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The fact that there are rewards does not mean they are earned. It is the attitude of the diligent, however, that opens him to the point of receiving.

God expects complete and instant obedience. This is the key to successful living. Listen to the prophet Jeremiah:
Whether it be pleasing or whether it be hard, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.
(Jer. 42:6)
This is unqualified commitment. A perpetual willingness. The kind of thinking that signs the bottom of the contract before anything has been filled in.

There have been many times God has instructed me to do things that did not seem easy at the time. But time after time it proved to be a seed toward something God wanted me to do in my life.

Several years ago, a close friend was in a desperate financial situation. He was facing the loss of his church building. He needed thousands of dollars within a few days.

My wife and I were attending a meeting where my friend was speaking. Although he never mentioned a word about this need, God began to move on the people—several thousand dollars were given. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to give a thousand dollars.

Now you must understand, I had never before given a $1000 offering. And for a good reason—I had never had a thousand dollars I could give!

I had imagined the time when I would be able to give that amount. I could see myself writing out the check. Now, God was telling me that this was the time.

I turned to my wife, Vikki, and said, "I believe God wants us to give to our friend."

She agreed!

I said, "I believe He wants us to give $1000."

Vikki looked at me and said, "So do I."

We knew we had to believe that God would do a miracle for us because we didn't have the money. But we knew that if God had instructed us to give it, He could certainly get it to us.

I acted instantly. I went to our friend after the meeting that night and committed to give him the money as God had directed. Within a few weeks we had the additional money we needed to put into that ministry.

Then I saw something clearer than I had ever seen it before: If I would commit myself to obey God's voice, He would supply me with whatever was needed to fulfill His instructions.

It was a short time later that our ministry received its first $1000 offering by an individual. God had taken our seed that was planted in obedience and had caused it to become fruitful.

Our friend received all that he needed and did not lose the building. And we began to receive from God on a new level.

Instant obedience brings God's blessings. There is also something that I call "delayed obedience." That is when you know God has specifically told you to do something, but you wrestle with it for a time, or just plain put it off.

One time I was engaged in a meeting at a church. Toward the end of those meetings, the Holy Spirit directed me to give $200 to that ministry. But I put it off. When I got back home, I delayed in sending the money.

During the next two weeks, I noticed a sharp decrease in the ministry income. When I went before God to ask what had stopped the flow of finances, He said, "You did. I told you to send $200 to that church and you have not done it."

I immediately repented of my disobedience and made a verbal commitment to follow through with it. As soon as possible, I put a check in the mail. And the flow of finances was restored.

These are examples involving money, but of course obedience reaches far beyond that. God may direct me to go somewhere, or He may want me to call someone and encourage them or pray for them.

I have learned that whatever God's commandment may be, it is to my advantage to be obedient.

Delayed obedience brings delayed results. But if I will simply do as God asks, I will continue in His rich blessings.

Obedience brings God's favor into your life. God will cause you to steadily increase. You will not have to live under continual pressure in this life. If you are quick to do God's will, you have a deep confidence that your steps are ordered of the Lord.

Source: A Guide to Successfully Attaining Your God-Given Goals
by Dennis Burke.
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Publications

Author Biography

Dennis Burke, Ph.D.
Web site: Dennis Burke Ministries
 
Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: the Way to a New Life magazine, books, eBooks, CDs, and mp3 resources, Dennis has brought revelation knowledge on the truths of God's Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and overcome the challenges life brings through faith in God's Word.
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