We not only have a heavenly father who sympathizes with our weaknesses but lived a life of obedience — no matter what it cost Him. In order to live a life of obedience, like Jesus, we must know God is love. We must truly know His character. But, we must also have an eternal view. We must understand that though the Spirit is willing, our flesh is weak. May we stay connected to His heart and be empowered by His Spirit through prayer each day. May we not forget or overlook the cost of truly following Jesus but the glory that will come later.
Lord, give us a willing Spirit. Not one that is hesitant or unsure, but strengthen our hearts to trust that what you ask of us has ultimate good in mind because you are good. Forgive us for the times we have chosen self because of fear, pride, or a misunderstanding of your heart. Reveal yourself to us in greater measure. We trust that what you’ve asked of us, no matter what that may look like, is eternally good and won’t fade away like the things here on earth. Thank you for being the perfect example but loving us enough to remind us of your compassionate heart. Let our heart posture be one of reverence for you above all else. In Jesus Name, Amen.
As I began to search the scriptures I saw how important not only hospitality is, but simple obedience. We often hear about the stories about miraculous healings and a lame man’s friends ripping off a roof to get to Jesus. But, what about day to day obedience? Does this really make a difference too? We are in a day in and age where there is a lot to be seen, which can make us question if what we are doing is truly important in retrospect to the kingdom of God. You know, changing the endless amount of diapers, being extra friendly to the cashier that seems to be a little moody, leaving a gift to your postal worker, and loving those who seem to hate you. Will these seemingly “little tasks” end up to be important to God?
“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” -Mark 14:12-16
I would like to challenge you to see that Jesus spoke two things that could be easily overlooked in today’s society…A man brought a jar of water to the city to meet the disciples and the owner of the house had an upper room readily available for them to use.
Simple Obedience.
I wonder what would have happened if either of them overlooked what God had asked them to do. Would there have been a last supper if the man thought it was silly to go to town with the jar of water? What if the man of the home did not feel like having guests? Would he have missed the Messiah?
Because of likes, follows, and social media platforms, comparison often creeps in to whisper the lie that day to day life is pointless. How could cleaning up crayons off the wall for the 3rd time this week possibly bring people closer to God? Instead, Holy Spirit see’s you raising up the next generation of an artist who likes to color outside the lines. We question, how could this conversation help this man who is homeless? Yet, the conversation you had with him birthed new hope to live another day.
Life often give us ‘take this jar of water to the city’ moments. I have come to find that there is such a great reward of intimacy with Abba through these tasks that aren’t glamorized and often overlooked. The next time the enemy whispers the “pointlessness” of where God has you, look back at the man with the jar of water who ushered in Jesus and the disciples to the last supper and remember the room the homeowner had prepared for them. Where God has you and what He asked you to do may seem simple, but in His eye’s it is of great importance. Let our heart beat for days of simple obedience. Let us yearn to not overlook the simple tasks that make an eternal difference.
If Jesus would have listened to the voices of the world He would have never completed His work God has called Him to do.
The Pharisee’s were projecting fear onto Jesus and tempted Him to step out of God’s timing; The threat appeared real.
But Jesus, I have a feeling He had spent some time in that “remote/deserted” place & knew EXACTLY what the Father had called Him to do. He refused to let that ‘fox’ spoil the vine!!
My friends, DO exactly what God has called you to do in HIS timing. It doesn’t matter what the enemy attempts to throw out as a snare! The world’s voices are loud as you fufill God’s purposes for your life. Get back to the remote place and pray, take heed of what He has called you to do & don’t let fear or intimidation hold you back! Nothing and I mean nothing can stop what God has called you to do in His timing. You can walk confidently in grace that empowers you through the Holy Spirit!!
The Holy Spirit told me to go get an oil change today. So, I went to 3 different places. One didn’t have the filters, one wanted double the normal cost, and another had no oil! I wondered why He told me to do something if I was unable.
Holy Spirit’s response was: “It wasn’t the result that I wanted or expected, but you still walked in obedience to what I have called you to do.”
So often God asks us to do something and we expect things to go a certain way and even look a particular way. So, when it does not, we question, “Did I hear God correctly?”. We question if we fully obeyed because our own expectations were not met. Did we miss a step?
In reality, we did exactly as He asked. There is a reward for this, even if we do not see it in the here and now. We can trust that if God asked us, there is reason for it because His will is perfect, even if it’s not the result we expected. Our obedience really is not about the results, it is about trusting in Him.
Scripture:
The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” -John 14:21 CSB
The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward. -Psalm 19:7-11 CSB
“You’re not good enough” has been a lie that has been deeply woven into the fabric of my being since childhood. If you reflect on your own life, I am sure every single one of us can say the same. The broken and fallen world we have grown up in has always had a way of shouting our mistakes rather than our strengths. We have an adversary not only after our soul’s but after the Will of God in our life.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. -John 6:38 NKJV
As a Child of God, our lives should reflect what Jesus spoke in John 6:38. We are not here to fulfill our own plans or agenda’s. We are in relentless pursuit of the lover of our soul’s and His perfect will of our life. However, the lie of ‘not being enough’ creeps back in, and we bury our gift rather than fulfilling God’s plan for our life.
Jesus faced rejection beyond what our hearts could bare. Yet, he still came down from heaven and fulfilled the Will of God. My friend, you may not feel enough and truthfully, you are not enough on your own. However, with the Holy Spirit inside of you, YOU ARE ENOUGH. We are in a day that we can no longer hide what God has placed inside of us. Rather, we need to stir up the gift. There are people who need what God has placed inside of you. There are people only you can reach. This is why when we bury our talent (gift), rather than walk in obedience to the Father, He see’s it as wicked. What God has given you as a gift, is needed in this generation to save the soul’s of many son’s.
Jesus knows that rejection is hard. His own hometown rejected him! But, aren’t you thankful that Jesus did not let people’s opinions stop him from fulfilling the Will of the Father!? Where would we be if he buried what God placed inside of him rather than fulfilling the plans and purposes God had for him? An eerie thought to ponder.
We have a responsibility to not bury the gift God has given us through grace alone. We have an order to fulfill: to save the lives of the lost, heal the sick and broken, and set the captive free. Do not let the opinion of this world speak louder than the voice of the Father. God did not give you a gift to hide, but to shine brightly before men.
My friend I know that you have had many lies spoken over you from the day you were born. Do not let the voice of the enemy become louder than the voice of the Father, where you hide your gift rather than cultivate it.
