Obedience means doing things because Jesus says so, even when it doesn’t make sense

There was nothing logical about returning to the open sea and fishing again for Peter. It was absurd. But Jesus say go and Peter said, which I think is the key phrase in this narrative, “. . . because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).

Why can we take Jesus at his word and do what he asks simply because he says so?
Because Jesus’ perspective is greater than our perspective. God grants to us a limited perspective. Like the headlights reach on a car driven at night. He can see ahead, but only for a short way. Whereas God sees the whole road. Where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we are going. I can obey him because he sees all and knows all.

The most powerful test of obedience is do those things that don’t make sense simply because Jesus says so.

What about you?
What’s your boat?
What’s keeping you from a life of usefulness?
A job, a relationship, a security, a bank account, a drive for materialism, a fickle feeling that being a fully devoted follower of Christ is not exciting enough or would hurt your status? Come on be honest, what standing between you and a life of obedience?
What’s preventing you from making a difference for eternity sake?

When it comes to obedience there is no middle ground. Once we have heard the Lord speak, we either act on it or we don’t. We either obey or we disobey. What will you do?

How to Live Happily Ever After Luke 6:20-26

• To live happily ever after, live decisively for God’s kingdom and reject the world’s values.
• To live happily ever after, you must see that there are two (and only two) ways to live and you must commit yourself to live under Christ’s lordship.
• To live happily ever after, you must adopt God’s values while rejecting the world’s values.
• To live happily ever after, you must live in dependence on God.

The person living for God’s blessing has deliberately decided to reject the world’s values and to live under the Lordship of Jesus as King. Turning his back on this fleeting world and its pleasures, he is living in light of eternity. Letting go off self-sufficiency and self-confidence, he has cast himself on Jesus both for salvation from God’s judgment and for sustenance in this life. So, ask yourself, “Do I want God’s blessing on my life?” It’s the only way to live happily ever after. Jesus tells you how to have it: Live decisively for God’s kingdom and reject the world’s values.

An Effective Servant Luke 7:1-10

An effective servant of Christ needs an exalted view of Jesus, a lowly view of himself, and a caring view of others.

He is Lord—the One in Authority. Therefore, the effective servant will have faith in Christ’s sovereign authority.

An effective servant of Christ needs a lowly view of himself.
I am unworthy: Humility. Therefore, the servant will have faith in God’s grace.

An effective servant of Christ needs a caring view others.
“They are needy ”: Compassion . Therefore the servant will have faith in Christ’s authority and grace towards others.

The Lord is looking for servants like this centurion:

Who have an exalted view of Christ—He is the sovereign Lord of authority, and thus they trust Him for the impossible.

Who have a lowly view of themselves—they are unworthy and insufficient, but they know Christ as gracious and all-sufficient.

Who have a caring view of others—they are helpless, and thus need compassion. Christ’s authority and grace extend to those whom society may despise.

Hudson Taylor, the great pioneer missionary to China, used to say, “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.”
May that same powerful God do great things through us as we trust Him in our weakness!

✍️🍁Mrs. Kalaiselvi Balakrishnan in Jesus Christ 🍁✍️

🔸PRAYER PATTERN
Communication is most important to any relationship: parent and child, husband and wife, employer and employee, coach and athlete. And most important; God and those who love Him. Jesus was a prayer warrior. Jesus turned to God the Father in prayer. If Jesus needed to communicate with God to accomplish His mission, how much more do I need to pray! Let me make that my pattern too.
Truth is: Pray first!
🔸TRUE CHARACTER
An excellent test of character is the way a person reacts under the pressure of a difficult situation. Jesus reminds me about my speech and actions. What is deep down inside of me will spill out when I am tested. My reactions to pressure can reveal what I am. When someone does something I don’t like, how do I react? By maintaining my fellowship with God and relying on His Holy Spirit’s guidance, what spills out of me will be pure and good.
Truth is: Our true character is revealed in the unguarded moment.
To God be the Glory.
Br. John Rajan/Admin.,
GCO. Shanthi Samuel,
Chennai.