Banquet With The King: How To Obey

Prayer – Lord, how can a young person…or an older person…stay pure? What do I need to do…and how can I help others to seek and find purity in their lives? What must I do…as you told people, LORD, You require us: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. From Micah 6:8 NLT.

Pure...as the swan and its reflection.

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:9-18 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Revisiting David’s list on what to do to please God and stay holy—like He is. In our focus scripture of today David is telling God, and us, that he has been searching for the Lord and does not want to sin against Him. The points that David makes to staying pure include:

- Obedience

- Memorizing God’s word

- Worship and praising God

- Reciting God’s commandment aloud

- Studying God’s commandments or all of His word

- Contemplate God’s requirements

- Being kind to other Christians who are serving the Lord

A few days ago, we looked at studying God’s word—including His commandments. Today, we’ll explore obedience—obeying God’s word. Of course, you need to read and study just to know God’s word. See the pointers on studying God’s word in the June 13^th post on this blog site.

How to obey? I think that is to do what you are told to do…what is expected of you. Choosing to do the right things.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NLT

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9 NLT (Underlines foe emphasis.)

Obedience, according to Strong’s concordance, G5218, is compliance and submission.

Here are some tips from Peter on obeying.

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT

Think clearly. Keep thinking--and focus your thoughts on the good stuff in life.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

Have self-control. That is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Don't let others manipulate you. Do what you know is right to stay pure and undefiled.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

No law against doing what is right—thinking what is right—living in the holy way that God expects. Love God and love others. Obedience. Did you obey your parents, teachers, coaches when you were growing up? Can you obey God, now, day by day? The choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12 NLT

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Monday, June 17, 2024

How To Obey

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