Tuesday August 15, 2023

Today is Tuesday, August 15 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.

Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, “Arise, LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.” Psalm 132:7-9

Pause and Pray

Paul visited Corinth at the end of his third missionary journey. While there he wrote the book of Romans as a letter of self-introduction to new Christian believers in Rome who he planned to visit soon. In his letter he explained the basic Gospel message. All humans are in a desperate situation of sin and stand condemned before God. God in his love provided a way out of this horrible predicament by sending his Son Jesus to die for our sin. God regards those who believe in Christ to be righteous in his sight. In faith we accept this gift of God and begin living the Christian life. A life of love, trust and obedience.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. Romans 6:12-13,16-17

Paul’s ancient words speak to me today. I am not to let sin reign in my physical body and obey sin’s evil desires. I am not to offer any part of myself to sin or allow myself to be an instrument of harm to myself or others. I am to give myself completely to God and seek to be utilized as an instrument of righteousness. Because of Jesus I have been brought from death to life. Because of Jesus I have been set free from slavery to sin which leads to death. Because of Jesus I am a slave to obedience. Obedience leads to goodness and righteousness. In a relationship of love with God, I come to obey from my heart.

Ask: How is my obedience to God connected to my love for God? How might I be allowing a part of myself to be used as an instrument of harm toward myself or others?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, thank you for the great rescue plan for my soul and the salvation offered through your Son Jesus. I am no longer a slave to sin and my life does not end in death. I am a slave to obedience and my life is eternal. Sin may remain in me, but it does not reign in me. I will not obey evil desires or offer any part of myself to wrongdoings. As an act of love, I will obey you from my heart. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. Romans 6:12-13,16-17

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

As I continue my spiritual journey studying the Psalms of Ascent, I remember how God loves me and wants to speak into my life. I spend time with God and listen for his still, small voice with the ears of my heart. As I struggle to climb the well-worn pilgrim path of holiness, the journey takes me deeper into spiritual relationship with Christ. I consider the state of my soul and ponder how these words of Jesus might be speaking to me. What is God’s message to me regarding obedience and disobedience?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, teach me what it means to obey from the heart. Reveal how my sincere love for God leads to acts of obedience and a life of holiness. Grant me wisdom about the good things in this world and guard me from all evil. Amen.

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:19

I leave this time of prayer to walk in obedience to God. I go joyfully to serve others with acts of love, mercy and kindness.

Amen