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The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place

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The School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!

 

The School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!
The School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!

#SchoolOfTheHolySpirit #TheSecretPlace #JesusKnockingDoorHeart #DecerningJesusKnocking #DoorOfTheHeart #SoundsRevivalInTheAir #Obedience #Revival #Repentance #HearObey #RevivalInTheLands

The School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!

Otakada.org Content Count: 2,220,052

Date: Sunday, 12th of April 2020

Blog Link – https://www.otakada.org/jesus-knocking-at-door-of-your-heart

Podcast link: https://anchor.fm/otakada.org/episodes/The-School-of-the-Holy-Spirit-22-of-52-Part-10-ecmd18

Quotes on Obedience, Revival and Discerning Gods Promptings in the Secret Place:

This is what I saw in the realm of the Spirit – I saw doors opening in waves from different continents that provide the opportunity for global revival, the scope of which the world has never experienced before. I saw 4 keys to unlock the doors and I saw the Church in examination hall writing and only those who passed the test were given these keys – We pray that the Church (you and I) will revive (Revelation 2;3), prepare, persevere and eventually pass this test or series of tests in the pipeline so we can receive these keys and unlock these doors to the soul of men and women for whom Christ died, in the valley of decision in this moment of time, in Jesus name, Amen” – Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe – Otakada.org

“Revivals begin with God’s own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervor and compassion, and zeal, new light and life, and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones… Oh, what responsibility this lays on the Church of God! If you grieve Him away from yourselves, or hinder His visit, then the poor perishing world suffers sorely!” Andrew Bonar

“Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself.”-Leonard Ravenhill

“A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.”Andrew Murray

“A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival. That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it. When Christians have the spirit of prayer for a revival. When they go about groaning out their hearts desire. When they have real travail of soul”Charles Grandison Finney

“Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God’s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow.”J.I. Packer

“common law Christians.” By that he meant they want the benefits of living with Jesus without making the commitment. But even as the full joy of living together is found only within the context of the commitment of marriage, so too the joy of following Jesus is found only in abandoning oneself to every word that proceeds from His mouth. Some people put their best energies into creative thinking. However, God has a way of negating the plans of men: “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever” (Psalm 33:10-11). Instead of focusing on being creative, focus on being obedient. Give your best energies to waiting on God in His presence, listening for His voice, and then moving out in action only when He has spoken. There’s no sense in coming up with your own ideas when it’s only God’s counsel that will stand!” – Steve Peglow

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21) – Jesus Christ

“Servants don’t try to give the Master a better idea; servants don’t complain that they think the task is stupid; servants don’t try to decide if they’re in the mood to do it right now; servants don’t decide if the task is within their dignity to perform it. They just do it. “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10).” – Bob Sorge

The closer you get to God, the more obedient you must be. Some choose the level of obedience whereby they endeavor to avoid sin and choose righteousness. That was the level where the children of Israel, who knew God’s acts, lived. Moses, however, knew God’s ways. So Moses’ level of obedience was of necessity much higher. The issue for Moses was no longer simply, “Is this action right or wrong?” The issue was, “What is God’s command?” For example, when Moses was on the fiery mountain the command was, “Stay behind the cleft of the rock. Because if you come out from behind the protective rock and see My face, you’ll die. You’re so close to Me right now, Moses, that if you make a wrong move you’ll see My face and have a cardiac arrest on the spot.” Now, is there anything wrong or sinful about stepping out from behind a wall of rock? No. But when you’re that close to God, it’s imperative you follow His instructions to the letter and stay where He’s putting you. It bears repeating:

The closer you get to God, the more obedient you must be” – Bob Sorge

Key Verses:

Matthew 6:6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

6 But when you pray, go into your [ most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.

Matthew 7:24-27 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

24 So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a [a]sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.

25 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand.

27 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it.

John 10:27-30 Amplified Bible (AMP)

27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means ] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. 29 [a]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One [ in essence and nature ].”

Luke 12:36

“Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Mark 3:33-35 Amplified Bible (AMP)

33 And He replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” 34 Looking at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For [a]whoever does the will of God [ by believing in Me, and following Me ], he is My brother and sister and mother.”

John 16:7-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [ the guilt of] sin [ and the need for a Savior ], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [ and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [ personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it ], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.

Matthew 16:19

I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [ forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful ] on earth will have [ already ] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [ permit, declare lawful ] on earth will have [ already ] been loosed in heaven.”

Revelation 1:18

and the Ever-living One [ living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [ absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).

Revelation 2:1-29; 3:1-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)

3:1-21 – Message to Sardis

1“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Sardis write:

“These are the words of Him who has [b]the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [ in reality ] you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [ of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. 3 So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [ change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin ]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 But you [ still ] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [ that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin ]; and they will walk with Me dressed in white, because they are worthy (righteous). 5 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God ] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [ saying that he is one of Mine]. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Philadelphia

7 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [c]Philadelphia write:

“These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [ be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:

8 ‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name. 9 Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [ without any doubt] that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept the word of My endurance [ My command to persevere], I will keep you [ safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [ inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [ by leading you to renounce the faith]. 12 He who overcomes [ the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God ], I will make him a [d]pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [ own] new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [e]Laodicea write:

“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the [f]Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are [g]neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were [h]cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [ rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [ without hope and in great need], 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness ] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I [ dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [ showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [ change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]. 20 Behold, I stand at the door [ of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes [ the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege ] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

2 Timothy 3:1-7 King James Version (KJV)

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [ that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [ with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many ] teachers one after another, chosen to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [ and will accept the unacceptable ]. 5 But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [ stay calm and cool and steady ], endure every hardship [ without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [ the duties of] your ministry.

Introduction.

Happy Easter dear friends and welcome to the series on the school of the Holy Spirit. Today, we bring you – The School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!

If you missed the Wednesday post where we discussed in Series 21 of 52 – School of the Holy Spirit – Part 9: Activating 5 (Five) Supernatural Healing, Deliverance and Restorative Power of the Lord Jesus Christ through Partaking in the Holy Communion Habitually – Can God Heal COVID -19?

please visit the link.

Key note on prayer: People ask this question a lot:

Who do we pray to? Answer: We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the working of the Holy Spirit in us.

Read John 16:23-24 23 In that day you will not [ need to ] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [ as My representative ], He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked [ the Father ] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.

Now, on – I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!

Interceding for the Church:

This is what I saw in the realm of the Spirit – I saw doors opening in waves from different continents that provide an opportunity for global revival, the scope of which the world has never experienced before. I saw 4 keys to unlock the doors and I saw the Church in examination hall writing and only those who passed the test were given these keys – We pray that the Church (you and I) will revive (Revelation 2;3), prepare, persevere and eventually pass this test or series of tests in the pipeline so we can receive these keys and unlock these doors to the soul of men and women for whom Christ died, in the valley of decision in this moment of time, in Jesus name, Amen

Ask for Gods Assessment of you:

This kind of prayers, God does not delay in answering. I earnestly encourage you to go through Revelation 2 and 3, meditate actively and ask God how does He see you? Ask Him to assess you, ask Him to search you. Psalm 139:23-24. Then, get your journal and begin to flow with His Spirit. If He brings anything out in that session, confess it and go on to be all that He desires you to me and to do in Jesus name.

Interceding for the World:

When we are convinced we have adjusted and in right standing with Him, it is then we are ready as intercessors to earnestly pray for the world as His co-laborers asking the Holy Spirit to move into action and begin convicting the world of sin and of righteousness – John 16:8. He does not desire that any should perish but men make decisions that lead to death. Jesus is knocking at the door of men’s hearts by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

Now, 7 Signs We Need Revival

There are seven questions for self – discovery that the great theologian A.W. Tozer encourages us to consider. These questions, if answered honestly, speaks volumes about our spiritual health. They are:

  • What we want most
  • What we think about most
  • How we use our resources – Core Human and material Resources
  • What we do with our leisure time
  • The company we enjoy
  • Who and what we admire
  • What we laugh at – What entertains us

I make it a point to frequently ask these questions of myself. With these in mind, I want to offer seven signs you need revival in your own life

1. You are entertained by things that once grieved you.

When we got saved, we cleaned up our lives and cleaned out our house. We filled up several garbage cans with worldly items that we had collected over the years. No one told us to do these. We simply had such a pure love for the Lord and we didn’t want anything to come between us and Him. We were breaking up with the devil and no longer had a need for any of these articles of worldly affection.

However, any home that has been swept clean will once again become dirty if it’s not maintained daily. Over time, it’s easy to drop our guard and let things back into our lives that we once shook off.

Are you turning on things that once you would have turned off? When is the last time you walked out of a movie because you were grieved over how they profaned the name of your God? Are peers comfortable sharing obscene jokes in your presence, or do they change their tone when you’re around? Are you entertaining yourself with things that once grieved you?

2. You are silent where you once spoke.

Asking a man filled with the Spirit to be silent is as futile as asking a lit candle not to shine. The boldness to share the gospel is inherent in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “You will receive power when My Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses.”

The truest evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a tongue that has been set free and set on fire with the gospel!

Remember when you were first saved? You wanted to share the experience with your friends and family. Remember that boldness to declare His righteousness and what He had done for you? Do you still have it, or has your voice grown still? Your silence may be the sign of a backslidden heart.

When is the last time you shared your faith? Do you speak up when a wrong must be made right? Are you silent where you should speak?

It is time to once again find your voice!

3. Your prayer closet has cobwebs and your Bible is dusty.

No man is greater than his own prayer life. The believer that doesn’t spend time on his face before the Lord and in the Word is quietly telling the Lord, “I’ve got this on my own.”

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). He didn’t say proceeded, but proceeds. It’s not just what has God spoken to you in the past, but what He says to you today! If you want to live, you have to daily get on your face and get into His Word.

When life throws a problem your way, is prayer the first place you turn or the last? What did God show you in His Word today? When is the last time you spent quality time with the Lord? If you were as lacking in your vocation as you are in your devotion, how long would it be until you were out of work?

Do you believe prayer truly works? Then you should be praying more!

4. You’re more likely to criticize anything about God and question Godly messages

Are you so comfortable to criticize and question the bible or what Christ said He is. Do you argue with the word of God?

5. You excuse sin.

Sin is anything Jesus wouldn’t do. I like this simple and straightforward definition. If Jesus wouldn’t go there, do that, drink that, smoke that, say that, listen to that or watch that, then it is sin and has no place in the life of a son or daughter of God.

Jesus set the standard pretty high. He said, “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). The writer of Hebrews tells us to “pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Holiness and perfection is impossible if you attempt to do it on your own.

Thankfully, We’re not doing this in our own strength but in His.

Are you tolerating habits and addictions? What are the hidden things in your life you wouldn’t want anyone else to find out about? What do you keep telling yourself—“It’s no big deal”?

If you have sin in your life, don’t excuse it. Confess it!

6. You’re looking for Messages and preachers who massage your ego and agree with your way of thinking or belief

Solomon wrote, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov. 27:6).

2 Timothy 4:3-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [ that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [ with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many ] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, 4 and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [ and will accept the unacceptable ]. 5 But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [ stay calm and cool and steady ], endure every hardship [ without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [ the duties of] your ministry.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 King James Version (KJV)

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

7. You have a deep sense there is something more!

Tozer said, “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” How true that is.

Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5:24).

Moses spoke with God as a friend speaks with a friend (Ex. 33:11). – Ask God to show Him His glory

Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up (Is. 6:1).

Peter watched as Jesus pulled back His humanity and exposed His divinity (Matt. 17:4).

Paul was taught by Christ (Gal. 1:12).

John was called up to heaven, where he saw Jesus upon His throne (Rev. 20:11).

These fires me up!

Edwards and Wesley awakened our nation.

Charles Finney was baptized in waves and waves of liquid love.

William Seymore lived in the glory cloud for four years at Azusa.

Smith Wigglesworth raised the dead back to life.

I am jealous of their God encounters and will not be denied my own!

My friend, if you’ve slowed or even stopped your pursuit of God, let these words stir you. There is more! If you see that you are in need of revival, be encouraged. It is not far from you. If you will come close to Him, He promises to come close to you (James 4:8).

Start in the secret place

Now, The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place

To discern Jesus knocking at the door of our heart and obeying in the secret place, we need to sort out three categories of thoughts in our mind as follows:

  1. Spontaneous Positive Thoughts

These thoughts coming into your mind in the secret place line up with names/character of the Holy Spirit, including Edifier, comforter, teacher, creator, healer and giver of life. These we will assume come from the Holy Spirit

2. Spontaneous Negative Thoughts

We assume come from the demons, and thus will line up with the names/character of Satan, which includes Accuser, Adversary, liar, Destroyer, Condemner, Thief and Murderer

3. Analytical Thoughts

Come from self, from our own reasoning process and are sensed as cognitive, connected thought. They are limited by our own knowledge, wisdom and understanding and abilities.

So, when you come into the secret place and you are bombarded by fear thought, know that this is from the Accuser and deflect it immediately.

As you come into His presence, Say out loud as a confession:

“I choose to honor the flow within me because it is the river of God in me by the working of the Holy Spirit.”

Remember that Gods thoughts are expressed through our personalities and style of speech. We noticed that the gospel of John reflects John’s personality and the gospel of Mark reveals Marks individuality and manner. So, the divine flow within us does not bypass or eradicate our personality or style of speech. God is united with us – 1 Corinthians 6:17, flowing out through us. This is the wonder of Christendom – That God has joined Himself to man, and is expressing Himself through them.

God’s Glory and splendor is being highlighted as it flows through your unique personality. So, when you see your personality and vocabulary coming out in your journaling, do not reject it as being of self, but say, “the wonder of Christianity – Almighty God joined to me!

Gods thoughts are often light and gentle and easily cut off by any exertion of self (our own thoughts, will, etc), So we are careful to choose to honor the river over and above our own self effort.

Gods thoughts will cause a special reaction within you, such as a sense of excitement, conviction, faith, life, awe, or peace, assuming you have taken a step of faith and believe that what you are hearing is from the God who flows within.

So, let’s look at the Secret of Radical Obedience:

The Secret of Radical Obedience

Hearing God in the secret place is one of the greatest keys to the overcoming Christian life. However, it must be linked with its corollary: radical obedience. We hear, and then we do. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

By “radical obedience,” I mean immediate obedience that fulfills the commandment to its fullest measure. Radical obedience does not

seek to comply to the minimal standards but pursues extravagant, lavish fulfillment. If Jesus says, “Sell all,” then we sell all! Immediately.

Implicit obedience starts, for every one of us, not in doing good works but in sitting at His feet and hearing His word. Devotion to the Secret place is the saint’s first great act of obedience.

Jesus revealed this:

But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!

For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-35).

The will of God in that moment was for the people to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His word. Until you attend to this responsibility first, you will be constantly frustrated in your inability to uncover the joys of radical obedience. Works of service gain their spiritual energy from the furnace of a fiery love relationship at Jesus’ feet. The true fulfillment of serving Jesus is discovered when we get first things first: First we sit and listen, and then we go and do.

I’m saying it several different ways: The key is in hearing and obeying.

What are the benefits of obedience?

Obedience unlocks an eternally abundant life.

Jesus said, “‘And I know that His command is everlasting life’” (John 12:50). Coming from the Master of understatement, these simple words contain far more impact than a cursory reading would reveal. Take that statement to your place of meditation and let Him awaken you to the life giving power of extravagant adherence to His command. The life that resides in Him flows into you when you obey.

Obedience incurs the gaze of God.

God looks with special interest and affection upon the one who is devoted to obedience. He said it this say, “‘But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word’” (Isaiah 66:2). It’s fantastic to just imagine it: You’re in the secret place with His word before you, and you’re trembling at the prospect of His speaking to you; He sees your willing spirit and conceives of ways to honor your devotion. Wow! To tremble at His word means firstly that we long for Him to speak, and secondly that we tremble with ready diligence to act upon the word that comes. When we tremble for His word with this kind of keen anticipation, He fastens His gaze upon us in order to do good on our behalf.

Obedience produces greater intimacy.

In my opinion, one of the most powerful statements Jesus made on earth is right here: ‘“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him’” (John 14:21).

Jesus said obedience is the proof of love, and love brings us into incredible intimacy

with the Father. Furthermore, obedience unlocks the affections of Christ and His self-disclosure to the human heart. There’s nothing more I long for than for Jesus to manifest Himself to me! For the hope of beholding Him I will embrace any and every command of His mouth. I choose to obey Him, not because I am energized by watching my obedience change people’s lives, but because His presence is so sweet when I obey. My heart is enflamed with zeal for His closeness, and obedience only fuels that fire.

Obedience builds unshakable foundations.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,

I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

You will notice that the storm comes both to those who do Jesus’ sayings and those who don’t do them. No one is exempt. Storms are most certainly headed your way. The only question is, will you survive? Will your foundations be strong enough to sustain the winds and floods? Those who walk in radical obedience have made themselves ready for the storm, and they will overcome. “‘Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have

been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the Sea ’ ” (Isaiah 48:18).

The greater the winds that assault the obedient, the more his righteousness rises up like mighty breakers, crashing on the shore in majestic thunderings of fragrance to God.

Of course, there are many other benefits of obedience beyond these four just cited! Consider just two other brief thoughts yet, regarding obedience. The first comes to us through Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary gave us one of the greatest summations of obedience: “‘Whatever He says to you, do it’” (John 2:5).

True servants are found sitting at Jesus’ feet (“‘Where I am, there My servant will be also,”’ John 12:26). Then, when He speaks, they just do it.

Now, experience all round-success this week and beyond as You are led by your closest friend – The Holy Spirit!

Remember, we are one in Christ Jesus – Only in unity we can have lasting and far reaching impact – Engage!

Ephesians 4:4-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) 4 [ There is ] one body and one Spirit—just as there is also one hope [that belongs] to the calling you received—5 [ There is ] one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 One God and Father of [ us ] all, Who is above all [ Sovereign over all ], pervading all and [ living ] in [us] all.

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Shalom!

Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe

e-discipleship at Otakada.org

+13022686313; +2348032835348; in**@ot*****.org

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