Our Oregon Christian counselor, Chuck, met with many people and couples in the 80s. He told us the difference with Ann and me was that we took his advice and put it into practice – We were so desperate that we knew we needed to do something. We were obedient, and did what he asked us to do. He told us no one else he met with was willing to do what he told them they must do to get better, to heal their marriage, to renew their minds, etc. In other words, the others were not willing to change, to repent. Without change, without repentance, there’s no healing, no times of refreshment, no relationship with Jesus, etc. Without repentance, we can’t possibly know Christ, His deliverance and power. There’s no chance of a renewed mind and life.
Obey The Word
Joyce Meyer Closer to God Each Day Devotional for 4-22-19.
But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22
I recall a woman who attended one of my seminars. She desperately wanted to be free of the emotional wounds that had left her insecure and fearful, but nothing seemed to work for her. At the conclusion of the seminar, she told me that she now understood why she had never experienced any progress.
She said, “Joyce, I sat with a group of ladies who had a lot of the same problems that I did. Step by step, God had been delivering them. As I listened, I heard them say, “God led me to do this, and I did it. Then He led me to another thing, and I did it.” I realized that God had also told me to do the same things. The only difference was they did what He said to do, and I didn’t.”
To live in a close relationship with God and to receive what He promises, we must obey the Word. We should become doers of the Word and not hearers only. Obeying the Word requires consistency and diligence. Let us be dedicated and committed to follow God’s lead.
God’s way works! And there is no other way that does. Make a determined decision to obey His Word step-by-step, every day.
Below is a part of the Jesus Always devotional entry for 4-22-19
By Sarah Young
Do not worry about tomorrow! This is a most gracious command. I (Jesus) understand human frailty; I know that you are dust. This command is not meant to burden you or condemn you. It is meant to set you free from worldly cares.
God made it super simple: Obey the Word and be set free. There’s no other way to be truly happy. If there was another way, Jesus would have told us.
God bless,
Mark