Develope a Palate

Develope a Palate
Daily intake of the Word nourishes the Spirit. Jeremiah's Menu is an exercise in recognizing God's Word made flesh in and around me. Eating the Word in a way that supplies the spiritual nutrients needed to grow. The Menu is offered with the hope of inspiring you to taste and see that the Lord is good. Bon Appetite!

Quote Du Jour

Quote du Jour
Christians may differ on a variety of points, but they have all one spiritual appetite; and if we cannot all feel alike, we can all feed alike on the bread of life sent down from heaven. At the table of fellowship with Jesus we are one bread and one cup. As the loving cup goes round we pledge one another heartily therein. Get nearer to Jesus, and you will find yourself linked more and more in spirit to all who are like yourself, supported by the same heavenly manna. ---Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

Monday, June 9, 2014

selective hearing [from November 3, 2011]

All children seem to suffer from selective hearing at times.
Even God's children:

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy one of Israel says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it. ..."
Isaiah 30:15

I've noticed in myself that some messages are easier to hear than others...

This is what the Lord says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is,
and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' ..."
Jeremiah 6:16

...some calls I respond to quickly, some I spiritually place my fingers in my ears and whistle...

While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord,
I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen;
I called you, but you did not answer.
Jeremiah 7:13

As with our own children, selective hearing has its consequences.
Missed opportunities, subsequent discipline, tighter boundaries.

Spiritually, as God's children, we also suffer the consequences of selective hearing... hardened hearts.

"But they refused to pay attention;
stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears.
They made their hearts as hard as flint
and would not listen to the law or to the words
that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit...
Zechariah 7:11, 12

When we refuse to listen... when we choose our own way rather than God's... when we say "I believe" but our actions speak otherwise... we harden our hearts.

So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts..."
Hebrews 3:8

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