~ Mary Southerland- When a company takes over another company, there is often a sign displayed that reads "Under New Management." When we invite Christ to take over our lives, we place ourselves under new management, the management of Jesus Christ. He is a benevollent manager. He manages our lives from a heart of love.
"The LORD has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasures, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands" (Deuteronomy 26:18 NLT).
Under His loving and patient direction, His plan for our lives will emerge as we yield to Him. It is a wonderful plan. It is the best plan, the highest plan designed by the One who created us, knows us best, and loves us most.
The plan is useless, however, unless we make the choice to follow it daily. God will not force us to follow the plan. He is not a dictator, but a loving Father. Our choice to obey will guarantee contentment because when we choose obedience we step under the umbrella of His protection, power, and purpose.
God sees what we cannot see. He knows what lies ahead. His Word is the instruction manual for life, the road map for the journey, the customized blueprint by which we build and grow. If you want to obey God, you must saturate your life with His Word. That means hearing it, receiving it, learning it, seeing it, and doing it.
James urges us to remember that the message God has planted in our hearts "is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself" (James 1:22 NLT).
Obedience sets God free to work in our lives. Obedience encourages peace in our hearts. Obedience brings contentment. Disobedience is the enemy of contentment, because it is sin. When we cherich sin and refuse to relinquish it, contentment is impossible.
We sing loudly about our great love for God but nullify His existence in the way we treat our family. It is not enough to know the truth. We are foolish if we really believe that God is impressed with our knowledge of truth. God is pleased by our practice of the truth. (pp. 152-154 In Coming Out of the Dark, by Mary Southerland)
Father, as we give our hearts and lives over to Christ Jesus, may we allow Him to be our new Manager, the One who will lead us with a heart of love. Help us treasure what You have promised us, and to obey all of Your commands that we read and hear about.
#41 Quote- By John Newton: From Prayers for Life pg.324
"Most books on prayer only inform the mind, but Samuel Chadwick both instructs the intellect and inspires the heart to meet God at the throne of grace. I thank God for this precious volume, for it has breatly affected my life and ministry."
"Living in the worship and awe of God will bring you many years of contented living."
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing:https://www.
"Our stronghold is a divine shield that surrounds us. A spiritual fortress protects us. It does not prevent our participation in the battle but protects us from destruction. When we feel consumed by hardship, defeated, and utterly powerless, remember that as a redeemed child of God, we remain within the strongest hold of God. We have nothing to fear."
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