Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- March 27, 2014
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross]. John 3:14, Amplified
Christ was compelled by love to obey His heavenly Father. He planned in His heart and mind beforehand, that He would die on the cross for lost souls. Jesus knew He must be lifted up on the cross, since this was God’s plan. In the same way, when we are certain of Christ’s commands, we must gladly obey. Our love for the Lord calls us into calculated obedience. We deliberately do our duty, as an honor–not as an obligation. Our prayerful plan is a follow through for our faith.
What has God called you to do that requires your follow through? What has He placed in your heart to complete, that even as a child, compelled you? Like Jesus as an adolescent in the temple, how must you be about your Father’s business? Similar to a sunflower that moves itself toward the sun for sustenance, so you turn your soul in trust toward God’s son for spiritual nourishment. Calculated obedience comes when you plan ahead of time, what Jesus would have you do.
“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49, NKJV)?
Premeditated obedience is not always easy. We say, “until death do us part” in our marriage vows before God, but soon after the honeymoon period our spouse lets us down, sometimes severely. We commit to a contract at work, but surprisingly discover the other party is not upholding their end of the deal. We are loyal to our boss because of his integrity, but come to realize he has compromised his character. Is our commitment to do the right thing conditional, based on difficulty free circumstances and perfect people? Or, is it based on the ever dependable character of Christ?
Most of all, make your calculated obedience to Christ preeminent. What Spirit-led sense of urgency is on your heart? Perhaps you define clearly what it looks like for you to finish well in your life roles. Write out a process to grow as a follower of Jesus, and to disciple followers of Jesus. Decide how to be financially faithful with a little, so when you are ready, you will do the same with more. Love for the Lord creates calculated obedience that God uses to bless others. Thus, as a matter of course, obey Him, because you love Him. Love feels it must fully obey.
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I desire to be compelled by Your love to obey You in a calculated way.
Related Readings: Matthew 16:21, 24; 19:16; Mark 8:31; Luke 19:15; Acts 1:21, 20:21
Post/Tweet today: Similar to a sunflower that moves itself toward the sun for sustenance, so we turn our soul in trust toward God’s son. #wisdomhunters
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Exodus 23:22 “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
As I journey through the hardships of life on this earth Lord help me to be obedient to you and to obey your Commandments. Even as I am going through the valley right now Lord help me to hold on and remain obedient.
Please continue to pray for my marriage.
Based on the ever dependable character of Jesus Christ, amen.
Dear Sam~
Of course, we will continue to pray for you, your wife and your marriage. Stay in the Word, Sam, HE is right there with you!
(In the valley and when you ‘come out’ of the valley)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME, your rod and your staff, THEY COMFORT ME”.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“We say, “until death do us part” in our marriage vows before God, but soon after the honeymoon period our spouse lets us down, sometimes severely. We commit to a contract at work,….”
Just an FYI….We don’t as Christians have a contract of marriage…we have a covenant. Difference….contracts are how to get out of something and covenants are till death do us part….the question is are we contract thinkers or covenant thinkers….we better hope that Jesus has a covenant mindset…other wise we’re all toasted….Just Say’n.
Dear Jim~ Thank you so much for taking the time to reach us at Wisdom Hunters regarding the devotional, “Calculated Obedience”. I must say, you really “nailed it” with your comments about the difference between convenants and contracts. Marriage is a convenant in the eyes of God and hopefully, in the eyes of the believer. You stated it beautifully. Thank you.
I think our obedience to God was summed up in the last few sentences of this devotional. “Love for the Lord creates calculated obedience that God uses to bless others. Thus, as a matter of course, OBEY HIM, BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM. Love feels it must fully obey”. Goodness, what more to we need to know in order to be obedient? Just Say’n!
Thank you again, Jim. Blessings to you and yours.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne