THIS & THAT

Early one morning during my time of Bible Study and talking with Jesus about my day ahead, I kept hearing the phrase . . . this and that.

As the moments passed, the phrase turned into . . . You do this and I’ll do that. 

I recognized this phrase-dropping as a direct message from the Father. He loves to speak to His children, and does so through His Word, through circumstances, through other people, and for me – often through “phrase-dropping.”

He appeared to be reminding me of His faithfulness to act when we move in obedience to what He instructs us to do. I began thinking of Biblical circumstances where this concept played out. Consider these examples:

John 6:1-15 – Jesus told His disciples to DO THIS. Bring the five loaves and 2 fish to Him, have the people sit down. And then He DID THAT. After the bread was distributed among them all they continued in obedience by gathering the leftover fragments so that nothing would be wasted. All marveled at the miracle that occurred that day.

You do this and I’ll do that.

John 5; 5 - 9  - Jesus told the invalid who had placed his hope in the healing waters of the pool to DO THIS. “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” (vs.8) And when he did, Jesus DID THAT. The man was cured because he followed in obedience.

You do this and I’ll do that.

John 11:1- 44 – In the account of Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead, He told those around his tomb to DO THIS. “Take away the stone.” (vs. 39)

And when they did (after hesitation, I would add) Jesus DID THAT. Again, because of obedience in following the command from The Lord, Jesus responded in another glorious way.

Scripture is full of these interchanges of obedience to Jesus and the revealing of His Glory. Can you think of others?

Later, after I had mentally revisited other encounters of You do did and I’ll do that . . . throughout God’s Word, He graciously reminded me of my most recent personal experience with this holy exchange.

The If you will do this, then I will do that principle . . . played out in the writing of the most recent Bible study; BLOOD CLOTS, Blockages to Experiencing the Resurrection Power of Christ.

If you’ve read the introduction in the study, you already know that God specifically gave me the exact instruction of the title and message. It was…

Write a book entitled BLOOD CLOTS and make it about those blockages in Believers’ lives that keep them from experiencing My power.

Friend, it took me a long time to complete my THIS. But now, God in His graciousness, is allowing me to see His THAT! The Study is being used to equip women to move about in their God-given power that is theirs through relationship with Jesus, and because of His Bloodshed on the Cross. Women are beginning to identify those “Clots” that block the flow of this power, keeping them earthbound instead of power-bound. Clots like worry, guilt, shame, pride, busyness of life, and etc. 

I’m convinced that God is doing HIS THAT because I did THE THIS He told me to do.

I hope you’ll take some moments to ponder this concept in scripture and in your personal walk with The Lord. May He reveal fresh insights about His glory that He longs to reveal when His children obey His commands.

You can never go wrong by choosing to OBEY JESUS!

If you love Me, you will keep my commands.

(John 14:15 HCSB)