Obedience Strategy: Signposts – Part 1

A few months ago, my husband and I were faced with a pivotal decision. 

So, I pressed God for an answer, because our timeline was short. 

What should we do? Should we do this? Or should we do that?

God answered my prayer by showing me a vision of a road block in front of the way He directed us to go three years earlier. I could clearly see in my mind’s eye a barricade in front of a road with the Words “LIMITED TIME” printed over the scene.

God made His will clear to me that we were no longer to go that way and that the time for that track was over (Ps 119:110). 

God had something new. 

So, in continuing to seek and follow Him, we ultimately discovered He had a more beautiful, even loftier place for us than three years ago.

Friends, what better place does God have for you in this hour? What new beginning?

What is His next step for you?

Psalm 28:7 TPT says, “…When I fully trust in you, help is on the way.”

God’s way is a sure path of life, shielding us from every danger (Ps 119:25, 37, 114).

His signposts are revelatory clues that He uses to bring clarity and help direct us along His best path. When we know God intimately, we know His voice in ways that align with His Word (Jn 10:27). We have eyes to see and ears to hear His truth (Matt 13:16, Ac 28:27 AMP).

Our level of obedience to His ways largely determines the level of life we experience on earth.

Abundant life is there for those who choose to receive it (Pr 11:19 TPT). 

God promises!

And it’s for His glory.

Psalm 31:19 NIV says, “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

When we love God deeply, we revere Him, run to Him, and put His everlasting Word before us. When we know Him, we trust that He will authoritatively direct and establish us in His will and ways as we set our hearts upon Him.

He is the Word, and He is Love (Jn 1:1, 1 Jn 4:16).

Revelation of His Word is His light of understanding to us. This revelation-understanding is the signpost that guides us to our next step (Ps 119:97, 100).

Psalm 119:140 TPT tells us, “all Your promises glow with fire.”

So, just like the pillar of fire (and a cloud) that guided the Israelites closer to their promised land, God’s illuminated Word guides us into His promises to us as we set our whole hearts on Him and seek Him for understanding (Ps 119:130, 2, 80).

Righteous God goes before us and shows us the way, according to His Word (De 1:32-33).

He reveals these secrets to us not only so we can have an understanding heart, but so we can obey Him (Ps 119:34). This postures us to favorably complete assignments and receive enduring rewards to better help others.

When we love God more than anything (or anyone) else, we will follow Him more than those other things.

Friends, that’s when life gets amazing.

Psalm 119:127 TPT says, “Truly, your message of truth means more to me than a vault filled with the purest gold.”

Psalm 119:129 TPT tells us, “Your marvelous words are living miracles; no wonder I long to obey everything you say.”

So, God’s Word as miraculous, valuable treasure makes us wiser than our enemies and protects us (Ps 119:98, 92-94).

Holy Spirit teaches us along His straightforward way and directs the flow of our lives by His teachings.

Proverbs 21:21 TPT tells us, “The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.”

Conversely, compromise of His Word diminishes life.

So, we are to look for and obey God’s signposts of illuminated Word passionately, setting them ever before us.(Ps 119:130-131).

We are to be like the psalmist in Psalm 119:112, who determined in his heart to “fully and forever” obey whatever God said.

Friends, the more we come into alignment with God’s Word, the more we come to experience the revelation of His heart and the increased flow of His power to help others.

Proverbs 11:30 TPT tells us “…a life lived loving God bears lasting fruit, for the one who is truly wise wins souls.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 TPT say, “Generosity brings prosperity, but withholding from charity brings poverty. Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.”

Friends, these are spiritual laws that work on our behalf and prove true in our lives.

So, do you love and trust God at His Word? Are you willing to follow Him and His ways?

If so, in light of all this, our prayer should be Psalm 119:29-32 MSG, which reads:

Barricade the road that goes nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don’t let me down! I’ll run the course you lay out for me if you’ll just show me how.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

Friends, join me next week for Part 2 of Obedience Strategy: Sign Posts.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Joy: Our Commanded Blessing

1 Thessalonians 5:16 TPT says, “Let joy be your continual feast.”

1 Peter 1:8-9 TPT say, “…through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!”

According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary, there are two distinct types of joy: One is a feeling, which is not commanded. The other is an action, which is commanded.

In regards to joy being a feeling, this dictionary says, “Joy is a feeling called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences it because of certain favorable circumstances. It cannot be commanded” (Ps 137:1-6).

In regards to joy being an action, this same dictionary says, “There is a joy that Scripture commands. That joy is action that can be engaged in regardless of how the person feels. Joy in adverse circumstances is possible only as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is present in every Christian” (Mt 5:11-12, Phil 4:4, 1 Thes 5:16, Jas 1:2).

Galatians 5:22 TPT affirms this by saying, “But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”

Limitless, overflowing joy, like all the fruit of the Spirit, is an expression of the love and victory we have in Christ (Ps 21:1).

Romans 5:11 TPT says, “…we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!”

So this divine victory, expressed as joy, is what we have inside of us—sealed in our spirit as believers. And, it can overflow as we rejoice in The Lord, regardless of circumstance.

God greatly honors our intentional choice to rejoice in Him, despite enemy resistance.

Romans 5:2 says, “…as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory,” “incredible joy bursts forth within us.”

Proverbs 28:12 TPT tells us, “The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory…”

Rejoicing in The Lord honors God, which invites Him to pour out His Spirit, not only through us like a fountain, but also upon us from Heaven above.

I have experienced this many times during praise and worship sessions, especially when my heart’s cry has been desperate.

There’s nothing more overwhelmingly satisfying, joyful and powerful than the tangible, glorious Presence of Almighty God, where all of His fruit is expressed as love.

Psalm 84:10 TPT says, “For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one!…”

If you’ve never experienced this level of intimate joy, I invite you to try:

Get alone.

Play some worship music.

Worship God for an hour, focusing entirely on Him.

Then, see what happens.

A breaking through of enemy resistance into a heavenly realm occurs.

In God’s Glory-Presence, even more breakthrough occurs (Ps 35:9, 51:12, 145:7)!

Peace, revelation and healing occurs as the power of God is released.

So, if you need a lift from whatever is weighing you down, rejoice in The Lord.

Joy is our strength.

We know this from Nehemiah 8:10 AMPC, which commands us to, “…be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.”

Friends, we have a decision to make to remain on the side of victory by intentionally choosing to rejoice in The Lord with gladness, no matter what our circumstances or how we feel.

Romans 12:12 TPT encourages us to let our “hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.”

Joy is a mighty weapon—as an escape from enemy traps (Pr 29:6 TPT) and a protective covering that the enemy cannot enter into (Ps 5:11-12 TPT)!

Friends, we have so much to be joyful for, beginning with our salvation. God has seated us in powerful victory. He has the final Word over our circumstances when we trust and obey Him (Ps 28:7, 119:2, 14; Pr 8:32).

Psalm 119:56 TPT reveals, “All this joy is mine as I follow your ways!”

Friends, my prayer for you is this…

Lord, Thank You for revealing to us “the pathways to life” and for filling us with “euphoria” (Acts 2:28 TPT)!

“…Let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy. Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy” (Ps 5:11-12 TPT)

Lord, May Your strength be our “song of joy. At each and every sunrise,” may the “lyrics of” Your “love fill the air!” May You become our “glory-fortress, a stronghold in” our “day of distress” (Ps 59:16 TPT).

Lord, May Your victory heap blessing after blessing upon us as we rejoice before Your face (Ps 21:6). And, may Your Words of wisdom bring us joy…for Kingdom purposes (Pr 8:34).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Ro 15:13 TPT)!

“Go ahead–sing your brand-new song to the Lord! He is famous for his miracles and marvels, for he is victorious through his mighty power and holy strength” (Ps 98:1 TPT).

To God be the glory!

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.