• Privacy and Disclosure Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Jennifer Hayes Yates

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Faith in Christ
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Schedule
  • The FOCUSED 15 Challenge

5 Keys to Breakthrough: Obedience

August 20, 2020 By Jennifer H. Yates 3 Comments

20 Aug
5 Keys to Breakthrough_ Obedience

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, hemmed in by trouble and confusion with no way out? Does the future sometimes seem hopeless with all the chaos and confusion in the world?

I’ve been there, my friend. Sometimes it seems that no matter which way we turn, we are faced with opposition, discouragement, or uncertainty.

Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah who faced a vast army, and he didn’t know what to do. But he knew that only the power of God would be able to deliver Judah from the enemy.

His people faced the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. It was a “vast army” that he had no idea how to defeat. What enemy are you facing today? Anxiety? Depression? Fear?

Judah turned to the Lord and with fasting, prayer, worship, and seeking God’s Word. But there was one more key element that was necessary for Judah to overcome.

“Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa….As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”

2 Chronicles 20:20a, 22a, NIV (emphasis mine)

Key #5: Obedience

Jehoshaphat had called the people to a fast. They had all stood before the Lord to pray and seek His face. They listened to the Word of the Lord spoken through the prophet. They appointed men to sing and praise the Lord at the head of the army. But they didn’t stop there.

Jehoshaphat and his people obeyed what God told them to do. Imagine if they had fasted, prayed, heard the Word, worshiped, and then never set out against the enemy as God had instructed them.

The Word of the Lord had come to them through the prophet Jahaziel, saying “March down against them…take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem” (v.16-17).

They were up against a vast army that they had no power to face (v.12). They went forward in obedience out of complete faith that God would come through for them. And He did.

So what about you and me? Are we willing to walk in obedience to the Lord in every area of our lives? Praying for a breakthrough in some situation, while walking in disobedience to the Lord, is counter-productive.

God may give clear instruction through His Word, or He may speak to our hearts and instruct us through His Spirit (which will never contradict His Word). When we hear His voice, we need to step out in obedience, even if we are afraid.

So, what enemy are you facing today? Our first response in a difficult situation should be to look within. Is there some sin in my life of which I need to repent?

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 47-8

Sin will keep us from experiencing a breakthrough. Sometimes we are in a battle as a result of our own choices. Surrender to God, confess your sins, and commit yourself to walk in obedience to the Word of the Lord.

The devil cannot defeat us if we will do the right thing, even if we have to do it over and over until the breakthrough comes.

I love the rest of Jehoshaphat’s story!

The Lord caused the enemies of Judah to destroy one another. By the time Jehoshaphat’s men got to the battlefield, all they saw were dead bodies. The enemy had been destroyed. It took three days to carry off all the plunder!

On the fourth day, they gathered together in a valley and praised God, because they knew they had not defeated their enemy. God had. Their praise was so great they called that place the Valley of Beracah, which means praise.

“The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his Lord had given him rest on every side.”

2 Chronicles 20:29-30

Wouldn’t you love to have peace and rest on every side right now?

No matter what you are facing today, seek the Lord. Don’t let the enemy keep you bound in defeat, confusion, fear, or anxiety. Don’t keep rehearsing in your mind or with your mouth all the negative things you see going on in the world.

Feed your spirit by seeking the Lord through fasting, prayer, His Word, worship, and obedience.

Because no devil in hell and no power on earth can keep us from the love God has for us. Our ultimate victory will be rest on every side for all eternity. So, keep believing and praying and trusting and obeying. We win.

Need spiritual encouragement and accountability? Join our free private Facebook community, Growing Your Faith.

SHARE THIS:

28shares
  • Facebook 27
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: 5 Keys to Breakthrough, Bible, blessings, breakthrough, Christian, devotional, disciple, faith, fasting, God, Jehoshaphat, Jennifer H Yates, Obedience, one thing, praise, prayer, the Word, worship

« 5 Keys to Breakthrough: Worship
You Need the Rest of the Story »

About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey, friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends.

I've found that many women struggle to find time and focus to grow their relationship with God through studying His Word. I encourage and challenge women with practical strategies and helpful resources for quality study in as little as fifteen minutes a day.

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertisement

Latest on Instagram

jenniferhyates

jenniferhyates


Home is our first place of ministry. ⁠
⁠
#link

Home is our first place of ministry. ⁠
⁠
#linkinbio #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

We don't grow by default; we grow by decision.⁠

We don't grow by default; we grow by decision.⁠
⁠
#linkinbio #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Do you struggle to find the time to grow your fait
Do you struggle to find the time to grow your faith? You're not alone! Here are some resources to help you learn how to make time to spend in the Word, even if you are super-busy. 🌿⁠
⁠
#linkinbio #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Anybody can write a book, start a blog, or create
Anybody can write a book, start a blog, or create a podcast–I am living proof of that fact. But it doesn’t mean they have truth for your life. Truth comes from God’s Word.⁠
⁠
That said, lots of people can tell you what’s in God’s Word and be totally wrong, myself included. So if you get your theology from Facebook or Instagram, you might want to pay attention. 👇⁠
⁠
#linkinbio #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

I love my quiet time with Jesus. I love church. I
I love my quiet time with Jesus. I love church. I love Bible study. But I had to do some soul searching this past weekend. Why do I love them?⁠
⁠
Do I love the quiet, the books, the coffee, the friends, and the music, or do I love Jesus? Do I love the seeking or do I love the One being sought?⁠
⁠
#linkinbio #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

Morning, Sunshine! ☕️ 📖 #javawithjesus #lat
Morning, Sunshine! ☕️ 📖 #javawithjesus #latteda #wordbeforeworld #seekhimfirst #womenoftheword #riseandshine☀️


Load More...


Follow on Instagram


This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT