No Smoking!

When I was a kid I remember how my parents laid down the law about the evils of smoking early and often. The only problem with their argument was that I knew there was a carton of Camels in the kitchen drawer which I began snitching on Saturdays when I was about 11. Those pesky cigarettes made me wonder a little about laws in general – even God’s laws. But the good news is that Jesus isn’t like me or my parents. He not only tells us the right thing: He does it Himself! So when Jesus told us to ask, seek and knock, it is wonderful to know that He also put into practice everything that He asked us to do.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 ESV

Now stop for a minute and ask yourself, “Why does the creator of the universe need to ask for anything?”  Then remember when Jesus says. “Come to me all who are thirsty. Come to me and drink” He doesn’t chase after us with a garden hose! Instead He asks and then patiently waits for us to come. Also there are times when we get so tangled up in sin that we just can’t get out. That is when He comes seeking us like a shepherd. He willingly leaves the safety of Heaven just so He could find us at the cross. Last of all recall that He doesn’t break down my doors of doubt and anger (though He could). Instead Jesus stands outside knocking; and then waits until I open. What an amazing Savior we have! Jesus didn’t just come to lay down the law. He came lay down His life!

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A Quiet Afternoon

We went walking along the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs yesterday. It was just a rare afternoon without thunderstorms (at least till we got home!). Though our walks are a bit shorter as we have grown older they are still the best times for us to just talk and share special time together.

Walking along quietly with the Lord is no different. He treasures time we spend with Him with the only stipulation that we tell Him the truth.

Lord , who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; Psalm 15:1‭-‬2 NIV

Are we sorry for something? Confess it to Him- He already knows! Do we have a need- there’s no use pretending we can work it out on our own- just ask. He is not only our Savior and Lord, He has offered to become our closest friend. All we must do is walk by His side and listen to all He has to say on a quiet afternoon by the River of Life.

Listening to the Hawk

While on my morning walk I was amazed to see a hawk swoop down and sit on a fence post near me. He sat for a moment then called out three times and waited. Then his mate who was hidden in the trees on the opposite side of the field cried back the same. I’m not sure what their conversation was about but it reminded me of the verse from Psalms.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7 NIV

For us it is God who is on the other side and He is calls out to us and then waits. If we sit quietly we will hear Him and His voice will awaken something deep within. Then the answer will grow in our own hearts until we call back to Him.