Targeted Obedience

Targeted Obedience
This book is a companion to "Targeted Bible Study" to show the spiritual disciplines individuals can use to grow closer to their God. This book outlines a devotional strategy God's people can use anytime and under any circumstance to stay in an honoring relationship with their God.
The idea for this book started with a study of Psalm 119 which most scholars conclude was written during the Babylonian exile. I saw the Psalmist having lost all support - religious and otherwise. He was alone in his quest to retain a right relationship with his God. I saw him using specific spiritual disciplines in attempting to live close to God.
In Daniel, I saw another individual who was alone and searched for ways to maintain his connection with God. Both practiced many of the same disciplines in their spiritual journey. In this book, I combined these disciplines into a comprehensive, composite devotional strategy. The disciplines are:
Giving God Proper Reverence
The challenge for God's people is to give Him the preeminence He deserves. His people are to see His majesty, glory, and power and respond with reverential awe. In our modern church culture, personal reverence for God is rarely taught and seldom practiced. The beginning step in spiritual understanding is to give God the proper respect, reverence, honor, and love He deserves.
Responding in love
The Old Testament reveals the God who created the universe. It also shows this God Creator called Israel into a love relationship with Him. God asked Israel to respond in reverence and love. However, Israel disobeyed and failed to give God the honor deserved.
In their lives, both Daniel and the Psalmist made personal decisions to give God the love He deserved. They trusted He would honor His promises to the obedient. He was all they had; they would not do anything to harm the promised fellowship.
Asking God to Act
God's people can enter His presence in prayer. Prayer involves surrendering our lives to God's control and intervention. There is a direct relationship between surrendering a life to God's control and the amazing things He brings into a life.
Meditating on God's Standards
God has standards for His people. He wants His people to put into practice His principles. Studying God's Word involves much more than just reading the words. Real study involves several different thinking and learning strategies, which result in a proper understanding of what is required.
Living in Obedience
God expects obedience from His people. Obedience flows from the reverence and love the individual has for God. Proclaimed believers ought to live like they really are His children.
Daniel and the Psalmist knew their relationship with Him was the only area of their lives they had not lost. They intentionally put into practice what God demanded. They assessed their lives to find failures, and asked God for the power to change. They were desperate not to do anything to damage the relationship.
Sharing Him with Others
Committed believers find God opens doors so they can witness to others. As His people are transformed on the inside, their outer behaviors reflect the changes. When people see real changes, they will often listen to what is said.
SUMMARY
This book and "Targeted Bible Study" together give believers a comprehensive devotional strategy for aligning their lives with God's expectations. Both Daniel and the Psalmist made connecting with God their top priority; we can do the same.
The standards are simple. God's people are to understand God is their life. Nothing matters more than their relationship with Him. They strive to keep the connection open and healthy. This book will guide you in answering key questions: Is God the most important thing in my life? Am I giving Him the reverence and love He deserves? Is God the essence of who I am?