Listen and Do...
Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 5:27AM 
Hello, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my purpose is to bless you and nourish your soul along the way.
My son Luke was home visiting from college this weekend. He filled the entry way with his dirty laundry, backpack full of books, and music equipment (guitar, amplifier, speaker, sound board, etc.).
I love having him home even though he brings all of his belongings with him every time he comes home for a visit. I love all of who he is, the musician, the son, the computer techie, and the follower of Jesus. I treasure this boy.
Slowly but surely Luke carried all of his equipment up to his room and the entry way looked somewhat normal again.
The next day was a writing day for me (because I am racing towards a deadline). "Luke," I asked, "would you please unload the dishwasher for me?" He kindly and happily said, "Sure."
I went back to work and spent the next six hours writing.
When I came up for air I noticed that Luke not only unloaded the dishwasher, he loaded the dirty dishes, he washed the big pans and bowls, and he wiped down the counter.
My heart did a little flip inside. He not only listened to my words, he responded sweetly. And he not only responded sweetly, he did what I asked. And he not only did what I asked, he went above and beyond my request.
I wanted to give him money, bake him cookies, and wrap him in a big bear hug.
When we listen to God and do what He says, His heart swells with excitement over our obedience. And though this isn't our motivation, when we do what He says, He pours out His blessing on us!
This morning I read this verse in James, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Just how do we listen to the word, and then deceive ourselves?
Read on...
We talk about prayer (because Jesus tells us to pray about everything), but we rarely actually pray.
We tell people we will pray for them and then we don't follow through.
We feel good that we've articulated our belief in the power of prayer, but we neglect our time alone with the Lord and live power-less lives as a result.
We read great biblically based books on marriage, but we rarely apply what we learn.
We discern areas of weakness in our spouse and instead of using our strength to build them up, we use our knowledge to tear them down.
Just because we see something amiss doesn't mean we've been faithful with what we know.
When we don't do what God tells us to do, we deceive ourselves.
We read God's Word where it tells us to be at peace with others as far as it concerns us, and we ponder those words, but still we carry around with us age-old grudges against people who don't even know they've offended us.
Jesus tells us to love our neighbor but we don't even know their name (God, forgive me).
God's Word tells us to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to let His love in, that we might identify ourselves as someone He cherishes.
God delights in us with great affection and yet, we put more faith in our frailties than we do the idea that Jesus sings over us.
Forgive me, Precious Father, for the countless ways I have heard You, but have not done what you've asked. Thankfully there is no condemnation for me because I belong to You. It's your grace that strengthens my heart and so I open my hands and receive Your mercy and Your grace for this hour. Help me to earnestly seek after you and listen to what You have to say. Heighten my conviction to listen and to obey. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of my calling. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to do Your will. Amen.
Reader Comments (2)
Miss you, my friend.