Eternally Minded

Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” 1 Kings 6:11-13 This is a promise from the L ORD to His chosen people, Israel, while Solomon is building the temple. Intentionally, in chapter 5, we see God fulfilling a promise He made to Solomon,  "The L ORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him..." (1 Kings 5:12) But there is a contingency linked to this particular promise in chapter 6: That His people would obey His statutes, rules, and commandments, and to walk in them.  Maybe, if you're like me, this sounds like a lot of what is modernly called 'works religion'.   But the phrase 'walk in them' points to a devotion. ** D...

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe, Doing exactly what the L ORD commands, doing it happily. Action is the key, do it immediately.  Joy you will receive!  Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe! I'm sure nearly everyone has heard that Sunday School song at one point or another. But if you take a close look at the words, some of them are very profound and challenging. That line, "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe" is like a hammer to the ego when it sinks in. How often do we obey? Like, really obey? What is obedience? Is it just doing as we're told, or it there more to it than that?  Obedience is defined as a " compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority."  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive... Hebrews 13:17 You can outwardly obey without being submissive on the inside. We do it all the time.  Obedience which is n...