Submission to Gods Will

Our wills are naturally selfish. We love to have our own way. It's not easy to submit to the will of another, unless there is some strong motive that impels us to submission. The carrying out of our wills in a selfish way, only leads to more selfishness and to a stronger inclination to have our own way. It is this selfish inclination in the will, that makes it necessary for God to demand submission from us.

His will is never selfish, but always benevolent. The cheerful doing of it always leads to an increase of benevolence in us. Therefore, when God demands us to submit our wills to him, he is doing that which is best for us. The more consideration for others and true benevolence is developed within us the more our natures are purified and exalted and the more we are able to fulfill the purpose of our creation.

Submitting to God is often the hardest of all tasks, yet it's the most necessary, if we're to be exalted to fellowship with God and enjoy the highest development of our faculties and powers. Selfishness always tends to degrade. Its ignoble exercise tends to dwarf and blight the finest things in our characters. The adoption of a submissive attitude toward God and his will, paves the way for the natural development of those qualities within us which are most worth developing, and which ennoble us most when they're developed. The more our souls run out God-ward, the more like him we become; and the more like him we become, the happier and more useful we are. Unselfish devotion to benevolent service toward God and toward our fellow man, enriches the heart and life as nothing else can do, and leads the way to happiness, peace, and contentment, which make one truly blessed.

Submission to God is the one necessary thing in order to enjoy the Christian life. The more fully we are submitted to his will, the more cheerfully we can carry it out, and the sweeter and richer will be the joy of doing it. Reluctant submission to God is not real submission. Reluctant obedience is never real obedience. It's only when the heart responds to God willingly and cheerfully, that the power of such service to make one joyful is realized. We must conquer our reluctant wills. "The essence of sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of the will. Unwilling offerings are a contradiction, and in fact, there are no such things. The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness. Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity."

True nobility of both the inner and the outer life comes from submission to, and cooperation with, God. The nature of our relations with God depends upon the extent of our submission to him.

[Charles Naylor]

Matthew 6:10 ... Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Philippians 2:13 ... For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Colossians 1:9 ... For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ❤

Judas The Preacher

To obey the truth, and not to know it is impossible. To know the truth and not obey it is unprofitable. Saving knowledge is not as the light of the moon to sleep by; but as the light of the sun to work by. It is not a loiterer in the marketplace but a laborer in the vineyard.  A man may be a great scholar and yet be a great sinner. Judas the traitor was Judas the preacher! 

The snake which has a pearl in its head has poison in its body! The tree of knowledge has often been planted and flourished where the tree of life never grew! All abilities and gifts without grace and holiness are but like Uriah's letters, which were the death warrants of those who carried them! 

Mere head knowledge will be as unhelpful to the soul, in the judgment day as a painted fire is unhelpful to the frozen body, in a cold day. Theoretical knowledge may make the head giddy, but it will never make the heart holy. How many professors are there, who have light enough to know what should be done but have not love enough to do what they know! 

Give me the Christian who perfectly sees the way he should go and readily goes the way he sees! That is barren ground which brings forth no fruit. "To him who knows to do good and does it not to him it is sin." (James 4:17) The sins of ignorance are most numerous, but the sins of knowledge are most dangerous! That sinner's darkness will be the greatest in hell whose light was the clearest on earth! 

There are many who set a crown of glory upon the head of Christ by a good profession and yet put a crown of thorns upon his head by an evil conversation. By the words of our mouth, we may affect to adore religion; but it is by the works of our lives that we adorn religion. As trees without fruits are unprofitable so knowledge without good works is abominable! Leah and Rachel are fit emblems of knowledge and obedience. Knowledge, like Rachel is beautiful. But obedience, like Leah is fruitful. 

[William Secker]

John 13:17 ... If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

James 1:22 ... But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Matthew 7:21 ... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ❤

Repent and Believe!!

Yes, you must first believe but salvation is more than that.  

You must repent and believe!

Mark 1:15 ... And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Acts 19:4 ... Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Psalm 24:3-5 ... Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ❤

Your Obedience...

Release work for today and see the details that the LORD will show you. Set apart your times and be glad in all things. Take His hand on the water of your divine purpose.  He will uphold you and give you the ‘pro’-vision needed. 

Take time to sit at His feet and shut out all that distracts. No greater purpose than for you to sit in His Divine Counsel. There is simply no work, chore, or responsibility that will benefit your life more than you sitting before Him. 

Allow Him to reveal to you the pathways of heaven. He calls the fish into the net of your ‘obedience.’ Listening and heeding His words is critical to the abundant experience. 

Learn this lesson above all else and you will indeed be His Supernatural Child. 

[Troi Cockayne] 

Luke 10:42 ...  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

John 14:23 ...  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. ❤

Do His Will.

Obedience can be uncomfortable, but God has blessings in store for those who do His will. 

[Dr. Charles F. Stanley]

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Luke 12:31 ...  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jeremiah 7:23 ... But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Ephesians 5:8-10 ...  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

1 Peter 4:13 ... But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ❤

Do You Obey?

Jeremiah 11:8 ... Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not.

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Do You Obey Him?

We cannot accept Christ as our Savior, and not at the same time accept Him as our Lord and Master. We must begin at once to obey Him. Our obedience must be without reserve, without condition, without question. It must also be cheerful and glad-hearted not compulsory, reluctant, or constrained. 

Christians are soldiers of Christ, and the soldier's first duty is to obey. Whether the will of Christ is made known to us in His Word, through our own conscience, or in providence we should always promptly and cheerfully accept and obey. It may not be always easy; it may be very hard and costly; but when the will of our Master is made known, if we are His followers we can only obey, and our obedience should be sweet with love. 

We love Him, because He first loved us. We know Him, because He first calls us. Christ is ours, and we are Christ's. Being a Christian is living out His same life of love, obedience, surrender, and service, through all the days. 

 [J. R. Miller]

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Hebrews 5:9 ... And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Colossians 3:22 ... Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

Philippians 2:12 ... Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.❤

Peace Pace

Those who do His bidding will rest in perfect peace, free from fear. They are His flock and He tends to their needs. The striving of man equals unrest. His pace brings peace. Supernatural power comes from His rest. You will work, but for now rest. There is much to do, but Supernatural results come from His presence and His peaceful pace. 

Rest in Him. Learn how to do this. A mind at rest will maximize its capacity for productivity. Divine counsel and revelation flow from resting in His presence. Waiting in His peace allows heaven to settle on your thought life. The sediment of thoughts must settle for maximum clarity. You are learning His Ways. Your obedience attracts your destiny and His abundant provision. Overflow is a harvest that comes from obedience. 

Like a farmer, all work yields its harvest in due season as the order and elements are applied to your acts of labor. As you move in divine order, ‘obedience’, all these other things will be added to you. It’s His game board and He does what He wants. He sets Kings and Queens beside you, before you and behind you. Your obedience leads you into their presence. Like-kind attraction. Reigning authority is being established. Those who listen in His presence will carry the authority of His divine order. 

[Troi Nelson Cockayne] 

John 10:14-15 ... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:28-30 ... And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one. ❤

Our Rule.

We should set the Word of God always before as our rule, and believe nothing but that which it teaches, love nothing but that which it prescribes, hate nothing but that which it forbids, do nothing but that which it commands. 

 [Henry Smith]

1 John 2:5 ...  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

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Planting Heaven

Work the land today. Faithful daily steps, bathed in prayer, bring a divine harvest. Patiently work the details into the soil of your day. Plant, maintain and nurture. The miracle growth is His part. 

The farmer works the soil despite its lack.  He alone brings the life and will raise a miracle from its soil.  Do not be quick to throw a stone in judgement.  His mercy triumphs over judgement.  The wrath of God the Father has been satisfied in His sacrifice. This is the good news. 

He who is without sin cast the first stone. Be His love to the world. Be His message to the world around you. He has prepared the way beforehand. There are miracles waiting in the soil of your path, your destiny.  You merely pierce the soil with your part and they will rise in beauty.   Partner with Him and you will be planting heaven on earth.  Follow His instruction for the day and do not worry about tomorrow.

 [Troi Nelson Cockayne]

1 Corinthians 3:8-9 ...  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.❤

Saturate

Saturate in His love and His Kingdom will manifest in your open heart. Allow His Son to shine upon your darkened soil. Miracles break forth in soil that basks in the light of His perfect love. Open soil that receives the Living Water that falls from heaven, will break forth in fruit and beauty. Abide in His love and your opening beauty will manifest to those around you. The flower of your life will inspire others to abide in His Love. Your obedience will blossom. The seed of His Spirit, planted in open hearts, brings forth His harvest of beauty that fills His Kingdom.

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

John 15:4 … Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.❤

Just Do It!!

How can we know what Jesus says? We cannot hear His voice as the servants at the wedding heard it.

He speaks now to us in His Word, and the reverent heart may always hear what He says as the sacred pages are prayerfully pondered.

He speaks in the conscience that is kept tender by loyal obeying.

He speaks in the providence which brings the present duty to our hand.

There never is any real uncertainty as to what He says, if we are truly intent on knowing His will.

"Whatever He says to you, do it!!" It is the doing which is important. We should never ask questions nor make suggestions, when Jesus has spoken, the one thing for us is obedience. We should never ask what the consequences may be, or what it may cost us we are simply to obey. Jesus knows why He wants us to do the thing and that should be reason enough for us.

[J. R. Miller]

John 14:15 … If ye love me, keep my commandments

John 2:5 … His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.❤

True Church

Committed disciples working together in His love, caring for one another is the true church. Equal in His eyes are you all. 'Make disciples' is His command and His call, not His suggestion. A body that does not work together from the command of its head, will not experience its intended design. Obedience to His commands leads to supernatural function, which operates by faith. RELEASE the 'positions' established by mans traditions, born from selfish ambition. Function and meaningful purpose is what the LORD gives you, His body. Being one in His love is His perfect will for you and your children. He was led by the Spirit to do My Fathers will. Those that are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God. Follow His Word and His Ways, that you would reflect His real heart to a dying world.

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

Colossians 1:18 … And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Romans 8:14 … For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ❤

The Wisdom of God

How baffling often are God's dispensations! The more we attempt to fathom their mystery, the more we are driven to rest in the best earthly solution, "Your judgments are a great deep!" But where sense says, "All these things are against me!"  faith has a different verdict, "All things are working together for my good!" This is the province of faith, confidingly to lean on the arm of God, and to say, "The Lord is righteous in all His ways."

We speak of God "foreseeing," but the past, present, and future are with Him all alike. He sees the end from the beginning. We can discern but a short way, and that, through an imperfect and distorted medium. In a piece of earthly mechanism we seldom can discover beauty in the uncompleted structure. The mightiest works of science, while in progress often appear a chaos of confusion. It is only when finished that we can admire the relation and adjustment of every part to the whole. So also with the mechanism of God's moral administration. At present, how much mystery! But, when in the light of eternity we come to contemplate the completion of the mighty plan, how shall we be brought to own and exclaim, "The works of the Lord are right!"

Believer, are the dealings of your God at present displaying a mysterious aspect to you? Are you about to enter some dark cloud, exclaiming, "Truly, You are a God that hides Yourself?" Do you "fear to enter the cloud?" Take courage! It will be with you as with the disciples on their Mount of Transfiguration; unexpected glimpses of heavenly glory unlooked-for tokens of the Savior's presence and love await you! If your Lord leads you into the cloud, follow Him. If He "constrains you to get into the ship," obey Him. The cloud will burst in blessings. The ship will conduct you (it may be over a stormy sea) to a quiet haven at last. It is only the surface of the ocean that is rough. All beneath is a deep calm; and in every threatening wave there is a "needs-be!"

Oh! trust Him, who is emphatically "The Wisdom of God." He is your Counselor combining the infinite knowledge of God with the experience and sympathy of man. He is pledged to use the discipline most wisely suited for each believer's case.

[John MacDuff]

Psalm 147:5 … Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

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Hold On!!

Learning to release into His hands is your greatest act of obedience. Learning to trust His love and His care over the details of your life is the pathway to heaven. Heavenly eyes see His glory and His Faithfulness even in difficult circumstances. He revives and restores the broken heart and bring forth new life. See His life power. Saturate in His words and promises. 

Living is His love and your very life breath; power to raise you up and sustain your life. All things have value in His life. You are hidden in His heart and death must pass over you, His Child. His blood covers and in fact leads your mighty deliverance. Hold fast to His promises and relinquish anything that compromises your grip. Hold tight and hold strong in faith, your God is with you.

[Troi Nelson Cockayne]

1 Thessalonians 5:21 … Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Hebrews 10:23 … Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ❤

Spring of True Obedience

Love to God is the spring of true obedience to God.   One who is not obedient to His commandments, is evidently not a true believer; for although good works do not save us, yet, being saved, believers are sure to produce good works.

Though the fruit is not the root of the tree, yet a well-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. So, though the keeping of the commandments does not make me a child of God, yet, being a child of God, I shall be obedient to my heavenly Father. But this I cannot be, unless I love God.

A mere external formal obedience is not sincere obedience in God's sight. He abhors the sacrifice, where the heart is not found. I must obey Him because I love Him or else I have not truly obeyed at all. See then, that to produce the indispensable fruits of saving faith, there must be sincere love for God.

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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John 14:15 … If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21 … He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23  … Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  

2 John 1:6 … And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.❤

The Foundation

The foundation of all true knowledge of God, must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served nor worshiped. Something more than a theoretical knowledge of God is needed by us. God is only truly known in the soul, as we yield ourselves to Him, submit to His authority, and regulate all the details of our lives by His holy precepts and commandments.

[A.W. Pink]

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Job 22:21 ... Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.


Isaiah 1:19 ... If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:


2 John 6 ... And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.❤

Regulation of All Our Conduct

"You shall meditate on it day and night."  Only thus will its injunctions be fixed in the memory; only thus shall we be able to ascertain our duty; only thus shall we discern the rightful application of the Divine precepts to all the varied details of our daily lives.

The more I am regulated by the Divine Rule, the more I shall be preserved from the mistakes and follies which characterize those who follow a course of self-pleasing. But in order to do God's commandments, I must be conversant with them; and in order to perceive their breadth and specific application unto any problem or decision confronting me, I must "meditate on it day and night." Meditation stands to reading as mastication does to eating. Spiritual prosperity eludes the slothful and careless.

"That you may be careful to do everything written in it." This must be the dominating motive and object. God's Word is to be appropriated and masticated fed and meditated upon not for the purpose of understanding its prophecies, or obtaining an insight into its mysteries but in order to learn God's will for myself, and having learned it to conform thereunto. God's Word is given to us chiefly not to gratify curiosity or to entertain our imagination but as  a lamp to our fee and a light unto our path in this dark world. 

It is a Rule for us to walk by it is a heavenly standard for the regulation of all our conduct. It points out the things to be avoided the things which would harm us. It tells of the things to be followed and practiced the things which are for our good and our peace. It contains not only good advice but is clothed with Divine authority, commanding implicit and unqualified obedience.

[A.W. Pink]

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Joshua 1:8 ... This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success

Psalm 119:105 ... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.❤

Sentenced!

The design and end of God in the infusion of the Spirit of grace, is practical holiness and obedience. The indwelling Spirit of God elevates their minds, sets their affections upon heavenly things, purges their hearts from earthly dross, and  fits them for a life of holiness and obedience.

None are more forward to claim the privileges of religion than those who reject the duties of it. Multitudes hope to be saved by Christ who yet refuse to be governed by Him. But such hopes have no Scripture warrant to support them yes, they have many Scripture testimonies against them!

[John Flavel]

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Ezekiel 36:27 ... And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Psalm 37:30-31 ... The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.   The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ... Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.❤

The Miracle of Divine Grace

Regeneration is that miracle of Divine grace wrought in the soul which enlists the affections Godward, which brings the human will into subjection to the Divine, and which produces a real and radical change in the life. That change is from worldliness to godliness; from disobedience to obedience.

At the new birth, the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and that love is manifested in a dominating longing and sincere purpose to please in all things, the One who has plucked me as a brand from the burning. There is a greater difference between the genuine Christian and the deceived professing Christian than there is between a living man and a corpse. None need remain in doubt, if they will honestly measure themselves by the Holy Word of God.

Ah, dear readers, the test is fruit! Not knowledge, not boastings, not orthodoxy, not joy but fruit; and such "fruit" as mere nature cannot produce. It is the fruit of the Vine namely, likeness to Christ, being conformed to His image. May the Holy Spirit search each one of us.

[A. W. Pink]

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Romans 5:5 ... And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 6:22 ... But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

John 15:8 ... Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.❤