doctor's orders
"People who are healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous." —Mark 2:17
Jesus compared Himself to a doctor. We relate to doctors differently than we relate to others. We don't usually want anyone to tell us what to do, but it's different with doctors. We expect them to give us "doctor's orders."
We should be this way with Jesus. We should delight in obeying Him (Ps 40:9). We should go through our Bibles and underline all His commands and not just all His promises. We should take Mary's words to heart and do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). We will express great faith if we say with the centurion: "Just give me an order and" my situation "will get better" (see Mt 8:8).
The Christian life can be summarized as "a life of obedience to Jesus Christ" (1 Pt 1:2). We have the power to bring down the strongholds of the evil one and make every thought obedient to Christ, when first we are obedient (2 Cor 10:4-6). The Lord will even quickly crush Satan under the feet of those who obey Doctor's orders (Rm 16:19-20).
Prayer: Father, may I be obedient to You by being submissive to my parents, husband, pastor, and leaders.
Promise: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but One Who was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of need." —Heb 4:15-16
Praise: Donna has seen first hand the power of obedience to break through strongholds of evil.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Obedience School or on tape titled Obeying God on audio AV 62-3 or video V-62.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 28, 2010
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