Message summary: I want to be a person the Bible calls “blessed in what he does” and I’m sure you do as well. Let’s be careful in our observation of that which matters most.

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“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it” (James 1:25).

Yesterday I took a van load of Amish scholars home from school, actually I had to make two separate trips since there were too many for one trip. The Amish still use the term "scholar" for students; an older sense of the word in which scholar means learner.

These scholars are in grades 1 through 8 and just began the new school year this week with a new teacher. They were bubbling with excitement and all ages talking to each other in English and Pennsylvania Dutch as we drove along. They were not distracted by the typical modern "in your own world" devices. Instead they looked out and carefully observed the world around them, including an excited group that loudly counted each and every trash can we passed that was waiting to be picked up by the garbage trucks (they counted to over 100)!

Today let's consider the value of careful observation.

Back in the nineties we visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Many readers have seen Rockwell's art, which for many years demonstrated Americana. I was blessed this morning as I looked over a page of his paintings and saw how wholesome they were. I will link to that page below but here's one of his best known titled "Freedom From Want". His art is a great contrast to modern perversions that art elitists reckon as art and receive funding from the taxpayers! In fact, his artwork demonstrated in art much of what we were properly taught in our homes, schools and churches.

When we visited the museum we were amazed at how much study went into each picture and learned that Rockwell often used live models as subjects. The tour guide pointed out interesting details in his pictures that we had never seen, even in ones that Brooksyne and I have appreciated for years. Norman Rockwell was a careful observer and the lasting appreciation for his art is a testimony to that.

The meme to the left illustrates art similar to the Normal Rockwell look, as well as a summary of our daily text, a verse that is power-packed and also demonstrates the importance of careful observation, "look carefully".

Let’s carefully observe four requirements for one who has a heart to receive God's blessing, "then God will bless you for doing it”.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber