Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Obey Or Disboey

“Obey Or Disobey”
By Zach Wood
Jonah 1:1-3

As I have been reading this book recently, Jonah’s story has intrigued me once again.  I’m especially amazed how this book begins.  God directs Jonah to do something and Jonah does not hesitate to just run the opposite way God commands.

Instead of obeying, Jonah just takes off and goes his own route.  He does a complete 180 and turns away from where God wants him to go.  We all know this wasn’t a good idea for Jonah.  We look and think, “What were you thinking, man?  Why are you running from where God is sending you?  That’s crazy!  Don’t do that!” 

As I would be one to think that way as well, I can’t help but to think how many of us have done the same exact thing Jonah did?  There are only two choices when God gives us a command and tells us to do something.  We either go or we run away.  There is no in-between.  Either we obey or we disobey.  If we choose to wait and think about it, we have chosen to disobey.  Granted, there are times when God gives us something to think about and consider, yes.  However, there are also times when God gives us a command and He wants us to go without hesitation. 

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh.  He refused to go……at first.  I have found myself acting like Jonah so often in my life.  God tells me to do something and I seem to argue, rationalize and find any possible way to explain that it’s not something I really should do.  Sometimes I’m actually able to convince myself it’s not something I should do.  At least for a short time I’m able to do that.  Until the conviction sets in.

When calls you to action to do something, will you obey or will you disobey?  It’s totally up to you, but we soon find out that when we disobey, we really come to regret it later. 


When God instructs, will you obey or disobey?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Led By His Word

“Led By His Word”
By Zach Wood
1 Corinthians 2:1-2

So often we get caught up in the trap of thinking we need more wisdom to share with others.  We come to feel often that we need more training to share God’s love with other people in the right ways.  Yes, we do need wisdom and education in many ways, but when we are sharing God with others through our loving and kind words, God works through that and uses us in ways we would never expect.  As long as we are keeping our passion alive in knowing God and sharing Him with others, the Holy Spirit will work through us to impact people’s lives. 

Many times, it’s not even our words that impact, as much as our actions do.  When we walk that talk, then people really see Christ through us.  Words are good, but as I’ve learned so much through ministry, it’s often the times that I’m not speaking that really shows the most love.  God wants to use us in ways that words will never satisfy.

As much appreciation that I have for my college education, I have learned so much more just by going through and experiencing life as it happens and learning as I continue to grow in walk with Christ.  That education is more than I think I would have ever learned through a textbook of any kind.  My greatest education continues and should always continue to be from reading God’s Word and following what He tells me to do.


When we are around other people, the greatest thing we can do is share God’s love with them, whether by our actions or through conversations of encouragement.