Fulfilled

One thing I know is God desires obedience. As we walk with Him, we start to desire the same. Our eyes, hearts, and minds will gradually line up with His. I have believed in God and His protection over my life since I was a little girl. But it was until a few years ago that I truly gave my life over, was baptized in Jesus’ Name and starting running to Him with my whole heart. With that surrender came the desire to be obedient to Honor the Lord in all I do, whether that be joyfully (or sometimes being a little nervous). God has called me to obedience in bigger ways lately. God has been showing me through His word to trust Him with my whole heart. So I have done so even though I can’t see the whole picture and peace has filled my heart more and more each day.

Another truth I know and have experienced is that Blessing follows obedience. God wants us to be obedient and to radiate Him. God wants us to find fulfillment in Him. We most radiate God when we are most fulfilled/satisfied in Him.  God made His commandments not for us to just aimlessly follow a list but to give us a fuller, deeper life. When we follow His commands and don’t get trapped in the death and complications that Sin brings, we are naturally going to be blessed. By no means do we not have trouble beyond our control sometimes. But when we are obedient we bring in and allow more life and fullness, because living free from the chains of sin and living the way God desires will naturally do so. I have seen this in my own life and family’s life.

With obedience comes peace. Many times, it has taken my obedience first and then the peace and assurance comes. Sometimes I’d rather have a known promise and THEN be obedient because the promise is obvious and SEEN. But what good is that really in our growth? God wants be to be obedient and grow by FAITH. Faith is being obedient and believing even when things are UNSEEN and trusting that God has you in the palm of His hands. God is teaching me more and more about obedience (and sometimes making me realize my own stubbornness, all the while softening my heart and growing my faith).

Because of my obedience to the spirit He’s given me, I can say that today I am in His Peace and His rest.

Job 36:11 If they hear and serve Him, They shall end their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Psalm 119:10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.

Romans 8:5-6 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

I love this from Hosea. If we are disobedient/Sin, we can come back to Him and he will restore. Here is a call to repentance: Hosea 6...

“Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces;

    now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

    now he will bandage our wounds.

2 

In just a short time he will restore us,

    so that we may live in his presence.

3 

Oh, that we might know the Lord!

    Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

-Han