"...Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..." - Psalm 95:7b-8a ESV
That little phrase was spoken this weekend and it has stuck with me. It speaks to me of availability and rest.
It is easy to talk but we must learn to listen and process what we are hearing from the people we love.
God, we have not always been available to hear what You have to say. If you have something to say to us we want to listen. Your words are life and truth.
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Showing posts with label Hearing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearing. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Ears They Didn't Have
I tell you a mystery.
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." - John 16:12-15 ESV
Jesus declares that He Is going away. He Is going to go to His Father and the disciples are sad. He declares that His death will be good because He Is going to send a mysterious some one but they are grieved and in that state they can't hear what He going to say with clarity.
None of these men and women are thinking of writing books at this point. They were ex-fishermen and ex-tax collectors and ex-prostitutes. After Pentecost, they would become something else.
I sometimes look at chains of events in people's lives and think, 'Could anyone have warned them off of what was coming? Would they have listened?'
Then I turn to God knowing I can be and probably am just as blind. There are things I just don't want to hear.
"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." - Hebrews 13:9 KJV
Grace gives us what belongs to Christ. The Spirit of Grace Is going to glorify Christ and draw us into that mix. Jesus said, 'I'm leaving.' and it vexed them even though it had to happen that way. The Spirit never says that to us. He says, 'I am staying with you for the rest of your natural life and beyond.'
"... for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." - Ephesians 4:30 ESV
Jesus couldn't tell them certain things because even though they knew who He was they couldn't fathom what that meant. Jesus could die and be raised. Jesus could go and return forever. No one else Is like Him. When the Holy Spirit Is present Christ Is fully present also and not in a way that people would like to think of other people being present after death.
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:12-18 ESV
No one can take what belongs to God by force and in separation but He gives to those who believe freely. He sent His Spirit to minister.
This security has given us ears we didn't have. It wears down our stubbornness. It overwhelms our distrust. This voice never condemns. This voice gives and gives.
"If anyone has an ear, let him hear:" - Revelation 13:9 ESV
Yes. God wants to say things to us but we can't hear them until we are secure in His love.
--
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." - John 16:12-15 ESV
Jesus declares that He Is going away. He Is going to go to His Father and the disciples are sad. He declares that His death will be good because He Is going to send a mysterious some one but they are grieved and in that state they can't hear what He going to say with clarity.
None of these men and women are thinking of writing books at this point. They were ex-fishermen and ex-tax collectors and ex-prostitutes. After Pentecost, they would become something else.
I sometimes look at chains of events in people's lives and think, 'Could anyone have warned them off of what was coming? Would they have listened?'
Then I turn to God knowing I can be and probably am just as blind. There are things I just don't want to hear.
"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." - Hebrews 13:9 KJV
Grace gives us what belongs to Christ. The Spirit of Grace Is going to glorify Christ and draw us into that mix. Jesus said, 'I'm leaving.' and it vexed them even though it had to happen that way. The Spirit never says that to us. He says, 'I am staying with you for the rest of your natural life and beyond.'
"... for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." - Ephesians 4:30 ESV
Jesus couldn't tell them certain things because even though they knew who He was they couldn't fathom what that meant. Jesus could die and be raised. Jesus could go and return forever. No one else Is like Him. When the Holy Spirit Is present Christ Is fully present also and not in a way that people would like to think of other people being present after death.
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' " - Revelation 1:12-18 ESV
No one can take what belongs to God by force and in separation but He gives to those who believe freely. He sent His Spirit to minister.
This security has given us ears we didn't have. It wears down our stubbornness. It overwhelms our distrust. This voice never condemns. This voice gives and gives.
"If anyone has an ear, let him hear:" - Revelation 13:9 ESV
Yes. God wants to say things to us but we can't hear them until we are secure in His love.
--
Friday, July 22, 2016
Deaf And Dumb Spirits - Part 2
Some more thoughts about the passage we looked at yesterday.
This verse is so loaded...
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" - 2 Timothy 2:25 KJV
'Oppose Themselves' is one Greek word in the middle voice (so the person is doing the action to themselves). The word is antidiatithemi (Strong's G475).
anti = against or instead of
diatithemi = arranging or disposing of one's own affairs.
People need hope. They don't dare to arrange their own affairs if they lack hope. They stop believing that something wonderful can happen.
A meek instructor creates an opening where God might 'give the gift of repentance'. In other words they get a glimpse of Him while they are still stiff-necked and that glimpse might result in a turned to God by acknowledging the truth.
Jesus is a meek instructor.
"And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, ''If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' " - Mark 9:21-24 ESV
Jesus' faith confession set the stage for the healing.
The father was so overwhelmed by the circumstance that he was at his wits end. He did the right thing. He went and got Jesus.
I also saw this...
The father said, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute." - Mark 9:17b ESV
But Jesus said, "You mute and deaf spirit..." - Mark 9:25b ESV
The father thought his child could not speak but Jesus saw that he could not hear or speak. Communication was not getting in or out but Jesus words pierced the darkness of the father's life and of the son's life.
When a meek man or woman speaks the words are powerful. They are not born of self-interest for personal gain. God teaches the meek person and gives them something to say. The meek person discerns.
Don't we see people around us who have great potential but they get in their own way. They oppose themselves.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV
Meek warfare casts down knowledge that contradicts faith.
God, Make us stubborn about Your ability to heal and redeem. Teach us. Fill us with hope and give us words of hope. Open our ears to hear grace so that we will have a faith confession.
All redemption is possible for them that believe. Everything that has been sold has been bought back by the blood of Jesus. Every place where we put our foot is ours by faith. Meekness declares the eternal victory. Meekness glorifies God.
--
This verse is so loaded...
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" - 2 Timothy 2:25 KJV
'Oppose Themselves' is one Greek word in the middle voice (so the person is doing the action to themselves). The word is antidiatithemi (Strong's G475).
anti = against or instead of
diatithemi = arranging or disposing of one's own affairs.
People need hope. They don't dare to arrange their own affairs if they lack hope. They stop believing that something wonderful can happen.
A meek instructor creates an opening where God might 'give the gift of repentance'. In other words they get a glimpse of Him while they are still stiff-necked and that glimpse might result in a turned to God by acknowledging the truth.
Jesus is a meek instructor.
"And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, ''If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' " - Mark 9:21-24 ESV
Jesus' faith confession set the stage for the healing.
The father was so overwhelmed by the circumstance that he was at his wits end. He did the right thing. He went and got Jesus.
I also saw this...
The father said, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute." - Mark 9:17b ESV
But Jesus said, "You mute and deaf spirit..." - Mark 9:25b ESV
The father thought his child could not speak but Jesus saw that he could not hear or speak. Communication was not getting in or out but Jesus words pierced the darkness of the father's life and of the son's life.
When a meek man or woman speaks the words are powerful. They are not born of self-interest for personal gain. God teaches the meek person and gives them something to say. The meek person discerns.
Don't we see people around us who have great potential but they get in their own way. They oppose themselves.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV
Meek warfare casts down knowledge that contradicts faith.
God, Make us stubborn about Your ability to heal and redeem. Teach us. Fill us with hope and give us words of hope. Open our ears to hear grace so that we will have a faith confession.
All redemption is possible for them that believe. Everything that has been sold has been bought back by the blood of Jesus. Every place where we put our foot is ours by faith. Meekness declares the eternal victory. Meekness glorifies God.
--
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Being Swift To Hear
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" - James 1:19 KJV
A person who wants to learn is swift to hear. A problem solver must be. Anger or frustration often comes when we must have the solution and we are not patient enough to listen with our ears or our eyes.
The passage leading up to this verse is also very illuminating.
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:16-18 ESV
There is a flow coming from God. His input is useful (Agathos Strong's G18) and complete (Teleios G5046). Jesus used a word from the same family as that second word when He said, 'It is finished!' on the cross. God's grace is useful and His counsel brings us to completion because it comes from someone who has seen the end as well as the beginning.
If we are quick to listen and slow to speak our anger will come slowly also and will burn clean instead of sending up billows of smoke. Anger is reserved for evil not sin but we must listen to hear and discern the difference.
You may say what is the difference between evil and sin. Shouldn't both make me angry?
Sin is paid for. People miss the mark all the time. God is patient and long suffering for sinful things.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalms 130:3-5 ESV
He hates sin but His anger about sin has been poured out on one substitute. Jesus was the sacrifice that paid to satisfy God's holiness.
God is still angry about evil and those that align themselves with evil will be caught in the crossfire of that righteous rage.
"But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." - 2 Peter 3:7 ESV
"But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil" - Romans 2:5-9a ESV
So if we understand man's depravity and are in God's flow of grace we will discern what is warfare and what is weakness. Anger will come slowly if and when it comes at all. It will not be faithless.
"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" - Psalms 4:4 ESV
In other words do not act quickly in anger. Wait and think things through with God. Look at what the cross has done and weigh the situation that way. Sin is paid for but evil is not. Which one is this?
In the flow of God's goodness we will get definition and will be able to be kind but decisive. We will listen with our eyes and discover avenues to be a blessing to people instead of using their faults against them.
--
A person who wants to learn is swift to hear. A problem solver must be. Anger or frustration often comes when we must have the solution and we are not patient enough to listen with our ears or our eyes.
The passage leading up to this verse is also very illuminating.
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:16-18 ESV
There is a flow coming from God. His input is useful (Agathos Strong's G18) and complete (Teleios G5046). Jesus used a word from the same family as that second word when He said, 'It is finished!' on the cross. God's grace is useful and His counsel brings us to completion because it comes from someone who has seen the end as well as the beginning.
If we are quick to listen and slow to speak our anger will come slowly also and will burn clean instead of sending up billows of smoke. Anger is reserved for evil not sin but we must listen to hear and discern the difference.
You may say what is the difference between evil and sin. Shouldn't both make me angry?
Sin is paid for. People miss the mark all the time. God is patient and long suffering for sinful things.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalms 130:3-5 ESV
He hates sin but His anger about sin has been poured out on one substitute. Jesus was the sacrifice that paid to satisfy God's holiness.
God is still angry about evil and those that align themselves with evil will be caught in the crossfire of that righteous rage.
"But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." - 2 Peter 3:7 ESV
"But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil" - Romans 2:5-9a ESV
So if we understand man's depravity and are in God's flow of grace we will discern what is warfare and what is weakness. Anger will come slowly if and when it comes at all. It will not be faithless.
"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" - Psalms 4:4 ESV
In other words do not act quickly in anger. Wait and think things through with God. Look at what the cross has done and weigh the situation that way. Sin is paid for but evil is not. Which one is this?
In the flow of God's goodness we will get definition and will be able to be kind but decisive. We will listen with our eyes and discover avenues to be a blessing to people instead of using their faults against them.
--
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