Yesterday while driving to pick up the kids from school, I was listening to a teaching by Dr. Tony Evans. The man loves the Lord and His Word. He has a way of proclaiming truth with a bit of excitement. It is quite refreshing. The message is entitled The Kingdom Agenda and it is worth listening to for yourself. Not to far into it, Dr. Evans begins reading Psalm 128. This may not mean much to you, but for me it is significant. This is where I got the name for this blog and it is a promise. God’s promises throughout the Bible often give you instructions to follow in order to see the promise. I’ll type it out for you:

“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine. In the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life, yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” Psalm 128

We are given so much instruction here. God clearly states we are to fear Him and walk in His ways. How do we do that? Start back in Exodus 20 and read the ten commandments given to us by God. Then jump into the New Testament and read John 13:34. It says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you may love one another.”  Much easier said than done at times. Some people can be a challenge. I’m pretty sure I am a challenge to some as well. Anyways, keep yourself in the Bible and “walking in His ways” becomes clearer and your heart  responds to what you learn.

Continuing on in Dr. Evans message, he talks about the table. I’m not sure what your table looks like and who sits across from you, but I do know it should be an important place. He talked about his table and what they used mealtime for. We could have very well been sitting at the same table! So much laughter, planning, scripture reading, prayer, dreams and at times discipline take place here. Sometimes I look around as we all are sitting together and know this too won’t last. One will leave for college in a few years and others will follow. Our “olives” will grow up and the Lord will plant them elsewhere.

My prayer for all of us today is that we will fear, trust and obey the Lord. That we will walk in the instructions He has in place for us. I pray you experience happiness and blessings in your obedience. And whatever stage your olives are in, I pray you are passing on love that makes for deep roots.