Obedience Builds a Firm Foundation

It is said that the Hall of Fame Quarterback Roger Staubach, who led the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl victory in 1971, admitted that playing the quarterback who didn’t call his own signals was difficult for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run, and only in emergency situations could he change the play. Even though Roger considered Coach Landry to have a “genius mind” when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team. So, Roger had a decision to make. Would he allow pride to rule his life and ignore his coach, making himself the star? Or would he listen to the coach and do what he wanted? Staubach later said, “I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory.”

The Hebrews had a decision to make. Would they obey the Lord or the local gods? Joshua proclaimed his decision loudly in Joshua 24:15 “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Even today, we have to decide. The ‘local gods’ still surround us and tempt us.

Jesus said to the crowd in Luke 9:23 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” We belong to Him and it should be our desire to love to serve His purposes. We are called to deny our self, take up our cross daily and follow Him. How do we show that we love Him? In John 14:21 Jesus said those who accept and obey His commandments are showing they love Him. He also said that the Holy Spirit will help remind us of what HE taught us.

Jesus was teaching about obedience in Luke 6:48. “It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rick. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”

When we practice obedience, we’ll build that foundation that will help us weather the storms of life.

David said in Psalm 40:8 “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Remember that false teachers may attempt to distort the truth, dilute it, or maybe even delete it. But God’s truth has never changed, will never be shaken and certainly will not fade - ever!  Follow God’s truth by living His Way!

Dr. Charles Stanley summed it up like this: “To grasp the importance of obeying, think about children receiving instructions from parents or teachers. Careful listening is needed for the task to be done safely and properly. Some steps may seem pointless, but the rationale often becomes clear later. Always make obeying God your priority.”

Finally, even our Lord and Savior Jesus submitted to the Will of God. He told us this early in His ministry in John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” He prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42) “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” And He shouted in His last breath “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.” (Luke 23:46).

Are you ready to submit to and obey the King of Kings? We can’t just study the Word of God. We must OBEY, do what it says. Make Jesus the King of your life and worship Him as our Savior, King and Lord!

Remember "His faithful love endures forever."

Until Next time.....

Chaplain Gray

Read, Study and Obey

My friend Reverend Jay W Lippy of Tampa, Florida once wrote “Understanding His word is essential. It’s the instruction manual for daily living - not to mention a personal love letter that God has written to each of us. Why not spend some time with Him and find out what He has in store for you!” I have some thoughts, tips, and suggestions on how you can read, study and learn to obey God’s Word.

Dr. Charles Stanley wrote, “Through God’s Word, we possess eternal riches.”

Let’s get started! You can conduct a word study, or follow certain themes or topics throughout the Bible. You want to do your reading with some plan, however. Just turning the pages and pointing to a place to read will not give you the same insight or knowledge of the Word as systematically reading and studying the Bible. It’s helpful to have other resources to enhance your Bible study. Commentaries offer background information and other explanations of historical significance. 

Author Janis Cox offers a Bible study method she often uses. You can find more about it at janiscox.com. She uses the acronym “SIMPLE”. I think it is worth mentioning here that she encourages prayer to begin with and again during your time of study. Praying for guidance is encouraged because God wants to speak to us through His Word. He’ll help us if we ask! She also offers a “closed Facebook group” for accountability, prayerful support and much more.

Maybe a reader wants to know why we have an Old Testament and a New Testament. The purpose of the Old Testament is 1) reveal the severity of sin, 2) expose the hopeless condition of humanity to save itself and 3) show the need for a savior. The New Testament reveals God’s plan to us. It specifically reveals 1) the solution to sin, 2) that hope has arrived, 3) our Savior and 4) how we can be saved.

There are multiple Bible reading plans and resources for following a structured path through the scriptures. Here is one plan. First, get to know Jesus. Read the four Gospels. Next, read some of the Letters in the New Testament: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and 1, 2 and 3 John. It will take one month to read through Proverbs if you read one chapter each day. Next read Genesis, Exodus, Daniel, and Jonah. From time to time, read the Psalms. You are well on your way to delighting in reading the Word.

Jesus instructs us about obedience. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” (Matthew 7:24). Next week we will take a closer look at obedience.

Paul gave up a lot to know Christ. But are we willing to make time for prayer and Bible Study? What are you going to give up in your schedule in order to intentionally add this essential spiritual discipline?

James Macdonald summed it up this way: “The minutes, hours and days you’ve spent immersed in God’s Word can increase your faith.” Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 (ESV) “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.”

Remember, “His faithful love endures forever.”

Until next time…..

Chaplain Gray