Obedience is Not Optional; it is Essential.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)

I want to tell you a story. I was teaching a group of believers in America about the supernatural gifts (1 Cor. 12:7-11). Suddenly I said, “I can lay hands on you to receive these gifts; but I can’t lay hands on you to obey God.”

Everyone laughed. Not because it was funny but because it was true.

Can I ask you a question? Would you consider being more obedient in 2018?

Would you make a commitment to do what you know is right. And run from what you know is wrong. Get busy doing, “love and good deeds.” People’s ears are tired with all the noise; their eyes want to see.

When you’re honest, people will notice. Polite. Patient. Loving. Inconvenienced for someone else. Obedience speaks often without our words.

During Christmas I stocked up on groceries at Trader Joe’s, when another customer walked up and handed me a bouquet of flowers. I’d never met this lady; so I asked, “Why are you doing this?” She said, “because someone else did this for me.” I reached out and gave her a big hug then turned back to the woman at the register. She was stunned and said, “I’m going to cry. There is still goodness in the world.”

People are hungry for a demonstration of God’s Kingdom. What is that? “Righteousness, peace and joy.” Rom. 14:17

Obey today. Embrace this path. You won’t regret it.

In His Love and Mine,

Kathleen Dillard

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