I WILL obey....next time!

I was reading Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind" and the chapter was about "unbelief." She was saying that unbelief always leads to disobedience. It really struck a chord with me because my mentor has consistently talked about obedience really being an issue of faith. Do I really believe God? If I do, then I will obey.

I love this picture. It was taken at our local YMCA. Usually, on a busy soccer or football day, the grass is PACKED with parked cars. Do you notice the sign? Even though people are told NOT to park on the grass.....it isn't allowed....they still choose to disobey and do it anyway.

If they believed there was something WRONG with parking in the grass, I am sure they wouldn't (or at least a majority wouldn't). But, in their minds, they don't think there is anything really wrong with parking there, so they do.

I have a 13 year old who is beginning to push the limits. He is beginning to make choices on what he wants to obey. I have noticed that when he thinks a rule "isn't a big deal," he will make the CHOICE if he wants to obey. For example, he likes to listen to the ipod while going to sleep. I have a rule that only Christian music is allowed at this time. While the kids are falling asleep, I want the Word (in song) to fill their minds. He didn't BELIEVE that music was important, so he chose to disobey.

If I truly trust God, believing in what He says, then I won't question or reason or make excuses....I will obey. I won't come to the Word, picking and choosing what I want to follow. If I believe that the Word is His Will, His plan, then I won't question it, but obey it.

Whew! This can be hard for me!

And, when my mentor first told me that unbelief was a faith issue, I didn't agree.

I thought, "I believe God! I trust Him. I am just being rebellious." But, if I really TRUSTED Him, in His plan, in His ways, then WHY would I not do it? If I know that His way would lead to life and peace, then why would I choose another way?

For me, as I pondered this, I realized that at times I think I KNOW BEST.

I may think, "God, I know You are telling me to do such and such, but I am going to try this first." I may not consciously THINK, "my way is better." But, that's where my actions are rooted! If I really BELIEVED that God's way was best, then I wouldn't take a chance with MY "trial and error."

In Mark 9, a man comes to Jesus and asks Him to heal his demon-possessed son. The man says, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus retorted, "If you can?????" He then says, "Everything is possible for him who believes." IMMEDIATELY the father exclaimed, "I do believe" and then says, "help me overcome my unbelief!"

That is the cry of my heart! Lord, help me overcome my unbelief! When I have doubt or think MY way is better, Lord help my unbelief! When the situation LOOKS impossible through my eyes, Lord help my unbelief! When the world says the opposite of what you say and my mind begins to reason...Lord help my unbelief! Make my faith strong and unwavering.

"Unbelief, like doubt, will keep us from doing what God has called and anointed us to accomplish in life. It also keeps us from experiencing the sense of peace that He wants us to enjoy as we find rest for our souls in Him." -Joyce Meyer from Battlefield of Mind

There is a line in a Newsboys' song that goes, "Trust and obey. There is no other way." Notice that "trust" comes first. Of course, obey rhymes with way, so that may be it as well!! :-) Seriously, there is no other way for our lives. Having the faith of a child, child-like faith as Jesus says in Matthew 18 and 19, simply trusting/believing THEN obeying without question.

"Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." Romans 4:3

Father God, help my unbelief! Work in me such a strong faith that does not waver, does not question, does not make excuses. Give me Your eyes. Help me to see things the way You do. And, when I can't, help me to have such a strong trust in You that I obey in spite of what I think or want! Lord, You are so good. Your ways are perfect and true. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your patience with me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

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Points to Ponder:

1. Are there areas in your life where you are not obeying God's Word- either His written Word or something He has spoken to you? Pray that God would help you believe Him in these areas.

2. How does the world, and worldly thinking trip us up in these situations?

3. Read Romans 4 and the original story of Abraham in Genesis 15. Look then at Abraham's faith in Genesis 22. Ponder Abraham's faith and obedience, even when in the natural what God was asking didn't make sense.