As we embrace the year 2025, the Lord has spoken profoundly regarding His plans for this pivotal time—especially for my family, the Enhance: An Ecclesial Moral Compass initiative, the Enhance Crusade Alliance, and all who are willing to receive His word. The Lord declared: “If you are intentional about doing what I have commanded you, I will be intentional about blessing it.”
This statement is both a divine challenge and an extraordinary promise. It calls for unwavering obedience, alignment with His will, and commitment to fulfilling what God has placed in our hearts. As we walk in obedience, we can expect His blessings to manifest in ways that exceed our imaginations. This truth is deeply rooted in the Word of God, affirmed by centuries of theological reflection and historical testimonies.
Scriptural Foundation: The Promise of Obedience
The Bible provides a clear foundation for the blessings that flow from obedience:
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, ESV). ¹
This promise reflects God’s unwavering faithfulness to those who honor His word. Blessings are not limited to material prosperity; they include spiritual growth, divine favor, and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Early Church Teachings on Obedience
The early Church Fathers emphasized the transformative power of obedience to God’s commands. The Didache, an early Christian manual, exhorts believers to remain steadfast: “You shall not turn away from the commandments of the Lord, but you shall guard what you have received, adding nothing and taking nothing away.” ²
Similarly, Ignatius of Antioch wrote in his Epistle to the Ephesians: “It is not enough to call oneself a Christian; one must live in accordance with Christ’s teachings.” ³
These writings remind us that obedience is active, requiring intentional effort to align our lives with God’s commands.
Theological Insights on Obedience
Theologians have long explored the relationship between obedience and divine blessing. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, teaches that: “Obedience is the key to charity, for through it, the soul aligns with the divine will, and in that alignment, the fullness of grace is received.” ⁴
Aquinas connects obedience to love and grace, emphasizing that God’s blessings are not arbitrary but are tied to our commitment to His directives.
Historical Testimonies of Obedience
Throughout history, men and women of faith have experienced God’s favor through obedience. In The Life of St. Anthony, Athanasius describes how Anthony responded to God’s call with unwavering faith, leaving behind worldly possessions to pursue holiness. His obedience not only transformed his own life but also inspired generations of believers. ⁵
Similarly, the modern missionary Hudson Taylor demonstrated how faithfulness to God’s call led to extraordinary blessings. Taylor’s work in China resulted in a thriving mission movement that changed countless lives.
The Role of Obedience in Worship and Devotion
The liturgical and devotional traditions of the Church also emphasize obedience. The ancient hymn Te Deum declares: “We praise You, O God, we acknowledge You to be the Lord. All the earth worships You, the Father everlasting.” ⁶
In the mystical writings of Teresa of Ávila, obedience is described as the pathway to deep union with God: “The closer the soul aligns with God’s will, the deeper the union and the sweeter the communion.” ⁷
Such writings remind us that obedience is not merely an obligation but a way to experience God’s presence more fully.
2025: A Year of Intentional Alignment
For the Enhance Crusade Alliance and all believers, the message for 2025 is clear: obedience must become a lifestyle, not a momentary act. This year presents an opportunity to:
Deepen Our Ecclesial Moral Compass: Align every decision with God’s moral standards, drawing on the wisdom of Scripture and Church teachings.
Embrace Intentional Discipleship: Follow Jesus’ example, who declared: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.” (John 6:38, ESV). ⁸
Prepare for Overflowing Blessings: God has promised that obedience will bring intentional, abundant blessings. Historical testimonies and contemporary experiences affirm this truth.
Lean into The Assignment God Has Given Us: We all have a divine call and a responsibility in the Kingdom of God. We have something that God created us, and us alone to accomplish. This is the year to utilize all the resources that God has imparted into us and surrounded us with to fulfill that responsibility.
Practical Steps for Walking in Obedience
Prioritize Prayer and Scripture Study: Spend intentional time daily in God’s presence, seeking His guidance: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV). ⁹
Act on God’s Commands: Follow Abraham’s example, who obeyed God’s call without hesitation: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.” (Hebrews 11:8, ESV). ¹⁰
Engage in Community: Surround yourself with others who are committed to obedience. Scripture exhorts us: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24, ESV). ¹¹
Cultivate Humility and Trust: Trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, ESV). ¹²
Rehearse Prophetic Words: Go back and read, listen to, and meditate on the prophetic words that God has given you in the past so that His intentions toward you are always at the forefront of your mind.
A Closing Call to Faith
As we move into 2025, let this declaration resonate in our hearts:
“If you are intentional about doing what I have commanded you, I will be intentional about blessing it.”
This is not just a call to action—it is an invitation to partner with God. By embracing obedience, we align ourselves with His perfect will and open the door to His unimaginable blessings. Let 2025 be marked by unwavering faith, intentional obedience, and supernatural favor.
Footnotes
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001).
Didache, in The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1, trans. Bart D. Ehrman (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003), 345–349.
Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians, in Early Christian Writings, trans. Maxwell Staniforth (New York: Penguin Books, 1968), 67–73.
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province (Westminster, MD: Christian Classics, 1981).
Athanasius, The Life of St. Anthony, trans. Robert T. Meyer (New York: Paulist Press, 1950).
Te Deum, in The Hymnal 1982 (New York: Church Publishing Incorporated, 1985), 52–54.
Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle, trans. E. Allison Peers (New York: Image Books, 1961).
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
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