#Winning

So, God has really been wanting me to learn a lesson on obedience lately. At least that is the way I take it; considering It has shown up in each book I have picked up lately, sent to me in verses through encouraging text messages, the topic of a Charles Stanley podcast I found randomly, and the message to old church sermon notes I found in the library today. I mean really? Seriously? Why don't you just put up a billboard. "Lexi obey me.-God" Needless to say, I gave up. Once again, I stepped back and said, okay God. What are you saying to me?
Let's just say, He had a lot to say. The coolest part though was by telling me to dig into the act of obedience, He showed me deeper ways to trust, love, follow, sacrifice, and endure.
I was listening to Charles Stanley speak on how to live a life of obedience and he began by asking, "What is your bottom line to making decisions; do you make the choice based on the hope to impress others; or do you let your emotions decide the direction?
I could think of countless times I have made decisions based on what I wanted, who I wanted to impress, or what would make me feel better.
Where does God fit into the decisions you make?
The next thing Stanley brought up was how we forget to consider the consequences when we are making decisions.
Lets be real, making decisions is inevitable to avoid, we make them everyday, all day, and will continue to for the rest of our lives on this earth. Therefore, we need to know how to make decisions that will please God and glorify Him.
warning: It is unwise to ignore the consequences of our choices.
The definition of a consequence is what naturally follows a previous action & There is ALWAYS impact, whether it be good or bad.
I have to keep in mind that this doesn't only pertain to huge life changing decisions; it applies to EVERY decision we have to make. For example, what we wear, who we hang out with, where we go, the music we listen to, the conversation we start or engage in, our diet & exercise, our studies at school, our attitude, and I could go on and on..
I know that through out my struggle with bulimia and depression I made many decisions without thinking of my consequences, and let me tell ya, I definitely reaped what I had sown.
When I would choose to ignore my health, refuse the proper diet and exercises, and never allow my body to rest, I was making decisions based on what I wanted. Each time I would experience the consequences from my selfish choices, I blamed God and didn't take the time to realize that I was the one who chose that life for myself.
Charles Stanley pointed out the perfect way to look at it:
God is responsible for our consequences of our obedience, we are responsible for our consequences of our DISobedience.
bingo.
What are you sowing?
What is your attitude about your life? We must obey God rather than men. Just like Noah, Moses, Nehemiah, Joshua, Peter, and many others did. They were committed to obey God, NO MATTER WHAT.
We are to learn to obey Him and leave the consequences to Him. There is nothing more essential to our lives on this earth than following Jesus and trusting Him to care for our every need.
Do you believe God is in control? that he has got you taken care of in His plan for you?
If not, then you might as well throw out tweeting, facebooking, or whatever Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I learned tonight that I need to be willing to obey Him and trust Him because I KNOW that it is all for my good.
Requirement to obey:
1. Believe that God is sovereign and controls all things at all times.
2. Trust that He will work for our good in every situation.
3. Love the Lord always, not just when it is convenient and needed.
4. Listen to Him.
5. Be courageous, following His will often leads to conflict. Be willing to do what is right anyways.
6. FULLY SURRENDER TO HIM.
I asked God to reveal to me any part of my life I had not given Him complete control of yet and He showed me an area I had isolated from Him so I could control it myself.. which was only keeping my from growing stronger in my faith.
I will be obedient because:
1. Christ's love is my motivation.
2. Sin is destructive and I must avoid it.
3. My Father holds my best interest at heart.
4. Obedience leads to joy in every circumstances, especially sufferings.
5. He is BEYOND worthy of my obedience.
You are loosing everyday that You don't give everything over to Him.
You cannot lose when you obey God!
#WINNING

Precious Father,
I may not like what you want me to do but I promise you I am going to strive everyday to obey you in every decision I make and put my full trust in You, because I know your ways are always for my good. Please give me the strength to be courageous and let go of anything I hold on to that is not right before you. Come break the chains that pull me down. Lord come write your name on my heart. I give you all my devotion and everything I am. Captivate my heart, and consume me from the inside out. Tonight I bow down and say that I need you, I love you.
Draw me near to you Father!
Your daughter,
Lexi