Abundance In The Bush - Country DevotionsSample

Who’s Boss

Ace is as happy as a pig in mud when he is getting lots of attention. Like any young dog, he gravitates towards whoever wants to play. Play is good, but if Ace is indulged and spoilt, his working ability will be restricted. Other people need to show him some healthy rejection so he will listen to his master. Ace needs to learn to curb his natural instincts and not chase wildlife. His attention and energy should be focused on what he’s being asked to do and on the one who’s asking it - his boss.

When you think about it, the day you first called Jesus your ‘Lord’, was the day you made your last free will decision, because to call Him ‘Lord’ means He is the Boss. Full stop. When His Word (the Bible) gives a command, our response should be, “Yes Lord”. Deliberate disobedience may lead Jesus to ask, “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Fair dinkum followers of Christ walk the talk. If our words aren’t one and the same with the way we live, we are hypocrites. It’s easy to pray in the Lord’s prayer: “Your will be done”. Praying it means diddly-squat if we don’t put His will into practice.

Two men built houses. One built on sand, the other on rock. The same ferocious storms hit both houses. One house crashed. The other stood firm. The difference? One chose not to obey the words of Jesus. The other chose to obey the words of Jesus (Matthew 7:21-27). Not obeying the words = not smart. Obeying the words = smart.

Training a young dog is a battle of wills. Ace needs to choose to please his master by obeying his master’s will, rather than choosing to look for pleasure for himself. We face the same choice. Our will, or God’s will. Not smart or smart. What choice are you making today?

Lord, life isn’t about my personal feelings and choices anymore. It is about doing Your will. I don’t want to be a hypocrite and risk Your rejection. Help me to live worthy of Your calling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.