Obeying God and Doing His Purpose

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-26

Focus Verse: Jeremiah 6:16  "This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

God's chosen people, Israel, had a challenge with being obedient.  We also have a hard time with our obedience to God.  We know the good path, but do not always take it. 

I believe that every Christian has been given a purpose and a mission by God.  God has given us talent and gifts to fulfill that purpose.  Through our obedience in all areas of our lives we can fulfill that purpose and mission.  If we are disobedient we run the risk of the mission being given to someone else to fulfill.  If we repent, then God may choose to show mercy and give another chance, but we are not guaranteed a second chance at the mission.  God's work will be done, either by us or by someone else.  There have been people, churches, ministries, and nations that have missed out on a blessing because of disobedience. There are many Christians that will come to the end of life and say "I wonder what God could have done through me had I been obedient to Him?  That is a tragedy. 

When I am standing at the crossroads and given the choice to do right or wrong, God can give me the strength to do what is right and follow the ancient path every time!  I pray that I remain faithful.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Teaching Children

Scripture Reading: Psalm 78

Focus verse:  Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."

 We read in Psalm 78 the instruction for the adults to teach the children the works of the Lord.  They were to tell the children the stories of the faithful and obedient followers of the Lord.  This would give them an encouragement to soften their own hearts and follow God in the same way as the faithful.  Children love to mimic and follow others.  They will copy the behavior and words of those that they are around.  We should teach them the ways that they should go as they follow God.

Also included in Psalm 78 are stories of people who were stubborn and rebellious.  Some followed God for the most part, but then had some failure in faith.  These stories must also be taught to the children.  If you have a failure in your life, you will suffer the natural consequences of that failure.  He will  punish those who never repent, but God can be faithful to forgive those who return to Him in repentance. We will all fail at something, but we learn to return to God in obedience if we have a soft heart for Him.

Learn these stories of the Bible and teach them to your children and the children in the community.  We can all be encouraged by them.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries.