so right now!

Devotional Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3

Let Me Do It!

Have you ever been in a situation when you thought, “If they’d just let me do it, it would work out better?” Welcome to the day in the life of our Almighty Father in Heaven. I can imagine as we walk on this earth making mistakes, doing things our way and suffering disappointment at our own hand, He looks with compassion hoping we would just “LET HIM DO IT!” His purpose and plan for our lives are so wonderful and beyond anything we could dream. As we focus on improving our relationship with the Lord, let’s prepare our hearts to humble ourselves and turn over complete control to our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is a very selfless way to show thanks to Him who keeps us from falling.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (AMP)

Make a list of the aspects of life you have refused to let go, and then pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the plan you have for my life. I pray that you bless me with the strength I need to totally let go the reigns and let you “do it.” I know, Lord, that with YOU all things are possible and I need Your guidance today and everyday in all areas of my life. In Jesus’ precious, matchless Name I pray, Amen.

Devotional Reading: James 4:7-10