“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” – Luke 6:49-49 (NLT)
Since the beginning of time there has been a mandate for humanity to follow the ways of God. To operate within the parameters that a Holy and perfect God thought best to guide His prized creation. To give us an abundant life full of communion with Him, and the fruit that is produced through a life that is marked by Him. Failing to follow God’s Divine order has been the downfall of humanity - hearing God’s words but not listening to them. We can so often get caught in the thought that we know better, or that God is holding-out on what’s best for us. Pride leads us astray. But His grace is what continually draws us back to Him.
“But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” - James 1:22-25 (NLT)
Our flesh lies to us when we begin thinking that obedience to God limits us from “really living,” or stops us from having any pleasure in life. There are promises all throughout the Scriptures that IF we obey, THEN blessings will abound. The blessings are hinged to our obedience in following His commands and trusting God with the plans for our life. It’s then that our eyes are opened to the abundant life that He has for us – fulfillment of purpose, worth, pleasures that are honouring to Him, and freedom.
Hearing God’s Word and following through in obedience, not only provides us with the firm foundation we need when storms arise unexpectedly, they also open the door for God to bless us as we heed His instructions. May we be women who actively listen to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading. Amen?
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