In the Spanish translation, the word ‘contentos’ is used for glad. 

Then in Luke 8:21 (MSG) Jesus replied, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.”

There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded of the consequence of disobedience to our Lord and the darkness that it brings. It’s such a shame that the word ‘obey’ has a reputation of being dull or boring when it’s truly the only way to experience Life – real Life… and the irony is that it is in the disobedience that we always find ourselves lacking… discontent. I used the analogy at school this week that caving to sin is like taking that nourishing bowl of sweet, creamy oatmeal and replacing it with fruity pebbles…. The fruity pebbles will never satisfy you – they will make you sick long before they make you full; there will never be contentment. 

There are always a truck-load of excuses we can come up with for not obeying, and I have used plenty – but I always wish I didn’t. As Bobby pointed out a couple weeks ago in one of His messages, satan not only tempts us, but he also labels us on the other side of our ‘failure’ so that we stay in bondage to our mistakes. 

Jesus not only offers us forgiveness, but a way to stay connected to Him who is Good through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, bring more of the Holy Spirit. Let Him reign in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls so that we may be yours, Brothers and Sisters of Christ. Amen.

I just want to clarify one thing – when I speak of obedience, it is not a legalistic approach – but an abiding in Christ. There is no contentment in trying to be perfect… there is contentment in being His.