Tag: OBEDIENCE

Christian

Are We Compromising God’s Word for Popularity and Acceptance?

Cindy Dawson

2-minute devotion for Saturday, 12/20/25

The 15th chapter of 1 Samuel teaches us a crucial lesson about obeying God. The Lord instructed King Saul to wipe out the Amalekites completely, including all that belonged to them. But Saul spared Agag and the best of the cattle and other animals.

Not only that, but after the battle, Saul set up a monument in his own honor. (v. 12)

The prophet Samuel confronted Saul, saying,

“Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” (v. 19

Saul blamed the soldiers, saying,

“The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder … in order to sacrifice them to the Lord” (v. 21)

But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.” (v.v 22-23) (emphasis mine)

What was Saul’s excuse?

“I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.” 1 Samuel 15:22-24 Read full chapter HERE

There we have it in a nutshell! Saul was an arrogant leader who thought he knew better than God. He gave in to the will of the people instead of obeying the Word of the Lord.

My question to you is this: Do we do the same in our churches today? Are we ignoring some of God’s commands to appease the people?

Do we neglect to teach what the Bible says on topics like: Eschatology, the nation of Israel, false teachers, abortion, and/or the sins of homosexuality and transgender ideology?

Jesus said, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (emphasis mine)

And the Apostle Paul states, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (emphasis mine)

Is it because, like Saul, we are afraid of the people? Do we avoid controversial topics and give in to a world view that is in conflict with Biblical teaching?

Saul faced the consequences of his actions:

“You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel.” (v. 26) Read full chapter

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act.”― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

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Christian

Friday’s Verse, 2/16/24

Cindy Dawson

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22 NIV (emphasis mine)

My thoughts: Willingness to do God’s will, not perfection, is the path to God’s favor.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

Photo by Chris on Unsplash

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Christian

Monday’s Verse, 9/18/23

Cindy Dawson

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord
    and delight in obeying his commands.
 Their children will be successful everywhere;
    an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.” Psalm 112:1-2 NLT 

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 7/26/23

Cindy Dawson

God has given us His rules for our good; and when we obey them we’re healthier, happier, and holier… The creator knows how we function best, and He is an expert on the care of the soul. Obedience not only glorifies Him, it blesses our lives.”

Pastor David Jeremiah

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Sardar Faizan on Unsplash

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Christian

Monday’s Verse, 7/24/23

Cindy Dawson

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NIV

My Thoughts: This applies to all Believers, but especially to those who lead others.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 5/4/22

Cindy Dawson

Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not. Many times we go against our feelings. Faith is one thing, feeling is another.”

dl moody

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Mirko Fabian on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Has God Put a Desire In Your Heart to Serve Him?

Cindy Dawson

Has God put a desire in your heart? Has He made it so crystal-clear that you know for sure it came from Him?

Did things go great at first, but then problems started to arise? If things don’t go the way you expect, don’t begin to doubt what you first believed. Do not doubt yourself and your ability to accomplish the task.

Remember: God never does things the way we think He will. Just because problems arise doesn’t mean we should give up. In fact, I think it would be safe to say, problems will definitely arise!

Nehemiah spoke about “what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:12)

God put it in Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild Jerusalem. Do you think he may have run into a few problems? Of course he did!

We are instructed to learn from the past. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV

When God puts it in our heart to do something, we can expect a spiritual battle to be right around the corner.

At first, everything happened quickly and easily for Nehemiah. The king granted all of his requests: letters to the various governors to provide safe travel and permission to take lumber from the king’s forest. The king even sent army officers and cavalry along with him on his journey to Jerusalem.

When Nehemiah asked the people to take on the great challenge to rebuild the wall, they enthusiastically agreed. They “worked with all their heart” (Nehemiah 4:6) and repaired the walls. Things were going great!

Then opposition began. The people were ridiculed mercilessly. “What are those feeble Jews doing? (Nehemiah 4:2) The enemy will always attack you personally. Who do you think you are? You can’t do that!

The enemies plotted together to stir up trouble. The strength of the laborers began to give out. What they started doing with all their heart, they began to doubt their ability to accomplish. They began to fear their enemies. (See Nehemiah 4:10-12)

Does any of this sound familiar? Because this is exactly how things work today! Be encouraged because things are right on track.

When the enemy came against them, “Each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.” Nehemiah 4:18

When spiritual forces come against us, we must take up the Sword of the Spirit as we work. What does that mean for us? The Word of God and prayer are our weapons against the enemy.

By staying in the Word, we can hear the voice of God. Through prayer, we commune with the Almighty, which is intimate communication and the sharing of thoughts.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12

“Take ..the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God … and pray” Ephesians 6:17-18

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12

Is my faith being tested? Will I still believe what God has said when the enemy comes against me? Am I trying to accomplish something in my own strength? Or am I trusting Him to do it, knowing that my part is obedience?

Paul said, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” Philippians 1:6 NIV

Put your trust in God, pray and read the Word. Now carry on, Christian Soldier!

Read about Nehemiah’s determination to rebuild Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah.

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

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Christian, women

Friday’s Verse, 9/17/21

Cindy Dawson

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord
    and delight in obeying his commands.
 Their children will be successful everywhere;
    an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.” Psalm 112:1-2 NLT Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by kaushal mishra on Unsplash

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Christian, women

Quote of the Week, 7/7/21

Cindy Dawson

“Your call will become clear as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God’s Spirit. The Lord never hides His will from us. In time, as you obey the call first to follow, your destiny will unfold before you. The difficulty will lie in keeping other concerns from diverting your attention.” 

― Charles R. Swindoll

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Laura Seaman on Unsplash

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Christian

Monday’s Verse, 5/17/21

Cindy Dawson

““What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
    and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT

With Love, Cindy

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

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