To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31
“The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do. Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey.
No man ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test over it. We disobey and then wonder why we don’t go on spiritually…When Jesus brings a thing home by His word, don’t shirk it. If you do, you will become a religious humbug. Watch the things you shrug your shoulders over, and you will know why you do not go on spiritually. First go — at the risk of being thought fanatical you must obey what God tells you.”
Oswald Chambers in “The Way to Know” in My Utmost for His Highest (Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1963) reading on 27 July.
Obedience often appears as fanatical. When Jesus sent the disciples on mission he said to take nothing for the journey. This was crazy. But His intructions had a purpose: to teach them to trust Him. I will teach on this today.
Many thought I was crazy to take this trip, but I felt led by God to serve workers in southern Africa. But it’s been an amazing learning experience, to see Him work in power despite the pandemic. For where God guides, He provides. Where He opens doors, no one can close them. Where He beckons us, we must follow, regardless of the cost. And we only learn the lessons by obeying.
What about you? Is he asking you to take a risk instead of trusting in your resources? Your greatest act of generosity may actually be humble obedience, which often appears as letting go. When Jesus calls us to let go of money, for example, He is not try to rob us but help us because we trust whatever our hands hold onto.
Today, we host more than 100 pastor and ministry workers in Manzini, Eswatini (pictured above with mountains, clouds and cooler weather). Please pray for Chris Maphosa and me as we teach on “Strengthening Churches and Ministries for Sustainability.”
The pathway to sustainable ministry for churches and ministries across Africa and the world is not linked to getting money but being obedient. If you want a copy of the handout, reply to this email.