Have you ever done something only half way? Have you ever asked someone to carry out a simple task and yet they only completed part of it? Maybe it was a child who half-heartedly cleaned the room, or a co-worker who did just enough to get by, or a family member. Doesn't it frustrate you?
How many times do we do this to God though? In today's reading, Saul does what is convenient for him, but does not do exactly what God called him to do. Instead he did the task only half way. The result? He lost all favor in the eyes of God. When Samuel shows up, Saul says, "I have carried out the Lord's instructions." I love what Samuel then says. "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" You were supposed to kill them ALL!!! Saul gives his excuses and says but...I am going to sacrifice them to God. And then Samuel replies with my favorite line for the day, "To obey is better than to sacrifice."
Are there cattle lowing, and sheep bleating in your life? What is it that God has called you to do that you have only completed half way? What is it that you have refused to do, or refused to let go of? There is no excuse that is acceptable, repent and obey today! Obedience is the key to living the full and abundant life. Anything less than total obedience to God is disobedience. It's a powerful lesson we should all learn as soon as possible.
I want to learn and I would really like to step up fully to this challenge...how do I go about doing this? My faith is not fully there to be honest I am not a believer now...I want to change that and I have spoken to Scotty about this. He assures me that God will show himself to me when the time is right I just have to have faith. Faith that is a small word yet for some reason a very hard thing for me to have..why is that? Any help I can get to help me down this road to God I would accept it with open arms...thank you. Terri Carter
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