*just sending all the devotions for wn i wasnt around lol *
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[image: Purpose Driven Connection - Daily Devotional] March 17, 2009
God Smiles When We Obey<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?P4GtvAVbpiSr6kIL=13>
by Rick Warren
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages
that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage: "Noah
did everything exactly as God had commanded him" (Genesis 6:22 NLT).
Noah obeyed completely (no instruction was overlooked) and he obeyed
exactly (in the way and time God wanted it done). That is wholeheartedness.
It is no wonder God smiled on Noah.
If God asked you to build a giant boat, don't you think you might have a few
questions, objections, and reservations? Noah didn't. He obeyed God
wholeheartedly. That means doing whatever God asks without reservation or
hesitation. You don't procrastinate and say, "I'll pray about it." You do it
without delay. Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really
disobedience.
God doesn't owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to
do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can't. Instant obedience will
teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you
will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience
unlocks understanding.
Often we try to offer God partial obedience. We want to pick and choose the
commands we obey. We make a list of the commands we like and obey those
while ignoring the ones we think are unreasonable, difficult, expensive, or
unpopular. I'll attend church but I won't tithe. I'll read my Bible but I
won't forgive the person who hurt me. Yet partial obedience is disobedience.
Wholehearted obedience is done joyfully with enthusiasm. The Bible says,
"Obey him gladly" (Psalm 100:2 LB). This is the attitude of David: "Just
tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll
wholeheartedly obey" (Psalm 119:33 LB).
James, speaking to Christians, said, "We please God by what we do and not
only by what we believe" (James 2:24 CEV). God's Word is clear that you
can't earn your salvation. It comes only by grace, not your effort. But as a
child of God you can bring pleasure to your heavenly Father through
obedience.
Any act of obedience is also an act of worship. Why is obedience so pleasing
to God? Because it proves you really love him. Jesus said, "If you love me,
you will obey my commandments" (John 14:15 TEV).
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest,
Calif., one of America’s largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick
is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The
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'Unless you change what you do, you will always have what you've got.'
- Jim Rohn
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