Friday August 18, 2023

Today is Friday, August 18 and we are studying what the Bible says about obedience.

I begin these first fifteen minutes of my day in silence. I seek quiet within and quiet without. I close my eyes, slow my breathing, and center my whole being on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for loving me and calling me your child. Open my heart and mind to the presence of your Holy Spirit. Speak into my life, heal my soul and guide my steps on this pilgrim journey. Amen.

In the morning I praise God with the ancient words of Psalm 132, a Psalm of Ascent.

Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown. Psalm 132:17-18

Pause and Pray

In the Apostle John’s first letter to his Christian community he encourages people to keep their faith in Jesus Christ and continue loving one another. The test for knowing you are a child of God, according to John, is the degree to which you love your brothers and sisters in Christ and obey God’s commands. For the believer a long obedience in the same direction is the marker of a faithful journey. Obedience leads to perfect love.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

Alongside the early Christians of John’s day, I am to live as God’s obedient child. This requires perseverance and diligence. My relationship with Jesus Christ inspires me to study his teachings and keep his commands. I want to live a life of truth and obey his words. By reading scripture faithfully, I will know what to do and how to live. As I persevere in obeying the word of God his love is made more complete in me. If I claim to live in Christ I must strive to live as Jesus did. That means relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to live a life of love – endeavoring to spend every moment loving God and others.

Ask: Do I know the teachings of Christ and do I keep his commands? Am I living a life of love?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to know you and I want to live in you. Permit me to abide in your love. Remind me of your words recorded in the Gospels, instruct me in your teaching and help me remember your commands. I want to obey your word and live as you lived. May love for God and others be made complete in me. I read the words from 1 John again and listen for the message you have for me.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I ask God to speak to me this morning and help me understand the words of scripture. I listen with the ear of my heart and ruminate on these sacred words in the depths of my soul. I consider what words stand out to me today and reflect on how they might shine light on a particular relationship or circumstance. Perhaps there is one of Christ’s commands I am neglecting. Maybe I am disobeying Christ’s teachings. Perhaps I am not seeking to live as Jesus did. I turn to God and seek the help of the Holy Spirit, my trusted Advocate and gentle guide.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, reveal the places in my life where I am falling short of God’s expectations. Give me strength and motivation to make the necessary changes so I can live a life of love, wholeness, trust and obedience. Remind me of the words of Jesus. I open my Bible, read the words of my Savior, reflect on them and strive to obey them. Amen.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

I leave this time of prayer to live as Jesus lived. I go to love and serve others in his name.

Amen