Week 4

TAKE DELIGHT IN OBEDIENCE (Part 2)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “Take Delight in Obedience” by Darlene Zschech (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Dec/Jan 2007).

 

Introduction

Many people question: “How can I possibly take delight in obedience? Isn’t it restrictive and oppressive?” On the contrary! As you turn to God’s Word, you will find that in being obedient to Him you will be set you free and will be empowered to live in total freedom! You will be blessed, and you will find delight, joy and peace through obedience that honors God!

 

What God Says

Read Deut. 32:3-4.

 

Write it out. Mediate on what it means to you.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of what each passage is saying to you about honoring God by putting Him first with your obedience.

 

Neh. 9:6: ________________________________________________________

 

Ps. 119:32: ______________________________________________________

 

Ps. 119:57-64: ___________________________________________________

 

Phil 2:12: ________________________________________________________

 

Application

Below is a listing of three Scriptures taken from the previous Deeper Insight section. Underneath each listing are two versions—the New King James (NKJV) and the New Jumbled Version (NJV- obviously not in print anywhere!). It is up to you to pick which is the NKJV—the correct version!

Put the letter of your choice in the blanks provided. Look up the listing and see how accurate you were (or weren’t)! If you chose the New Jumbled version (which won’t be in your Bible), the concerned, but merciful editors suggest you spend more time in the Word!)!

 

_____ Nehemiah 9:6

a. “You alone are the lord; for you have created the heavens, with hosts, the whole earth and all of creation, and you preserve all of them on ground and in the sea. The hosts of heaven sing praises and worship You. “

 

b. “You alone are the lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.”

 

_____ Psalm 119:57

a. “You are my portion, O lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.”

 

b. “You indeed are my portion, O lord; I have proclaimed that I have kept Your Word.”

 

_____ Phil. 2:12

a. “Therefore, my brethren, as you have obeyed, not just in front of me, but when I am departed from here, do work out your own salvation with loath and trembling.”

 

b. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as much in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Nehemiah 9:6 and then discuss how great God is, as revealed through this passage of Scripture. Encourage members of the group to share testimonies of revelations they have received of how great God is (awareness of Him in various situations they were in, whether on a trip to the mountains or in the least likely of places in daily routines). Many might have a short “story” of what happened to them. These can certainly inspire the group!

            End the meeting by taking prayer requests. Praise the name of the Lord that He is above all principalities and that He alone is the power in our lives. Thank Him that as we obey Him, we will delight in His presence and power!

 

Prayer

Read aloud as part of your prayer Ps. 119: 32 and then thank the Lord that as you run the course of His commandments that He shall enlarge your heart! Thank Him for giving you a servant’s heart—to obey and to serve Him and to delight in all His ways! Thank Him for this blessing!