Obedience is More Important Than Sacrifice

Samuel was choosing the next king of Israel. Saul was rejected because he was not obedient. In the preceding chapter, Saul was supposed to annihilate the Amalekites...every person and every animal. 

“But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Obedience is more important than sacrifice. 

God chose David instead of Saul. These two chapters of 1 Samuel show the first and second kings of Israel.  If you consider the life of Saul, he does not have the traffic record of David. 

But God spoke of David as a “man after his own heart.” Again, many things about David’s life was not sin-free. He was a murderer. He was an adulterer. He was not a good dad, in many respects. 

In my worldly thinking, Saul would still perhaps be my choice of king. He kept the good stuff to offer it the Lord as a sacrifice. He had a tender heart and did not want to kill Agag. I wouldn’t want to kill him either. He was not a wicked king at all. 

But when Samuel pointed out his sin, Saul always had an excuse. Do you always have an excuse for your disobedience? Do you blame it on your parents? Perhaps, when you know that you need to give a tithe of your money, do you blame it on your financial problems? You justify that you are pretty good overall. No murders in your life. Keeping a few sheep to sacrifice here and there. 

“ The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

David’s heart. When God convicted him of his sin, David wept over his sin and then accepted God’s forgiveness. He believed that God forgave him.  

I want to follow the Lord with all my heart. I want to love the things the Lord loves.  I want to accept his forgiveness and know that it is removed “as far and the east is from the west.” I don’t have to earn this forgiveness. Can’t earn it. I want to not try to offer a sacrifice with my church attendance or of reading the Bible everyday or acts of service. Can’t earn a badge. 

Saul looks good to the church goers of today. David does not try to post things that the Christian community gives a bunch of likes to reward. He reveals his weakness and his desperation. 

Two Forks in the Road

“If you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. Here is the right way.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭ERV‬‬

There are small forks on the road everyday, small choices. I think that these small choices determine what your future will look like. But it is a paradox. The wrong way is filled with flowers and green grass and laughter and it actually looks easier.

It involves sleeping later and having a day off on Sunday. It involves not giving away any of your money to church because you need that money for something else. It promises eating anything you want and however much you want. You can satisfy your sexual needs anytime you want. Instant gratification is there for the taking...no waiting.

God’s way appears to be the least attractive way. It seems to be harder. It requires sacrifice. It requires discipline.

However, let’s see what happens when you choose the easier way. After you have been satisfied momentarily, you realize that you have some consequences waiting for you. For example, if you are trying to eat healthy and you eat a dozen cookies one day and then a bunch of chips the next day and then three brownies the day after your clothes won’t fit anymore. Happens every time. That option looked good but it ended up bad. The opposite is true. If you eat healthy all week, you feel there is a better chance that you won’t die of heart disease.

Let’s say that you decide that you need a day off on Sundays and you never attend a small group and worship service. It seems like the best choice. You say, “I need my rest.” After a period of time, you wonder where your friends are...I mean good friends who will love you when you are not lovable and walk you through dark days.

Here is the good news. When you get into the Word and follow what God is saying, you start to notice that this was a good choice.

The Lord says, “I will teach you and guide you in the way you should live. I will watch over you and be your guide.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

You start walking up the mountain and the view is phenomenal! You will thank yourself for choosing His way. You will begin to experience a more abundant life. You will begin to praise the Lord for how good he is!

It reminds me of my favorite verse.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You will see that God wanted the best for you all along. He wanted you to experience the abundant life.

I have to throw this in. Many people think that there is a third alternative. The way that you have to make no changes whatsoever, but you will still see the Promised Land. There is no third alternative. Never believe that lie.

Begin everyday realizing that are always two choices to every decision. Think about want you want your future to look like. Depends on which fork in the road you chose.

Election Year

 I really need to say something. The election in November...it is confusing and fearful and weird. But here is a truth. We all need to vote for one candidate or the other. To not vote is irresponsible, perhaps a little immature. 

I actually have complete confidence in my students that when they turn 18, they are ready to make decisions about the future of our country. They may not always make the best decision but neither do I. I hope that older adults set the example for the younger generation that even though the choices are tricky, you still vote. 

To not vote means that you can never once complain about the Supreme Court decisions, whether the national debt increases, what happens with illegal immigrants, how a terrorist threat to our nation is handled, or even health insurance changes. You lost your chance to complain when you don't vote. 

If you are not sure who to vote for, do what I do. I am talking to people that I love and respect and asking questions, lots of questions! Grit your teeth and watch the conventions:). I watched three days of the Republican convention and learned a lot about Trump and his kids. I am scouring the Internet and trying to determine the views of each candidate. I am especially trying to see what evangelical Christian leaders are saying because I am more likely to vote as they do. And I get discouraged when strong leaders are silent because ordinary people like me need some guidance.

Notice that I am definitely NOT saying who to vote for. That is the great thing about living in this fabulous country. I guess I chose the picture because I hope it reminds us all that because a high price was paid so that we have the freedom to vote the way we want...we have to vote. 

So that is the main reason that I am writing this post. Get out and vote and encourage others to do the same. 

Be On Guard

““But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.””
Luke 21:34-36 MSG

i love reading through the gospels and soaking in all the words of Jesus. I think about this one a lot. "But be on guard!" Jesus is saying that to us because he loves us and cares for us. He is clearly warning us that we will be caught off guard if we get swept away by things of this world. We don't like to hear this. I know most Christians close their eyes and ears and go to other topics like love, grace and sweet thoughts. .

I enjoy things of this world as much as anybody...eating, shopping, decorating(the house that will burn up), etc. But I want to maintain "a sharp edge of expectation." I want my thoughts to be laced with eternal things. If I warn my sons of something, I hope they have the good sense to listen. Jesus has put out a warning. I hope I have the good sense to listen.

Fear of Exercise?

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 ERV

As I am writing this post, I am taking Ibuprofen and alternating ice and a heating pad on my legs. I feel like I am a 100 years old! I missed two weeks of Body Pump(extremely rare for me to miss). When I returned on Monday to work out, I was faced with the consequences of missing for two weeks...sore muscles. 

But then I read this verse. God does not give me a spirit of fear. He is a "source of power." He will provide the power that I lack to move about and play with my grandsons and help me to rapel on a school trip and think about riding bikes when I am old. He gives the power and courage! Let me be totally honest. I do not like to hurt like this. I want to give up exercise forever. So the power that I am experiencing is from Him, not me. 

The verse also mentions that He gives "self-control." The definition of self control is to "control one's emotions and behavior in the face of impulses and temptations Self control is necessary to achieve goals and regulate our behavior." We need to ask boldly and often for a spirit of self control. Our own control is pathetic. We choose the wrong path most of the time. 

If you are facing fear about starting an exercise program for any reason...age, years of inactivity, physical limitations- read this verse. Ask God to remind you of His part. Quit focusing on your part. Start today and let God get the glory when others see you displaying courage in your exercise program.

Disobedient?

“Moses said to Pharaoh, “I will pray for you, your people, and your officials. Then the frogs will leave you and your houses. They will remain only in the river. When do you want the frogs to go away?” Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “It will happen as you say. In this way you will know that there is no god like the Lord our God.”
Exodus 8:9-10 ERV

As you can tell, I am deep into Exodus with my Bible reading. I get so mad when I see the stubbornness of Pharaoh! God knew his heart and he sent plague after plague to cause him to agree to let the people of Israel go. Moses and Aaron continued to warn him of the terrible thing that was about to happen...water turned into blood, frogs appeared everywhere, darkness descended on the land, hailstorm destroyed their crops, etc.

Listen to the stubbornness of Pharaoh when Moses asked him when he wanted the frogs to leave. "Tomorrow," Really!!! That is a rebellious heart. I would have begged that God would end the plague right then and there. However, the Pharaoh wanted the last word on his relief. That is a hard heart!

i know that the reason God made this verse jump off the page to me today. He is pointing out to me that many times, he has warned me of the consequences of my sin. He has clearly told me what would happen if I continue in that path. My response would be, "I will change tomorrow."

Is is there an area of your life where God has clearly warned you of the things that will happen if you continue in the path you are on? For example, not reading the word, not having a quiet time, eating too much junk, sleeping late on Sunday morning, not cherishing and forgiving your spouse, ...the list goes on and on. Is your response, "Tomorrow. Not today because I enjoy my disobedience too much? "