It may seem an odd choice for a photograph here on this blog, but to me it rather fits the subject matter of this weekend article - Obedience. I took this photo on the Island of Kauai - near a famous blow-hole there by the ocean (where waves hitting the rocks spew up a high spray which can sometimes reach 50 feet into the air, from a "hole" in the rock or rocks). The name of the blowhole is "Spouting Horn" in a beach park on Kauai's south shore near Poipu- it was several years ago when I visited there that I took the photo above. (I have been to Kauai Island several times). At any rate, all of the islands here (not only on Kauai, but the other Hawaiian islands as well (even more populated Oahu and Honolulu) have numerous fowl running around like they own the place. Some are rather tame, and others are very skittish and wild.
To get to the point, the little chicks follow their momma around and do not want her out of their sight - and the same goes for how the hen feels about her brood. The chicks "obey" their mom well because they keep her in their sight. This is rather how we Christians, true believers and followers of Jesus Christ the Savior, should be in regards to our Guide - our LORD !! To follow Him and His lead, His guidance and His commandments. To walk close beside Him and in His footsteps; to keep Jesus always in sight - and close by! To carefully observe His ways and endeavor to imitate Him as best we can - and in all that we do and say! Even, as well, to have the good Lord always on and in our minds and hearts.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." - Jesus at Matthew 23:37-38
As I entered the above Scripture, it reminded me of America. America in general for decades has ignored God and His commandments - now we seem to be paying the price!
Of course, there are still many sincere and active believing Christians in America and around the world, who are true to the good LORD and who are looking for His glorious return to take us home to be with Him. (Titus 2:13-14)
Following is a 38 minute audio sermon by A.W. Tozer titled: "As Obedient Children". It is a wonderful and insightful sermon you do not want to miss! It taught me something new! Well, not new so much as it gave me more understanding.
Tozer, in the above sermon, emphatically states a scriptural truth : "Salvation apart from obedience is contrary to Scripture." Many gems of spiritual truths to be found here in Tozer's sermon!
And here is a very short ten minute video reading some of Andrew Murray's writings on the subject of "With Christ in the School of Obedience". It is a wonderful message and is accompanied by beautiful scenery in the video. It reminds us that "part of the beauty of your salvation is obedience" and gives Biblical examples of obedience by Moses, Noah, Abraham and others.
By the way, to any students of the Bible, there are many quotes (articles) by Andrew Murray on the subject of Obedience, as well as other subjects by him, at a link on the website raptureready.com. Once at that website look for the link that says "Best of the Christian Classics." Once there, it lists many other authors besides Murray, such as Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, John Wesley, etc. Check it out!
Following is a partial quote by Andrew Murray from his article on "The School of Obedience":
Murray (from the preface): ".... The Father in heaven asks and requires, and actually expects, that every child of His yield Him whole-hearted and entire obedience, day by day, and all the day! To enable His to do this, He has made a most abundant and altogether sufficient provision in the promise of the New Covenant, and in the gift of His Son and Spirit. This provision can alone, but can most certainly be enjoyed, and these promises fulfilled, in the soul that gives itself communion with the Three-in-One God, so that His presence and power work in it all the day. The very entrance into this life demands the vow of absolute obedience, or the surrender of the whole being, to be, think, speak, do , every moment, not but what is according to the will of God, and well-pleasing to Him ... We need the Holy Spirit to give us such a vision of their glory, and divine power, and the demand they make on our immediate and unconditional submission that there may be no rest till we accept all that God is willing to do for us. Let us all pray that God may, by the light of His Spirit, so show His loving and almighty will concerning us, that it may be impossible for us to be disobedient to the heavenly vision." - end of Andrew Murray's quote
[Kilauea Lighthouse at Wildlife Refuge - Kauai, Hawaii]
"Christ is the key which unlocks the golden doors into the temple of Divine truth." - A. W. Pink
"Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers." - Francis Chan
"It is altogether doubtful whether any man can be saved who comes to Christ for His help with no intention to obey Him." - A.W. Tozer
"If you look up into His face and say, 'Yes, Lord, whatever it costs', at that moment He'll flood your life with His Presence and power." - Alan Redpath
"Why should I tremble at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep furrows on my soul? I know He is no little Husbandman; He purposeth a crop." - Samuel Rutherford
Here is a worship song sung by Matt Redman which many of you are no doubt familiar with. It is called "The Heart of Worship" or "It's all about You, Jesus":
Really, really, pay close attention to the lyrics in this song! Part of the lyrics say: "I'm coming back to the heart of worship; and it's all about You, Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it; when it's all about You." Many people "attend church" but do not really worship the Lord in truth and spirit.
In today's chaotic and uncertain times, we need God's supernatural help and strength. For guidance there, the following prayer by the Christian You Tube Channel "Grace For Purpose" helps encourage us in that regard, and it reminds us that we all will have our "valley experiences", as they serve a purpose for our benefit from God's perspective. (Scroll down to the previous post on Tuesday, July20, 2021, which also discussed valley experiences).
The above beautiful 12 minute video also reminds us "It's all about Jesus."
Is that how you feel? Is your life centered around Jesus? Is Jesus/God first in your life?
Sometimes we are so boggled down with the cares of life- the struggles of life - that we lose our focus! Our focus on spiritual things then take second place to our worries and cares, which seem to consume our minds and which, also, leaves no room for contemplating our spiritual well-being. It should not be that way, but we are imperfect humans. We sometimes slip up -- and downright sin!
The more you focus on spiritual things, the less you will "slip up." Why? Because if you are constantly devouring God's Holy Word - the Bible - and feasting on its truths and encouragement - it is as if God is "speaking" to you personally through the Holy Spirit inspired words of the Holy Scriptures. And He really is doing just that! Your faith will grow and so will your love and closeness to the good Lord as you read and study your Bible! And do not forget to pray often; prayer will bring you closer to God as well as Bible reading. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." - Proverbs 23:7 a - So keep God's Word in your mind and your heart! Meditate on it day and night. Think on things above, not the things of this dying world!
That is what it is all about, friends! A close, personal, intimate, loving, living, blossoming relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ the Savior ! We are just traveling through on this earth; heaven is our true home! But only if we have a faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior, without which we will never see heaven.
Jesus died and suffered a cruel death as our substitute on the cross! His shed blood can wash us clean and make us new creatures by a spiritual birth when the Holy Spirit dwells in us at the moment of true salvation!
Ephesians 1:13 encourages us: "In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
One needs to realize the enormity of his sins and how they separate him from God. If you are truly repentant and pray to God for forgiveness - in all sincerity and remorse at heart for your sinfulness - God will answer that prayer! Just believe with all of the very fiber of your being - your heart and soul and every breath you take- that Jesus is the Savior, and the only way to heaven!
Following are Scriptures for those who are not yet saved! The times we live in are urgent! Jesus will return very soon to take His followers to heaven in the Rapture! Will you be rapture ready?
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:13-14
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation.)" - 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
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