Who's the Boss?

Click the title: Who's the Boss to read Deuteronomy 30:11-20


In his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, historian John Kenneth Galbraith wrote admiringly of his family's housekeeper, Emily Gloria Wilson. "It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang.  Lyndon Jognson was calling from the White House.
"Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson"
"He is sleeping, Mr. President.  He said not to disturb him."
"Well wake him up.  I want to talk to him."
"No, Mr. President." Emily replied firmly.  "I work for him, not you." she refused to wake her employer.
When Ken returned the president's call later, he reported that LBJ could scarcely control his pleasure. "Tell that woman I want her here in the White House!"
Ken's instructions to his housekeeper had been clear, and Emly Wilson followed the faithfully.  Another might have been tempted to cave in to the demands of the caller, but Emily had her orders and she followed them to the letter.  She knew for who she worked.
When God gave his commandments to the nation of Israel, he was very clear.  He stipulated laws and rules of conduct for the well-being and prosperity of his beloved people.  Their job was to simply obey. 
In the book of Deuteronomy (often reffered to as the book of the Law) God reminds the people of what he has done on their behalf.  He also reassures them that obedience is not beyond their reach.  His standards are not impossibly high or patronizingly low.  Instead, God has clearly revealed his will through his word.  He has even written it on their hearts! Their response is to obey.
Do you find yourself offering excuses for breaking God's laws?  Are you tempted to regard the Ten Commandments as the "Ten Suggestions"? Do the demands of others drown out the voice of your Creator? 
Emily Wilson was able to say "no" to a president because her instructions from her master were clear.  Do you listen to the voice of your Master?




Deuteronomy 30:11~ now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 


Reflection
Do you ever find yourself offering excuses for failling to follow God's commandments?
In what ways have you benefitted by obeying God's rules of conduct?
How quick are you to obey the voice of your Master- instantly, hesitantly, occasionally?
What does this tell you about your relationship with him?


Related Readings
Exodus 20:2-17
Philippians 2:12-13
1 Thessalonians 5:24

The Wedding Guest

Read John 2:1-11.  Online verison of the NIV bible is provided in Link above. (click on the words "The Wedding Guest")

Years ago when Johnny Carson was the host of the tonight show, he interviewed an 8 yr old boy.  The young boy was asked to appear on the show because he had rescued to friends from a coal mine outside his hometown, which was in West Virginia.  As Johnny questioned the boy, it became clear that the young man was a Christian.  So Johnny asked him if he attended Sunday school.  When the boy said he did, Johnny asked "what are you learning in Sunday school?" He replied: "last week our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and turned water to wine." The audience roared but Johnny tried to keep a straight face.  Then he said, "Now what did you learn from that story?" The boy squirmed in his chair, it was apparent he had not thought about this.  But then he lifted his face and said, "If you are going to have a wedding, make sure you invite Jesus!"
This is the first miracle Jesus did, and it occurred at a wedding he had been invited to.  It clearly announced his nature, showing that he came to bring joy to people.  God delights in his children and our joy pleases him! When we celebrate, he celebrates with us.
The hosts of the wedding celebration would have been embarrassed if the wine had run dry.  Knowing this, Jesus' mother turned to the One who can turn sorrow into gladness. :) Jesus quietly worked behind the scenes to turn water into wine.  When the banquet master tasted the wine, he was surprised and said that it was better than the wine served first. 
When we invite Jesus into EVERY aspect of our lives, he can exchange our past pain for present comfort.  He can turn our deep sorrow into divine delight! He can take old wounds and turn them into fresh wisdom!! He can turn stale, old thoughts into new ideas and creative ways to solve our problems.  He can take cold silence and turn it into a warm conversation. If we just ask him, he can take those things we are ashamed of and cast them into a sea of forgetfulness, allowing us to experience true and deep joy! Is'nt that wonderful? He does not save the best for last, he saves the best for now.
Those who drew the water knew the secret: Jesus has the power to change things.  Just imagine what he can change if you only issue the invitation. He is the guest that can never stay too long :)


I can honestly say for myself I have experienced a few of these promises on my own.  I have asked Jesus to cast out worries, sorrows, and past times I was ashamed of far from my brains grasp.  He did just that and filled my heart with a joy that was beyond me.  I used to have a rough case of anxiety, I couldnt talk to anyone! But now he has turned those silent moments into warm, joyfull converstations.  I cant thank him enough for the things he has done in my life.  So, what about you? How has Jesus changed difficult circumstances for you in the past? What is something you would like him to change for you today? Maybe you are going through a rough time.  Maybe you would like him to turn your mourning into gladness, your despair into praise, or change you to beauty from ashes.  Invite him in to work a devine change for you in your life, that only he can do.  Who will you share the knowledge of the Lord with today? I am so very thankful for you who read this blog! May it be helpful to you and bring many blessings to you! I love you all very much!

Related Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-3; 65:17-25
Revelation 21:5

Verse to remember:
John 2:9