A WORD FOR TODAY 17 JANUARY 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES AT A COST*

_"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”(1 Samuel 15:23)_

_*Every act of disobedience has a corresponding consequence that comes with it. When instructions are given and you chose out of your own volition to do what is in your mind, you must be ready also to accept the outcome of your action.*_

_The first reading of today teaches us a lesson in obedience to God. Saul was made a king after the people of Israel rejected God, but we see that in the reading of today, God gave him an instruction of what to do, but he did not do as directed, he did not keep to the instructions that was given. Infact, he disobeyed God's instruction and it came at a cost._

_*Every act of disobedience to God's instruction is a rejection of God's word and by extension, a rejection of God. Saul disobeyed God and God rejected him and took the throne away from Him.*_

_You can offer any kind of sacrifice to God, you can kill the fattest cow to honour Him, but if you do not keep His word, all the sacrifice will mean nothing to Him and it cannot make you to have access to His presence._

_*The best way to show God that we love Him is to hear His word and do what He tells us to do. If we do what He commands, we shall be happy in this life, but if we disobey Him we will be the ones to lose.*_

_If we are in Christ, we have the new life He gives and old things have passed away. Therefore, everything we do will be done to please God and to do His will. We must become like the new wine that is put in new wine skin. We will always aim to please the master who has called us and remain loyal to Him._

_*The blessings of obedience are uncountable and the consequences of disobedience are also visible to be seen. Therefore, the choice we make will determine what comes to us, but it is better to obey the Lord and be blessed than to refuse to hearken to his voice.*_

_Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Anthony of Egypt, he heard God's voice through the scripture and HD obeyed him by selling all he possessed gave them out to the poor and moved to the desert where he continued in prayers and ministered to souls who came to him seeking solitude with God. We must learn from him to strive to do what the Lord wants at all times._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day. May the Lord give you the grace to do His will at all times. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 1 Samuel 15:16-23/Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23/Mark 2:18-22

*Watch-Word:* TO one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God

_*Anyone who obeys God is bound to enjoy the blessings that comes with obedience in this life and in the world to come.*_

(Monday of the second week in the ordinary time. Year II. Memorial of St. Anthony of Egypt)