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Obligating God By Albert Friend
Today the sun is shining making 8
inches of snow look beautiful. The temperature is 15 degrees so it is not
melting, just glistening. My neighbor used his large farm tractor to plow my
long and steep driveway. Although this is the winter season it is springtime in
my heart.
Thirty-five
years ago we stood on the land that borders this neighbor, ready to turn the
first spade of ground to build our Church. He walked up to me and said: “I didn’t
invite you out here and I don’t want you out here.” Those were the only words
he said and walked back home.
Today, 35
years later, he plowed my driveway. I am a very happy man. My time has come. I
have proved again the value of not being weary in well doing. God’s Word is true. I am reaping. The key to this God
given lesson is to “not be weary.” Don’t ever give up. Nothing is too hard for
the Lord.
Seed
of Character
This
thinking is birthed in your character. It comes from searching the Bible. The
Bible teaches distinct Godly mind thoughts. You learn what to think, what to
allow, what to do, what to say, at the same time not wanting nor trying to bend
the rules of His Word.
When God
speaks a Word it becomes an obligation to Him for all generations. He will
fulfill His self imposed command. It is God’s perfect way of doing things.
Faith in His Word is faith in Him. Faith in God requires that you love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Everything God does is for receiving our love and praise. God owns the cattle
on a thousand hills but it is the love of His child that moves His heart.
Studying His Word attracts the love of God. As
Jeremiah wrote, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for
me with all your heart.”
Command
God With A Request
When I
was 18 years old way back in 1948, and in the Air Force, I went on furlough for
two weeks. I wired my base saying, “I want an extension of one week.” It was
denied.
I hurried
back to base. I missed my train in Indianapolis at midnight by five minutes and
had to wait until midnight the following day for the next train. I had no
money. I drank water from the fountain and read every sign on the wall twice.
When I arrived back at Base the Sergeant said, “Friend, the next time you ask
for an extension use the word ‘request’ and not the word “want.” I had offended
the rank of the Sergeant and he denied me.
The
Psalmist wrote, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart. Our request to God, to obtain a command of His,
comes from a child who loves his father” (Psalms 37:4).
Because I
love Him the joy of the Lord is my strength. That
joy He will not withhold from me.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2009,
Albert Friend
------
Albert
Friend is a 77-year-old minister of 57
years. He lives in Hamilton, Ohio, with his wife, Jean. They had four children:
Albert, Michael, Bonnie, and Mark. All four children went into the ministry.
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