Remember this story?

[southernbelle47]

I had a "God stop" one day driving down the interstate!
I was upset and just unloading on God in a full fledged rant!
His responce?
A song came on the radio...regular, not Christian radio.
It was a love song and it was from Him...don't ask how I knew that, I just DID...
It was the very message I needed to hear .
My earthly husband had hurt me and spoken in a mean tone of voice and I was ranting (telling on him) to my Father.
In the sweetest male voice I heard..."You are so beautiful to me".
Don't try to tell me He doesn't hear us!
He speaks back too! In many ways!
Love you all
Nancy

Speaking to Our Thoughts!


The Pharisee that asked Jesus to come to his house saw this.
He thought to himself, "If this man (Jesus) were a prophet,
he would know that the woman who is touching him is a
sinner!" In response, Jesus said to the Pharisee, "Simon, I
have something to say to you." Simon said, "Let me hear it,
teacher."

-- Luke 7:39-40 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
I love the way Luke describes this, "Jesus spoke up and answered his
thoughts." I'm sure I don't want Jesus answering my thoughts in front
of a room full of important guests. I have some thoughts that aren't as
righteous as I would like. I'm trying to "take every thought captive"
and let the Holy Spirit guide my thoughts as well as my words and
behavior. Unfortunately my intentions and my performance haven't become
completely congruent. How about yours? Interestingly, if we are led by
the Spirit, I believe Jesus does answer our thoughts. All too often we
are not open to hearing his voice because it comes in forms less direct
than the words this Pharisee is about to receive. Jesus can answer our
thoughts in the sermon message on Sunday, often by stray comments that
are not centered on the main topic of the message. Jesus can answer our
thoughts through the books we read, songs we hear, conversations we
have, and our meditations that occur with the prayers that we offer.
Sometimes it takes a boatload of the messages to get through to us, but
they are there if we are listening. So often we segregate, insulate,
and compartmentalize our lives so that we expect holy messages only
during "holy times" -- our quiet times, our church experiences, our
retreats with other Christians, etc. However, if we begin each day with
a purpose to walk with the Lord led by the Holy Spirit, then God is
shaping us through the events, conversations, and messages we receive
and our reactions to them. Jesus still knows our thoughts! He still
speaks to them through his Word and also through his Spirit. Let's tear
down the wall between the secular and the sacred and let Jesus be Lord
of all of life. Then, let's begin each day with the words of Simon,
"All right, Teacher ... go ahead; I'm listening!"


TODAY'S PRAYER:
O precious and majestic Father, God of all the universe and my Abba
Father, awaken my mind and open my heart to hear all that you are
seeking to say to me through your Word, through your world, and through
your people. Shape me and mold me as I seek to guard my heart from what
is false and contaminating input and open my heart to your messages in
my everyday life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[southernbelle47]

Remember this story?

The rest of that story.

Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see
this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water
for my feet. But she washed my feet with her tears and dried
my feet with her hair. You did not greet me with a kiss, but
she has been kissing my feet since I came in! You did not
honor me with oil for my head, but she rubbed my feet with
her sweet-smelling oil. I tell you that her many sins are
forgiven. This is clear, because she showed great love. But
the person that feels only a little need to be forgiven will
feel only a little love when he is forgiven."

-- Luke 7:44-47 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
What are you showing the Lord about your recognition of what he has
done for you? Is it merely what is required or expected by religious
convention? Is it less than that? Or is it extravagant and heartfelt?


TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, thank you! Thank you a million times over! May my words of
praise, my gifts of thanksgiving, and my life of service be the
beginning of thanks to you which I anticipate sharing with you in a
more perfect way and in a more perfect place when I stand before you
face to face and share in the joy of my coming home. In Jesus' name,
and by his gift of grace, I pray. Amen.