Some days just don’t go as you have planned. That was today…
We’re home, under the air conditioning, I have my feet up and I’m listening to the Holy Spirit share with me, heart-to-heart.
Time today planning family get togethers, a memorial service and then I received good news on a family member’s health. All in all, it has been a day of blessing!
Although my morning was not my usual routine, and I apologize to all of you for not putting out the blog, I really had a great day with the Lord. Let me share…
“For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God. 17 If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining-greatness.
18 I am sure that our suffering now cannot be compared to the shining-greatness that He is going to give us. Romans 8:16-18 NLV
“We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him.”
I spent a large portion of my morning reflecting on the life of Jesus here on earth. He walked from town to town preaching. He slept in the homes of friends and ate at their tables. He was ridiculed by His family, they didn’t understand His calling.
He went to wedding and funerals. He had compassion on the hurting and sick. He was criticized by the religious elite for eating and “drinking” with people who had a poor reputation.
Any of this sound familiar? If it does congratulations, you are acting like your older brother, Jesus.
His closest friends were often questioning his actions and his teachings. The man he trusted with the contributions and financial support stole from him. Other of his disciples were creating a power play to see who would be Jesus’ right-hand man.
So many distractions, so many issues. How did Jesus stay focused.
“After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ” Matathew 14:23 NLV
“ In the morning before the sun was up, Jesus went to a place where He could be alone. He prayed there. 36 Simon and the others looked for Jesus.” Mark 1:35 NLV
If we’re going to “share with Christ all the things God has for him” we’re going to need to act more like Him. He spent time listening to His Father. He spent time being silent.
I saw something on Facebook today I don’t ever want to forget. The same letters in the word listen are also in the word silent. If we are going to be good listeners, we need to learn to be silent.
We all need to learn the lesson that a young boy named Samuel learned from the old priest Eli.
“Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as He did the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do a thing in Israel which will make both ears of everyone who hears it feel strange.” I Samuel 3:9-11 NLV
Listen – I’ve been doing that all day. The Father has spoken quietly but He told me I’m living below my station. His inheritance for me is so much greater than what I have been expecting.
His inheritance to each of us who call him Father starts here on earth but will continue to all eternity!
“Father, I’m listening with great anticipation!”