Settle in

Take a deep breath. Turn off notifications on your phone if you can. Ask God to help you learn about his Word and trust him enough to obey it.

Thought starter

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? [47] I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. [48] It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”

Luke 6:46-48 NLT

If Jesus is Lord, why do we treat his commands like suggestions? Obeying Jesus’s words in the Bible leads to a life that can handle any storm. But we have to love him enough to listen to him, and trust him enough to do what he says.

Here’s what we’ll learn in this Quick Quiet Time:

• Obeying God’s Word is how we show our love for him.
• Obeying God starts with trusting God.

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Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 5:3 NLT

Follow My example in obeying the Father’s commandments and receiving His love. If you obey My commandments, you will stay in My love.

John 15:10 Voice

Truth bomb:

Obedience isn’t about rules—it’s about relationship. When we love someone, we listen.

• Following God’s commands (found in the Bible) is how we love God. 
• God already loves us, but obeying his commandments opens the door for us to experience that love personally.

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Before continuing, read this full passage and circle, underline, or highlight any words that stand out to you: Numbers 20:1-13.

The situation: The Israelites were thirsty and needed water. They complained to their leader, Moses, about it, so Moses asked God what to do.

The LORD said to Moses, [8] “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

Numbers 20:7-8 NIV

The command: God was clear when he directed Moses: speak to the rock to get water. Lets see how Moses responded

He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” [11] Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Numbers 20:10-11 NIV

The response: Moses disobeyed God—he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. He took action, but not the action God told him to do. This disobedience showed he didn’t really trust God.

But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Numbers 20:12 NIV

The result: Moses—God’s chosen leader—missed out on the Promised Land. He saw it, but didn’t enter. Why? He trusted his emotions over God’s instructions, which had consequences.

The takeaway: Almost obeying is still disobeying. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it is always about trust.

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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG

How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word.

Psalm 119:9 NCV

Lightbulb moment:

Trust is the root. Obedience is the fruit.

• Obedience means doing things God’s way, not just doing a good thing.
• Trust fuels obedience. If we don’t trust, we won’t follow through.
• Trusting God enough to obey his Word leads to a pure and happy life.

Your turn.

• Where are you “hitting the rock” (trying to do it your way) instead of “speaking to it” (doing it God’s way)?
• What command of Jesus have you been delaying—maybe around love, forgiveness, or generosity?
• What would loving God by obeying his Word look like in your choices today?

One-word takeaway

What’s one word that captures what God is saying to you today? Write it down. Why that word?

Next 60-minute challenge

In the next 60 minutes, find one person to show love or forgiveness to—because obedience to God’s Word starts now. Don’t wait!

Examples: Share something encouraging with a friend, do a chore your parent didn’t ask you to do, or ask someone you don’t normally talk to how they’re doing.

Don’t just say “Jesus is Lord.” Live like it.
Trust God. Follow through. Even when it’s hard.

Bring the inspiration with you

Save this phone wallpaper to remind you to keep obeying the bible today!