Obedience From the Heart 11-24-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit, lead me in Your ways. … "What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you no know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart …" (Romans 6:15-17). Under law, obedience is forced upon us. Under grace, obedience is from the heart. We obey because we want to obey, we want to please You. We willingly obey You because we truly trust You. We love You because You first loved us. And the degree of our willing obedience to You -- from the heart -- is a reflection of the degree of our love for You -- from the heart. "Those who love Me will keep My Word, and My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them" (John 14:23). "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:9-10). Your grace frees us for joyful obedience -- obedience from the heart, because we trust You to love us and know what's best for us. The enemy of our souls tries to tempt us and trick us into thinking obedience is bondage. But it's disobedience that's bondage -- bondage to whatever sin controls us, so he can accuse us, condemn us, shame us, and steal from us the peace and joy You created us to know. The truth is, obedience to You and Your Word from the heart brings joy. "I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11). Lord Jesus, give me wisdom to embrace Your Word, keep Your commandments, and walk in Your ways. Give me grace to choose freedom instead of bondage, joy instead of shame. Empower me by the Spirit of the Father and the Son abiding in me to love You and obey You from the heart. I know it will please You. And what could be more important than living my day and my life to please You? In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Please Click Here to Order our Ministry Resources On-Line Daily Archives: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com