Believe and Obey God!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Believe and Obey God

Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out." Genesis 6:11-14

Have you read in Genesis about Noah and the ark recently? A few years ago there was a family movie with a modern version of Noah's Ark, called "Evan Almighty." Noah's story has a powerful lesson for you and the world to learn.

I must share with you that more than twenty years ago, my Lord had me read about Noah and asked if I would choose to be a Noah to build an ark to save my own family. Has the Lord asked you that question? What was your answer?

Today please read the story of Noah in Genesis, (Chapters 6-9) comparing your stand to what God told Noah to do. God chose Noah to do His will. Has God chosen "you" to be God's example of a righteous and blameless person in your family? God needed someone to listen and obey Him during Noah's time and He also needs you and me during our time to make a difference. Obedience is not as easy as we think, especially when we are told to do what is contrary to our culture and the world's standards. How are you doing in being obedient to God's directions and instructions about standing for your marriage? Are you living by your emotions and feelings or by faith and trust in God?

Noah obeyed God, regardless of what his family, friends or anyone else said. As you read the story of Noah you will see that Noah did not debate or ask a lot of questions. He listened to God's voice. Noah followed God's instructions and he obeyed God.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God...Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Genesis 6:9, 22

If Noah had not obeyed the Lord and followed all His instructions the ark would not have survived the floodwaters that flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Can you imagine the consequences if Noah had not obeyed God and did not go into the ark at the time God commanded or instructed him to go? As I read about Noah again, you and I always think of the pictures of the two different kinds of animals that follow up the ramp to go into the ark. Imagine all those animals listening and obeying God to get on the ark at the right time!

"You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything just as God commanded him...Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him. Genesis 6:19-22, 7:2-5

I know personally that the Lord told me to pray for Bob before we got the divorce, but the circumstances and comments from my friends that I shared with, confirmed for me what I wanted to hear. I had a right to have a better life. I became hardhearted, bitter, resentful and allowed hatred and anger to grow in my heart. I chose to live my life "my way, instead of God's way." I chose to listen to others, disobey God and I divorced Bob.

Our Lord did truly hear the cry of my heart and He knew deep down that I "did not" want the divorce, but I did not know what to do - so the Lord sent a messenger with His good news. Our Lord God sends messengers to each of us also even though they may not be a glowing angel. My messenger arrived two months after our divorce at our church with a couple sharing their testimony of a restored marriage.

That was the beginning of my Spiritual Journey. The Lord got my attention first and started changing my heart. The world today says if you have marriage problems, throw in the towel and try another marriage. Statistics show that second and third marriages do not last as long as first marriages. The solution is to believe that your Lord God can touch and change two hearts and the circumstances that you are facing today in your marriage.

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

What is the Lord speaking to you? Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes and ears to hear His divine instructions for your marriage. God does restore marriages!

What if Noah had not listened or obeyed the Lord, what would have happened to his family? The Lord told Noah specifically how to build the ark. God was the Architect. God told him what to do and how to do it. Has the Lord been giving you scriptures for hope and direction for you, for your prodigal and for your family? Are you choosing to listen, believe and obey Him?

Can you imagine when Noah shared with his wife and children what God told him to do when no one had ever seen rain? It took approximately the next 120 years to complete the ark. Noah also had to be faithful, trusting and believing the Lord for a season of time, just as you have been called to do. Can you imagine the ridicule that the neighbors and friends would say to Noah for such a period of time? How many times did they tell Noah that there had never been rain or a flood? You are you wasting your time!

What if you really did not hear from God? I want to remind you that when the Lord starts speaking to you through scriptures, music, or many other ways, do not listen to anyone else! The Lord has told you what He is going to do and what "you" are to do and He will not tell three other family members. Remember, how God spoke to Noah, Jeremiah or Mary. God told Noah He would save His entire family and God told Noah His plan. You have been chosen by the Lord and you are the link the Lord has chosen to use to save your spouse, your family and generations to come. The Lord will give you every detail you need to know or do in preparing and restoring your marriage.

You may go to family, friends, pastors, or counselors for confirmation and encouragement for what you are doing. You are told there is no guarantee that your spouse will come home. You are reminded by others that your husband or wife have their own free will. If you get discouraged, remember the enemy is trying to cause confusion and for you to be doubleminded for you to give up your stand. Your family and friends may never truly understand. Do you think Noah's family understood? I do not think so, but I know that Noah kept on doing what the Lord told him to do.

Noah was a man of faith and that is what the Lord is asking and teaching you to be today. Are you going to listen to the world or are you going to believe what the Lord has told you He will do? God did not change His mind when the ark was half finished. Ask the Lord for another confirmation. It is all right to ask God to confirm what He has said to you previously. But how many times does He have to tell you before you obey and follow His instructions? Today, persevere, don't give up, seek His face and He will guide and direct your pathway to see your restored marriage and His rainbow!

Believe and obey,

Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.


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