7 Benefits of a Life of Obedience

Genesis 13:2 shows us a result of obedience. God told
Abram to leave his land and go to the land that God gave
him. Abram arrived in Canaan, but he got a little
uncomfortable during a famine and went to Egypt for awhile.
He stayed there for awhile, but told some lies that caused
problems for Pharaoh. Pharaoh sent him away.

So, Abram went back to Canaan with everything he had
collected. He and Lot went their separate ways, and God
shared His promise with Abram. In Genesis 13:14-17, God
showed Abram the land that was given to him and his
offspring. He promised Abram so many offspring that they
would be too numerous to count.

Abram was truly blessed. We, too, can be blessed by
following the examples of obedience given to us in the
Bible. But obedience comes in many fashions, and we cannot
pick and choose what we will obey.

What do we do?

There are several verses that provide our basic instruction
for life. I will only reference one here. Deuteronomy
13:4 tells us, "It is the LORD your God you must follow,
and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him;
serve Him and hold fast to Him." (NIV) As the verse
suggests, we are to obey God and His commands. In serving
Him, we make God our top priority.

When do we obey?

Obedience should not be something that we turn on and off.
We should constantly be thinking about God and His Word.
David wrote in Psalm 119:97, "Oh, how I love your law! I
meditate on it all day long." (NIV)

How do we obey?

There are so many men and women of God that can serve as
great examples. This includes people mentioned in the
Bible, as well as people we know in our own circles.
However, the best example of a perfect walk of obedience
with God is found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We know how far Jesus' obedience took Him. Philippians 2:8
tells us, "And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death
on a cross!" (NIV) Like Jesus, our obedience should know
no limits.

Why do we obey?

The Bible is filled with reasons to obey God. Let's
consider just seven of the benefits of a life of obedience:

It's a public verification of your love for God. (John
14:15)

God will honor you. (John 12:26)

God will accept you. (Acts 10:34-35)

You will abide in God's love. (John 15:10)

You will be blessed in what you do. (James 1:25)

You will be prosperous and content for the rest of your
life. (Job 36:11)

Everything will go well with you and your children after
you. (Deuteronomy 12:28)

Where do we obey?

Obeying God is important, but the obedience also trickles
down to the "earthly masters" that we are accountable to.

A typical family structure would look like this: Husbands
should be obedient to God. Wives are to be obedient to
their husbands. Children obey their parents.

Outside of the home, we are also to be obedient to the
general social rules that help our communities to function
effectively. This applies to city, state, and federal
ordinances. These can be general traffic laws. Remember
that these authorities have been established by God.
(Romans 13:2)

Then there is the workplace. We must be obedient to our
bosses. Colossians 3:22 reminds us, "Slaves, obey your
earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when
their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with
sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." (NIV) Our
obedience is not meant to be only when someone is looking.
It shouldn't be done to get a raise or promotion. We
should be sincere.

What do we do if we are in an unbearable work environment?
The answer can be found in 1 Peter 2:18-19, "Slaves, submit
yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to
those who are good and considerate, but also to those who
are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under
the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of
God." (NIV)

Remember, not everyone knows Jesus. Our lights should be
shining at all times so that we can give hope to those who
are still lost.

----------------------------------------------------
Ozeme J. Bonnette is a financial coach, speaker, and the
author of Get What Belongs to You: A Christian Guide to
Managing Your Finances. After working at Merrill Lynch, she
chose to focus on increasing financial literacy. She
teaches Biblical Economics and speaks to groups and
organizations throughout the U.S. She earned 3 Bachelor's
degrees at Fresno State and an MBA at UCLA's Anderson
School. Find her at http://www.thechristianmoneycoach.com .

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Jesus Christ and his Role: The Voice of God tells us the Truth

It was September 2005, and I was with my wife Jill, who is
a Spiritual Avatara. She has the gift of being able to
receive telepathic messages from the Godhead, as well as
allowing angels to control her body to speak.

You need to understand that I was an athiest and
non-believer in spiritual matters, until this epiphany.

This is what Archangel Metatron, who is the voice of God,
wanted to tell us:

"Archangel Metatron: At last, we are able to commune
together for the betterment of mankind. May the North,
South, West and East bring forth the energies that are able
to assist God in his plan for humanity.

We are pleased with your progress; yet it seems there are
many mental blocks, or should we say negative levels, that
you allow to affect your ethereal layer. Despite our
promises to you both, you still lack faith. Faith is the
one true constant that must be attained to ensure your
connection to spirit. This is why so many people fail to
see or hear the word of God.

We understand Glenn's reluctance to utilise the naming
called God, but it is the only way that we can get people
to begin to listen to the lessons that must be learnt.

You ask of Jesus and his role, Jesus was a mere mortal, who
was and is, the one constant link that connects humans to
God. He was a channeller far beyond his time. His healing
ministries were not magic or supernatural as portrayed by
the writers of that time. He was a special soul chosen by
God, to bring forth the lessons that needed to be learnt.

Alas with time, these lessons have been eradicated for
man's own use and power.

We are aware that people who follow the Christian faith
will challenge what we say. But let it be known, that we
are from God. We bring forth his new teachings. As people
must evolve, so God learns too, that changes need to be
made. What worked then, perhaps does not work now.

Jesus was chosen specifically by God, to bring forth God's
hopes and desires for mankind. That they learn to have
compassion and tolerance for all living things.

Unfortunately, the religions of this world have become so
chipped in stone, that humans neglect to connect with their
hearts and feel what God wishes them to know.

Humans, as God's creatures, must realise that the way they
have worshiped him is no longer the way. Mankind must learn
to look within. For only when they know themselves, for
they are of God, will they find God. So many souls are
searching for God, yet like the blind, they do not see."

----------------------------------------------------
Glenn Harrison is an ANGEL MESSENGER. He was contacted by
The ANGEL OF DEATH: Archangel Azrael, in 2005; and later,
recorded messages from over 50 Archangels, Ascended Masters
and Light-Beings.
If you want more messages like these, get our first book
'Conversations with Archangels' -
FREE at :==> http://www.ANewBelief.com

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Your Life Has A Purpose

Copyright (c) 2010 Scott F Paradis

Life has meaning; your life has meaning. You are reading
this, considering options before you for a reason. You are
living in this time, in this place, and facing the
circumstances you now confront to realize a purpose. That
purpose may to you seem ill-defined, but is in reality a
truly divine mission for being.

The meaning of life is beautiful in its simplicity, rich in
its diversity, magnificent in its harmony. Yet you often
miss the beauty, the richness, the magnificence. The
meaning of life is lost when events sweep you up and
consume your consciousness. It is then that the lifeline,
the link, between flesh and spirit is severed. You lose
perspective, you lose confidence, you lose power when you,
the observer, become attached to, one with, dependent on,
the observed.

The purpose of life is to be — to journey, to
experience. The journey is a dream; separation from God an
illusion. Each life gives the whole an opportunity to
explore and experience part. You are in the Garden of
Eden. You are in the ultimate playground, immersed in a
landscape, part and parcel of a splendid collage. All that
is has meaning in being — a cosmic purpose concealed
in the apparent complexity of this earthly environment.
The culmination of the grand design is achieved, made
possible, by small, obscure but nonetheless important
contributions.

The world has a purpose and you have a place in the majesty
- a place wholly and solely reserved for you. You are a
critical component of the symphony of life. Without you to
play your note, make an instrument sing, the masterpiece is
incomplete - less rich, less textured, less full and less
fulfilling for everyone.

Your reason for being — to play your note —
conforms to a greater purpose. This complex of seemingly
disconnected, and what may appear to be, conflicting or
contradictory purposes together weaves an extraordinary
tapestry. Your life, individually, holds meaning for the
whole. Your life is a gift of possibility to express.
Your contribution is your gift for the opportunity.

Purpose unfolds in both simple and wondrous ways. Realize
your life is meant for more than the drama of mundane,
everyday existence. For when you awaken from the slumber
revelation gives you a glimpse of a glorious vista, a
celestial landscape - a divine plan.

As obscure and insignificant as meaning seems at times, the
distance from fragile form, inept intellect, and pliable
will to pure joy, divine love, and ultimate fulfillment is
the width and breadth of a mistaken perception. You have a
purpose to fulfill. Accept your purpose. Embrace your
mission. Meet your destiny joyfully.

You exist in a dualistic nature making life appear to be a
paradox, wrapped in an enigma, flirting with an oxymoron.
At times you, like everyone, get caught up as puppets on a
string, lost amongst shadows vainly interpreting
reflections on a wall. When you succumb to fear you hide
from the light of revelation, you forget you are so much
more than you seem.

In this world of form, as creation, you sometimes lack
understanding. Don't grovel over the indulgences of
self-interest. You need not compete to succeed, nor to
survive. The truth is, you need only guide your life by
the gift of grace.

Forces beyond your awareness are guiding you to fulfill
your purpose. Continue your journey with a faith that
knows in the end, it will be all right. Fulfill your
reason for being - achieve your life's purpose. For we are
all counting on you.

----------------------------------------------------
Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life
of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will"
http://www.promiseandpotential.com publishes "Insights" and
a free weekly ezine, "Money, Power and the True Path to
Prosperity". Subscribe now at http://www.c-achieve.com

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