Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For you are my hope, Lord GOD; my confidence from my youth.
– Psalm 71:3-5
He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
– Proverbs 10:5
Connecting But Not Communicating
Read: Psalm 145:17-19
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. - 1 Chronicles 16:11
Audio: Psalm 145
Bible In One Year: Psalms 37-39; Acts 26
"It's good to hear your voice, Kathleen," my friend said. "I'm so glad you took the time to call me." That simple statement made me realize that too often I use fingertip technology, and not meaningful conversation, to stay in touch with family and friends. Facebook, e-mails, and texting allow me to post photos or send short blasts of information to people I care about but don't see very often.
We may be staying connected, but I'm not sure we're really communicating. This experience made me wonder how well I'm staying in touch with God. Busy with chores and responsibilities, I try to remember to thank or praise God when particular blessings come during the day.
But often I feel that even though I'm connected to God I'm not really communicating because I'm not setting aside the quiet prayer time that keeps me mindful of God's word in my life. Prayer is our direct line to God who longs to hear our voices. Technology has its place in connecting us to others, but we need real conversation to strengthen and maintain any relationship - especially with God.
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
– Philippians 4:19-20
August 11, 2014
Listen More Than You Talk
Read: Proverbs 17:20-27
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit. - Proverbs 17:27
Audio: Proverbs 17
Bible in One Year: Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36
We have said in this devotional that in our quest to hear from God we must train ourselves to listen. Sometimes we are talking so much that we simply cannot hear what God wants to say. We can also miss the important things people say to us because we are not listening.
If we learn the discipline of keeping ourselves calm and quiet, we will hear the things that God wants to say to us. My daughter, Sandra, said that recently, after she prayed, she just sat for a minute and asked God if He had anything He wanted to say to her before she began her day. She felt in her heart that He simply said, "Go; I am with you!"
She was comforted by that thought, but it especially comforted her over the next few days when she found herself needing to deal with some unexpected bad news. The word God had given her increased her faith and kept her stable and calm as she faced her trials.
If we don't listen, we won't hear. Give God an opportunity on a regular basis to speak to you. When you pray, you don't have to do all the talking. You can spare your words and be considered a wise man or woman of God.
God's word for you today: You have one mouth and two ears, so that means God wants you to listen twice as much as you talk.
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Jeannette
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway." ~ Mother Teresa
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
– 1 Peter 2:9
Isaiah 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah33:22&version=KJV
One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
– John 3:36
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm119:130&version=KJV
Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
– Galatians 6:9-10
He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
– 2 Corinthians 12:9
