Tag Archive | obedience

Three Gifts for Christmas


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.Great things come in threes. God gives Christ followers many awesome gifts, too numerous to mention here, but the greatest are these three: 1) God the Father, 2) Jesus the Son, and 3) God the Holy Spirit—a.k.a. the Trinitarian, Three-In-One God.

God, the Father, sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to: 1) be born of a virgin, 2) walk the earth in the flesh as a man, and 3) die on the cross as a sacrificial lamb of atonement for the sins of all people. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb. He descended into hell to bear the punishment for all our sins. Three days later, God: 1) raised Jesus from the dead, 2) seated Him next to Himself at His right hand, and 3) placed all things under His feet, appointing Jesus to be head over everything (Eph. 1:22).

Matthew narrates the Christmas story highlighting the visit from the Magi in Matthew 2:9-11,

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Again, the number three triumphs. The wise men from the east bowed down and worshiped the Christ child. They presented Him with three treasured gifts: 1) gold, 2) incense, and 3) myrrh.

As you honor Jesus this Christmas by giving gifts to family and friends, bosses and co-workers, employees and charities, think about what three gifts you could present directly to the Christ child. Will it be,

1)     love, obedience, and trust,

2)     glory, praise, and worship, or

3)     tithes, offerings, and service?

Whatever you decide, you can’t out-give God. He already demonstrated the great depth of His love for you by giving the ultimate gift—the birth and death of His Son, Jesus Christ, as payment for your sin.

Perhaps you could honor the Christ child today with these three gifts: 1) your time, 2) your attentiveness, and 3) your discerning ears.

1)     Make TIME to BE STILL with God today.

2)     Escape the crowds and noise, and FOCUS your attention on Him only.

3)     LISTEN to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit within.

God loves you more than you will ever comprehend. He wants to spend time with you, showing you and telling you. In your quiet time with Jesus today, bow down and worship the King on His birthday. Present Him with your three gifts: 1) time, 2) attentiveness, and 3) listening ears. It is better to give AND receive JESUS.

My three gifts to God and you today are three FREE Kindle books, 1) Manna for Today, 2) 7 Simple Steps to Hearing God’s Voice, and 3) 7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speak. Download your three FREE Kindle books today, in honor of Jesus Christ, my King.

Manna for Todayhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B019T6OWTU

7 Simple Steps to Hearing God’s Voice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XXKPYM

7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speakhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M10Z420

 

In the love and service of Christ,

Sindy Nagel

Author/Speaker/Blogger

 

 

His Heart will Sing

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

Beloved one, make it your pleasure to offer yourself—heart, mind, and soul—to Me, in reverence. Do not be as the pagans, who do not acknowledge Me as God. You previously belonged to this world and its ways. However, now you are a stranger to it. Do not imitate the ways of those who do not know Me or accept me. You are My child, I adopted you as My heir. My Holy Spirit, who dwells in your heart, transforms you by the renewing of your mind. Pay attention to His voice within. He teaches you and reminds you of My good and perfect will. You need not question how to please Me. Love Me with your obedience. Set yourself apart from this world, remaining pure and holy as your spiritual worship. Serve Me wholeheartedly according to the gifts I have given you. Live into the purpose I created you for and let My heart sing.


 

The Joy of Obedience

The Joy of Obedience

by Sindy Nagel

 

I cannot hold my heart within

It leaps out from my chest

When I obeyed the thing You asked

With joy, my heart You blessed

 

This is no temporary smile

You’ve draw upon my face

But lasting joy is found in me

As I rest in Your embrace

 

Storms may come and winds may blow

My vessel may be tossed

You take my hand and lead me through

I never will be lost

 

My joy is not dependent on

The blessings or the strife

It comes from deep with my soul

‘Cuz I’ve given You my life

 

Your Spirit lives within me now

He guarantees my fate

Forever I will spend with You

When death knocks at my gate

 

You are my Lord, I’ll follow You

Until my dying day

And when my work on earth is done

In heaven with You, I’ll stay

 

Given the chance to do Your work

I choose obedience

And You reward beyond compare

Great Joy, my recompense


 

 

No Greater Love


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.In John 15:9-14, Jesus says this, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.â€

You are my child—not only my child, but also my friend. No one loves you more than I do. I love you so much that I laid down my life for you. Will you now lay down your life for me and do as I commanded you? Love each other as I have loved you. You cannot do this without my help.

At one time or another, love requires sacrifice. Whether it’s laying down your life, your selfish desires, your control, your obsessions, or your possessions, love requires sacrifice and submission. In loving each other, you will need to serve each other, submit to each other, and place each other’s needs ahead of your own. This is sacrificial love. I would not ask you to do anything I have not already done.

When you love each other as I have loved you, my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. No greater reward is there for your obedience than a joyful heart. This is lasting joy, not temporary happiness. With joy, comes the peace of knowing that you live a life that is pleasing to me. Abide in me and I will abide in you. Love others and remain in my love. Remain in me and experience the love, peace, and joy of the full life I intended for you.

Phillips, Craig & Dean – What Kind of Love is This Lyrics

Artist: Phillips, Craig & Dean

What kind of love is this that climbs the hill That bears the cross, that takes the nails? What kind of love is this that takes my place That gives His life and clears my name? Oh, I want to know what kind of love is this?

What kind of love is this that gives His Son That bears the sin of everyone? What kind of love is this that cries alone That tastes of death to bring me home? Oh, I want to know what kind of love is this?

It’s wonderful, it’s glorious It’s full of grace and full of mercy Powerful, it’s marvelous That’s what this love is That’s what God’s love is

What kind of love is this that fills my soul That lifts me up and makes me whole? What kind of love is this that gives me hope That dries my tears and brings me joy? Oh, I want to know what kind of love this is?

Jesus, Jesus He’s full of grace and full of mercy Jesus, my Jesus This is what love is That’s what God’s love is

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/phillips-craig-dean/what-kind-of-love-is-this-lyrics/#qO9UHewt5xStwYWj.99

 


 

 

 

Obedience is Love

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 6)

Children of God, I ask you to walk in truth and love—the truth that I am the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, and the love that the Father has bestowed upon us. True love is this: that we obey the commands of God. I have asked you to love one another, just as I have loved you. Love is obedience. Obedience is love. One does not exist without the other. When you are obedient to His commands, you demonstrate your love for the Father. When you love the Father, you demonstrate your love through your obedience. I love God, therefore, I demonstrated my love with my obedience, even unto death on the cross. Obey God, and walk in His true love. This love is a gift from God above. You cannot manifest this kind of love from any efforts of your own flesh. You must draw on the pure, unadulterated love of God, in order to love another in His grace. Do not be taken in by the kind of love the world offers, but cling to the love that has saved you from your sins. My blood was shed for your atonement. Claim your victory in my name. Live as I live. Love as I love. Demonstrate your love of God by loving one another. Love from the depths of the Spirit of God within you. When you do, your reward will be great.

Put One Foot in Front of the Other


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Daughter of the King—You are seeing the fruits of your labor. You have been faithful to completing this task I have given you. Your obedience is appreciated. You have done your part for the moment. The next step is in my hands. Leave it to me. I am in control. I am with you. Listen to me and follow my lead. I will make things happen for you in a way that I will receive all the glory. I have chosen you for a reason. Be patient. I will act when the time is right. Keep pressing forward. Do not be overwhelmed. Put one foot in front of the other each day and make progress in the work I have for you. Your reward will be worth the wait. I am in control of all things. You are in my sight. I will not leave you alone to face the wolves of this world. They will bow down to me. Remain humble and obedient to your call. I will produce fruit ten-, fifty-, one-hundred fold. It matters not that you have a small following. You have a great God who is in your court cheering for you. Be faithful and committed to your work. The time may come when your time will go. Remain true to me and maintain your relationship with me. Do not forget who has called you to this. Tune in to me. I will let you in on my plans. My plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. Your future is secure with me.