Good Reception

John 1: ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

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Excited to test them outside, I handed one to a friend. We were camping and I wanted to see just how far I could be heard on my walkie-talkie. As we moved away from each other I said “Can you still hear me?” “Yes!” the other person said in the two way radio. My message was heard.

• Sometimes when GOD speaks I am too far away to hear HIM.
• Sometimes when GOD speaks I have too much interference to listen to what HE is saying.
• Sometimes when GOD speaks I voluntarily turn my “receiver” off so I can do my own thing.

The WORD was in the world and while the world was made by HIM, it did not recognize HIM as GOD. They turned off the radio’s of their hearts so they could no longer hear HIM. BUT GOD gave the right to become HIS children to those who allowed themselves to have “good reception.”

• GOD wants me to keep the ears to my heart open so I can hear HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to receive HIS marvelous blessings each and every day.
• GOD wants me to see HIM with my heart so I can do the things I was “born” for.

Receiving GOD means believing in HIS name or reputation or status. I mean I must believe HE is who HE says HE is and recognize HIS power over everything. HE is my guide and I should believe HE can handle any and every problem that arises. Everything must be place under HIS decisions so that they can be “born” of GOD. I give GOD my all.

• Can you hear GOD in your life or are you listening to yourself?
• Has GOD been speaking to you, telling you to spread HIS great news?
• Will you open your heart to HIM and allow HIM to speak through you today?

Greatest Conversation

Matthew 17: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

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Somehow, Peter knew who Moses and Elijah were without ever seeing them or meeting them. He was out of his mind as he blurted out his desire to help. I wonder what they were doing there. What were they discussing?

• On a daily basis I can have a conversation with GOD.
• Each and every day I can discuss JESUS for whom the FATHER is well pleased.
• Daily I can seek to talk about JESUS with others.

Listening to JESUS is the most important conversation I could ever have. THE FATHER makes it very clear that I should do so. HE showed JESUS in a transfigured manner letting me know there is more to JESUS than what is written.

• Are you listening to yourself or JESUS?
• Are you quieting down to hear HIS voice?
• Can you stop talking about humans and talk about JESUS today?

I Just Have to Shout

Jeremiah 20: ⁹ But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
    indeed, I cannot.

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In a selfish rant I said “I will not serve YOU” and I walked away from the church for years. I mean my life didn’t seem any better than those who were not serving GOD. I figured I could sin as much as I wanted and be better off, but something kept me from going away.

• There were times I wanted to walk away from GOD.
• There were times I wanted to leave GOD and try life “on my own.”
• There were times I wanted to get away from GOD and all of HIS rules and just be as free as I wanted to be.

Freedom came with a price. Something inside of me said this was a terrible mistake and I should reconsider, but my heart was stubborn. I no longer had to be bored at church or listen to music that did not have a rhythmic beat. I could live off of my wits because people had said I was smart. When troubles hit, I stood my ground. Then they kept coming. Wait; is it too late to reconsider GOD?

• GOD is not a concept, HE is GOD.
• GOD’s word is not a set of rules that keep me from “fun” rather they are HIS declarations of what HE already put in motion.
• Serving GOD is quite optional and the more I do it, the more HE blesses me with HIS care and protection.

Many people have tried to leave GOD on their own terms, I know I did. They study ways of healing people and leave out GOD all together. I wanted to try and failed miserably. GOD welcomed me back and put HIS word in me. It lit me on fire and I cannot keep it inside of me. I absolutely have to tell someone about the GREAT NEWS ABOUT JESUS. HIS death took away my sins and HIS resurrection sealed my eternal life. I am so grateful I have to tell everyone!

• Do you hide your relationship with GOD?
• Are you scared to tell others about your belief in JESUS?
• Will you open your mouth and tell people about what GOD has done for you?

Flattering Words

Jeremiah 15: ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.
²⁰ I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.
²¹ “I will save you from the hands of the wicked
    and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

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“Suck up” were the words spoken in one of my leadership classes. I was outraged when I heard this and quite insulted that using empty flattery would work. They wanted me to cater to egos larger than the buildings they were in. I tried it and it worked. I was “In the club.”

• There have been times where I have turned to the ways I did not want to turn to.
• There have been situations that I have used a fake smile in order to get ahead.
• There have been people I have catered to in order to gain their approval when I should have taken a firm stance against their ways.

Greedy, lustful, power-hungry egos require feeding and from what I gathered, I did not have to “become” that kind of person, just cater to it. What is the difference!? Each moment I spent with that crowd was a moment I could have spent with GOD.

• GOD wants me to repent so HE can restore men.
• GOD wants me to utter “worthy” words which means I have to talk about HIS wrath as well as HIS love.
• GOD wants me to stand firm on HIS ways even when it means I will not be as successful from a worldly point of view.

I sat in the car longer one day. I absolutely could not “leave myself” in the car and pretend to like, agree or cater to this group any longer. GOD was stirring my heart to listen to HIM more than reading between the lines of those who could care less about HIM. I had to seek GOD instead of seeking a title. HE humbled me and I appreciate HIS ways.

• Are you running after a group who could care less about GOD?
• Do you spend an enormous amount of time doing something that would not please GOD?
• Have you considered asking GOD “What would YOU like me to do” rather than asking HIM for help on what you “want” to do?
• Will you read about HIS ways and place HIS words on your lips?

Can I Hear God?

2 Chronicles 33: ¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

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“Why did I just lie?” was the final straw. At this point I was lying for no reason at all. There was nothing to gain so in all respects I was lying to myself. It wasn’t the lie that brought me around, but the question. Where did that question come from?

• There are times when I hear GOD and I choose to ignore HIM.
• There are moments when GOD is telling me to do something and I sit back and close my ears.
• There are periods where I am throwing a tantrum and I refuse to do what GOD is saying.

GOD speaks to me each and every day.  HE placed HIS laws in my heart as HE did every human HE made. HE says “Forgive that person” or “Don’t do that this time” or “Be Strong, do not be discouraged” to me and in my own bumbling way I ignore what HE says.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word so HE can speak to me.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so HE will make me fruitful.

GOD speaks to me through HIS creation when I can see growth, sun and rain. It’s up to me to appreciate it.  GOD speaks to me through people in calm and trying situations. It’s up to me to praise HIM about it. GOD speaks to me through HIS Bible. It’s up to me to absorb what HE is saying. GOD speaks to me through the HOLY SPIRIT who brings me comfort. It’s up to me to receive peace.

GOD speaks to me daily. HE wants me to speak back to HIM.

• Are you confused or fearful?
• Have you ever asked “How can I hear GOD?”
• Can you stop and look around and see what GOD is saying to you right now?
• Will you let GOD permeate your heart?