Tim & Vanessa Lorentzen Family!

Obedience - Part 2

I have been impressed lately that everything we do needs to revolve around simple obedience. The first time this was directly shown to me was when I was having a discussion with my son Hollis. "Hollis" I said, "it is really very simple. All you have to do is obey me and there will never be any problems. No spankings, no restrictions, no hassles!" as the words left my mouth I immediately sensed my heavenly Father saying the same thing to me! What an impact as I realized the Truth of that statement!

It really is all so simple if we but obey. Then as I further studied and pondered this truth I began to apply it to all areas of my life. What is love without obedience? What is faith without obedience? Both are nothing and in fact not possible without it! Jesus provides us with the perfect example as He was obedient even unto death! How did He show His love for us? By His obedience. The following verse is talking about Jesus and his humble obedience.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.(NKJ)

The bible also clearly states that to for us to obey is better than sacrifice! The following verse is the priest Samuel’s rebuke to king Saul as the king attempted to explain away his disobedience, disobedience that ultimately led to his rejection by God as king of Israel.

1 Samuel 15:22 Then Samuel said: "Has 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 heed than the fat of rams.(NKJ)

Who of us as a parent has not had similar thoughts if our children have ever given us lip service obedience but not actual obedience? The old saying "action speak louder than words" rings true! The following parable the Jesus gave illustrates this point.

Matthew 21:28-31a

28 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'

29 "He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.

30 "Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go.

31a "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first."(NKJ)

If we say we love Him but do not do as He tells us, then we are liars! We are told over and over that if we love Him we will keep His commandments!

John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.(NKJ)

Are we walking in obedience to Him? Men, are we loving our wives as He commands us to? Are we being the spiritual leaders in our homes? Or are we allowing our wives to do that job? Shame on us if we are for God has clearly given that responsibility to us! I firmly believe that if you show me a man that is loving his wife in this way, I will show you a wife who is submissive and doesn’t even know it! And they and their children will be both happy and blessed!

I encourage you to take your bible, prayerfully entreat the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you, and to seek this information out for yourself. Do not take the word of any may without verifying it for yourself with the Word of God.

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.(NKJ)

My prayer for my revelation is that it can be said of me as Jesus said of Peter when Peter revealed that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God.

Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.(NKJ)

I would welcome any comments that you may have. Seek the truth that He has for you!

Feel free to e-mail me with your comments.

Tim Lorentzen