In Touch - June 10, 2005

In Touch Daily Devotional 
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Friday June 10, 2005

Obedience: A Decision of the Heart

John 15:1-17

The Christian life is, simply put, walking obediently with God. Obedience is so important to the Lord that Jesus made a point to model it His whole life on earth: "I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him" (John 8:28-29). Is your heart’s desire similar?

God doesn't want simply to save us; He wants to live inside us to show the world who He is! He sent His Spirit to invigorate and inspire our lives and the work He called us to. We can’t do it alone, but the Holy Spirit living within us enables our consistent obedience through the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! (Romans 8:11)

We may stumble at times, but the important issue is which way our heart is bent. Is it inclined toward gratifying self or toward obeying God? Scripture shows us many heroes of our faith who were not always obedient, like Moses, Sarah, Peter, or David. But God knew that David was a man after His own heart, and we also hear his heart-cry in the words he wrote: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1). Is there a yearning in your heart to obey God above all else in every decision you make, no matter what? If so, He will show you the way—the Lord always honors such hunger and thirst for Him.

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Do you have questions about the end times? Be sure to watch Answers for End Times, a powerful webcast that aired live on May 19, featuring Dr. Dwight Pentecost and Dr. Stanley. Visit www.intouch.org for more information.

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