obedience

Smiles of God

Published on August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11

Ever think of how God smiles down at you?

How He looks down at you, his beautiful creation, breaking out in a huge grin?

I did today.

I thought about how God had recently blessed me and I felt His smile.

Like He was saying, “This is all for you, because I’m so proud of you.”

We don’t obey God to get things.

We obey God out of our deep love for Him. Our allegiance. Our choice to surrender our will to His.

But God does choose to bless His children.

The Old Testament has many verses like Deuteronomy 5:33: Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

While I’m fully aware God is pleased when we are obedient and we can rest in His peace when we daily focus on Him, there are times when I think about God smiling down on us.

Maybe something big finally came together.

Maybe a bonus check arrived you weren’t expecting.

Maybe a long-lost friend reached out and made your day.

Maybe you were suddenly filled with a deep gratitude for all God has given you.

Or maybe you were surprised with something and you know God sees your faithfulness, recognizing it for more to witness.

I frankly think God smiles down on us more than we realize.

He loves you and longs for a deep relationship with you.

He’s not one to grab your time, exposing your flaws when you chat.

He wants to free you for you. For your freedom walking this earth.

God’s already free. He’s God.

But He longs for you to be free to see His smiles.

Surrender afresh today. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior over everything.

Then pay attention. God’s smile will warm your heart when you finally take notice.

Photos by Aaron Burden & Sanjoy Sadhukhan on Unsplash

Assignment

Published on April 26, 2025April 26, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. 1 John 4:13

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, the Helper Jesus mentioned.

What is God asking you to do today?

What is God asking you to say today?

Who is God asking you to trust today?

When God nudges you, listen.

When God asks you to do something for Him, obey.

That still, small voice deep inside your head is God.

That decision you know you need to make.

That phone call you should dial.

That friendly hug you should share.

What is your assignment today from God?

If you pause, you just might miss it.

You might miss that blessing God has for you and the other person.

That surprise behind the door of obedience.

Don’t hesitate to obey the whispers of God.

He’s asking you today if you will.

Photos by Skyler Ewing on Unspla

Obedience and Surrender

Published on March 29, 2025March 29, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26

What does it look like to obey God?

I mean to really obey what He asks of you?

Does it look like taking control of your fleshly desires?

Exchanging your hopes and dreams for God’s?

Asking Him for His thoughts for your future?

Doing the thing He nudges you to do?

Does your life look like that?

Does it reflect an obedience and surrender to God?

I’m guessing you have parts that do.

The squishy parts that feel good.

Obeying your boss when it feels right.

Giving to charity when you really do have plenty of extra.

Regularly attending a church where you feel continually affirmed.

Loving your child when they love you back.

But what about the ugly parts?

Loving the underserved in your family?

Giving to others out of your poverty?

Pushing aside instant entertainment to drink in the wisdom of God’s word?

Praying for your people even when you’re tired?

Doing the right thing when the rest of the world thinks differently?

Standing for God’s truth even if your loved ones turn away?

We all tend to choose obedience and surrender when we want to. The challenge remains to obey and surrender when we don’t feel like it. When it goes against our flesh.

Obedience to God might look a little different in my life than yours.

God asks things of us that are personal to the impact He has in store for us.

Me? God asked me to start writing down His words of wisdom more than a dozen years ago.

Starting this blog, I was nervous as it seemed I was sharing my bare naked heart.

But I obeyed.

And here we are. My 500th post.

From this blog my book was birthed, selling over 91,000 so far, not including the recent Spanish edition or audio book.

Just signed my contract for a second book – prayers to go with each devotion.

And they are also creating a journal to go with my book.

All because I obeyed. Even though starting the blog felt really weird.

Trust God and obey. Surrender to what He has for you.

It might be a little scary, but when God asks you to do it, He’ll give you all the strength, wisdom, and peace you need.

Can’t wait to hear what He does through your obedience and surrender to Him. 🙂

Photos by Bartłomiej Balicki, joe ting, Tim Marshall, & Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Humility & Sacrifice

Published on April 8, 2023April 8, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Can you even imagine the love Jesus has for us?

Love so deep He gave us all of Himself.

He willingly came to earth, subjecting Himself to human life where hunger, thirst, and pain dwell.

He walked everywhere, dealt with constant questions, and ungrateful recipients.

His disciples seemed annoying at times and the Pharisees were downright rude.

Jesus didn’t need to put up with any of this. None.

Yet He did, because of you and me.

For our eternal home dwelling by His side.

Upon entering Jerusalem days before He would die, He wept for His city. For His people who could not see the Truth.

Can you imagine how frustrating that would have been for the One who created them?

How hard is it for you when your loved one either cannot see God or refuses?

That’s a tiny fraction of how Jesus felt while weeping for His people.

Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, His body was in agony.

Luke 22 records drops of sweat as blood, which can happen when a body is under severe stress.

Yet Jesus still stayed, anticipating what was to come, knowing His Father would be with Him.

During His flogging, crown of thorns, and other punishment, He stayed.

Through the torture, which could have killed Him as well, He endured for the purpose of our salvation.

Obedience to His Father’s will came from His love for us.

Love which surpassed His humiliating death.

Hanging on the cross, God turned away as Jesus bore the sin of the world.

Because God is holy, He could not look at the sin dying on the cross.

And Jesus felt alone.

Crying out to God, asking why He had forsaken Him, Jesus was alone.

He became the sacrifice for the sin of the world.

At the moment of crushing pain, Jesus was alone.

But He stayed for you and for me, giving up His last breath.

Upon His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave forever and ever.

Absolutely incredible. Literally.

I think we have no true reality of what Jesus has really given us.

We can never repay our Savior, but we can share His love, forgiveness, and freedom to our lonely world around us.

Will you do that for Him?

Remember His sacrifice for you and live like it matters. Because it does. For everyone.

Photos by Thanti Riess, Rod Long, Haley Owens, Jon Tyson, & Samuel McGarrigle on Unsplash

Obedience to God

Published on March 23, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Deuteronomy 5:33

When we obey God, His power rushes through us to others.

Why?

Because “behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God”.

An incredible preacher, Oswald Chambers penned that phrase in the last century.

The thought is so profound, I’ve spent days thinking of it.

When we love others with His love, we affect eternity.

When we become the hands and feet of Jesus, His love touches others through us.

When we obey God, His power is unleashed.

His love is let out.

His healing is released.

His peace is felt.

Think you’re insignificant?

Focus on this: your obedience can allow others to see God.

God.

God?

Yes, God.

Oh my.

Photos by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Trust No Matter What

Published on February 9, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:2

Is it hard to trust God when things look dark?

When life seems to be hanging by a thread, and you cannot do a darn thing about it, is it harder to trust Him?

Although you could argue, what else is there at that point?

When life is bleak, what else is there to do, but to trust God, who knows all things?

On the other hand, trusting God is super easy when life is a bowl of cherries.

I don’t even like cherries, but I’d take that over stress any day.

I like boring.

A boring life seems divine at the moment.

Predictable.

But, alas, that has not been my road.

My road has been filled to overflowing with drama.

Yes, I love drama, but not swirling around me.

I love acting and can challenge anyone to the lead of a play any day.

But in real life, I take sanity.

Pure sanity.

And predictability.

Routine.

I love routine.

Trust.

Does trusting in God mean more when life’s difficult?

Maybe.

I can tell you this: it’s in the stress of life that we grow.

We grow up when life is hard.

When God allows drama to fill our lives, it’s the perfect opportunity to grow.

To see how God will solve things.

Trust.

Can you complain along the way?

Probably, but make sure you pass the test.

Find a buddy and complain.

But make sure that buddy points you back to God.

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Pure Trust

Published on January 19, 2019June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12

Been reading about Abraham lately.

Like so many of you, I’ve decided to read through the Bible yet again this year.

So, I’ve come to Abraham.

Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, more specifically.

Can you even possibly imagine simply obeying God about this?

God asked Abraham to “Take his only son, whom he loves, and offer him as a sacrifice.”

Incredibly, the next passage simply states that “Abraham rose early the next morning” and basically began his journey.

With Isaac.

To sacrifice him.

That was the express purpose of this trip.

Notice any arguing with God?

Complaining?

Questioning?

Abraham did none of those things.

He had argued before about the destruction of Sodom a couple chapters earlier.

So, we know he dared to argue with God.

But somehow, he didn’t now.

I’m simply stunned.

To me, that shows how much Abraham trusted God.

God had told him his offspring would be multitudinous through Isaac.

Maybe he had a sneaking feeling God would intervene, due to that earlier promise.

Maybe he thought he’d have another son and name him Isaac, too.

He had witnessed miracles, including the birth of his son in his old age.

He regularly talked with God.

Therefore, he did not question God’s commands.

To sacrifice his only son,

Abraham had unwavering faith.

What about you?

What would you have done?

God regularly tests our faith.

Big or small, God is continually asking us to simply trust Him.

With everything.

Trust Him and pass the test.

Because just like Abraham, God will show up when you do.

Photos by Matthias Tillen on Unsplash

Letter from God

Published on September 22, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. you lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19

A few days ago, God impressed upon me to encourage my friends at school. I believe God wants to remind all of us who we are when placing our lives into His hands…when we become a child of the King as we place our trust in Him and Him alone.

I see you.

I see you when nobody else does.

I see your many joys and also your tears shed in secret.

I see the many long hours you continue to work.

I see your heart.

I know you want to do your very best for Me.

That brings joy to My heart.

Know that I see all that you do.

I need to remind you of something: you are enough.

What you are is enough.

You are my precious son, my precious daughter.

You have nothing to prove to me.

I love you for who you are.

What do I want from you?

All I need from you is your heart.

Give me your heart and release everything else into My hands.

My capable hands.

Give me your lesson plans.

Give me your seating chart.

Give me your curriculum you struggle to plan.

Give me that one child.

You know who I’m talking about.

Give me office toner issues.

Give me all of your security concerns.

Give me your teeny tiny breaks.

Give me all of it.

Everything.

Surrender it and do not ask for any of it back.

I will faithfully help you every step of the way.

All the way to May and beyond.

You are enough.

Take a step back and survey your life.

I have been with you, I am with you and I always will be with you.

Always.

Know that I love you and am immensely proud of who you are.

Love, God ❤

Fill in the concerns with your personal struggles. Write them all down. Everyone. Then pray and give them all to Him. Every single one. Tear up the list and refuse to worry anymore. Pray that He replace your worries with peace. Remind yourself that “God’s got this” every time that worry begins to creep back, threatening to steal your peace. Then keep your faith close, looking forward to God’s perfect solutions.

Photos by Jeff Kepler & Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash

Published on April 21, 2018June 8, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33

What happens when God closes a door or when He allows it to close?

When it’s slammed in front of you?

He opens a window.

But where’s the window?

Which one do we look through?

Which window will give us the breath of fresh air we so desperately need?

Which window shows us the way God wants us to go?

When we are faithful to trust that God will lead the way, He will open the right window at just the right time.

At just the right time.

However,

Only He knows when.

He made every window.

He even made every door.

Doors are slammed because of our free will.

Or the free will of others.

But He still made them.

Every door.

He is present in every situation.

Ready to guide you to safety.

Holding you in His tender mercy.

His tender love.

When we trust Him from the depths of our toes all the way up to our head,

And when we ask Him to use us for His glory and purpose,

And when we stand in obedience to our God knowing He WILL open a window,

He will generously bestow blessings more abundantly then you could possibly imagine.

And at just the right time, your window will easily open.

Effortlessly.

All because of Him.

Trust His plan.

Because He loves you.

Photos by Annie Spratt , Eduard Militaru , Kiwihug & Weronika Marcińczyk on Unsplash

My Shepherd’s Care of Me

Published on July 29, 2017June 7, 2023 by amylinnea5 Comments

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

My Shepherd, who guides me, tells me what to do.

I must listen and obey.

And look where He guides me?

To relax in a sweet safe spot, where there is plenty.

Notice He’s not telling you to lie down in a smelly dump.

He’s instructing you to relax in a peaceful paradise.

Some of us don’t like to be told what to do.

Especially by an authority figure.

But if we trust God, our Shepherd who is leading us, we must listen.

We must listen and submit to Him, because He is God.

He knows the beginning from the end.

He loves us so much and wants to lead us into everlasting life.

So obey, we must.

He leads me beside still waters.

Allow Him to lead you.

Remember, when He is your Shepherd, you do not want.

You do not want anything else, because He has provided for you.

He brings you to green pastures and still water.

Peace and calm.

Will it always be like this on our journey in this life?

No, not even close.

But before we get to a valley, He fills us up with strength for the journey.

He prepares us, because He knows all things.

God began filling me up years before my divorce.

My desire for devotions and prayer became a flame that sustained me during the valley.

When God is leading you beside green pastures and still water, simply enjoy.

He might be filling you up for a valley or to minister to someone else.

Or maybe it’s just time for a rest.

Enjoy, my friend.

Photos by Daniel Seßler & Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

Rewards of Faithfulness

Published on September 17, 2016June 7, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Obedience.

Completely obeying what you know in your heart should be done.

Even if it sounds nuts.

If it goes against human logic.

Ever pray about something?

Yes, I know you have.

Your answer comes and shockingly, you don’t like it…

So you pray again, thinking you heard God’s answer incorrectly?

And He answers the same as before?

When this happens, listen to Him.

God really wants to share His plan for you if you’ll choose to listen.

We cannot possibly fathom all that He has for us.

If we choose to listen.

If we choose to obey.

Rewarding faithfulness.

That’s the outcome of our humble submission.

His ways are higher than ours.

Learned that again myself just last week.

Confirmation of His love.

That’s what obeying comes down to.

I pray this for many children everyday:

“May they hear Your voice, listen, & obey so they will know the TRUTH that will set them free.”

May this blessing fall upon you as well as you are faithful to God.

Photo by Karen Ciocca on Unsplash

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