Freedom in Obeying

Freedom in Obeying

The Cost of Discipleship

Chapter 23

Matt 10:5-6

In this passage Jesus gives the disciples specific orders of where to go. They weren’t given free rein to decide who to witness to.  “Their work is to be Christ-work, and therefore they are absolutely dependent on the will of Jesus.”

Bonhoeffer goes on to say, “Happy are they whose duty is fixed by such precept, and who are therefore FREE from the tyranny of their OWN ideas and calculations.” (Emphasis mine)

How many of us desire to do God’s will…and yet we limit God or try to dictate our service to Him?

When we do this we are in direct opposition of God and we face needless worry and trials. When we give up our control, our ideas, and our calculations we liberate ourselves to experience happiness and joy in serving God because it’s not based on us anymore, but on God and HIS power.

There are many “good” things we could do “for” Christ: Feed the homeless, care for orphans, witness to the lost…but if God hasn’t ordered us to “go there” these good things are simply that, good. They are void of His power, His provision and His promises. Yes, they are good, but are they from God?

“The work of God cannot be done without due authorization, otherwise it is devoid of promise.”

If the disciples had ignored God and done what they thought was best, they wouldn’t have been followers of God. Yes, good things might have occurred. The Samaritans’ may have believed more than the Jews, but this was jumping ahead of God’s plans.

God’s plan was that when the Samaritan’s and Gentiles heard the Good News, that they would hear the FULL story- the resurrected Christ!

We may not understand when God tells us to NOT do something that is “good”.  But we shouldn’t have to understand in order to follow. We should trust that God knows ALL. That He has a bigger picture in mind. We only know in part, therefore we shouldn’t “assume” we know the mind of Christ. We shouldn’t assume that because something is “good” it’s what God wants from us. He may have someone else in mind to fulfill that “good” deed.  (Think of Elijah and the widow who God provided to feed him- 1 Kings 17:7-15)

In Matt 10:7-8, Christ gives the disciples more guidance on their mission.

They are sent out in poverty. This was to prove to them, and the world, that their message was from God. It was also to liberate them from being owned by possessions.

Freely they had received and freely they must give to others.

“To be messengers of Jesus Christ confers no personal privileges, no title to power or renown…”show men that you have plenty of riches to give away, but desire nothing for yourselves, neither possessions, nor admiration nor regard, and least of all their gratitude.”…Any honours that come our way are only stolen from him to whom alone they really belong.” (Emphasis mine)

They are sent out in poverty.

This seems crazy to us. We like to be prepared, to make plans, to calculate…but Christ gave them an “explicit command”. They were not free to alter it to make it fit their preference. This was about God, not them.

“This shall be an expression of their faith, not in men, but in their heavenly Father who sent them and will care for them.”

You shouldn’t take this to mean you are free to quit your job or not to prepare for your work in Christ, but to be obedient to what Christ TELLS YOU!

Each of us has a calling. Each of us has orders that God longs to impart. We need to be willing to listen and then OBEY.

We can’t take it upon ourselves to change God’s orders. We either obey or we don’t.

If we told our child to clean their room but they only cleaned the closet we would consider that disobeying. They may have good reason for their actions, but that doesn’t negate the fact that they didn’t follow orders.

God has orders for each of us.

When we are about God’s business we can be sure of His provision and promise.

“They come with the full authority of Jesus of Nazareth, they deliver a command and make an offer with the support of the highest credentials.”

When we follow God, we can rest assured that He has our back! Sure, He blesses our mistakes, but wouldn’t it simply be easier to listen and obey than to “do it over the right way"?

What's God telling YOU to do? 

Young and Purposeful: Book Review

Have you ever wanted more in your Christian walk? 

Do you ever feel bored in your relationship with Christ?

Do you think everyone has a calling but you?

Are you still searching for your purpose? 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you need to read this book.

 “Young and Purposeful” by Moyo Mamora.

This book blew me away! 

I had just finished chapter 4 when I felt God telling me to fast. 

It had been a few years since I’d fasted. Due to health reasons I can’t do a traditional fast- so instead I broke away from all social media for almost a week and spent that time connecting with God.

It was a great week! I didn’t want it to end.

God revealed powerful things to me about my walk with Him and the purpose He has planned for me.

While this book isn’t marketed to be used alongside a fast, the combination certainly blessed me beyond words. 

Moyo’s book really drove home important foundational scriptures about the goodness of God and how much God wants us to succeed!

I wish I could tell you everything this book taught me…but that would take multiple posts. (I don’t think there’s a single page not marked with highlights or notes.) 

I’ll simply say this, don’t let the title fool you. This book is for ALL age groups. In fact, I think had I read this book fifteen years ago I might not have appreciated the words of wisdom it contained. 

I’ve been a Christian for over half my life, but this book helped me realize who I am in Christ. It helped me understand I do have a God given purpose. It also showed me that the very same talents God wants to use for HIS glory, satan will distort in order to distract me from the purpose God has planned.

Example: academics have always come easy to me. I love to learn. God is showing me how to use this passion to help others in various ways. Satan spent years distorting that, making me think I had to BE somebody. That if I wasn’t “successful”, with multiple degrees, I wasn’t using my God given brains. Satan had me trapped in the “rat race” of society. 

While I left the “rat race” almost three years ago, I still struggled abiding in Christ and working FOR Him. Without realizing it, I was trying to CONTROL serving Christ. I was also limiting God’s blessings. 

I don’t have all the answers yet, but after reading this book I feel empowered to “wait upon the Lord”. God will reveal His will for me piece by piece. Today is my learning ground for tomorrow- Tweet Please. 

I don’t feel as if I’m doing this book review justice. It was a great book. I highly recommend it.

And while I’m at it, I highly recommend you disconnect from this world with a fast (either by abstaining from food or whatever else holds your attention more than God- though I’m not saying to quit your job!)

URGENT: Prayer Request!

I’ve been following the lives of two Christian Heroes: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and Pastor Saeed Abedini.

 Both men are being held in Iran for the “crime” of Christianity. 

Both are undergoing severe torture for their unwillingness to recant their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. 

Both need our prayers.

If you read my Newsletters you’ve seen various News stories I’ve provided about the “crimes” these men (and others, including their lawyer) are being punished for. 

But that’s not enough. I must, we must, do more. 

My heart is breaking for these brave men and their families. 

Imagine your spouse being held in prison, suffering day and night. What would you tell your kids? Would you worry they would begin to hate Christ for allowing this to happen to their parent? How could you comfort them? How could you begin to explain such evil? 

I urge you: STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND PRAY FOR THESE MEN, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE ONE’S HOLDING THEM CAPTIVE!

Praying for other Christians is part of our responsibility. Numerous times in the Bible we read how prayer delivered God’s people. 

Please pray. 

If you’d like to read the most recent letter Pastor Saeed wrote his wife, you can do so here. Warning: It will make you cry. Such love and forgiveness for those who have hurt him is a true testimony of the Power of God ALIVE in him. 

Here’s the latest from Christian Today refuting allegations Pastor Youcef has been hung. Imagine his family…what a roller coaster of emotion they must be on. 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.” Eph 6:18 NIV

“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith” 2 Thes 3:2 NIV

“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.” 2 Tim 4:17 NIV

Please help spread this urgent message...these men and their families need prayer more than we can imagine.  Thank you and God bless.