FaithStones Devotional - February

Loving God Through Obedience

Would you die for your haters — for the people who despise you?

That’s a confronting question, I know. You might be thinking, “Excuse me… absolutely not. Not even in their wildest dreams.”

Yet that is exactly what Jesus did for us.

He willingly laid down His life for sinners, for mockers, for those who rejected Him — including you and me. And if it were necessary, I believe He would do it again. But the beauty of the Gospel is this: His sacrifice was once and for all. It was perfect. Complete. Because of the cross, we no longer need to return year after year to offer sacrifices for our sins.

Now let me ask you a second question — one that deserves more than a quick yes or no:

Do you truly love the Lord?

Pause for a moment. Reflect.

In every relationship — whether romantic, familial, or friendship — reciprocity matters. Without it, the relationship eventually collapses. We all express and receive love differently. Some feel loved through gifts, others through physical touch like a hug or holding hands, and others through words of affirmation.

So here’s a powerful truth: God also has a love language.

Throughout Scripture — from Genesis to Revelation — God clearly reveals what it is.

Obedience.

One of my favorite passages captures this so beautifully. In John 14:21, Jesus says:

“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

From the very beginning, obedience has been the proof of love God looks for. This is why God placed the tree in the Garden of Eden — it wasn’t about restriction, it was about relationship. It was a test of obedience, and therefore a test of love. Adam and Eve were given the opportunity to demonstrate their trust and devotion to God.

And if we’re being honest, obedience often comes with a cost.

Obeying the Lord isn’t always comfortable. People may misunderstand you. Sometimes you won’t even fully understand why God is asking you to do something. But that’s where the real test lies.

Will you still obey when it’s inconvenient?

Will you obey when it costs you reputation, comfort, or certainty?

Will you trust Him even when critics are loud and clarity is scarce?

I learned early in life a principle that has become a lamp to my feet:

Obey the Lord at all costs — and leave the consequences to Him.

That means surrendering your reputation. Letting go of what people think. Yielding your plans, your timelines, your attachments. When He says, “Give Me that,” you release it. When He says, “Let’s go,” you move. When He says, “This season is over,” you don’t complain — you follow.

Life with the Lord is not boring.

It is the adventure of a lifetime.

So buckle your seatbelt — and get ready for the ride.

Let John 14:21 be your guiding verse for this month as we reflect on obedience through Scripture:

Weekly Scripture Focus

Week 1: Abraham’s Prompt Obedience

Read: Genesis 22:1–19

Week 2: Jesus’ Obedience to the Father

Read: John 5:27

Week 3: The Disciples’ Obedience in Waiting for the Helper

Read: Acts 1:4–14

Week 4: The Widow of Zarephath’s Obedience to Elijah

Read: 1 Kings 17:9–16

May this month deepen not only your confession of love for God — but your demonstration of it.

FAITH STONES

Have you ever been marked by some remarkable interventions of God in your life or in the life of

someone you know?

How does that feel when you ponder on it?

Those extraordinary moments are faith stones the Lord has placed in your life.

They are there to remind you of the nature and power of God.

They are there to speak to you in the face of fear and unbelief.

They are there to prove to you that if God did it then, He can do it now.

They are there to help you anchor your faith in the resurrection power of Christ.

They are there to tell you FIXE YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

So from now on mark those moments, they are your Faith Stones.

Cherish your faith stones, they will serve as a shield against the lies of the devil (Eph 6:16).

Joshua through The Spirit of God instructed the Israelites to pick 12 stones representing each tribe, to

mark the powerful intervention of God at the Jordan river, where God made them cross the

river on dry ground as He did at the Red sea with Moses (Joshua 4:5).

They were to tell the generations after them the wonders of the Lord !

Cherish your faith stones, and share with your loved ones, you don't know who you may be helping to grow in faith.

Blessings,

Eva-Marianne