"SIR, LET IT ALONE...."

"'Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'  But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until....'"  (Luke 13:8 a, b)

I too should have been, "Cut...down."

But my King and Savior, Jesus, as, "....the Keeper of His Vineyard," interceded for me and said to Father, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for Your mercy on this, "....and found none", lost soul.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

MAY OUR LORD JESUS HELP US TO LISTEN

"A man who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels ('breaks out') against all sound wisdom."  (Proverbs 18:1, NASB)

As is the case with much of English Scripture, there are many interpretations of our text.  For me, however, our text says that this man only wants his way, is only interested in what he himself believes, and will not listen to or learn from others.  If he is in a discussion, only his input matters.  He tolerates at best and doesn't listen to others at worst. He does not need to listen, because he already knows everything.  He's like the guy who responded to Chuck Colson once when asked about his definition of the Church.  "I'm my own church."

Jesus demonstrates for us the epitome of listening; and that is the reason He never uttered religious cliches in dealing with hurting people.  He listened to their hearts' cry.  Jesus listens because Jesus cares.

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be a listener and value others.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"THEY DO NOT KNOW"

    "They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable ('moved')"  (Psalm 82:5, NASB)

2 Thessalonians 2:11 says that, "....because they did not receive the love of the truth....God is sending them a deluding influence ('an activity of error') so that they will believe what is false ('the lie')."  In other words, they do not understand because they don't want to understand. And when that happens, you have ignorance and darkness, then you have, "....all the foundations of the earth...unstable."   

I just read again today the cure for the ignorance and darkness mentioned in our text.  Jesus tells us in Luke 6, "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My Words and does them...is like a man who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock;..and when...the river burst against that house...it could not shake it, because it had been well built."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray to be, "....like [the] man who dug and went deep..," into You!  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God."  (86:10)

OT LESSON:

"Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey." (Numbers 9:22)

NT LESSON:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted...."  (Jesus, Luke 4:18a, b)

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2