"And I will give you a new
heart with new and right
desires, and I will put a
new spirit in you. I will
take out your stony heart of
sin and give you a new,
obedient heart."
Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
Obeying the dietary needs given in God's Word, the Jews served a number of beans and peas, necessary for protein and nourishment. Without proper obedience, those ancient Jews would have walked around undernourished and frail.
Jesus told the story of two boys who were given an instruction. One said he would do it, but he never did. The other say he wouldn't do what he was asked, but shortly afterwards, he felt conviction in his heart and completed the instruction. Even though this boy denied the instruction with his lips, his sense of obedience permeated all the way to his heart. From there, he went to work, and no doubt afterwards he returned to his father to tell him he obeyed.
I believe very strongly in voicing our desire to obey, but I believe even more strongly in putting our obedience into action. If you have become a believer, you have a new heart that really desires to obey. But sometimes, heartfelt obedience is imprisoned by pride, bitterness, and offense. We must go to battle to rescue the obedient heart God has given us. Then, we can get to work with our instructions, both from men and from Heaven. And lastly, we can declare, "I obeyed."
Father, I thank You that
You have taken out my old,
stony heart of sin and have
given me a new, obedient
heart in its place. I follow
through with every
instruction I'm given, both
from You and from
delegated authority.
Love,
Mel(:
9:57 AM, & i live by faith and not by sight for you
