Not only do I get to choose this day whom I will serve; but today I even know why I serve Him! And I am glad, glad, glad, oh yes I am glad to serve Him! Hallelujah! And Amen!

Prayer/ Song To Be Obedient

Lord I don't fully understand how one as awesome as You.

Could care for one such as I, but I am grateful that You do.

I am so small and You beyond all comprehension.

Yet Your love causes me to walk tall. And Your love has no limit or dimensions.

How can I not love one who died for me.

Died for me while I was yet a sinner so I could be set free.

The price You paid is more than my heart can bear.

Yet it floods my soul with plenty of  life and love to share.

Lord I love You.

I place none above You.

Because I love You I long to obey Your every command.

With a grateful heart in You I stand.

Lord help me do all according to Your plan.

I choose You each day to serve with all my heart.

From Your commands O Lord never let me depart.

I commit all of me each day into Your hand.

Let all my words and deeds be by Your command. Amen.

By Your Command

On a lot of sci-fi movies I hear the slaves of  the bad guys say, "By your command." You just know by the way they say it that it comes from fear, or they are just robotic. Sometimes the evil bad guy will have a flunky that is just as evil as he is who also will say, "By your command." But his reason for saying it is because he is selfish. He is also seeking power and wants to feel safe and secure in his position. All of these are sad existences. I am not ashamed to admit that one of the reasons I first came to God was fear. For the wages of sin is death,(Romans 6:23) I was afraid of death and of  hell. I suppose that was one of the many things it took for God to get my attention. After all The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10). And as the bible says, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28). But after I had been with the Lord a little while I came to know Him better and of His love. He wasn't out to kill me but to save me! But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Matthew 6:28), But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinner, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). The fear was no longer the mindless, spineless, fear like the people I mentioned earlier. It changed to a respectful fear a type that is proper and fitting to have for God. But this fear is also intermingled with gratitude and love. Now I try with all my being to obey His commands because I love Him. If you love Me keep my commandments. (John14:15). I also from coming to know God have come to trust Him and have faith in Him and have come to love His ways. This is another reason I try so hard to obey His commands. What a wonderful God to give me freedom to choose! He didn't make me a robot, and He isn't keeping me through oppressive fear. He gives me the freedom to turn my back and walk away from Him anytime I want. So what when things get tough in my walk with God why don't I walk away? For the same reason Job didn't. Because I know the God who I serve and I know the truth and thanks to Him I can see the difference between good and evil. I love good, I hate evil. Every day God says Choose this day whom you will serve. I say, But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15). And we will Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. (Psalm 100:2).

For more Sips