Scripture: Deuteronomy 28 v 1 - 6: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out."
To define true obedience we need only look at verse 1, the next five verses are the rewards or blessings of putting the first verse into action.
1. Hearken diligently, listen intently, to the voice of the Lord.
If you are not hearing God speak to you something on your side is jamming the signal. Go no further before you unearth the blockage and destroy it. The first clue is that you have been disobedient to God, and have said or done or omitted something you know will displease Him. Repent now and restore contact with your Heavenly Father and don't assume He is lenient.
2. Observe and do all His commands.
So many people read the Word of God without applying what it says to their lives. Observe means to look at what God is doing........He is talking to you as a Father, trying to help you understand what you need to do to get into the right space with Him. This is never a consensus of what your spouse, children, parents, friends or even your pastor think is appropriate! This is the Power from On High telling you what to do. It's not up for debate or when its convenient.
Jesus is our example. He always said, I do what I see the Father doing! He observes in spirit what He is being shown, then He does it. This is how our lives should be lived. Putting God first, His needs before our needs because if we obey and meet His expectations, He will respond and meet our needs.
3. The Lord will promote you, set you on high, above those around you.
True obedience is the key to the blessings He has for us. This does not mean that we can be arrogant, proud or superior if He promotes us, we must remain humble knowing that He rules His Kingdom, our job is to be Ambassadors.
The sinful world needs Ambassadors to live among them and give them the Light of love, truth, faith of Jesus so they may be blessed and be a witness of His Life.
The letters of Paul the Apostle were written to various churches he had established in Asia Minor. They contain teachings we all need plus many corrections of errors that crept into the churches. Today the errors are seldom acknowledged or corrected so they keep piling up bringing serious confusion of right and wrong.
In many churches Jesus has already removed the Candlestick of His presence and anointing causing the pastors to manufacture fake healings and spiritual experiences to remain relevant. Trying to bring Light into these churches is criticised as being judgmental and dismissed without thought.
Once the Candlestick is removed darkness enters the church and even though worship remains, Jesus says, In vain do they worship Me for I am close to their lips but their heart is far from Me.
Matthew 7 v 21 - 23: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
We must do the will of the Father, true obedience, to enter Heaven. We can be doing spiritual works but they are not the will of God. They are done by self to promote self because God's promotion has stopped.
He has just reminded me to mention the problem of spiritual murmuring, or murmuring and complaining against the true works, or workers, of God. Miriam, the sister of Moses, murmured against God and immediately her hand became leprous. Full of leprosy, meaning she would be rejected by everyone and be in total isolation. She immediately repented and was healed. Those who murmur against God will become isolated, rejected and lose every blessing.
There are more blessings in Deuteronomy 28, up to verse 14. From 15 to 68 are the curses of disobedience. They are hard to read but necessary to keep a check of where we really stand in God's estimation. If any of those curses are troubling you, you now know how to rectify and restore the blessings.
Let us grow in grace but see "supergrace" for the monster it has become which turns a blind eye to sin and disobedience. It justifies ungodly behaviour into an anything goes society. Let us correctly discern truth from error, and light from darkness.
2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Separate yourself from those who are ungodly and touch not their uncleanness. God wants us for Himself alone. He wants us uncontaminated by sinners, religion, demonic teachings dressed up in Christian jargon. It's time to start getting serious with Him as the darkness is coming in which no man can work.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, our Father, You are speaking urgently to Your people calling their names, sharing Your wisdom and given Your instructions. O Lord God please open the ears that are stopped, and the blocked hearts and let them hear You loud and clear.
Thank You Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.