Walking on Water (2)

“He walked on the water…to Jesus.” Mt 14:29 NKJV


When Peter was certain it was Jesus who was calling him, he left the security of the boat and entrusted himself to the power of God. So far, so good. “But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted” (Mt 14:30 TLB). So:

(1) You must focus on the Lord, not the storm. We all know what it’s like to “see the waves.” You begin a new venture—a job, a relationship, an area of spiritual growth—full of hope. Then you encounter storms and setbacks. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials” (Jn 16:33 NLT). Expect it; it’s part of the journey of faith! (2) You must feel the fear and do it regardless. Growth requires taking on new challenges. Each time you do you’ll experience fear, because growth and fear go together. But each time you risk leaving the boat it means you’re more likely to do it again. And each time you step out on the water without drowning, you realize that fear no longer has power over you. On the other hand, each time you resist God’s voice and choose to stay in the boat His voice becomes a little quieter until eventually you don’t hear it at all. Wouldn’t it be worth any risk to avoid that? Furthermore, staying in the boat doesn’t guarantee your safety; it only guarantees you’ll eventually die from something else. The answer to fear is to get out of the boat a little more each day, until fear loses its hold on you.

Walking on Water (1)

“He walked on the water…to Jesus.” Mt 14:29 NKJV
The disciples were out fishing one night when a huge storm struck. They were terrified by a figure approaching them on the water. “Immediately Jesus spoke…‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’…Peter answered…‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You’…So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water…to Jesus” (vv. 27-29 NKJV). This story teaches us:



(1) If the Lord doesn’t call you to do it, don’t! There’s a story about a man standing at the gates of heaven. Peter says, “Name one great deed you’ve done.” The man replies, “Well, a gang of bikers was threatening a woman so I smacked them, kicked over their bikes and ripped out their nose rings.” Impressed, Peter asks, “When did this happen?” The man answers, “About thirty seconds ago!” To walk on water you must learn to discern between God’s voice and your own impulses. (2) To experience miracles, you must get out of your comfort zone. Exchange places with Peter. The storm is raging and he’s afraid. The boat’s secure and comfortable—wouldn’t you want to stay there? But you can’t. God designed you to do more than simply avoid failure; He’s calling you to step out in faith and accomplish things. You say, “What’s my boat?” It’s anything you put your faith in when life gets stormy, like a job or a relationship. Your boat is anything that stops you from getting out of your comfort zone. Leaving it is the scariest, but most rewarding step you’ll ever take!

Praise in the Early Stages

“They praised [God]…because the foundation…was laid.” Ezr 3:11 NKJV


We read, “When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple…all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord” (vv. 10-11 NLT). Why praise God in the early stages of something? (1) Because praise is an act of faith. It says, “Lord, what You start, You finish. Thank You for giving me Your plan because Your plan always prevails. With You on my side I’ll succeed. I’m not doing this for myself; I’m doing it for You and with You.” (2) Because praise strengthens you. Nehemiah told his workers, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10). If you lose your joy you lose your strength. If you lose your strength you lose your power to overcome the enemy. If you lose your power to overcome the enemy, you’re defeated. But if you praise God even when all you have in front of you is a small beginning, His joy will energize you and you’ll find it easier to complete the task. If you only praise God when things are easy or going right, you won’t praise much, you won’t have joy and you won’t have strength. (3) Because praise changes your environment. Imagine wheelbarrows, cement mixers, a partially-built wall, and in the midst of it people shouting the praises of God. That’s what happens when you put on a praise CD or tune in to a Christian station; your problems don’t necessarily change, but your outlook does. Simply stated, when you praise God in the early stages, you work better and the job gets done!

Live Between the Steps

“This is the day the Lord has made.” Ps 118:24 NKJV


There’s a built-in danger in goal setting. What is it? It’s believing we’ll only be happy when we reach those goals. We tell ourselves: “When I graduate, get married, have children, own my own home, etc.,” so we keep postponing life.

A university professor tells of being invited to speak at a military base and meeting an unforgettable soldier named Ralph at the airport. After they introduced themselves they headed toward baggage claim. As they walked down the concourse Ralph kept disappearing, once to help an older woman whose suitcase had fallen open, once to lift up two toddlers so they could see Santa Claus, and again to give directions to someone who was lost. Each time he came back with a big smile on his face. “Where did you learn to live like that?” the professor asked. “Oh,” Ralph said, “During the war, I guess.” Then he told the professor about his last tour of duty, how it was his job to detect mines, and how he watched his friends blown up before his eyes, one after another. “I learned to live between steps,” he said. “I never knew whether the next step would be my last, so I learned to get everything I could out of the moment between when I picked up my foot and put it down again. Every step I took was a whole new world, and I guess I’ve been living that way ever since.” Ralph had it right! To get the most out of living we must live by the Scripture: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

What You Learn in a Crisis

“Why are we sitting here until we die?” 2Ki 7:3 NKJV


The armies of Syria had besieged Samaria and the people were dying of starvation. Four lepers, whose disease forced them to live outside the city walls, had gotten used to living on scraps of bread people threw over the wall each day. But now no more scraps were coming their way. They said to themselves: “Why are we sitting here until we die?” So they took action: “They rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians…to their surprise no one was there. For the Lord had caused…the Syrians to hear…the noise of a great army…Therefore they arose and fled…and left…their tents, their horses, and their donkeys…these lepers…went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing…Then they said to one another, ‘We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent…let us go and tell the king’s household’” (2Ki 7:5-9 NKJV). This story teaches us three important truths: (1) Crisis becomes your friend, when it moves you to take action. Only when you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, will things begin to change for the better. (2) Once you take a step of faith, God will move on your behalf. The only thing that can limit Him is your doubt, your stubbornness, and your complacency. His Word says, “The Lord waits that he may be gracious unto you” (See Isa 30:18). (3) When God blesses you, you can’t keep it to yourself. Others need what God has given you, and you must get it to them—on time.

Are You Going to Heaven?

“That you may know that you have eternal life.” 1Jn 5:13 NKJV


When ten-year-old Mary’s mother died, she became “mother of the house,” caring for her father who worked the night shift at a local mine. One evening as she was packing his lunch she slipped a Gospel booklet inside, hoping he’d find comfort after the loss of his wife. Suddenly at 1:00 a.m. an emergency whistle sounded, telling the town’s people miners had been caught in a collapsed mine. Emergency workers worked through the night and finally broke through to a small cavern where they found the miners. Sadly, it was too late. All eight men had suffocated, including Mary’s father. The rescuers were devastated. As they surveyed the scene they noticed that the men had died seated in a circle. Looking closer, they discovered that Mary’s father was sitting with a small booklet in his lap, open to the last page where the plan of salvation was explained. On that page he had written a special message to her: “My dear Mary, by the time you find this I’ll be with your mother. I read your little book several times to the others while we waited to be rescued. Our hope is fading for this life—but not for the next. We did as the book told us and prayed. I love you, and one day we’ll all be together in heaven.” Are you going to heaven? Do you know for sure? You can. “These things have I written…that you may know that you have eternal life.” ( 1 John 5:13 NKJV)

Building Men and Women of God (4)

“These commandments…Impress them on your children.” Dt 6:6-7 NIV


Teach your children to handle money. Your home is a classroom for teaching money-management skills, so: (1) Teach them that if they honor God financially, He will honor them. “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all…then your barns [bank accounts] will be filled” (Pr 3:9-10 NIV). Before you give your son or daughter money, teach them how to handle it responsibly so that they can avoid the “prodigal syndrome” (See Lk 15:11-32). The Prodigal Son’s attitude towards money and his misuse of it cost him dearly. Give your child biblical wisdom in four areas—earning, giving, spending and saving—and you’ll position them for God’s blessing. (2) Teach them God’s Word regarding borrowing, lending, and credit. In a culture driven by slick advertising and easily obtained, high-interest credit cards, kids need to understand the consequences of their financial decisions. The verse, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Pr 22:6 NAS) is not an isolated statement. Read the next verse. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (v. 7 NAS). Teach them that what looks like the fast lane to plenty, can become the sure road to poverty. Train them to delay gratification until they can afford what they want. Don’t guarantee loans for them. The Bible says: “Do not be a man who…puts up security for debts…your very bed will be snatched from under you” (vv. 26-27 NIV).

Building Men and Women of God (3)

“These commandments…Impress them on your children.” Dt 6:6-7 NIV


Teach your children to handle temptation. Tell them to expect it and not be overwhelmed by how often they face it. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (Jas 1:14). Your children need to know how to handle two powerful sources of temptation: (1) Temptation in the area of sexual sin. Television and the internet make everything from normal to perverse as available as oxygen, enticing them to experiment with behaviors that destroy health, relationships and life. And they need more than a brief, embarrassed “birds and bees” talk. Instruct them early, regularly and clearly. “My son…the lips of an adulteress drip honey…but in the end she is bitter as gall…her steps lead straight to the grave…Keep…far from her…At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent” (Pr 5:1-11 NIV). Solomon spelled it out for his children. Do likewise. (2) Temptation in the area of addictions. Again Solomon is right on the mark: “[Drinker who’s]…always crying the blues…reeks of self pity…getting beat up…bleary and bloodshot? It’s those who spend the night with a bottle, for whom drinking is serious business” (Pr 23:29-30 TM). The addict’s life is not fun! “In the end it bites like a snake…Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things” (vv. 32-33 NIV). Don’t let the enemy deceive your children. Pray faithfully, speak His life-changing Word into their hearts, believe God and watch Him work!

Building Men and Women of God (2)

“These commandments…Impress them on your children.” Dt 6:6-7 NIV


Teach your child the importance of standing up for what’s right. Our children gravitate toward whatever pleases the important people in their lives, right or wrong, out of their need for acceptance. If their peers are doing it, peer approval will be a powerful influence on them. It’s not always about good kids versus bad, or about morality versus immorality; it’s about being kids! Solomon, recalling his own youthful tendencies, counseled: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us’…do not go along with them” (Pr 1:10-15 NIV). We become like the company we keep, and if our kids are to stand for God against destructive influences they need instruction in: (a) The qualities of true friendship. Teach them that true friends seek each other’s best interests, and whoever leads them into danger or sin is not a friend. (b) The inevitable law of consequences. “A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature…will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit…will reap eternal life” (Gal 6:7-8 NIV). And reinforce your teaching by refusing to rescue them from their consequences. (c) The right kind of heroes. Instead of rock stars or sports celebrities of questionable character, introduce your children to Bible heroes who modeled godliness, righteousness and courage under pressure!

Building Men and Women of God (1)

“These commandments…Impress them on your children.” Dt 6:6-7 NIV


A great preacher once said, “When times are troubled we cry, ‘God, give us men to match our mountains.’ In reply, God gives us children and says, ‘Here’s the building material.’” Our children are building kits and we are expected to develop them into men and women of God. Here’s a Bible blueprint: (1) “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” Parent, if you don’t practice scriptural principles, your children won’t either. Indeed, if you don’t live what you preach your words will fall on deaf ears and create rebellious hearts. You don’t have to be perfect, but you must be genuine. (2) “Impress them on your children.” You must emphasize, stress, prompt, make clear, drum in and imprint. Nothing passing or passive there! It’s to be a deliberate, thorough, active and repeated process. (3) “Talk about them.” Your kids won’t catch the truth by osmosis. You have to talk, not in religious-sounding tones they don’t get, but in natural language, in natural ways, at natural times. “Talk about them when you sit at home”—in the comfort of familiar surroundings. “When you walk along the road”—in the easy give-and-take environment on the way to McDonald’s or the ball game. “When you lie down and when you get up”—watching for opportunities, because teachable moments come and go unannounced. Carpe diem! Parents who “seize the day” discover that God has equipped them to mold their children into men and women of God.

Become God’s Friend (6)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


David desired to know God above all else. He used words like longing, yearning, thirsting and hungering. “The…thing…I seek most of all, is the privilege of…living in his presence every day of my life” (Ps 27:4 TLB). Again he said, “Your love means more than life to me” (Ps 63:3 CEV). Jacob’s desire was so intense that he wrestled with God all night, saying, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Ge 32:26 NIV). And the amazing thing is, God, who is all powerful, let Jacob win. Why? Because wrestling requires personal contact; it brings us close to Him. Paul was another man who was passionate about his friendship with God. “[My determined purpose is]…[that I may…become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him]” (Php 3:10 AMP). You say, “I’d like to have a closer relationship with God, but I’m so busy.” The truth is, you are as close to God as you desire and discipline yourself to be! Friendship with God must become your passion. You must intentionally seek it. That means answering questions like, “Do I value it more than anything else? Is it worth giving up other things for? Is it worth developing the habits and skills required? Am I willing to say, ‘Lord, more than anything else, I want to know You’?”

Become God’s Friend (5)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


If you’re serious about becoming God’s friend you must: Choose to obey Him! Jesus said: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (v. 10 NKJV). You say, “But if I fail, does that mean God won’t love me?” No, it means you won’t feel His love, or have confidence when you approach Him in prayer. We normally think of obedience as a characteristic of our relationship to a parent, a boss or a superior officer, not a friend. But Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v. 14 NKJV). True friendship isn’t passive, it acts. When Jesus asks us to love people, help the needy, give our finances, live clean lives, extend forgiveness and bring others to Him—our love should motivate us to obey immediately! Great opportunities usually come once or twice in a lifetime, but small ones come every day. Through simple acts of obedience we bring a smile to God’s face. “What pleases the Lord more…sacrifices or obedience…It is better to obey” (1Sa 15:22 NCV). At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, God announced, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him” (Mt 3:17 TLB). So, what had Jesus been doing for thirty years that pleased God? The Bible says nothing except that He lived at home with His parents and “was obedient to them” (Lk 2:51 NLT). Thirty years of pleasing God were summed up in two words: “lived obediently”! And the relationship Jesus had with His Father is an example of the one He wants you to have with Him.

Become God’s friend (4)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


Another step in developing your friendship with God is: Choosing to be honest with Him! God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but He does expect you to be honest. If perfection was a requirement not one of us would qualify. In the Bible God’s friends were honest about their feelings, sometimes even complaining and arguing with Him, yet He didn’t seem to mind. In fact, He encouraged it. God listened patiently to David’s accusations of unfairness, betrayal and abandonment. He didn’t zap Jeremiah for claiming God had tricked him. Job was allowed to vent his bitterness and God actually defended him for being honest. On the other hand, He rebuked Job’s friends for faking it: “You haven’t been honest either with me or about me—not the way my friend Job has…My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer” (Job 42:7 TM). To be God’s friend you must share your true feelings with Him, not what you think you ought to feel or say. Until you understand that God uses everything for good in our lives, you’ll harbor resentment towards Him over your looks, your nationality, your economic background, your unanswered prayers, your past hurts, and the things you’d change if you were God. Actually, revealing your feelings and releasing your resentments to Him are the first steps to becoming spiritually whole. Isn’t it encouraging to know that God’s closest friends felt just like we do, but instead of masking their feelings in pious clichés they voiced them openly. Why? Because expressing them leads to healing and a deeper level of intimacy with Him.

Become God’s Friend (3)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


Friendship with God is maintained and strengthened through continual meditation. It’s impossible to be God’s friend apart from knowing what He says. You can’t love God unless you know Him, and that’s only possible through the Bible. “He revealed himself to Samuel through his word” (1Sa 3:21 NIV). Now you can’t spend all day studying the Bible, but you can think about it throughout the day, recalling verses you’ve read, mulling over them in your mind. Meditation isn’t some mysterious ritual, it’s simply focused thinking—a skill anybody can learn. When you think about a problem over and over, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over, that’s called meditation. If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Just switch your attention from the problem to the solution! The more you meditate on God’s Word the less you’ll have to worry about. The more time you spend meditating on the Scriptures the more you’ll understand their secrets. The Psalmist said, “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his [covenant]” (Ps 25:14 TLB). After Jesus told His disciples, “I have called you friends,” He went on to say, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (Jn 15:16 NKJV). The benefits of friendship with God include abundant living and answered prayer. So if you want to become God’s friend, read, digest and meditate in His Word.

Become God’s Friend (2)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


In his book The Practice of the Presence of God, a French monk called Brother Lawrence suggests we pray short conversational prayers throughout the day rather than long complex ones. To maintain our focus and counteract our wandering thoughts, he writes: “I do not advise you to use a great multitude of words in prayer, since long discourses are often occasions for wandering.” What great insight! In the age of attention deficit disorder (ADD) this centuries-old suggestion to “keep it simple” still works. Paul writes, “Pray all the time” (1Th 5:17 TM). “But how can I do that?” you ask. One way is to use breath prayers, as many of the great saints and writers have done through the ages. You choose a simple phrase that can be repeated in one breath: “Lord, You are with me.” “I am depending on You.” “I want to know You better.” “Help me to trust You more.” You can also use short phrases of Scripture: “For me to live is Christ.” “You will never leave me.” “You will supply all my needs.” Repeat it until it’s rooted deeply in your heart and begins to reflect in your attitude and actions. This is a skill, a habit you can develop. Just as musicians practice the scales every day in order to play well, you can discipline yourself to think about God at different times in your day. “But sometimes I don’t feel God’s presence,” you say. If you’re seeking an emotion, you’ve missed the point. Your goal is not a feeling, but a continual awareness that God is always with you!

Become God’s Friend (1)

“I have called you friends.” Jn 15:15 NKJV


Jesus told His disciples: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Notice, Jesus initiated this friendship. With full knowledge of their problems and their possibilities, Jesus said: “I have called you friends.” Amazing! In royal courts the servants must keep their distance, but the inner circle enjoys close contact, direct access and confidential information. How can you become a friend of God? Through constant conversation. God wants to be included in every activity. You can carry on a conversation with Him throughout your day, talking about whatever you’re doing at that moment. Brother Lawrence, a humble cook in a French monastery, writes: “The key to friendship with God is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do. What you normally do for yourself you now begin doing for God, whether it is eating, bathing, relaxing or taking out the trash.” Some of us think we must “get away” in order to experience intimacy with God. That’s because we haven’t learned to recognize and cultivate His presence in all things. No place is closer to God than where you are right now! In Eden there were no rituals—just a simple relationship between God and those He created. Unhindered by guilt or fear, they delighted in Him and He delighted in them. “Is such a relationship possible?” you ask. Absolutely. “We were restored to friendship with God by the death of His son” ( Ro 5:10 NLT).

Are You Feeling Like a Victim?

“Turn…me, and I shall be turned.” Jer 31:18


If you are you tired of feeling like a victim, read this: “I don’t want to feel this way anymore. I thought if my pain touched their lives I’d feel better. I didn’t. I thought by holding it over their heads I’d feel better. I didn’t. I thought by telling everyone what they’d done to me I’d feel better. I didn’t; it only cost me friends and kept the pain alive. I thought if they acknowledged how wrong they’ve been I’d feel better. They didn’t, so I felt worse. I thought if I could understand why I pick such relationships I’d feel better. So I read books and talked with counselors. But that didn’t work, because then I uncovered other issues I didn’t have the emotional energy to deal with. I thought time would make me feel better. It helped, but it didn’t heal, because there were still too many things that triggered old memories. I thought by moving to a new house in a new city and getting a new job I’d feel better. I didn’t; I only changed addresses, not what was going on inside me. Finally, I did two things that worked; not overnight, but gradually, patiently, consistently as I kept doing them, they worked. First I decided to forgive—and keep forgiving until the past no longer controlled me. Second, I cried out to God, ‘Turn…me, and I shall be turned.’ He answered my prayer. My perceptions began to clear and my heart began to heal. Why? Because at last, getting well meant more, so much more to me than remaining a victim.”

Don’t Fall in Love with It

“Live…as temporary residents on earth.” 1Pe 1:17 GWT


The fact that this world is not our ultimate home explains why we experience difficulty, disappointment and rejection. It also explains why some promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers unanswered, and some circumstances unfair. This life is not the end of the story! In order to keep us from becoming too attached to this world, God allows us to feel a certain amount of discontent—longings that will never be fulfilled this side of heaven. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Indeed, we won’t be in heaven two seconds before we’ll look around and say, “Why did I place such importance on earthly things?” The truth is, at death you don’t leave home, you go home! Imagine being an ambassador in a hostile nation. You would have to learn its language and adapt to its customs. You couldn’t isolate yourself. To fulfill your mission you’d have to understand what’s going on and know how to relate to those around you. But what if you fell in love with that country, preferring it to your own? Your loyalty and commitment would be compromised. Instead of representing your country, you’d start acting like a traitor. The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors” (2Co 5:20 NLT). So don’t get too attached to what’s around you, because it’s temporary. “Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away” (1Co 7:31 NLT). So use it, maximize it to fulfill God’s purposes, but don’t fall in love with it!

Noah (2)

Do you think that the only time God is pleased with you is when you’re doing things like reading the Bible, attending church, praying, giving, or sharing your faith? No, He enjoys every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting or eating. He doesn’t miss a thing: “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Ps 37:23 NLT). Every human activity except sin can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it in faith and with an attitude of gratitude. You can sell cars, wash dishes, practice medicine, teach kids, write a computer program or raise a family for the glory of God. Like a proud parent, God enjoys watching you use the abilities He’s given you for His glory. After the flood God told Noah, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth…Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Ge 9:1-3 NIV). God told Noah, “It’s time to get on with your life! Do the things I designed you to do. Marry. Have children. Plant crops. Eat meals. Excel in business. Be the best you can be.” In the Academy Award-winning movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell said, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but I also believe he made me fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure.”  The Bible says: “Noah was a pleasure to the Lord” (Ge 6:8 TLB). So start using your energies and talents for God’s pleasure.

Noah (1)

“Noah found favor with the Lord.” Ge 6:8 NLT


If you want to enjoy God’s blessing, observe two things about the life of Noah: (1) He honored God. “By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told…As a result, Noah became intimate with God” (Heb 11:7 TM). Noah had never seen rain, nor had anyone else. He lived a hundred miles from the nearest ocean. Even if he could learn to build a ship, how would he get it to water? And how about rounding up all those animals? For a hundred and twenty years he was a laughingstock. But because he honored God, he came out on top. (2) He obeyed God. “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Ge 6:22 NLT). Understanding can wait; obedience can’t. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, there are many of God’s commandments you won’t understand until you first obey them. When Noah emerged from the ark after the flood God said to him, “Be fruitful and increase…I now give you everything” (Ge 9:1-3 NIV). With God, your reward will always be greater than your obedience. Sometimes we try partial obedience: “I’ll attend church but I won’t tithe. I’ll read my Bible but I won’t forgive the person who hurt me.” Partial obedience is disobedience! The Bible says, “A person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (Jas 2:24 NIV). Why is obedience so important? Because Jesus said, “If you love me, [you will] obey my commandments” (Jn 14:15 NLT).