A Fathers Delight!

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message translation)

5-12 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.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
BUT, don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

I remember when I was a child and need of discipline! Oh my, it did not feel like this was the best thing for me. You see, I knew as I am sure all of us did when we were children  we knew what was right and wrong. And, when we crossed that line, we knew what would happen. This was how we were taught and that is how we learned. As I read this scripture, the last part of it really caught my attention. The motive for the correction of course is the reason. Why did our parents correct us? Was this their motives to make us better and stronger people? They knew what we would face in this world, they knew life would be hard. I think of a small tree just being planted and tied with cable from all sides to keep it growing straight. Not free to just grow which ever way, but trained to grow straight. And then one day that tree is grown, and it is tall and majestic and able to withstand the storms that come. Then I know why it was given such strict attention. We are like that, we need Godly guidance all of our lives not just when we are small. We need to be accountable to God for our actions and especially reactions. We need to trust God when we are being blown around and it seems like we have lost our way. We are never alone, He is with us. But He is allowing the winds and storms of life toughen us, so that we will grow and mature as we should. As you also read in this passage, don't miss this "BUT", that I have capitalized. Trusting God, listening to Him and you will be blessed, BUT, do not overlook the rest of it. Read on, don't resent God when he disciplines us.  Remember He loves us and His intentions are for our good. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me. It is wonderful to claim the promises of God, BUT, there are stipulations also. We must do our part and trust is a big part of it. Thank you for stopping by, I pray you are safe and warm. (The picture above is what we have been dealing with this week. 11 inches of snow and sub zero temps.)                                                                   
Be blessed my friends!

I will be linking up with Metamorphosis Monday, the link follows:
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-spiritual-sunday.html

The Reality, Not the Illusion!

(One of my Peony bushes that is beginning to bloom, I love Spring, a time for new beginnings)



1 John 5:14-15 (The Message)



13-15.My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

"Bold and free" is how this version states this, talking about me and you. If we believe, really believe Gods Word, without a shadow of a doubt, this how we come to Him. I don't know about you but that blesses my heart so and gives me confidence. There is no way we would come to Christ if we did not believe He would listen to us, I mean, why would we? But the realty is He is listening, He does hear and He does care. It is scriptures like this that keeps us going, seems like there is always something to deal with and we simply cannot do it on our own. Issues with health, the economy and so many more have people searching for answers. Some are putting their trust in God and some are frantically searching in other areas. Listen my sweet friend, there is no other answer, there is no other way. Only through Jesus Christ will we find the peace and purpose for our life. I want to encourage you as we begin another week, that you look to Him, believe Him and wait for the answer to come. You will not be disappointed. God loves you and I am praying for you!

Listening!

Proverbs 18:13 (New International Version)

13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.

How well do you listen? Here is the definition, "When the other person is talking, you are not thinking about what you will say when they quit talking." Oh my, I guess this is a good place to tell you that I have been sooo guilty of this, and I say "have", because I am learning. Why is so hard to listen? Do we want to sound as if we have all the answers and when they are finished, we are ready to respond? Could it be if there is a lull in the conversation it might appear we are not interested and so we just keep it going? Even our body language is important, research shows 65% of the message comes from non-verbal communication. How would we feel when we are talking to our Heavenly Father and He was to busy for us? I probably would not be talking to much. What good would it do. Of course, we know that is not true with Him. We have His undivided attention because of His love for us. I want to encourage you to really listen when someone is sharing with you, whether it be the weather or a burden on their heart. Listen and try not to think about what you will say, instead pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you exactly what needs to be said. I am really going to work on this, remember God gave us "two" ears and one mouth, hummm, I wonder why!