~ WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO OBEY GOD?
Obedience is a not comfortable for us in our fleshly nature. But it is necessary if we are to grow or develop in life:
We expect it from our children, so they grow up to be responsible adults.
It is essential to success in any organizations like the military to establish any form of structure.
However, if we’re being honest, none of us truly enjoys surrendering our will to another person. They can fail us, after all.
Thankfully, God never does, and obeying Him is always the wisest course of action.
Deuteronomy 13:3-4 NIV tells us “you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”
LEARNING TO OBEY INVOLVES…
TRUSTING:
Obedience comes from a foundation of faith, while most rebellion stems from a lack of it.
That means we will believe God is who He says He is— and accept His plans, methods, and timing.
We show our love for the Father by living this way (John 14:15).
Proverbs 3:5-7 AMP tells us:
”Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. [Prov 8:13]”
And remember, God delights in blessing those who follow His will.
WAITING:
When we don’t know what to do, we often try to rely on our own understanding, make a move, and then hope God will bless it.
That’s not scriptural. God’s given us His Spirit as our teacher because He wants us to know His mind and intentions for our life.
We must wait in an attitude of trust until we are certain.
God assumes full responsibility for giving us direction in our life. He desires to reveal each step along the way.
But we must come to Him with a trusting heart and a willingness to wait before He reveals the next step.
Hebrews 6:13-15 AMP tells us:
For when God made the promise to Abraham, He swore [an oath] by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” [Gen 22:16, 17]
And so, having patiently waited, Abraham realized the promise [in the miraculous birth of Isaac, as a pledge of what was to come from God].”
MEDITATING:
If we want to know the mind of God, we must meditate upon His Word. We do not need to pick the “right” verses in order to know His will.
He has the power to direct us from any portion of the Bible. Our part is to pursue wisdom through Scripture over a sustained period of time.
Psalms 119:27 AMP declares “Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So that I will meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works.”
LISTENING:
We must make an effort to learn how to recognize the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
If we are studying a passage of Scripture, He will shed light on its meaning so we can understand how God is directing us.
Or He will bring to remembrance a passage we have learned and reveal how it applies to our situation (John 14:26).
John 14:26 AMP says:
”But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things.
And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
WALKING or TAKING ACTION:
Another important lesson regarding obedience is that sometimes we must walk even when the way is unclear.
Abraham is a good example. The Lord told Him to move out of his homeland but did not specify the destination. By faith Abraham proceeded to move, trusting that God will lead and guide him. God did.
Hebrews 11:8-9 AMP tells us:
By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads] with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. [Gen 12:1-8]”
As believers , we must consider the importance of obedience in our faith walk.
Then ask God what He wants us to work on first— trusting, waiting, meditating, listening, or walking with Him.
(Ref: In Touch Ministries Magazine)
NOW LET US PRAY
Most Holy God, thank You for yet another day in life. Lord, it is impossible for us to obey You in our fleshly nature. We need You Father to help us to surrender our wills to You in humility, so that we can thoroughly obey You in everything we do. Jesus, we want to love You according to Your desire that “if we love, we will obey Your commandments “ Holy Spirit of the Living God, empower us and lead, guide and direct us everyday into obedience to You.
Protect our minds against the lies of the enemy as we depend on You. In Jesus most precious name, I pray. Amen 
Have a blessed day 
