MONDAY MANNA

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. The first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse Joanne introduced at her blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

TODAY'S MANNA:
Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:17

Ever wondered why...
Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables?
Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in plain Aramaic?
Jesus explained Himself more fully to His disciples?
Jesus speaks to the heart?

Well here is a poem to accompany our day's manna and those questions:)

FROM THE HARD-HEARTED:
We want to follow you, but please just show us some sign.
We want to follow you, but honestly, do we have the time?

We want to follow you, as long as we can keep our ways,
We want to follow you, as long as we control our days.

We want to follow you, just tell us all that means,
We want to follow you, but hold fast to our own dreams.

We want to follow you, but we need to know how,
We want to follow you, but no, we will not bow.

FROM THE TENDER SHEPHERD:
You may follow Me your way, but where will I be?
Waiting patiently for your return, as you decide to get less busy.

You may follow Me, and yes a sign I gave,
Just look for changed hearts and lives, and evidence of an empty grave.

You cannot follow Me, child and hold onto your ways,
Unless you desire the broad and empty path to accompany your days.

I won't tell you everything it means to follow after Me,
Thus you must learn to trust in Me, and not walk by what you see.

Bow your heart to me, seek Me first and you will find,
Endless love and truth and life and peace for your mind.

Deuteronomy 30 11-18 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish...

Father, soften our hearts and extend Your grace that we may follow You, without excuse, without compromise, and without delay! We will be Your followers, not hard-hearted and not in it for ourselves! We will accept what You say- how You say it- and do it, because we love You and call You Lord.