Obedience, A way to live!

 

Obedience! A way to live

1 Samuel 15:22New King James Version (NKJV)

So Samuel said:
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.



I have already briefly touched on Worship as a "lifestyle". But, what about Obedience? It in itself can be a way of life or a "lifestyle".

Let me begin with a brief testimony. In 1996 I was diagnosed with Diabetes and from that day forward I was insulin dependant. My blood sugars were through the roof in numbers. I regularly tested at 300 to 350. A normal person should be between 80 and 120. I took my insulin for months at a time then quit. I went through phases. I ate like a pig... Fast foods, junk foods, sweets, Etc... I just didn't seem to care.

Eventually the complications from diabetes led to the amputation of my right leg below the knee. At that point my blood sugars were frequently in the high 300s to mid 400s. I was sick all the time and still ate like food was scarce. I have tried many diets and excersize and tried and tried ifferent programs and such, but never really stuck to it!

I finally decided after 18 years of fighting a losing battle... I need to get healthy or die! It was that simple. It was really that simple the whole time, but my mind was set at that point. I truly believe God can bring folks into our lives and heal uis through technology. Dr. Andrew Bright approved me for Gastric Bypass surgery. On July 7, 2014 my life was changed completely, but it doesn't end there. There are still a set of rules to follow. There is a complete lifestyle change to be made. I decided to make those changes.

Today, at 49 years of age I eat very little and very healthy foods. I excersize. I am no longer insulin dependant. And I test at normal levels between 100 and 120 conistantly. All because I chose to listen to the rules and change my "lifestyle" in those particular areas. I started my journey at 515 lbs and am currently at 397 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I can assure I am on my way there.

That being said, I have changed the way I do everything and it has become my new "lifestyle". A lifestyle of obedience. I "obey" the rules given by my medical professionals. And because I am obedient to my health and the ways to stay healthy, I know my life will last a lot longer than it would've had I continued down the path I was on. At almost 50 years old, I don't think 55 would have been much of a reality. Now I fully believe I will make it into my 80s or further just from continuing being obedient.



What does God's Word say about Obedience?

Exodus 19:5
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--  "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Luke 11:28
He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."