Obedience Is an Act of Worship

[Obedience Is an Act of Worship] Current Teaching Series [Transformed] [Listen to Today's Broadcast] [Obedience Is an Act of Worship] By Rick Warren — Jan 31, 2017 [Facebook] [Twitter] [Pinterest] [Email] [Devotional image from Rick Warren] “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I’ll wholeheartedly obey” (Psalm 119:33-34 TLB). God smiles when we obey him 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 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 100:2a TLB). 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 119:33-34 TLB). 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 GNT). [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>] Talk It Over - How can you discern when it is God telling you to do something? - In what areas have you displayed partial obedience to God? - How does your attitude toward obedience change when you consider it an act of worship? [Facebook] [Twitter] [Pinterest] [Email] [Our Gift: The Transformed ​Complete 8 Part Audio Series] Get Transformed this year! Do you want to experience a real transformation from the inside out? Then you have to spend time listening to God's word. That's why we compiled the Transformed Complete Audio collection. These eight messages from Pastor Rick Warren are sure to help you draw closer to God so you can experience the abundant life he designed you to live. [LEARN MORE] [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)] Includes eight full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series Transformed. [LEARN MORE] [Series Summary] Message 1: Setting Personal Goals By Faith Message 2: How To Get Closer To God Message 3: From Stressed To Blessed Message 4: Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind Message 5: How To Deal With How You Feel Message 6: Facing The Fears That Ruin Relationships Message 7: Transforming How I See and Use Money Message 8: Facing Giants In Life and Work ​​ [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST] Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook] [Twitter] [Instagram] [Linkedin] Enjoy today's Devotional? [Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio.] Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.] This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at [pastorrick.com]. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. [Update your preferences] | [Unsubscribe]