Day Two: Obedience

Yesterday we covered spiritual guidance, so now you may be wondering, "What do I do now? I've heard the voice of God, but I'm not sure I can do what he is requiring." One of the best stories in the bible that outlines the importance of obedience is Jonah- he ran from God after hearing his voice and receiving direct instruction. Many of us can be like Jonah, running and rebelling against what we know, in our spirit, is right. God isn’t concerned about how comfortable we are doing his work. He wants to see that we are willing to step outside our comfort zones to ensure that he gets glory and that his will is carried out.  For many of us, obedience is easy when we’re led to pray for our brother or sister in Christ, encourage someone with our testimony, participate in outreach activities, or clean out our closets and bless those in need. Well, God will probably urge you to go a little further. Like ending that relationship to enter a season of solitude, or going on a 40-day fast from that one thing you can’t go without; you know, THOSE things.

Remember:

- Obedience is an act of worship. We are urged to work toward complete holiness. So, we won't learn obedience overnight; it's a lifelong process that we pursue by making it a daily goal.

- God rewards obedience (Genesis 22:18 "And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed all because you have obeyed me.")

-When we obey God, it proves our love to him (1 John 5:2–3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.)

-Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22–23 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.")

-When we obey, we reap blessing (Luke 11:28, Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.")

-Disobedience  leads to death and destruction (Romans 5:19, for as by the one man's [Adam's] disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's [Christ's] obedience the many will be made righteous.) 

Prayer 

Father I thank you right now for being able to come before your throne once again. Tonight I seek you on behalf of my LOV sisters in the area of obedience. Lord, even though it's not always easy to put down our will to obey yours, give us a willing heart.
Give us a desire to want to please you in every area of our lives. If there are any areas in which we are exhibiting disobedience, I speak obedience. We want to live lives that are pleasing to you. If you say go, we'll go. If you say speak, we will speak. If you say walk away, we'll walk away. Lord, be pleased with this act of worship- We know that there are blessing in our obedience, there is favor in our obedience. Father, I thank you for the desire to live in obedience-in agreement with your word, following your every command, as an expression of our love for you. I thank you that we are changed, and that we are worthy of everything you have in store for us because of our obedience...

Lord God I thank you for every woman in LOV and I thank you for allowing us to stay connected through communication. I pray that when you are calling us that there will be no hesitation in our hearts or minds. That you will bind our confusion because you ARE NOT the God of confusion but of a sound mind. I ask that you will give us the strength to suffer through our trails and not faint Lord God. I claim that when you tell us to do something, we will put all things aside for you Lord and do what your telling us to do. I pray that our obedience is happening the way you set it out to be and that if we want to add or remove things, that we confirm it with you first Father. I ask that you take any desires in our hearts that are unlike you away from us Lord God and help us not try to fetch after things you have cast away from us. That we will be made in the image you have for us and let us be Content with our portion. That we will be so busy pursuing your will for our lives, that we have no time to compare our portions to others. I ask that you keep us humbled Father and keep our hearts, eyes and mind stayed on you Jesus.

Lord thank you for allowing us to carve out this time to seek your face in prayer. You said the prayers of the saint are kept in bowls before your throne. You won't forget them because you are an omniscient God who knows the beginning from the ending. Yes guide us in obedience Lord. Help us to apply your Words to our lives. You said your Word would not return to you void. Plant it in our hearts so that the widows and the fatherless wont lack Anything. The homeless less will be fed, washed and clothed, the imprisoned will be comforted and encouraged. That we will obey your great commission and preach the gospel in boldness and strength. I pray we obey your word to pray for our brothers and sisters all around the world who are dying for your name. Let us not forget to constantly lift them in prayer for we are one body what the enemy does to one he does to all. You said when we do These things to the least of men we are actually doing them to you. Let us not be ashamed of your glorious coming but receive the reward of my crowns and hear you say well done good and faithful servant. We are the clay you are the potter. Keep our hearts soft so you may mold them into a heart like your own. 

Lord thank you for our salvation. Thank you for giving us the ability to follow you as servants of Christ. I pray God you will speak to our hearts, show us the areas we need to be obedient in. Show us where we need to go and what we need to do in order to fulfill your plan. Teach us obedience Father, disciple us as Christians. God I also pray for boldness, I pray when you say 'Go' we will say 'Yes Lord'. I pray we will be courageous as we go into the world to do your will. Let no weapon be formed against us. Let us not take heart to the wicked acts of the world, because we know whatever we do is in faithful obedience to you. We pray we will not be shaken by fear, but will do all tha you have called us to do. You are beautiful God, and I know my sisters having servant hearts to serve you with. Use them, call them according to Your Will God.

In Jesus name we pray, AMEN !