* Hearken

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your  land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Deuteronomy 11:13-14 KJV

I woke up with the word Hearken on my mind and how it pertains to relationship. Hearken is an old English word defined as "to attend to what is uttered; to give heed; to hear, in order to obey or comply." It's not just about hearing. It's not just about listening. It's doing - "to hear, in order to obey or comply." It's action response required.

One of the number one complaints in family relationships is some phrasing of, You never listen to me. Think about that for minute. I'm sure you've said it yourself... probably more than once.

Hearken is life and death. Marriage relationships die from the lack of it. Families are broken. People quit jobs when they feel they're not being heard. People's lives hang in the balance. Hear me. Eternity is determined by whether or not we hearken...

Hearken DILIGENTLY...

The Message Bible reads this way:

   From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you'll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives. He'll make sure there's plenty of grass for your animals. You'll have plenty to eat.

   But be vigilant, lest you be seduced away and end up serving and worshiping other gods and God erupts in anger and shuts down Heaven so there's no rain and nothing grows in the fields, and in no time at all you're starved out—not a trace of you left on the good land that God is giving you.

   Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your  ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth. 
Deuteronomy 11:13-21 The Message

Throughout the Bible, we read the same thing from God. His greatest source of frustration is that we don't hearken to His voice. We know He speaks. We may even hear Him when He does. But do we hear in order to obey or comply? Or do we just offer actionless answers of faithless words? It's the infamous, I hear ya, but... Well, let me put this in the Texas vernacular for you... get the but outta there, and get your butt moving. You know - Hearken...

Prayer:

Father,

        We throw ourselves on Your mercy and grace and beg forgiveness for our hearts of rebellion in not giving heed to Your voice and Your Word. Change our hearts, Father. Forgive us, O God. Be Lord of our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Fish or Cut Bait +

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

Luke 5:8-10 NLT

I was sitting at dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile, when the conversation turned to the type of people who are within her sphere of influence. And the question was raised about why there seemed to be only a certain kind of people... and to her chagrin, "normal" was not a common thread among them. But then,  neither is she your "normal" Suzy Homemaker / Soccer Mom. And just like certain baits attract certain fish, certain types of people are attracted by certain types of things. 

And for some, it's just a matter of perspective. For instance, squid. Where I come from, it's bait, but I do know those who think of it as a delicacy. The same goes for fish eggs. To some it's caviar - to others, it's fish bait. What attracts you to it?

What I personally know about fishing is only worth a few chuckles, but I know some very talented fishermen - PW, Walter, Martin.  Then there are my grandkids - especially my oldest grandson, Alec, who managed to catch a record-breaking-sized flounder one summer while casting for bait! (No brag. Just fact - we have the picture.) Which brings me to this point - even though Alec was "fishing" FOR bait, but was not fishing WITH bait, he caught a giant. 

There are hundreds of different types of fishing bait you can use. It all depends on what time of year you're fishing, what environment you're in (streams, rivers, ponds, or deep ocean) and numerous other factors. There are websites all over the Internet that offer guidelines for which specific bait to use to catch what specific fish - pick your preference. Even I know I wouldn't use the same bait to catch catfish and swordfish! I may not know how, but I know the One who does!

God is the original Fisherman and He knows EXACTLY what bait attracts which  fish and He knows how to use it/us to do His will and purpose - and He will show us, if we will let Him.

So... are you gonna fish or cut bait?

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to continually be aware of who we are in You and who You would have us to fish for. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

All That He Has Promised +

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

I met with some friends for lunch - all women - but with very diverse lives and backgrounds. I knew enough about each of those women to know that they were all facing huge challenges of one kind or another... but we had a great time. After all, how can you go wrong with Jesus as your common denominator (and the added enjoyment of Gringo's green sauce & chips on the side)?

What I witnessed at the lunch were Christians at their best. Some of them were really struggling with life-changing issues and yet, I watched as they applauded and affirmed a baby Christian, and strengthened one whose way has been steep, and encouraged another who was battle-weary. Warriors of the faith - 20 and 30 and 40-plus years of walking with the Lord - as excited to hear the discoveries of a new convert as they were to hear of the steadfast faithfulness of the Lord. And each one came away more focused on who HE IS than on what we aren't - more determined to light our world than to lay back to let someone else do it. All because we made the small, small effort to meet together, to encourage one another...

A little further in the chapter of our text for today, we find these words - Hebrews 10:34b-36, You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Emphasis mine)

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for friends and family who will cheer us on and help us to finish the race and not let us give up this close to the finish. Thank You for the good reports in the midst of the battles. We give You praise for those. Help us to strive for even more opportunities to encourage one another, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Too Hard

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

What has God been talking to you about YOU doing? I know it's more than you think you can possibly accomplish...  In fact, it's overwhelming! News flash! God is not going to ask you to do something that you can do without Him.  And the Truth is, nothing is impossible with God.  As my pastor is so fond of saying - God is all about relationship.

Good relationships take time. Great relationships take time and a lot of hard work. Only we can decide if a great relationship is worth the effort...But I'll tell you, I don't know of anyone in a great relationship who will say, Oh, I'm tired of having a great relationship with so-and-so. I'll just cut our time down to once or twice a week. I'll just settle for less. We don't need to talk every day, do we?  That would be crazy, and we know it. A great relationship takes everything we've got to bring to it and then some... and it's worth every bit of it.

God's been talking to you about doing something that will take you working with Him to accomplish - the key word there is working.  As David passionately proclaimed - we'll pay full price and not offer Him any sacrifice which cost us nothing.  God has already given the best of everything He has for a relationship with us thus far - what have we given back? Are we engaged in this relationship or just sitting back saying, Gimme gimme... because we think what He asks is too hard?

Is there anything too hard for God?

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for being focused on our finite fences in life, when in Truth, we are to be focused on You - and You are infinite. Open our eyes to see. Open our hearts to embrace Your will and purpose for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Truth In the Making

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.

Romans 3:3-4a NKJV

I just want to reiterate that I believe the Word of God is Truth. It is Truth no matter what the circumstances. It is Truth no matter who believes it and who doesn't. Our faith or lack thereof does not change the Truth of God's Word. It is immoveable, unshakeable, immutable,  incontrovertible.

I know that God is our Healer despite the number of illnesses I know of. I know Christ is Our Savior, no matter how many lost and dying people I see around me. I know He is Jehovah Jireh - my Provider - you've come too late to try to convince me otherwise.

The Blessing of Abraham that I want is found in Romans 4:20, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; We hear God's instruction and we think No Way! I'm not good enough! I'm not this and I'm not that.  God told Abraham he was going to be a father and Abraham believed Him from that point on. He didn't take ANYTHING else into consideration. You wanna know why? Because Abraham knew it had nothing to do with his own ability, so he did not doubt God's ability or His Word. That's Truth in the making...

Prayer:

Father,

          I don't want to stagger at Your promises in my life through unbelief. I want to be -and remain- strong in faith, giving all glory to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Giving the Lead

He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Psalm 25:9-10 NLT

I know the saying we're most familiar with is "Taking the Lead." However, God does not do things the same way the world does. 

According to our Promise for Today, He leads us in doing right, teaching us His way, when we give up our rights and put ourselves into submission to Him and to His ways. How can we do that? We must have wisdom from above.

James 3:13-18 NLT tells us that True wisdom comes from God. Read with me, If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. 

I don't know about you, but I sure could use a harvest of righteousness. We harvest the fruit of what we plant. I have to plant the right seeds. I can't plant anger and/or seeds of bitterness and then expect a harvest of righteousness. I want the right crop. In order to do that, I need the right seed, the right field and the right path to follow. The key is to realize that I can only follow when I give up the lead. Psalm 25, verse 8 reads, The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. Have we given Him the lead?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word in Psalm 25, we pray, Show us the right path, O Lord; point out the road for us to follow. Lead us by Your truth and teach us, for You are the God who saves us. All day long we put our hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of our youth. Remember us in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Give and Take

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 

Luke 9:23 NKJV 

When we talk about Christianity, invariably we talk about giving. Acts 20: 35 
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 
John 15:13 
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 
Romans 12:9-11 
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” 
King James phrases it, preferring one another in love. Putting the other person’s needs before our own. It’s pricey. It costs us – time, effort, comfort. And sometimes, it seems like a whole lot more give than take.

Many of us are familiar with the passage in Matthew 25:31-46, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

     “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

    “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 

   “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 

I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s too high a price to pay for personal comfort in the here and now.

There is much to be said about giving and very little to be said about taking. But what IS said about taking is equal to all that is said about giving. It was/is Jesus who said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  Take and give. Give and take. It’s full circle. In taking up His Cross, He gave His all. In taking up our cross, we are to do the same.

Prayer:

Father,

         You have set the ultimate example of give and take. You gave Your Son to take away the sins of the whole world. Be our Strength in our weakness and inability, as we strive to daily take up our cross and follow in Your footsteps. In Jesus’ Name we pray.