Obedience

    Obedience is defined as actively listening to and submitting to God in surrender. It involves giving Him the authority over our desires and personal will.
    John 14:23 states that "Anyone who love Me will obey my teachings." Obedience reveals our heart towards God and our love for Him.
    We will be tested in obedience. Saul was tested in 1 Samuel 15:22-23. It states obedience is better than sacrifice. In 1 Samuel 15:1-35 : Samuel instructs Saul to destroy the Amalekites and the livestock but Saul only partially obeys. Partial obedience is disobedience. Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obeying the Lord. The Amalekites came against the Israelites and God wanted them destroyed because they could influence a generation.
    In John 17:6 Jesus acknowledged and prayed for the disciples in the garden before His death. He acknowledged that they obeyed the word. Key ways to practice obedience is through prayer, reading the Word and obeying it.
    There is a price for obedience but it's worth the cost. In Psalms 128:1, 2 talks about how we will be blessed in our obedience and we will eat from the fruit of our labor. Blessing and prosperity will be yours. God is our rewarder.
    Here are some examples of people who were obedient: Elijah, Jeremiah, Job, Paul, Jesus, John the Baptist and John.
    In 1 Kings 19 God asked Elijah to change his perspective after he was obedient and killed the prophets of Baal. He thought he was the only one left serving God. We need to change our viewpoint and attitude when it comes to being obedient.
    It was hard for Jeremiah to be obedient. He was honest with God, but ultimately obeyed.
    Paul was obedient in his faith until the end. In 2 Timothy 4:17 Paul states that "the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength."
    In Philippians 2:8 Jesus is our example in obedience.
    John the Baptist was obedient in a life of solitude and God used him mightily.
    John was obedient in isolation and it placed him where he had visions from God.
    Paul preaches to the Roman governor Felix in Acts 24:24-25. Felix delays in his response because it's not a convenient time. Obedience is never convenient.
    God wasn't pleased with Jonah's disobedience. Jonah delayed in being obedience, and delayed obedience is still disobedience. In Psalms 119:60 says "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." I believe Jonah delayed out of fear and pride. Fearing the unknown can change through God's intervention. Fear can make us miss out on our blessing.
    What is holding us back? Fear, pride, inconvenience? What is restricting us? We need to take off our grave clothes and walk in life giving obedience.
    In the parable of 2 sons in Matthew 21:28-31, The story shows us that it is never too late to do what God wants us to do. We will be blessed for it.