Obeying for recognition is not truly obedience.

We live in a culture that expects to be noticed. If we don’t get the proper recognition for our hard work, we use it as an excuse to go satisfy our ego elsewhere.

It sounds like this, “If I’m not appreciated, then I am not participating.” And there are plenty of people to cheer you on.

We even have professionals to tell us how this is a human need that must be met.

It all makes sense for the world, but not the people of God.

Our obedience comes from a heart of willing submission. It is our reasonable service, no recognition needed.

Many God-assignments have been abandoned in pursuit of being noticed more.

If that’s you, I encourage you to get back to what God has called you to. This time, without the need for your obedience to be recognized by others.

Persecution generates great benefits for the body of Christ.

In the book of Acts, we find that the greater the persecution, the greater the growth of the church.

The more they were persecuted, the more they were filled with boldness from the Holy Spirit.

Persecution brought them great joy, even when in prison. Persecution worked like a bonding agent, bringing them together as one.

A church that avoids persecution sacrifices all these benefits. It becomes weak and pathetic as it works hard to appease people.

A church that embraces persecution is the most powerful, joyous bunch you'll ever see. The more you try to stop them, the stronger they become.

It's time to divorce people pleasing and embrace whatever persecution comes as a result of faithfully following Jesus Christ.

Only those who are submitted to the master gain the authority to use the master’s name.

A king does not give a rebellious servant the right to say, “I’ve come in the king’s name.”

This is a privilege reserved for those who are fully submitted.

If you want to use the name of Jesus against the kingdom of darkness, you must be fully submitted.

For the scriptures say, “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee.”

The devil doesn’t flee from rebellious people because those are his people under his command.

But when you are submitted to God, you have authority over all the power of the devil.

If you are troubled, it is in your thoughts.

In Christ, your spirit is never troubled.

This is important to understand so you know what to do when trouble comes.

Your innermost being is always at peace, because it is the very residence of the Holy Spirit. So, when trouble comes, all you need to do is quiet your mind and tune in to your spirit.

Don't wait for trouble to leave or fade away. You don't have to endure a certain amount of trouble before you find peace.

Peace is always available. It's already in you. You just have to choose to let your spirit lead instead of your mind.

Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one.

Ephesians 4 clarifies that the unity Jesus cries out for is not in thought or doctrine, but in the Spirit.

The only thing we all have in common is that we contain the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

Therefore, those who walk according to the Spirit will be one.

But as soon as we get our thoughts involved, unity begins to erode. Have you noticed how easy it is to talk yourself out of unity?

“Well, if they don’t believe this about the Holy Spirit... If they don’t understand the timing of the end times...” and the list goes on.

God is not impressed with your doctrine. He’s not even impressed with mine.

What God is looking for is a humble people who realize we don’t know it all. So, let’s enjoy the adventure of knowing God more and more.

Our only hope of becoming one in Christ is by walking according to the Spirit.

Do you know what happens when we really believe God’s Word?

We confidently expect it to happen.

Psalm 5 says that God blesses the righteous and surrounds them with favor.

Ephesians 1 says that God has given you every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Deuteronomy 28 says that God’s blessings shall overtake the obedient.

Do you live with a confident expectation to be overtaken by God’s favor and blessings in every situation?

For those who are united with Christ, it is not cocky to expect to be overwhelmingly blessed. No, we are pleasing God by believing what He says.