First Time Obedience

Scripture:  Matthew 21:28–22:14 

 

Observation:  In our preschool and in my parenting I have always tried to promote the idea of “first time obedience”.  Here in Matthew 21:28-32 Yeshua addresses this idea.  He says here that obedience is important even if it means we have to have a change of mind before we do it.  Do we still want our kids doing “first time obedience”?  Absolutely!  This keeps things orderly in our homes and classrooms, but one thing I want my own children to do is to go beyond outward obedience and have a changed mind and heart. 

 

Jesus gives the example of three groups of people here in these verses.

 

1.       The first group he talks about are those who are given the word.  Some do not respond immediately and some do not respond at all.  To respond means that you have a change of heart shown through obedient actions.

2.     The second group he talks about are those who do away with those who bring the word.  They kill the proverbial messenger.  This of course goes all the way back to the prophets of old and all the way through Messiah and even into our day today.

3.     The third group in this passage are those who are called.  Everyone is called, but only a few chose to listen and obey.  This third group is the elect, the ones who have had a change of heart and who are willing to listen to the message and act upon it.

 

Application:  Wouldn’t it be GREAT if we would listen the first time around and do “first time obedience” with everything God told us to do?  I wish I could say I have always obeyed God “the first time”, but unfortunately I cannot say that (with a clear conscious anyhow).  Sometimes it takes me a little while to get that “change of heart or mind” that 21:29 talks about.  I spent my early childhood and teen years with the knowledge that Jesus loved me and I even said “the sinner’s prayer” and asked Jesus into my heart as an elementary aged child and got baptized; however, it was not until I was grown and married that I realized that even though I had asked Jesus into my life as my Savior that I had never submitted my life to Him to be my LORD.  At age 21 I fully submitted my life to Him not only as my Savior, but as my LORD and got re-baptized.  What is your testimony?  All are called, but not everyone responds to His call.  Have you?  I would love to hear your testimony in the comments below J

 

Prayer:  Father God in Heaven, Holy is Your Name!  Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Father, I pray that each one reading this today (myself included) would be quick(er) to obey You.  Lord, I know as a parent when I ask my children to do something that usually it is because I have their best interest(s) in mind.  God I know that when You ask us to do something that You have our absolute and best interest(s) in mind, but sometimes we (speaking of myself) are like “dumb sheep”.  God I know there are times it has taken me way too long to get to the “still waters” and to let you lead me like I should.  Thank you for your Amazing Grace and patience with me LORD!  Father let the words of this passage sink in deeply to us today.  May I be quick to obey!  Lord if there are those who have not taken hold of the “wedding garments”** that chapter 22 in Matthew talks about LORD then I pray that they would take time today to turn to You Lord and put on those spiritual garments that You provide so that we could be present with You and partake of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and be in Your Holy Presence for all eternity.  Through Christ, our Lamb, I pray, Amen & Amen

 

** If you have never asked Jesus into Your heart or submitted Your life fully to Christ then I pray you would not wait any longer to do that.  Jesus says all are called, but there are only a few that chose Him.  What are the “wedding garments” that Christ talks about in this passage?  These are the robes of righteousness that Jesus offers to those who call Him LORD and Savior.  When we come to Christ and ask Him to cleanse us of our sins then He clothes us in robes of righteousness.  We are no longer seen as sinners, but righteous in the eyes of God because of the sacrifice of Yeshua, Jesus, our LORD.  Without being clothed in the righteousness of Christ we have no hope of a future glory.  We cannot earn our salvation.  We cannot do enough good works to get us to heaven.  Christ is our only way to Heaven.  His is the Name we must call on to be saved.  All of our “good works” are “filthy rags” in God’s eyes.  Nothing we do would ever be good enough, only Christ was good enough.  His death gives us new life.  If you want to know more about this new life in Christ or if you are uncertain of your eternity PLEASE settle this issue today.  I would be delighted to pray with you today.  Please call, email, text, private message or come and see me today!  This is THE MOST IMPORTANT decision you will ever make!  Please share this message with others today.  This is one time First Time Obedience is absolutely crucial – don’t delay!

Set Apart

 

Scripture:  “You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.”  Deuteronomy 26:17-18

 

 

 

 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  Galatians 5:1, 6b

 

This came from our daily reading in Deuteronomy 26 and Galatians 5

 

 

 

 Observation:  We are to bring the Lord a portion (a tithe) of all He has given/done for us.  We are to remember His outstretched arms that saved us.  We are to rejoice for what all the good He has done for us.  We are to live for Him and love others.  These are basic precepts, but I think it’s good to “go back to basics” from time to time J

 

Application:  To daily renew myself to walk in obedience to Him.  Know that God treasures me and sets me apart as a special people for Him.  Just as we set a portion aside for Him; He sets us apart as a special portion as well.

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for all You have done for us and for making us a treasured possession.  Words cannot express enough all You have done for me.  May I walk in obedience to You today and always by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You for Your Word and these words of remembrance today of Your Great Love for us.  Through Christ I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Galatians 6:22-25

 

Yesterday we studied that we are known and loved.

Today we are reminded that we are known and chosen.

 

 

Dear One you are Loved & Chosen by God!

Who gives the Victory?

Scripture:  “The Lord your God is the one who goes with you … to give you victory.”  Deuteronomy 20:4  “After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

 

This came from our daily reading in Deuteronomy 20:3-4 and Galatians 3

 

 

Observation:  We talked a little bit about this yesterday, but it bears repeating, the way you were saved is the way you continue to live, by faith and obedience in responding to the Lord.  Paul says it perfectly, you started this journey with the Holy Spirit, don’t try to finish on your own!  Continue to walk with the LORD, let Him give you the victory!

 

Application:  Do not be fainthearted or afraid because God is with you! (Deut. 20:3-4)  Continue on with the Lord and His Holy Spirit to guide and help you.

 

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, let me be mindful to always continue to rely on Your Holy Spirit.  I know in my life I can get caught up in things and just “take over”, but let me keep my eyes on You continuously.  I don’t want to be like Peter walking on the water and get my eyes off of you and find myself sinking, but even then Lord You are there to pull us back up and get us back in the boat.  Thank You for being with us and letting us be victorious!  Through Christ I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

 

 

Taking Possession

 

“… we are condemned sinners; we need repentance, and we need mercy …” – Matthew Henry

 

Read:  Deuteronomy 1 and Mark 12:28-44

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:30

 

O:  Deuteronomy repeats much of the history and of the laws contained in the three previous books and we see that as the book opens up in chapter 1 with a recounting of other things we have read so far this year.  Moses points out how advantageous obedience is and that disobedience causes us to wander and it takes longer to get where God wants us to get; and continued disobedience may result in forfeiting the blessings He has for us.  We learn it is better then to go forward; onward and upward to the blessings He has for us!

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Henry points out that all true obedience springs from faith whereas disobedience comes from a place of distrust of God’s power and goodness.  Too often we focus on disobedience and the consequences.  I have been guilty of this in my own parenting.  I’m not saying that God never tells us the consequences of disobedience because He does, but when God asks us to obey it is coming from a place of total goodness with our very best in mind.  God is perfect in all of His ways.  As a human parent, I’m not, and sometimes my request for obedience is not because of the best interest of the child, but for the sake of my own sanity and for my benefit.  We cannot compare God’s “parenting” to ours.  He asks us to obey because it is what is best for us.  This is our model and perfect example that we can follow as parents as well.

 

“Our own plans seldom avail to good purpose; while courage in the exercise of faith, [will allow us] to take firm hold upon the promised blessings.” – Matthew Henry

 

A:  Today I want to think about God’s goodness and where obedience can take me as I surrender everything to Him knowing in fact that He is a good, good God and has only my best in mind.

 

 

 

 

P:  Heavenly Father, Thank You that You are a good, good Father, perfect in all of Your ways!  Thank You for being an example to me of a loving parent who keeps the best interest of the child in mind.  I know I am human and will make mistakes as I parent and continue to learn how to parent, but I pray You would teach me the best ways – Your ways.  I also pray today that as Your child I would grow more and more in my faith and trust You more and more as I learn to follow and trust and love You wholeheartedly.  Through Christ I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

Discussion and Reflection:  Spend some time right now reflecting about your life just like Moses reflected in Duet. 1.  Write down some highlights of your life story or recent events in your life.  Recount God’s goodness.  Ask yourself have I been wandering spiritually because I haven’t fully surrendered to His leadership or am I in the Promised Land taking possession and experiencing His blessings?   Are you loving Him with everything that you are?  Is there any pretense in your walk (see Mark 12:38-40) that you want to get rid of?  The enemy of our soul wants us to hide behind facades; and to pretend everything is okay.  Are you giving out your abundance and holding some of yourself back or are you giving all you have to Jesus in complete surrender?  Let’s make sure we are set on course for His blessings.  Sit for a moment and pray about these things that He has shown you today.