The Enriching Rewards of Obedience: Charles Stanley

'And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ 
Acts 22:16



This morning I caught the very end of Charles Stanley on iHeartRadio. I wanted to start listening to Greg Laurie on there but he speaks at 5 in the morning, which I'm not up for. 
I Iistened to a playback of his message on my way home from soon. This morning I got the last two points on which he was preaching on obeying God; baptism and going through life with 'what if's.' 

He talked about how God has a plan for our lives and if we obey God and His commands the result will turn out better! We will go through life with complications but do you want to go through that alone, ending with dissapointment or would you rather go through that with God and get a better turnout. 
God tells us what we need to do to get to where His plan for us is. Even if it's the simplest thing, we need to obey. 

This past Sunday we did baptisms at our church. About 5 people got baptized in front of their congregation. It's always a special feeling for me, seeing more and more people giving their life to Christ. I have such a passion for seeing how many people love God and trust in Him. 
I got baptized when I was a lot younger with my family and cousin Jessica. We were younger so I feel like it was something to do because my parents told us we should. I would love to get baptized because I want to and know it's something that I want to do. That would be so much more special for me. 
My church offers anyone who wants to get baptized to go to a class and learn what it's all about. Hearing Charles Stanley this morning talk about this is a command from God saying if we want to follow God this is something that has to be done. 
Since my faith in God has been really soaring, I want to make this my next step in my faith. I'm stepping out of my 'comfort zone' and into my longing relationship with God. I'm so timid to show my faith in church, which is so silly because I should feel so comfortable at church with everyone else who believes what I believe. I am now going to do what I have to do and do what I feel will benefit my life even if it once made me feel uncomfortable. 
Do I want to do what makes me comfortable or go out of my way to have everlasting life?
What me being baptize will symbolize is me furthering my faith in God, showing my son that I have faith in God and am willing to get to know Him more so I can teach my son and guide him better in Christ. I am doing this for my life but also for the life of my son which is so important to me. 

Charles Stanley then talked briefly on pursuing an intimate relationship with Christ. Instead for being in prayer always asking for healing, answers, a way out, etc., thank God, love Him, and appreciate Him. Just like any other relationship we should focus on our relationship with God. Not a friendship or Father/child relationship but a intimate relationship. Just as you would love your spouse - but greater! 
Focus on getting to know Him more. Get to know His voice, so that we can recognize Him through other. Make sure we can hear Him. It's one thing to be able to talk to some one and think 'Yes, that is God because that's in the Bible', but being able to hear Him and His voice is something completely different. That's something you will be able to distinguish once you really get to know Him more. 
Focus on phrasing Him and giving Him all the glory. In everything that happens in your life, give God praise. Whether it's getting a good grade on a test or even just being able to get out of bed. Show Him you appreciate Him through every thing you do. When tough times occur, don't complain or whine, give all your praise to God for He is with you and will get you through these trials. 
He is always with you. 

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