:Obedience" From Israel post #4

Note from Amy: We are ourselves being ministered to through these blogs, and through others who share their lives with us. A friend told me, "How can we minister to others in the middle of a crisis?" I am not sure. Maybe she is right? But somehow it feels like we are being ministered to as we walk this thing out. Israel and I do not know all or understand all...we are just living this thing out one day at a time. We thought blogging it would help us testify how good God is to us, and let others have an outlet to do the same. We do not mean to come across preachy. We are talking to ourselves as well as others. Glean from it what you will. May God use this as a tool to show his abundant mercy and love on His children. All glory to Him who reins forever and ever, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God.

"Obedience"
Someone once told me half obedience is full disobedience. How many times have we followed through with only part of what we promised God or what we believe God has called us to do?
1Samuel 15:1-24 Saul is king, and Samuel has given Saul clear directions on how to handle the Amalek's. Saul is told to attack them and wipe everything out. Cattle, sheep, women, children, and all living things in that city. Saul, knowing all this, allows his people to take back the best of the animals along with the King, King Agag. Saul allowed his pride to come between him and God's commandment. When it came right down to it, he did what he wanted to do instead of what God wanted him to do.
When Saul was questioned by Samuel about his disobedience, Saul, much like what we do, played the blame game and made excuses. As a result, God took his kingdom from him as a consequence for disobedience.
What has God called or asked you to do that you may have started and quit, or may have never started? I have a list myself. It is time to move out of disobedience and into full obedience. I believe every Christian has a desire to be in right standing (righteous) with God. It is so hard at times, I know. If things are not going as you hoped or if your life seems a little chaotic, maybe it is time to sit down with God and sort a few things out.
My first instinct as a man is to hide my feelings and thoughts. That's what pride tells me to do. At the risk of sounding wimpish, I am going to open up my life to you...an introduction into my head. Today (Jan 15, 2010 ) the guards woke us up at 5:30 for breakfast. After a long restless night, the last thing I want to do is get up so early. We are locked back down until 7:30, when, if you have a sign in your door, they give us razors. At 8:00 we are turned loose from a small room to a bigger room. Other than the bible study that goes on at "The Table", there isn't much happening except TV and some card games. Lately I have been depressed and less inspired to share the Word. How do you have a dessert inside a dessert experience. I have asked God to inspire me to write. I felt immediate confirmation in my spirit when Amy first proposed the idea of a blog. After I got off the phone, I was so excited to go write. Not being much of a writer, but determined anyway, I set out to put ink to paper. After three days I still had nothing. I felt despair and frustration. I filled 6 priceless sheets of paper front and back and it amounted to nothing. On a side note, Amy made sure to tell me not to preach at anyone, and , well, that just blew all my writings out of the water. So with that said...I hope I don't come off preachy. I learn from my own writings as well. I would be lying if I said I was great. The truth is I am struggling. I am struggling with being here in this place. I am struggling with a decision I felt forced to make, and I am struggling not to be with my wife.
I have spent many hours on my knees crying before my Dad and asking to be rescued. But , as my wife's grandmother pointed out to us, He never said He would rescue us...only that He would be there with us through it.
That is what God has done. He has been seeing both Amy and I through this. I give Him thanks for this. If it wasn't for my Dad, I would hide in my room and never, ever come out. Instead, I have an overwhelming desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ every day. It is not often we know the direction of our lives. In fact, one of the biggest questions I hear myself and others ask is, "What does he want from my life?" Well, Amy and I are starting to understand this in our own life. And what the true meaning of "His will, not our will". And how to walk this out in obedience day by day.
WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE!
Thank you for praying and supporting us through this season of our life. May God bless you and Keep you.

A Prisoner in Christ,
Israel Moore