Words from the Heart

Obedience is the spiritual response to listening to God’s direction for our lives.

Many listen for our Creator’s directions but often our emotions divert us on a detour that leads to a dead end. We are so easily caught up in feelings. And those feelings camouflage what God wants us to do.

Our human nature is fragile. We are whipped about by the storm of emotions. We recognize that we aren’t to respond in a situation where we are hurt and wounded. However, there are those who believe that’s the end of it. We stand within the storm of conflict and pat ourselves on the back because we haven’t retaliated or fallen to the gale force winds of conflict. No, we can peacefully stand as the thunder of disappointment or heartache echoes in our ears. We close our eyes as lightening streaks of anger shoot above us. The howling wind may buffet us but we proudly stand firm. We won’t budge.

Instead, we look at ourselves as sacrificing for the sake of Christ.

On the other hand, our thoughts can take us to the worlds of what if. In our mind, we think of all the ways we could respond, letting our anger or pain pour forth like the deluge of a torrential storm. We martial our verbal defense and allow ourselves to wallow in our own self-righteousness of never voicing the words we’ve been conjuring up. We never realize that there is something else at work in the circumstances.

But that’s the problem. In many instances, we may find satisfaction in not responding and turning the other cheek. After all, that’s what Jesus told us to do. Unfortunately, we are missing the rest of His guidance of how we respond to one who hurts us.

Obviously, we need to learn how not to react to the raging emotions that fly through the air like the wicked witch of the west. Yet, we stop there and think we’ve pleased God.

Unfortunately, we’ve bought into the lie Satan would have us believe. Even if we recognize the truth of the circumstances, we fall short of the goal. First, the emotions prevent us from realizing there is more to the situation than just enduring. Certainly, it takes spiritual maturity to do that. But, if we are to grow spiritually, we must look beyond what we feel – beyond the hurt or pain. To be devoted to Christ means we must endeavor to take that next step.

Do we ever consider what it is that God might be trying to illustrate to us? Do we ever think about the fact that the Creator of the universe has control over everything that happens in our lives?

If we refuse to see God’s hand in whatever painful circumstance we are experiencing, then we might as well respond in our human nature. This is the truth we must see. If we just endure – you know, grit your teeth and stick it out – then we aren’t moving in obedience.

Different circumstances certainly require different actions. Yes, there may be times when we do nothing in our human behavior. Someone wounds us; we refuse to respond in the natural way by striking back. Nevertheless, without trying to see what God wants to show us, we aren’t actively seeking God’s perspective.

And that’s what it’s all about. God doesn’t usually change our circumstances. What He does change is our perspective, but if we aren’t willing to respond in that way, then we aren’t being obedient.

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously." Luke 6:27-30, The Message

Blessings, Francine

It is easy to say we listen but, as noted in the previous post, listening implies action. Either we follow the direction God is leading us or we don’t. In other words, we are anchored in God’s word or we are drifting away.

Moses summed it up a little differently but with significant meaning.

“I’ve brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse. The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of God, your God, which I command you today. The Curse: if you don’t pay attention to the commandments of God, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28, The Message.

Look closely at his words. The blessing is listening obediently. Being able to discern God’s guidance to us doesn’t come naturaly to most. Those of us who have learned what it means to be obedient quickly grasp that the listening is the blessing because, if we truly belong to God, obedience leads to something amazing. If we are living as our Creator intended, it means we are filled with a supernatural peace, regardless of circumstances.

The curse is that when we don’t pay attention to God’s commandments we will leave God’s presence and thus follow other gods. The scariest part of this curse is the remainder of the verse, “gods of which you know nothing.” There are many instances of God’s people doing just this. As they left God’s presence, they drifted from the Truth.

They subsequently were enticed into believing in other gods and always suffered the consequences. Sure, many of these gods promised prosperity and protection, but when it came down to it – when there was a showdown of power between God and these deities – they not only didn’t win, many times, they didn’t even show up.

We sometimes scoff at the stories in the Bible attesting to other forces in this world. However, we place ourselves in danger when, like listening to God’s direction and will in our lives, we don’t accept all truths found in the Bible. If Moses, one of God’s spokesmen, talked about other gods, then you had better believe there are other gods.

The truth is we no longer recognize them. Many worship at the altar of money or power and, as we drift from God’s road, we find ourselves trapped in a belief that money or power is the answer to everything. Yet, the more we have, it seems the more we want. It’s never enough. We also sacrifice at this same altar. Instead of investing in our spiritual life, we ignore God. That’s usually the first step quickly followed by the sacrifice of our family, friends, and relationships. The same can be said for our seemingly insatiable hunger for power, success, and acceptance. We become willing to do anything in order to worship these gods.

If you’ve drifted from the road, what modern-day gods are you following?

Blessings, Francine

Do you listen or do you hear?

Some would wonder what the difference is. In our life, it can be the disparity between peace and turmoil, and in our spiritual walk, it can mean the difference between submission and disobedience.
On face value, the definitions appear similar in that we all hear; in other words, we perceive things by our ears. Hearing implies the ability to recognize sound. Everyone, with the exception of the “hearing impaired,” hears – the doorbell, laughter, and conversations.

Listening, on the other hand, implies an effort made on our part to hear. In other words, to pay attention and heed, thus implying action. We listen to our children, our boss, and our spouse. When pursuing an education, a career, or a relationship, the difference between hearing and listening can result in failure or success.

Think about what you hear every day. In the world around us, sound is everywhere from the blaring of loud music to the shuffle of someone following close behind. Constant clatter pours forth from television and radio. These things can play in the background of our lives and we occasionally listen when the sound becomes offensive, frightening, or inviting.

Many noises blend into our surroundings, to the point we no longer notice them – the hum of the refrigerator, the low rumble of the heater kicking on, or the constant flow of vehicles outside our home or business.

All have become familiar.

But, what about God. Do we just hear Him or do we listen.

Many struggle in their walk of faith, desperately wanting to hear a word from the Father. That may be the crux of their problem. Are we being complacent in the midst of how God talks to us or are we eagerly listening?

God speaks to each of us in a kaleidoscope of ways – through His creation, music, His word, and through our pastors and teachers. The question is, are we just hearing or are we listening.

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil, Ecclesiastes 5:1, NASB

Blessings, Francine

God has recently impressed upon me both the call He’s laid on my life and the importance of my commitment to that call.

I’m a writer who writes by the leading of God. I consider it a ministry. The same holds true for my photography. I’m blessed in that He’s given me the desires of my heart. It was a long struggle between the Lord and me. For years, I was caught up in the world’s definition of success and satisfaction. God used physical circumstances to get my attention and, true to His word, brought me to a higher place. Psalm 18:19, New Living Translation, says: He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

I’ve come to realize that only in consistent obedience to His call can I truly grow spiritually. This plays out in my two blogs, Words from the Heart and The Storyteller, as well as other avenues He’s opened to me.

This past year has been a challenge. The move from Heidelberg, Germany back to my home in Arizona took more time and effort than I ever imagined. Now it’s time to get back to work.

I believe that obedience is the most important thing we can do in our relationship with the Creator, second only to entering into an intimate relationship with Him.

If you do not know the Lover of your soul, I encourage you to meet Him.

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8, New Living Translation

You could begin with the previous post (January 1, 2007) and information in the Special Note below. It’s not important where you begin, just that you take that first step.

In obedience to my Father, I will be posting here on a weekly basis. If my words touch your heart, I pray you’ll visit again soon.

Blessings, Francine

SPECIAL NOTE: I pray that each commentary I write here will bless you, but please understand that some are built on previous entries. I’ve tried to build a Biblical basis from which my thoughts are developed. It’s important that you understand my words aren’t the end of the story, so to speak. I would encourage you to check out previous entries if you have questions concerning what I’ve written. In addition, I’ve included links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” or “New Christian Life” as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. An excellent on-line resource is BibleGateway.com .

Another good site is Crossmap, and not just because my inspirational messages can now be found there. This organization, which has been running since 2000, serves the Christian community as a web portal. There are great columns by talented nationally known writers and pastors, a wide variety of other Christian sites, news, and commentaries.

As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahoo.com

Are you open or closed to God?

If we aren’t open to Him and how He wants to guide our lives then we are closed.

It’s our choice. We can be receptive to all God has for us or we can reject what He has to offer.

It’s like opening a door or closing one. It takes an action on our part.

So many people believe God just sits on His throne and watches His creations run around like ants. While He never sleeps and His eye is even on the tiniest of sparrows, He also knows exactly what is going on with His creation. We are His beloved.

But He never forces Himself or His plans on us. You see, in His infinite love, He gave us free choice. I mean, after all, love isn’t love if it’s forced.

Will you open the door?

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:1, The Message