“Trust And Obey”
September 28, 2012
Colorful home grown produce displayed at the West Lampeter Fair.
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“Trust And Obey”
I like trains. I suppose that’s been the case since I was a small child and we stayed at my grandparents in Harwood, Missouri. They lived near a rail line and upon hearing the train whistle I’d run as quickly as my little legs would go so I could count the engines and railroad cars. Some of them had over 100 cars.
Adrian Rogers, a minister now with the Lord, had a witty way of sharing. He was known to say, “The way to Heaven is not the ladder of logic or the rocket of reason, but the railroad of redemption, the old “T&O”. T&O is likely a takeoff of the B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) railroad, which happened to have a rail line through northern Pennsylvania when we lived up that way.
So what is “the old T&O”? The T&O stands for “Trust and Obey”, the title of a beloved hymn that always has a current and much needed message. The title for this hymn remains a simple formula in how to successfully live for Christ.
The lyrics present a simple, clear explanation of what it’s like to live the Christian life. The hymn, “Trust and Obey” originated from a testimony meeting, following an evangelistic crusade held in Brockton, Massachusetts, by Dwight L. Moody. A young man stood to speak, and it soon became clear he knew little Christian doctrine. But he finished by saying, “I’m not quite sure—but I’m going to trust, and I’m going to obey.” Daniel Towner, who was in the meeting, jotted down the words, and gave them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics from them. * I suppose many of our readers still sing this beloved timeless hymn.
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Today’s first text is a rebuke from the Lord to the children of Israel. I purposefully only chose a part of the verse; a stunning, simple indictment of the people from their leader, Moses. “You did not trust Him or obey Him.” The failure to trust and obey is at the heart of sinful behavior. The practice of trusting and obeying is at the heart of godly living.
Our heavenly Father calls out to us in the second daily text: “Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.” In the third text the Psalmist calls out to God, “Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” And finally the Apostle Paul writes of the ongoing need for children of God to “Find out what pleases the Lord.”
Let’s all step on board that old T&O, as we trust and obey Jesus and His Holy Word!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, though I am sometimes perplexed by that which I don’t understand I have an unshakable confidence in You. Your Word is truth and Your promises never fail. There are many things of which I am uncertain, but I have absolute certainty that I can trust You for everything that concerns me. May obedience be an expression of my unwavering trust and devoted love toward You, my Lord and my God. Amen.
West Lampeter Fair
More displays of fresh vegetation from Lampeter gardens
Wouldn’t it be great to have a neighbor ring your doorbell and deliver this colorful, healthy and fresh arrangement of vegetables!
For those who choose to decorate pumpkins in ways other than Jack-o-Lanterns here’s an idea.
We put our cellphone on top of this 115 pound watermelon to show how big it was but you still can’t really see how massive it is in a photo. Notice the 49 pounder next to it. The 1st prize watermelon is so large it wouldn’t fit onto a fridge shelf due to width, heighth or weight.
Old threshing machine
Wouldn’t this jalopy impress your date on your first night out!! You wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting to open her car door. In fact she’d have to ride on back since it’s a one-seater!
Nice cross-stitched verse stitched by a student.
We stopped in at the Lampeter Fair to visit with Chris, a salesman from JK Mechanical, one of the companies we serve as chaplains. Chris is answering some of Stephen’s questions, for he always has many!
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice” Video Keith Green
“I Will Obey” Video Concordia Impact Music
Finally today:
Yesterday I visited for a few minutes with a friend who shared this photo taken this last weekend. Here’s a sports quiz: (Click here to enlarge)
Do you know the significance of this photo?
And for our local readers do you recognize my friend in the photo?
If you want to venture an answer do so here and I will explain next Monday.
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