CLICK HERE TO READ – OPEN HEAVENS 2021 Tuesday August 3
YESTERDAY – CLICK HERE TO READ MONDAY OPEN HEAVENS 2ND AUGUST 2021
Topic: PERFECT OBEDIENCE
Memorise: And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
Read: 1 Samuel 15:22-23
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
OPEN HEAVENS 2021 Tuesday August 3
It is needless to reiterate that perfect obedience to God and His word helps us to set our priorities right. Sacrifice is good; God expects all His children to present their bodies as living sacrifices – holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1). However, God prefers obedience to sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22 says:
…Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Obedience is an act of doing and being willing to do what one is told to. In a spiritual sense, obedience is total submission to the written and spoken word of God. Obedience is an express commandment of God. One distinguishing characteristic of all who are great in the service of the Lord is prompt obedience. The Bible is full of stories of men and women who became great for God as a result of their complete and immediate obedience to the word of God. Heroes of obedience include Abraham, Joshua, Ruth, David, Elijah, Elisha and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible says: As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. Psalms 18:44-45
True and perfect obedience comes from a heart of love. It is real and not mere eye service. Boldness is a vital ingredient of perfect obedience. Peter and other disciples boldly confronted the Jewish elders when they chose to preach, saying they would rather please God and displease men. Acts 4:19 says: Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts 4:19.
Are you facing persecution because of your obedience to Christ? Don’t give up! Don’t compromise your stand. Obedience cannot be done halfway. Partial obedience is equal to disobedience. Disobedience is rebellion, which is “as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23). Partial obedience was the undoing of the first king of Israel – Saul.
Obedience starts with knowing the will of God then carrying out His directives promptly and completely.
OPEN HEAVENS AUGUST 3, 2021 Hymn 12: In Christ Alone
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
‘Til on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin, on him, was laid
Here, in the death of Christ, I live
There in the ground, his body lay
Light of the world, by darkness, slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, he rose again
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
Can ever pluck me from his hand
‘Til he returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand
Can ever pluck me from his hand
‘Til he returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand
Key Point: Obedience is better than sacrifice
Bible in one year: Job 27-28
CLICK TO READ: OPEN HEAVEN August 2021, PRAYERS, DECLARATIONS & POWERFUL GOSPEL RESOURCES. We are glad to have you here, Jesus is the truth and the only way
OPEN HEAVENS 2021 Tuesday August 3