Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Aug 2, 2007 10:54:41 GMT -5
July 13, 2006
“Every commandment which I command you TODAY you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land…” (Deut. 8:1, NKJV, emphasis added).
God’s promises of blessing to us are, for the most part, predicated on our obedience—a condition that can sometimes be almost intimidating. What keeps the concept manageable, however, is the fact that He requires our obedience TODAY—not yesterday or tomorrow, just today. Combine that with the fact that we understand that apart from Him we can do nothing (see John 15:5) but through Him we can do ALL things (see Phil. 4:13), and we understand why Jesus said that walking in “yoke” with Him is “easy” and “light” (see Matt. 11:28-30).
As writers, we often find ourselves spending more time alone than those who work at “real” jobs. (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one!) I know for myself there are days when I don’t even leave the house (since my office is here), and I don’t talk to anyone except my husband and mother at the dinner table. I count myself blessed to be able to make my living at something I love so much, but I am also aware that there is a danger in being cut off from regular social interaction with others. It is easy to let the trials and circumstances and responsibilities of our lives become bigger than they really are—at least in light of eternity—when we are isolated and unaware that others are experiencing similar (or worse) problems.
One sure cure for becoming overwhelmed with the many responsibilities and situations we must juggle daily is to remember that God requires only one thing of us: to be obedient to His commands today. And what does He command us to do? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). That’s it. Love God today. If we keep that as our focus throughout the day, we can trust that He will bless us and we will accomplish all that He has called us to do.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com
“Every commandment which I command you TODAY you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land…” (Deut. 8:1, NKJV, emphasis added).
God’s promises of blessing to us are, for the most part, predicated on our obedience—a condition that can sometimes be almost intimidating. What keeps the concept manageable, however, is the fact that He requires our obedience TODAY—not yesterday or tomorrow, just today. Combine that with the fact that we understand that apart from Him we can do nothing (see John 15:5) but through Him we can do ALL things (see Phil. 4:13), and we understand why Jesus said that walking in “yoke” with Him is “easy” and “light” (see Matt. 11:28-30).
As writers, we often find ourselves spending more time alone than those who work at “real” jobs. (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one!) I know for myself there are days when I don’t even leave the house (since my office is here), and I don’t talk to anyone except my husband and mother at the dinner table. I count myself blessed to be able to make my living at something I love so much, but I am also aware that there is a danger in being cut off from regular social interaction with others. It is easy to let the trials and circumstances and responsibilities of our lives become bigger than they really are—at least in light of eternity—when we are isolated and unaware that others are experiencing similar (or worse) problems.
One sure cure for becoming overwhelmed with the many responsibilities and situations we must juggle daily is to remember that God requires only one thing of us: to be obedient to His commands today. And what does He command us to do? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). That’s it. Love God today. If we keep that as our focus throughout the day, we can trust that He will bless us and we will accomplish all that He has called us to do.
(C) KATHI MACIAS
www.kathimacias.com