2008 Woodie Awards
Obedience makes for a more joyful life
By Josh Bortnik
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Opinion
Slippery Rock and the world are filled with wonderful things. Just look around and observe some of these great things; pretty girls, cute little puppy dogs and a beautiful sunset! Isn't it exciting just to think about spending time with family, friends or that special someone? How about music, sports, shopping, video games, television, late night movies or taking a nice walk? The little things in life can bring so much joy!
Do you know that God created everything for our enjoyment? (James 1:17) God is a sweet God and does not want to take anything good away from you. Did you know that God even wants you to have good sex? You better believe it! Life is such a sweet thing because God has given us free will. This is so awesome, and only makes sense since God loves you and does not want to control you. He wants you to experience His peace that passes all understanding, and develop a trusting relationship where you go to Him before anything in this world.
Here are two important secrets for enjoying life to the fullest: Do not put other things before God or walk outside the plan He has for your life. Did you ever notice that whatever you do, if you do too much of it, or become too attached or consumed with it, it will eventually wear you down? An example could be when you play video games so much that your fingers and eyes become tired and you feel yourself becoming delirious.
God designed life like this for a reason. He is the only thing that you can never get enough of and wants you to go to Him before anything in the world. Deuteronomy 4:24 says God burns for you with a jealous love.
The second key is not walking outside the plan God has for you. He has given us His Word as both a love letter and an instruction manual for life. In John 14:21 Jesus says, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
To really know God, you cannot live the way you see as acceptable. Notice how Jesus says He will show himself after you obey. If you don't love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or what to feel. When you love someone you get pleasure from their pleasure, and it makes it easy to serve. Know that God loved you first. By accepting God's love, you will fall in Love with Him, and only then will you have the fuel you need to obey.
Do you know that God created everything for our enjoyment? (James 1:17) God is a sweet God and does not want to take anything good away from you. Did you know that God even wants you to have good sex? You better believe it! Life is such a sweet thing because God has given us free will. This is so awesome, and only makes sense since God loves you and does not want to control you. He wants you to experience His peace that passes all understanding, and develop a trusting relationship where you go to Him before anything in this world.
Here are two important secrets for enjoying life to the fullest: Do not put other things before God or walk outside the plan He has for your life. Did you ever notice that whatever you do, if you do too much of it, or become too attached or consumed with it, it will eventually wear you down? An example could be when you play video games so much that your fingers and eyes become tired and you feel yourself becoming delirious.
God designed life like this for a reason. He is the only thing that you can never get enough of and wants you to go to Him before anything in the world. Deuteronomy 4:24 says God burns for you with a jealous love.
The second key is not walking outside the plan God has for you. He has given us His Word as both a love letter and an instruction manual for life. In John 14:21 Jesus says, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
To really know God, you cannot live the way you see as acceptable. Notice how Jesus says He will show himself after you obey. If you don't love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or what to feel. When you love someone you get pleasure from their pleasure, and it makes it easy to serve. Know that God loved you first. By accepting God's love, you will fall in Love with Him, and only then will you have the fuel you need to obey.
