Listen And Obey

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 ESV

Good Morning Girlfriends:

As a parent, we sure can have some trying times raising children in these days, wouldn't you agree, I know it was that way even when I was a child, but it seems more so now. There are so many things to pull our children in different directions than the way we try to teach them as parents. How many times have we said over and over, "pick up your dirty clothes and put them in the hamper, or can you feed the cat when you get home from school, you need to get your homework finished before that video game gets turned on," and it's like it goes in one ear and out the other. We get tired of saying the same things over and over, with no results and sometimes we have to take action.

Every child is different and they learn in different ways, I had lots of practice with raising five children of my own, you tend to learn what works for one does not work for them all. My oldest girl when she was little, if I was to take away one of her favorite toys for awhile, that would upset her so, she was quicker to listen the next time. My son, being raised with four sisters, knew that if he wanted to go outside to play with his friends, he had to have his room cleaned, I usually didn't have to ask. At times it was harder to reach a few of them, in order to get them to do what I was asking. Instead of telling what to do, I learned by asking, that got me a lot further ahead to get done what I needed at that time, they became more willing to help. As a parent, sometimes to get done what you are asking you should look them right in the eye to make sure they are paying attention. To make sure they understand what you are asking of them, have them repeat it back to you. Also to get the things done in which you are asking, let the child know that there will be a consequence if they do not do it.

Girlfriends, that is the same thing God would tell us to do. As we read His word and we are becoming transformed more like Him each day, we too have to listen to what He is saying to us in His word, but most importantly is to follow through with what He is saying, and that is to obey. Think about it, how many times God must shake his head with us and say, "when is she going to get it, when is she going to listen." I can think of instances in my own life, when things may have taken a little longer that what it was intended to take, wasn't that like the Israelites, it took longer than what it was supposed to, to get to the promised land. It's really no different as a child as we are God's children to Him, He wants us to listen and obey His word.

We are to be doers of the word and not only hears of the word, that means if, for example, God says to forgive one another so your sins will be forgiven, that is something we have to walk out, if we want God to forgive us of our sins in order to go to heaven, then we have to forgive anyone who does us wrong, that's being a doer, walking it out. It doesn't mean that being a doer is always easy, because it can be hard at times, but as we listen daily to God word and let God work in us, we will become more like Him and do the things that He did when He walked on this earth. Oh to be like Jesus, loving, kind, gentle, helpful, compassionate. Peter tells in Acts 10:34,35, Then Peter began to speak, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation, the one who fears him and does what is right." God is no respecter, He wants us to all listen and obey, as we are His little children and He is our heavenly Father. If we want our own children to listen and obey, how much more do you think God wants us to do this as well, that we may become a better person because of it.

Let's Pray,

Father God, help each one of us become better at reading, listening but understanding what your word is telling us so that we can obey, we must understand first, then it will be easier to obey. As a parent here on earth we sometimes have to look our child right in the eye to make sure they are getting it, let your word jump out to us so that we will see what it is that you are saying. Lord we want to do the things you tell us to do in your word so that we will be pleasing to you. Each one of would love to hear the words one day, "welcome home my good and faithful child." Help us dear Lord to become better at obeying, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed sweet girlfriends, and pass the blessings on.