Tag: obedience

Jonah: Learning to Follow God’s Call

Jonah’s story is one of running from God’s call, and discovering that God’s plans will always prevail. When God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh, Jonah didn’t just hesitate, he ran in the opposite direction. But even in Jonah’s disobedience, God pursued him, sending a storm and a fish to get his attention.

I can relate to Jonah. There have been times in my life when I felt God calling me to do something uncomfortable, and my first instinct was to run. Whether it was stepping back into ministry after the divorce or facing hard conversations, I wanted to avoid the challenge.

What I’ve learned from Jonah is that running from God’s call doesn’t lead to peace… it leads to more turmoil. But when we finally surrender, God’s grace meets us where we are and equips us for what He’s called us to do.

Jonah eventually obeyed, and God used him to bring an entire city to repentance. His story reminds me that God’s plans are always bigger than our fears. If He’s calling you to something, trust that He will provide everything you need to follow through.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience when I hesitate or run from Your call. Teach me to trust Your plans and to step forward in obedience, knowing that You will equip me for the task ahead. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Abraham: Trusting God with the Unknown

Abraham’s story is one of incredible faith. God called him to leave everything he knew, his home, his family, and his security, for a land he’d never seen. Abraham didn’t know where he was going or how it would all work out, but he trusted God enough to obey.

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt like Abraham, stepping into the unknown without a clear plan or destination. After my divorce, I wasn’t sure what the future would hold. All I knew was that I needed to trust God to guide me, one step at a time.

What strikes me most about Abraham’s story is that his faith wasn’t in the promise… it was in the One who made the promise. He trusted God’s character, even when the path seemed uncertain. That’s the kind of faith I want to live with: faith that says “yes” to God even when I don’t have all the answers.

If you’re facing uncertainty, remember Abraham’s story. God doesn’t ask us to figure everything out… He asks us to trust Him. And just like He was faithful to Abraham, He will be faithful to you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me through Abraham’s story that I can trust You with the unknown. Help me to take steps of faith, knowing that You are always faithful to lead and provide. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Ananias: Obeying God in Uncertainty

Ananias is a lesser-known figure in the Bible, but his obedience in a pivotal moment of uncertainty changed the course of history. When Saul (later Paul) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, God called Ananias to go and pray for him. A man notorious for persecuting Christians.

Understandably, Ananias hesitated. Saul was dangerous, and going to him seemed like a death sentence. But Ananias trusted God’s voice and obeyed. He went to Saul, laid hands on him, and prayed, leading to Saul’s physical and spiritual healing. Saul went on to become Paul, one of the greatest apostles and missionaries of all time.

Ananias’s story reminds us that obedience often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. We may not always understand God’s plan, but when we trust Him, He can use us to accomplish incredible things.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has God called you to step out in faith, even when it felt uncertain?
  2. How can you practice trusting His voice in moments of doubt?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the obedience of Ananias and his willingness to follow Your call. Teach me to trust You in moments of uncertainty and to obey even when the path is unclear. Help me to see how You can use my faithfulness for Your glory. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Shiphrah and Puah: Defying Evil with Courage

Shiphrah and Puah may not be household names, but their courage in the face of evil played a critical role in God’s plan to deliver Israel. As midwives in Egypt, they were ordered by Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew baby boys. But instead of obeying, they chose to fear God and protect innocent lives.

Their defiance wasn’t just an act of civil disobedience; it was a declaration of faith. They risked their own lives to obey God rather than man. As a result, they not only saved countless children but also played a role in preserving the line through which Moses, Israel’s great deliverer, would be born.

Shiphrah and Puah’s story reminds us that obedience to God often requires courage, especially when it goes against the norms or orders of the world. Their actions demonstrate that even in the smallest roles, our faithfulness can have eternal significance.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life is God calling you to stand up for what is right?
  2. How can you trust Him to give you courage when faced with difficult decisions?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the courage of Shiphrah and Puah and their obedience to You. Teach me to fear You above all else and to stand firm in faith when faced with difficult choices. Help me to trust that my obedience, no matter how small, can be used for Your glory. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Jael: A Woman of Courage

Jael’s story is one of courage, resourcefulness, and obedience to God’s plan. Found in Judges 4–5, her actions changed the course of Israel’s history. While she isn’t a commonly celebrated figure, her role in defeating Sisera, a powerful enemy commander, reminds us that God uses unlikely people in extraordinary ways.

Jael was a tent-dweller, an ordinary woman living in a time of war. When Sisera sought refuge in her tent, she could have chosen to remain neutral or protect him out of fear. Instead, she boldly acted to protect God’s people, driving a tent peg through Sisera’s temple while he slept. Her courage fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy that victory would come through the hands of a woman (Judges 4:9).

Her story resonates personally with me, as my daughter kiddo is named in part after Jael. We chose her name as a reflection of strength, beauty, and unwavering faith. Like Jael, I pray kiddo grows into a woman of courage who trusts God’s plan for her life. (If you’d like to learn more about the meaning behind kiddo’s name, you can find it in the blog on “The Power of a Name.”)

Jael’s actions remind us to act with boldness and obedience when God calls us, even in unexpected ways. She wasn’t a warrior or a prophetess, but she trusted God’s plan and played a pivotal role in His victory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you step out in courage when God calls you to act, even in unexpected situations?
  2. What can Jael’s story teach you about trusting God’s plan over your fears?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the example of Jael and her courage to obey Your plan. Teach me to trust You in every situation, even when I feel unqualified or afraid. Help me to act with boldness and faith, knowing that You can use me for Your purposes. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Discipleship: The Heart of Leadership

At its core, leadership in the church is about discipleship. Jesus’ Great Commission calls us to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. This isn’t just a task for pastors, it’s a call for every believer.

Discipleship involves walking alongside others, helping them grow in their faith and equipping them to make disciples themselves. It’s about investing time, energy, and love into people’s lives, pointing them to Jesus through your words and actions.

Jesus’ example shows us that discipleship is relational. He didn’t just preach to the crowds. He spent time with His disciples, teaching, encouraging, and challenging them. As leaders, we’re called to follow His example, pouring into others with intentionality and grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you prioritize discipleship in your leadership role?
  2. Who in your life might God be calling you to disciple?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the privilege of making disciples and for the example You’ve given us in Jesus. Teach me to lead with love, humility, and intentionality, helping others grow in their faith and fulfill their calling. Help me to honor You in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Where Purity Begins

Purity doesn’t start with behavior. It starts with the heart.

You can stay a virgin and still be impure in your thoughts.

You can avoid sex and still be filled with lust.

God cares about our hearts, not just our habits. Purity isn’t just what you do with your body, it’s what you allow into your mind, what you entertain with your eyes, and what you justify in your decisions.

Jesus said the pure in heart will see God. That means intimacy with Him is directly tied to the condition of our hearts.

Don’t just aim for virginity. Aim for holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Is your heart pure, or just your actions?
  2. What thoughts, music, shows, or habits are fighting for space in your soul?
  3. Have you asked God lately to reveal what’s really inside your heart?

Prayer

Father, create in me a clean heart. Help me not just avoid sin, but desire holiness. Purify my thoughts, my desires, and my intentions. Let my heart reflect Your glory. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Bezalel: God’s Artisan and the Beauty of Obedience

Bezalel might not be a name that comes to mind when you think of the Bible’s great heroes, but his story reminds us of the importance of using our God-given gifts for His glory. Bezalel was chosen by God to design and construct the Tabernacle, a place where God’s presence would dwell among His people.

What’s remarkable about Bezalel is that his work wasn’t preaching or leading an army… it was craftsmanship. God equipped him with the Spirit, wisdom, and skill to create something beautiful and sacred. Bezalel’s obedience in using his talents reminds us that every gift, whether it seems ordinary or extraordinary, has a place in God’s plan.

Today, we can learn from Bezalel’s story by recognizing that our unique abilities are God-given and meant to glorify Him. Whether you’re an artist, teacher, parent, or engineer, your work matters when it’s done in obedience to God and for His glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What gifts has God given you, and how can you use them to glorify Him?
  2. How does Bezalel’s story encourage you to view your work as an act of worship?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the unique gifts and talents You’ve given me. Teach me to use them in obedience and for Your glory, just as Bezalel did. Help me to see my work as an act of worship and a reflection of Your creativity. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Overcoming the Fear of Failure

Fear of failure can be paralyzing, keeping us from stepping into the plans God has for us. Whether it’s fear of letting others down, not measuring up, or facing criticism, this fear often holds us back from walking in obedience and faith.

I’ve wrestled with the fear of failure in my own life, hesitating to take risks because I was afraid of what others might think or of falling short. But God reminds us that He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He equips us with power, love, and a sound mind to face challenges with confidence.

Failure isn’t the end… it’s a stepping stone. When we trust God with our fears, He uses even our missteps for His glory. He calls us to step out in faith, not in our own strength but in His. Remember, God isn’t looking for perfection; He’s looking for a willing heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. What fears are holding you back from stepping into God’s plans for your life?
  2. How can you replace fear with faith, trusting in God’s power and love?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for equipping me with power, love, and a sound mind. Teach me to overcome the fear of failure and to trust You fully in every step I take. Help me to walk in faith, knowing that You are with me and that Your plans are good. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Power of Daily Surrender

Personal growth in Christ begins with daily surrender. It’s the decision to lay down your own desires, plans, and pride, choosing instead to trust God’s will and follow His lead.

Surrender isn’t easy, it requires humility, faith, and a willingness to let go of control. I’ve struggled with surrender, especially in seasons when God’s plans didn’t align with mine. But in those moments, I’ve discovered that His plans are always better, even when they don’t make sense at the time.

Daily surrender means starting each day by acknowledging God’s sovereignty and inviting Him to guide your steps. It’s a posture of trust that allows Him to work in and through you in ways you never imagined. Growth happens when we stop striving in our own strength and start relying on His.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life are hardest to surrender to God?
  2. How can you practice daily surrender as part of your spiritual growth?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the invitation to follow You and to surrender my life to Your will. Teach me to trust You in every area of my life, laying down my own plans and desires to embrace Yours. Help me to grow through daily surrender, reflecting Your love and purpose in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.