Able to Hear

Able to Hear

1 John 2: ²⁰ But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth. ²¹ I write you, then, not because you do not know the truth; instead, it is because you do know it, and you also know that no lie ever comes from the truth.

 

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“You are going to have fun” were the words I got excited over. Fun, at this point was amusement parks and games. But the fun described by this group was getting drunk, having sex and missing many classes.

 

• Something inside me said “You shouldn’t go down this path” but I would not listen.
• Something inside me said “There is another way” but I wanted to go the way “everyone else” went.
• Something inside me said “What is being told to you is a lie” but I didn’t believe the warning.

 

John turns from speaking about those who follow the “Enemy of CHRIST” to those who truly follow HIM. He gives his reason for writing to this group, implying that it is because they could “hear the real truth.”  He may have also addressed uncertainty because the believers were being persecuted.

 

My Observations:

• Today’s relative truth will get me in trouble, BUT GOD’s truth has always been a foundation I can count on.
• Today’s strong belief in something outside of JESUS will make me fall, BUT JESUS is the Truth I can believe in without fail.
• Today’s focus on self can cause me to not even want to listen to GOD, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT opens the ears to my heart so I can hear.

 

Ability to hear GOD begins with wanting to hear HIM and knowing I need HIM. I mean, when I do not want to change or want to get my own way, I quickly listen to people who say what “I” want to hear. When I find myself in trouble, I may stay there or seek “true” help from GOD.

 

Humans think they have the answer, BUT JESUS provided the truth, because HE is the answer. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believe in HIM and they can hear from GOD and adjust their lives. I am glad GOD is so generous and is willing to continue to pour out HIS SPIRIT on you and me.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer address uncertainty?
• Have you ever done something wrong that you knew you should not be doing?
• If you have sought after relative truth, will you seek the real truth by asking JESUS to come into your life and to pour out the HOLY SPIRIT on you today?

Approved

Approved

2 Peter 1: ¹⁶ We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. ¹⁷ We were there when he was given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

 

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“How will I know the person I am meeting?” I asked. The response was a description of the person followed by “he will be looking for you.” When I arrived, I could see a few people who could possibly fit the description, but he saw me looking and waved, as if to say “It’s me!”

 

• I needed to know the right person I was meeting.
• I needed a clear description of the one I was looking for.
• I needed someone to tell me “this is the one you are looking for.”

 

Peter, in his first letter, praises the people who sought after JESUS without ever seeing HIM. But in this letter he describes JESUS as the ONE everyone is looking for. He goes into detail about seeing JESUS and hearing GOD’s approval. He may have said this because he knew about false prophets who claimed to be the Messiah.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is the only being who GOD approved in front of many witnesses.
• GOD revealed JESUS to many people so there would not be any confusion as to who to follow.
• Witnesses were at the scene to help other people know who to follow.

 

Knowing who to follow is hard these days. I mean, anyone with a camera and a mouth can develop a relative truth to gain followers. This action requires no verification and feels good to the individual when the “like” or “subscribe” button is pressed. BUT GOD did something different with JESUS.

 

HE approved JESUS in front of many witnesses, letting everyone know who to follow. HE approved what JESUS did so false prophets would be revealed and the truth be shown. I am glad JESUS was revealed and I give HIM all the glory!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer go to great lengths to explain being a witness to JESUS?
• Have you ever been an eyewitness to something that needed clarification?
• Will you increase your faith in JESUS by believing HE is the ONE you need to follow without any doubt today?

Hearing Test

 

Hearing Test

Hebrews 3: ¹⁵ This is what the scripture says:

“If you hear God's voice today,
    do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were
    when they rebelled against God.”

 

¹⁶ Who were the people who heard God's voice and rebelled against him? All those who were led out of Egypt by Moses. ¹⁷ With whom was God angry for forty years? With the people who sinned, who fell down dead in the desert. ¹⁸ When God made his solemn promise, “They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest”—of whom was he speaking? Of those who rebelled. ¹⁹ We see, then, that they were not able to enter the land, because they did not believe.

 

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Wanting to be mad, I thought of all the “bad” things that had happened. Then I heard something within me say “Let it go. Your hatred is hurting you more than you know.” I had a choice. Let go of the hurt I replayed in my mind or move forward, carrying GOD’s love.

 

• I could not hear GOD when I was fuming.
• I could not hear other people when I was upset.
• I could not hear words of reason when I had anger, rage, slander and hurt in my heart.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, warns everyone to listen to GOD “today.” He mentions ancestors who heard GOD, but refused to obey as a warning to everyone. Their rebellion caused death and GOD promised they would never reach the promised land.

 

My Observations

• My stubborn heart is no match for GOD.
• Any time I rebel against GOD, I lose.
• Since GOD is pure love, my rebellion is against pure love.

 

Not listening to GOD is a huge mistake, I mean, when I hear HIM tell me “forgive that person” and I don’t, I am rebelling. HE wants me to voluntarily choose love as my path to all my relationships. The more I choose hatred, hurt, and slander, the harder my heart gets. After a while, I get friends who agree with my hatred and slander and we feel better spreading poison versus love. BUT GOD has a remedy

 

HE wants me to see that my heart is on its way to becoming hard and stubborn as those HE did not deliver into the promised land. HE can open my eyes to HIS promises, but I have to be willing to let go of things HE does not want me to have. I am glad GOD wants to be my guide, therefore, I choose to hear HIM.

 

Challenge

• What warning does the writer give?
• Have you ever knowingly done something wrong and now you have justified your wrong for so long, that it seems like there is no way back to right?
• Will you let go of things that are obviously wrong and allow GOD to rescue you and guide you with the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Being Sharp

 

Being Sharp

Romans 11: ⁷ What then? The people of Israel did not find what they were looking for. It was only the small group that God chose who found it; the rest grew deaf to God's call. ⁸ As the scripture says, “God made their minds and hearts dull; to this very day they cannot see or hear.” ⁹ And David says,

 

“May they be caught and trapped at their feasts;
    may they fall, may they be punished!
¹⁰ May their eyes be blinded so that they cannot see;
    and make them bend under their troubles at all times.”

 

 

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“OoWee! You look sharp!” someone told me as I donned my new suit. I felt pretty important walking around in a new suit. I heard the word “sharp” before but was never called it. Later in life, I met people who were moving up in the company. “That woman is sharp” they told me. I watched what she did and tried to emulate what I saw. I soon met other “sharp” people.

 

• I met many people who were classified as “sharp.”
• I met many people whose minds were classified as “sharp.”
• I met many people who led large crowds, who I thought were “sharp.”

 

The prophets and Paul talked about people who overlooked GOD. HIS chosen people denied JESUS being the Messiah so GOD made their minds and hearts dull. They can no longer see and hear GOD, so they follow who they label as “sharp.”

 

• GOD wants my heart so HE can keep it sharp.
• GOD wants my mind so HE can use it for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants my search to be over so HE provided JESUS.

 

Finding JESUS as the Savior keeps my mind and heart sharp. The news speaks of name after name. calling each person sharp or dull. BUT GOD is the only one who has the authority to do so.

 

HE blinds those who do not rely on HIS SON and sharpens the few who call on HIM for their troubles. I am glad JESUS entered into my life and ask that HE keeps my heart sharp for those HE wants me to bring to HIM.

 

• Are you trying to look good in front of people to gain their respect?
• Are you trying to mimic people who you think are “sharp?”
• Will you allow GOD to keep your heart and mind sharp by allowing JESUS to come into your life and  believe HE is the Savior of the world today?

First Response

First Response

Acts 10: ³⁰ So Cornelius said,  “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

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“Gullible” was the label placed on me with laughter. Questions were hurled at me with answers I did not know. I would to proud to say “I don’t know” so I went along with what people said. When I heard the laughter, I decided no one would fool me again. I became suspicious of motive, listening intently for lies.

• When I was hurt by liars, I became suspicious.
• When I was embarrassed by pranksters I became jaded to simply listening to anyone.
• When I was told one thing and watched people do another, I became slow to respond until I found out the “truth.”

Cornelius quieted down, fasted and prayed to GOD. He heard from GOD that his prayers and alms were remembered. His first response was to obey what GOD told him without doubt. Peter did the same. He went to a group of people who did not look nor act like him. Peter was obedient to the point of bridging the gap between races.

• GOD wants my first response to be that of love.
• GOD wants my first response to also include seeking people for HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants my first response to also include faith, compassion, mercy and grace.

It is not easy to have my first response to be focused on GOD. I mean when “that” person says the right thing, my first response is to react, probably in a negative way. BUT GOD gives me a “second” chance. HE wants me to pause for a “second”, think about my response and use my “second” response as my first.

Obedience to GOD grows my faith. I am grateful GOD gives me a second chance.

• What is your first response when things go wrong or when someone wrongs you?
• Do you react to people quickly and respond negatively?
• Will you change your first response to include GOD so HE can use you for HIS amazing plans today?

Pondered Answers

Pondered Answers

Acts 10: ¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

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“LORD, am I serving YOU well?” were words I asked after a sermon. Months prior, a preacher had preached on serving GOD so HE can say “Well done MY good and faithful servant.” Not too long after my pondering, a preacher asked another question. “Will you come with me on a trip to a country in Africa to tell people about CHRIST?” “Hold on now, that answer came too quickly.”

• There have been times when I pondered what GOD wants from me and HE gave me an answer I was not ready for.
• There have been times when I asked GOD “What is the purpose?” but when HE shows me the purpose, I question if I am really hearing from HIM.
• There have been times when I wondered if GOD hears me but when HE asks me to do something out of the ordinary, I make excuses or doubt what HE said.

Peter pondered the vision GOD gave him. He could not grasp its meaning. Why would GOD make Peter go against the rules by making him eat unclean, common animals and bugs?

GOD answered Peter, “I made them clean and what I make clean, do not call common.” As Peter thought about the vision, people who he considered “unclean” asked for him. GOD said “Go with them and do not doubt.”

• GOD speaks to me daily.
• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS daily.
• GOD wants me to act on what HE tells me without doubting.

Getting back to the question posed to me about serving in a country in Africa. I nervously said “Okay, I’ll go.” I did not know what to expect. GOD blessed me with the opportunity to speak to many people about JESUS and they believed, even though I was not a preacher.

I simply told the people JESUS saved me. I no longer had to drink and chase sex and parties, leaving my life empty. They believed. This opened my eyes to GOD’s purpose. I am grateful GOD wants to use a sinner like me.

• Is GOD calling you to do something?
• Are you making excuses for what GOD is calling you to do, yet asking “What is GOD’s purpose for you?
• Will you accept GOD’s purpose and seek the lost HE sends you to today?

Devout Contrast

Devout Contrast

Acts 2: ⁵ And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” ¹² So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

¹³ Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

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Not as vested, I blew off another class. I mean the prior classes were boring and gave no vital information, or so I thought. When I decided to go to class, there was a pop quiz on what was discussed in the class I missed. I failed miserably.

• There have been times when I was not dedicated to what I was doing.
• There have been times when I decided not to listen to what was being said.
• There have been times when I have been present physically, but my mind was somewhere else.

People devoted to GOD from every nation, gathered in Jerusalem. Perhaps the news of JESUS healing the sick and performing other miracles brought them there. GOD spoke to those who were devoted to HIM and to those who were not. Only the devoted could hear the marvelous works of GOD. Others made fun of what they could not understand.

• GOD wants my devotion so I can hear HIM.
• GOD is excited to speak to me as long as I am willing to listen.
• GOD speaks to me with purpose in mind.

When GOD speaks, it is special. HE wants every nation to be saved and has plenty to say about this. Unfortunately when I am not devoted, I cannot hear what HE has to say. My worries and my concerns block out HIS message of purpose. BUT GOD still speaks every day. HE never gives up. I am glad HE cares for me and comes after me daily.

• Are you hearing GOD but are not listening?
• Do you mock those who hear from GOD?
• Will you stop trying to make GOD speak the way “you” want to hear HIM and devote yourself to HIM so you can hear what HE has to say?

Hearing the Truth

Hearing the Truth

John 18: ¹⁹ The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. ²¹ Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

²² And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

²³ Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

²⁴ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

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“Your car is dying” were the words I could not accept. “Maybe I have more life than expected” I thought to myself. I did not have money to buy a car, nor fix the one I had. I drove on my occasional trip that would take about two hours, but this time it took eight. The car kept breaking down on the side of the road. I had to accept the truth.

• Sometimes I don’t want to hear no more bad news.
• Sometimes I don’t want to face life’s challenges.
• Sometimes I don’t want to accept the obvious answer to a huge problem.

Annas, a high priest, asked JESUS about what HE taught. He was trying to get JESUS to confess to heresy. The tense situation was magnified when one of the soldiers struck JESUS. This soldier did not want to hear the truth that JESUS spoke, nor did the church leader.

Accepting JESUS means accepting HE is the truth. Being GOD, HE knew the decree of the FATHER,  that if anyone sins, they deserve eternal separation from HIM. JESUS volunteered to be the sacrifice that would redeem those who sinned and believe HE did this for them.

Unfortunately, JESUS has become a figurehead to a club of people who do nice things in the name of the brand of church they attend. Yes, JESUS is mentioned, sometimes in the right context. BUT GOD can see through humans down to the heart. HE wants me to speak HIS truth of redemption through HIS SON and that is it. I accept the truth of GOD.

• Are you wrestling with finding the “truth?”
• Do you think sinful humans have found the truth for which you would base your life on?
• Will you allow GOD to turn your heart to HIM so HE can speak the truth through you today?