Shalom,


Psalm 85:8:


8 I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the LORD will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) -- but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.


"Listen" is the Hebrew word "shama`", which means: to hear with attention or interest, to understand, to give heed, to be obedient. That means that we will listen with the determined purpose that we will understand  so that we can obey God's Word! THEN, God will speak "peace" to His people. This is the Hebrew word "shalom", which means: completeness, soundness, welfare, prosperity, peace, safety, contentment. The Words that God speaks are Words that speak LIFE into us! That is "zoe"! Life as God has it in Himself! HE wants that for me AND YOU! Thank You, Jesus!


In Luke 6 we see the reaction that most of the scribes and Pharisees had to the wonderful and miraculous things that Jesus was doing. We see how Jesus dealt with the man with the withered hand in verses 9-11:


9 Then Jesus said to them, I ask you, is it lawful and right on the Sabbath to do good [so that someone derives advantage from it] or to do evil, to save a life [and make a soul safe] or to destroy it? 10 Then He glanced around them all and said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he did so, and his hand was fully restored like the other one. 11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus.


They SHOULD have been delighted that Jesus was showing forth the wonderful works of God! BUT, they had no understanding of God's Word! They were easy prey for the enemy and he pushed them into "senseless rage" over it! They were out of their minds with anger and jealousy! Realize that those who persecute you for your faith have no hope of understanding the Word of God in their present lost condition. It takes a reborn spirit to know and understand the Word (1 Corinthians 2:13).


Luke 6:12-13:


12 Now in those days it occurred that He went up into a mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He summoned His disciples and selected from them twelve, whom He named apostles (special messengers)


Do YOU think that choosing those you will allow to be close to you is a very important decision? Jesus did! He spent ALL NIGHT in prayer over this decision!  How much time do YOU spend in prayer when YOU have an important decision to make? If JESUS thought it was necessary to do this, how much MORE do WE need to?! He will take situations in our lives just as seriously as we do! Give Him something to work with! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with Desert Song:

Hosea is reminding Israel of their past with God so that they can remember and repent! I like this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:

At least fourteen times in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses used the word remember. Deuteronomy is Moses' farewell address to the new generation of Israelites as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. But why would Moses ask these young people to look back when they were getting ready to move forward? Because a correct under-standing of God's dealings in the past is the best way to be certain of success in the future. Philosopher George Santayana expressed this truth succinctly: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it."

Parents, make sure that YOUR children continue to hear the Word of God in your home. When you do, you give the Holy Spirit something to bring back to their remembrance when they face serious circumstances! Remember the past victories, remember the Word of God, then remember to give GOD all the praise, honor, and thanksgiving for all good things! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!