Dearest friends~ I think it’s only fitting to end this year with a Wednesday’s WOTD – since my whole reason for blogging was to have an outlet to share what God is sharing with me.
I don’t normally quote straight from a devotional book, but I could never say this message any better than Oswald Chambers – and I believe that it’s so important and timely to every one of our lives. Obedience does equal peace – and as we’re looking to the new year, I don’t know about you, but I need a lot of both!
“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 (CEV)
from “My Utmost for His Highest”, by Oswald Chambers – December 14
“…As long as we try to serve two ends, ourselves and God, there is perplexity. The attitude must be one of complete reliance of God. When once we get there, there is nothing easier than living the saintly life. Difficulty comes when we want to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own ends.
Whenever you obey God, his seal is always that of peace, the witness of an unfathomable peace. Whenever peace does not come, tarry till it does, or find out the reason why it does not. If you are acting on impulse or from a sense of the heroic, the peace of Jesus will not witness…
My questions come whenever I cease to obey. When I have obeyed God, the problems never come between me and God, they come as probes to keep the mind going on with amazement at the revelation of God.
Any problem that comes between God and myself springs out of disobedience. Any problem, and there are many, that is alongside me while I obey God, increases my ecstatic delight, because I know that my Father knows, and I am going to watch and see how He unravels this thing.”
As I think about and pray about the upcoming year, goals, changes, etc. that come with a fresh new start, my deepest desire and main goal for 2009 is “immediate obedience” to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m learning that it is the most important thing in life!
We show Him our love by our obedience (John 14:15 “If you really love me, you will obey my commands.”). When we obey the Lord, He will lead us in every other Christian virtue and command, because He will have our hearts.
This is my prayer for myself and for my husband, children, and loved ones (you, included) as we enter 2009 – that every one of us will obey God – immediately, and without reserve, so that He’ll have full reign over our hearts, words, actions, thoughts, and lives! Only then, will we all have real peace.
I love each of you. Thank you for being a part of my life this year. May “The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).” Numbers 6:26 (Amp.)
TTYL… in 2009 🙂 Jennifer
Great post! Unfortunately so many people are self-serving… this is the very reason the world we live in is in such turmoil!
Happy New Year!
Oh, Jennifer, Thank you fo this wonderful reminder. Obedience to Him will always bring His precious peace.
Oh, Lord, help me to follow you in complete obedience!
Love ya! Angie
I have always enjoyed Oswald Chambers. Thank you so much for this sweet reminder about our responsibility to obey and God’s desire to see our hearts submitted to Him. It’s daily renewal!
Jennifer! this post was divine. Seriously last night as I was going to bed I was thinking about things and through this post the Lord is like brittney IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE!! Nothing else matters except my obedience to my Savior. I really love this part: “Any problem, and there are many, that is alongside me while I obey God, increases my ecstatic delight, because I know that my Father knows, and I am going to watch and see how He unravels this thing.” This is so true.
I love you so much my dear friend!!
I love “My Utmost for His Highest”! Everytime I open it it speaks to me – timeless! Thank you for that encouragement and challenge. There are many decisions that I need to be making right now and I want those decisions to be out of obedience not out of me!
Jennifer!
Happy New Year to you and your family! I too am looking forward to all 2009 brings. I too pray with you to be more obedient!
Thanks for the reminder about obedience. I love the book “My Utmost for His Highest” and these are such pearls of wisdom. I sometimes need to hear things over and over to learn the lesson. In 2009, I want to obey immediately. Happy New Year to you Jennifer.
Happy New Year my sweet Friend!!! I love this reminder today. And, what a year 2009 will be…. what encouragement and accountability we have in this blog place. I’m so thankful for the gift of your friendship as I reflect back on 2008. And, I am so excited for all that our Lord has in store in 2009. Oh how I pray with you for obedience in Him…. following only Him! Happy New Year Jen!!!
Great Word! Happy New Year, my friend!
Words of wisdom here. I love that: Obedience equals Peace. Succinct and so true. Nice to meet you over at Adventurous Living.
I love Oswald Chambers. Could you just imagine sitting under him in a sermon? Utmost For His Highest is a favorite book of mine. Thank you for sharing such precious words to live by.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Jennifer thanks for sharing about obedience, your blog gives me so much to think about. I am blessed to have found it. Happy 2009
Jennifer, yes, may we all be more obedient to the Lord in 2009!
I love to read Oswald Chambers devotional “My Utmost for His Highest” and L. B. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert”.
Obedience in Christ 2009!
Miriam
Thanks so much for coming by with your sweet birthday wishes for me.
I hope your new year is filled with all the blessings it can hold…
love, bj
ooo, and I am STILL in love with Conway, even tho he’s been gone for awhile…*swoon swoon
Such a delicious voice !
Excellent read. And it is a fitting way to end the year. Aren’t yall fun! Sounds like a great way to spend New Year’s. Maybe next year or so I will get adventuresome again and have a New Year’s Eve party. Love it to Tivo the Ball dropping. 🙂 You’re the best! Happy New Year’s!
Happy New Year! I have enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to more of your insight in the new year.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I love that book! Happy New Year, Smelling Coffee!
-sandy toes
yes, it’s nearly impossible to improve on Oswald Chambers. 🙂 Thank you for sharing one of my favorites.