Jesus did only those things that were placed in his mind by his Father. And he wants us to learn to live that way too. It's essential to fulfilling God's plan for our lives. The Bible says that Mary took time to listen to Jesus, but her sister Martha didn't because she was busy 'serving' (see Luke 10:40). We can get so busy serving the Lord that we lose our sensitivity to his voice and preoccupied with secondary things.

When Jesus met the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection, they didn't recognise him. But he loved them, so 'he opened their minds so they could understand' (Luke 24:45 NIV).

We learn to hear from God by making time to hear from him. Fifteen times in the New Testament, Jesus said, 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear.' When we became a new creation in Jesus, we got new spiritual ears, but we must learn how to use them. Indeed, that must become one of the highest priorities in our lives. A newborn child has the ability to hear, but doesn't understand what he or she is hearing; understanding takes time, it takes learning, it takes attention, it takes intimacy with his or her parents.

So what now? God is always speaking to you but, like all people, you need to learn to listen and hear him. Make more time to be attentive to what he is saying to you. Plus, he is longing to teach you to hear him - thank him for that!

The New Testament Greek word for 'disciple' means 'learner'. By definition, a disciple is someone who never stops learning. He or she makes the most of the hundred billion brain cells God has given them. They keep asking and seeking and knocking (see Matthew 7:7).

Leonardo da Vinci carried a notebook wherever he went. Some have estimated he left fourteen thousand pages of notes to painter Francesco Melzi in his will. Almost seven thousand pages still exist, of which Bill Gates bought eighteen pages for $30.8 million in 1994. The scribbles on da Vinci's napkin varied from anatomy to botany to painting to philosophy. One thing that made him extraordinary is that he wrote most of them using a technique called mirror writing. He wrote in reverse so the words could be read solely when reflected in a mirror. In the final days before his death on May 2, 1519, Leonardo apologised to God and to man 'for leaving so much undone'. And he resolved to keep learning until the day he died. Even on his deathbed, Leonardo was observing and relating, in scientific detail, the nature and symptoms of his illness.

God has created us to discover, marvel at and take part in his creation. Let's take him up on this offer to live life to the full.

So what now? Never stop learning, because it glorifies God when you do. Through it, you will know him and love him even more. Keep learning like you will live forever. After all, as a redeemed child of God, you will.

The Bible is in a classification of its own as the written revelation of the greatness and brilliance of who God is. But mathematics reveals a distinctive dimension of God's personality too. Along with art. And science. The Bible says: 'God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight...He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life... He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom' (1 Kings 4:29, 32-34 NIV). Solomon was interested in so many things. And the breadth of his knowledge gave him such a depth of wisdom that 'from all nations people came to listen to Solomon's wisdom'. Who sent those men? 'The kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.'

As Spirit-filled citizens of God's Kingdom, we haven't been called to avoid or shut ourselves off from the culture, but to discover it, be delighted in it, inform it, instruct it and illuminate it. 'It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings' (Proverbs 25:2 NIV).

God loves it when we discover or encounter something new to us. It's a normal parental reaction when their children discover new things.

So what now? God is inviting you to take part in this life he's created. And to enjoy it and share its wonders with others. Today, decide to live life to the full.

The Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of the tongue. James devotes an entire chapter to this subject: 'If we could control our tongues, we...could also control ourselves in every other way' (James 3:2 NLT). Now there is an aspect of self-control to consider!

The Greek sage Publius said, 'I have often regretted my speech, but never my silence.' And novelist William Edward Norris wrote, 'If you your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care; to whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.' King David put it this way: 'I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth' (Psalm 39:1 NIV). That's what it takes - a 'muzzle'! David is talking about making a conscious commitment to watch what we say.

To control our tongue, let's consider these: (1) Think first. Before we speak, let's pause for ten seconds and mentally preview our words. Are they accurate or exaggerated? Kind or cutting? Needless or necessary? Grateful or complaining? What we don't say today, we won't have to explain tomorrow. (2) Talk less. Our chances of getting into trouble increase exponentially when we talk too much. Let's conserve our verbal energy.

So, let's watch what we say - and appreciate how it enriches our lives.

So what now? In which area of your life do you struggle to hold your tongue? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to think first, talk less and bring your words into submission today.

Plants need strong, healthy root systems to thrive. Those with weak or damaged roots can still grow, but they won't be able to reach their full potential or withstand stress as well. The good news is that the plants can be treated and the roots encouraged to grow stronger. Some plants suffer from root rot. Once the problem has been identified, the roots need to be washed clean, the bad parts cut away, and the plant repotted in fresh soil.

Our lives need healthy root structures too. Flawed roots produce flawed fruit, like feelings of inferiority, worthlessness, anger, inability to trust and fear of intimacy. If our root system contains things like rejection, past mistakes and painful experiences, we need to bring them out into the open and treat them.

We can be healed with God's help: 'I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love' (Ephesians 3:16-17 CEV).

So what now? Emotional healing is a process. Strong roots require three things: (1) Time to grow. Becoming confident in your identity as God's child is like breaking in new shoes; you have to walk in them until they become comfortable. (2) Protection from harm. Surround yourself with people who build you up; who share the same faith (see 2 Peter 1:1). (3) Spiritual nourishment. Pray and feed regularly from God's word (see Job 23:12). God wants to see you deeply rooted, confident and free.

A Bible teacher says: 'Because my family's so large, we draw names to see who we'll buy presents for. One Christmas when I opened my present, I was disappointed...then I looked at my twin brother who got two nice gifts. Sensing my disappointment, my wife...said, "Don't worry. When we get home, we'll exchange it for something you like better." The same thing happens in the Body of Christ. We open the gifts God has given us and immediately run to someone else to see what he or she received...We look at our gift...and immediately think..."I know...I'll swap it for something I like better." That's why there are so many people running around claiming to be an apostle or a prophet or a teacher...They're gift-swapping.'

We don't get to decide what gifts God gives us. God 'put all the parts...in the body as he wanted them' (1 Corinthians 12:18 NCV). Instead of envying another person's gift, let's be thankful for our own.

Here's more about our gifts, found in the Bible: 'God doesn't take back the gifts he has given' (Romans 11:29 CEV); 'Each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that' (1 Corinthians 7:7 NIV); 'The Spirit decides what to give each person' (1 Corinthians 12:11 NCV).

So what now? Discover, be thankful for and then use the gifts God gave you. And don't compare yourself to anyone else. God knows best, so you will flourish in what you're called to do.