Tag Archives: obedience

September 23
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“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1, NIV)

This recollection of God’s first encounter with Abram (later called Abraham, the father of the faithful) reminds us that we must first “go” in obedience to God before God will “show” us the promise.

Most of us prefer it the other way round, as if to say to God: “Show me and I will go”; while God is saying to us, “Go and I will show you.”

It may be a strange thing to our family, friends, and neighbors to see us commit to something without being able to describe the end-state or the desired outcomes; but obedience ahead of evidence is how God dealt with Abram — and it is how God deals with us.

Whenever God’s spirit moves you to move — move! God will be with you every step of the way and, in time, you will see the promise.  – Luther

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September 20
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“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” (Proverbs 24:17-18, NIV)

The world maintains a “dance on the ashes of your enemy” approach to human relationships because it is too short-sighted to appreciate the long-term benefit of reconciliation.

As disciples of Jesus, we are His “ambassadors”; and as His ambassadors, we represent only His interests, not our own.

His interest, according to scripture, is not the condemnation of the world, but its salvation. (John 3:17) His purpose is not the perpetuation of the world’s estrangement from God, but its reconciliation to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

In all that you do, endeavor to illuminate the path to reconciliation.  – Luther
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September 15
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“Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.” (Proverbs 19:16, NIV)

There is an old saying: “Learn from the mistakes of others; you won’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

The commandments of God are the best way to avoid the mistakes of others because God’s commandments have two purposes: To protect us; and to provide for us.

So many otherwise intelligent, talented, and resourceful people come to grief because they choose to ignore God’s wisdom and God’s commandments. Trying to learn everything from personal experience, they will destroy themselves long before reaching the end of every list of lessons.

Keeping God’s commandments does not inhibit living.  On the contrary, it provides the length of days that makes living possible. – Luther

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