Daily Devotion 
Monday, March 23

 
When Christ Gives a Command
 
And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city..."

MARK 14:13
 
The two disciples were given very detailed instructions to go to a certain town and look for a particular man performing a specific task.  He would have a large room, furnished and ready to observe the Passover. These instructions might have seemed unusual had it not been their Lord speaking, but the two disciples obeyed and found everything just as Jesus had said. Jesus knew exactly what they would find, and so He guided them specifically. One of the most memorable and precious times the disciples would spend with their Teacher hinged on the obedience of these two.

Obedience to Christ's commands always brings fulfillment. When the Lord gives you instructions, obey immediately. Don't wait until you have figured it all out and everything makes perfect sense to you.  Sometimes God will lead you to do things that you will not fully understand until after you have done them. He does not usually reveal all the details of His will when He first speaks to you. Instead, He tells you enough so you can implement what He has said, but He withholds enough information so that you must continue to rely upon His guidance. Your response will affect what God does next in your life. Your obedience may affect how others around you experience Christ as well. If there is any directive God has given you that you have not obeyed, obey that word immediately and watch God's perfect plan unfold in your life.

 
~ Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Bible in One Year:   Joshua 13-15; Luke 1:57-80

Praying God's Word Day-by-Day
 
~  God's primary purpose in healing us from our hurts is to introduce us to new depths of relationship with Himself. ~
 
Lord, in my heart I plan my course, but You determine my steps (Proverbs 16:9).
 
Life is not going as I planned.  But I am so grateful that You are not caught off guard.  You knew everything that would befall me.  So please direct my steps as You determine.
 
I need You, Lord.
 
Carry me when I cannot walk.
 
For though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life.  Stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes.  With Your right hand, save me.
 
You will fulfill Your purpose for me.  Your love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not abandon the works of Your hands (Psalm 138:7-8).
mrslauri@sbcglobal.net