In my devotional time this morning, I was going over some of the things that the Lord has asked me to do. And some other, seemingly less important things the Lord has led me to do. And some other even less important things that I just hear a small whisper to do.
Let me tell you what happens to me if I say “no” to my Lord’s leading, guidance, nudging, telling, whispering.
1. Instant consequence – like thinking of a jacket over and over, and just think about needing to put it somewhere…then leaving and being caught in a rain storm parking a way out from the grocery doors. Why do I believe it was the Lord? I hate coats to go indoors. Thinking about a jacket so many times as I get ready for the grocery is unlike me. Also, it wasn’t cold or raining at my house.
2. Later consequences – being reminded that cheese causes phlegm, sugar causes pain, and others with food. Why do I believe it’s my Lord? I don’t think before indulging!
3. Much later consequences – also called lessons from disobedience. When I take something into my own hands, I work the problem, I get the anxiety, fear, depression, despair and if not caught, I have been known to spiral down. I’m not saying every problem in our lives are from disobedience, but disobedience often leads to problems.
4. Consistently saying no- I want it my way. This is the most sad. I stop hearing God guiding me with his still small voice. I realize the closeness I love with Jesus has been distanced by distractions that turn my heart and face away. I am distanced from God and I don’t even know it.
5. I know the theology of once saved always saved, but there’s a set of verses that say if you once knew the closeness and the power of God and turn from it, there is no more repentance of sin. There are the five sleepy virgins that didn’t prepare with enough oil, and they missed going in with the bridegroom.
This is why I try to keep my accounts with God short and in the positive.
This is why I say yes, through the fleshly battle to go my own way.i desire a closeness with a Holy God, by the blood of Jesus, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, so I MUST bring my fleshly desires that are contrary to His to the cross.
Hebrews 10:26-31
New International Version
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[b] 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Parable of the 10 virgins – Matthew 25
the Key section:
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
I don’t know if I can lose my salvation – which if it’s based on my choices, did I really lose it? Didn’t I just choose to throw it away?
It’s all about choices.
Several years ago, I started 100 Spiritual Walking Steps.
Step #37 is about Choices.
In this context, CHANGES could be replaced with CHOICES.
We have a CHOICE about how we react or respond to CHANGE.
A Lent Devotional talks about it being our choice to stay engrafted into THE VINE.
Once we are engrafted into the Vine or tree, it is our responsibility to remain in the vine/tree. IT IS OUR CHOICE!
I’m going to share a 2023 blog where I realized that I was still struggling with suicidal ideations and had to make a choice.
I have to make a choice. A deep down in my heart choice.
In Summary:
If God says go, I need to immediately go.
If God says no, I need to let it go.
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Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:
- Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
- Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
M. Christine Wildman
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
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