The "O" Word

Everyone knows there is power in prayer. I love praying and talking to God. There is power in another form of communication not just prayer but obedience.

The "O" word. The word no one is talking about but God showed me something. Everyone talks about prayer, prayer, prayer moves God but obedience moves Him even more.
Let's look at it from a parent's perspective. I talk to my kids all the time. They ask me for whatever they want because they know this is the only they can get what they ask for. However, if my kids have been disobedient recently then I'm hesitant to give them what they ask for. If my kids have been keeping their room clean, doing chores and making good grades, then I'm not as hesitant to grant their request.

God is the same way with us. We ask Him all day long for something but if we aren't being obedient to His word then God is not going to be quick to move. There are many scriptures in the Bible that say this. For example, Proverbs 7:2 "Keep my commandments and live, And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye."  This is just one of many that says keep my commands. Now remember God is a gracious God but it doesn't mean we take advantage of His grace.
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aking advantage of God's grace is like us having car insurance. We don't go around pretending our vehicle is a bumper car just because we have insurance. Why? because it is inconvenient to go through the process of getting the car fixed. We should consider God's grace the same way. It's inconvenient when we disobey and have to go through a process to get back on track.

Another favorite scripture Psalm 37:4, sums it up.  "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Many people do not realize what delight means. Don't worry, I used to be one of them. Delight doesn't mean just pray, praise and worship but it means to obey. The definition of delight is to please greatly or pleasure. What is the best way for us to be a pleasure to God?

Remember our children, when I tell my kids something and they do it without talking back, I'm so excited. God is the same way. The best way to delight in God is to obey Him.
This is why it is so important to write the vision. The vision we have is God speaking to us. Write them down and it will give you something to study. Read the word and listen to God's voice as you read. He will speak to you concerning your life.

Don't just be a talker but be a listener. We have the faith to pray. It's time we have the faith to obey.