I don’t know if you played the game “Simon says” when you were a child; the leaders says “Simon says this” and you do it, at some point the leader will say “touch your ears” or something like that and if you do it, you’re out of the game; because the leader didn’t say “Simon says touch your ears.” The game illustrates the necessity and importance of ensuring that you only do something “Simon says” to do. You have to be careful you hear that “Simon says” instruction before you make your move!
Life has some similarities with the “Simon says” game. We need to learn how to check in with God before we make our moves. Unfortunately, life can move at a very swift pace and we can find ourselves taking steps in life without checking in with God first. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” The Bible is clear on the importance of allowing God to be involved in all of our decision making!
Obedience to God ensures that our lives line up with the will and blessing of God. Not only is there blessing in doing God’s will, but I have found in my own life that when God is happy, I’m happy. When we live to please God and obey His will, there is a wonderful sense of happiness and joy that nothing else can bring! For many years, I was a businessman doing well in the business world, but I sensed God calling me to the ministry. When I made that step to obey God, I wouldn’t have traded the sense of joy I felt for all the money and success in the world. I was doing extremely well in business, but I was miserable on the inside because I was outside of the will of God.
We can choose our own direction in life, but when we choose God’s direction, there are so many wonderful benefits. Jesus said it this way: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:23)
The will of God is similar to the Cross of Christ, it represents the intersection of our will with the will of God. Before He went to the Cross, Jesus was in great agony; sweating drops of blood, He knew what was in store and yet he prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Matthew 16:25). Jesus went to the Cross; He suffered because it was God’s will and yet God worked salvation for all of humanity through Jesus’ act of surrender to the will of God!
When we go through difficult and trying times and we’re in the will of God, those things can make us instead of break us. God can use the most difficult and trying circumstances to mould us and shape us and refine our character. Staying in God’s will is like a form of insurance for our lives. God watches over us in a special way, there is a grace on us that helps us through. When we stay in the will of God, all things we go through work together for our good!
Then we have the power and authority of the voice of God. God spoke the Universe into existence. When God speaks things happen! God’s voice is like no other voice. When God speaks normal rules don’t apply. God will move heaven and earth to ensure His Word comes to pass. When Peter walked on water, he did it because Jesus said “Come” (Matthew 14:29). There is an authority behind God’s voice that is backed up by His very nature an immutable character!
When Jesus was headed to Jerusalem, He said to his disciples “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31). You know, there are two truths about this statement. First, in natural terms it was impossible for Jesus to be raised from the dead, secondly it was impossible for Him not to be raised from the dead, because God cannot lie!
Hebrews 6:18 tells us “So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” It is impossible for God to lie! Therefore, it was impossible for Jesus not to be raised from the dead. This is how serious God takes His Word! When you step out in faith on something God has said, you can trust He will back it up with His power!
Today I want to encourage you like the “Simon says” game, do your best to do what God says! Praying and seeking the will of God before making major life decisions will ensure God’s blessings and breakthroughs invade your life. Obedience to God is the wonderful link between faith in God and the miracle power of God. Today I want to encourage you to continue to take those steps of obedience to God, and as you do, you will see God move in ways in your life that will astound you!
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