ARE WE LISTENING?

                                                           ARE WE LISTENING?

What does it mean to listen?  Webster’s Dictionary defines listen as, “To try to hear something; to pay attention.”  In other words, listening is an action and it is not passive.  We can hear something but not necessarily listen to what we hear.  The following are Bible verses that are about listening:

In Matthew 13:13, Jesus said, “Though seeing they do not see; though hearing they do not hear or understand.” (NIV)

 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.  Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.  Isaiah 28:23 (NIV)

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.  Psalm 116:2 (NIV)

Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”  John 8: (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  Luke 11:28 (NIV)

They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  1 John 4:5 (NIV)

What are we listening to?  Are we listening to what the world is telling us---which is mainly doom and gloom, or are we listening to what God is telling us?  We need to listen to God.  We need to guard our ear gate (our ears) and also our eye gate (our eyes) in what we hear and what we watch.  How do we do this?  We do this by reading the Word of God.   Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”  (NLT)  We also need to come before the Lord in prayer.  This is very important because it is during this time especially that God, through the Holy Spirit, speaks to our hearts.  We also must listen to His voice during the day.  It is still difficult for me at times to decipher what is from me, the evil one, or God but I believe that the more we spend time with Him, the more we will recognize His voice.  Also, listen to Christian music, especially praise and worship, to get into the presence of the Lord.

We are bombarded every second of the day with media, in whatever form.  It is important to keep up with the news to a certain extent but we need to fall back on what God is telling us.  God’s message is a message of hope.  God created us to live with Him eternally.  He has a special plan for our lives.  When we surrender our lives to God, He comes in and shapes and molds us.  We are who God says that we are, not what the world says.  In Ephesians Chapter 1 Paul says that we are chosen, we are blessed; we have redemption through the blood of Jesus and forgiveness of sins; we have been given wisdom and understanding.

In Matthew chapter 13:4-13, Jesus spoke a parable about a sower who went out to sow seed: “As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  ¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.   ¹⁴In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.   ¹⁵For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their yes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ ¹⁶But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. ¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

In other words, I believe that you can hear something but maybe you are not listening because as the seed that fell to the ground, it is how it was received and activated or ignored or not comprehended.  There are also those who, because of persecution or the worries of life and the accumulation of wealth, reject the Word.  We must ask the Holy Spirit, Who is the Counselor, to give us discernment, especially at this time when there is so much deception (lies) that are being heard as truth.  We need to be alert and watchful and guard what we hear and also what we see.

There is a cartoon that we have on our refrigerator that has a person with a cell phone walking from the city out into the country and the further she gets, the less signal she is receiving until it is completely gone and the caption reads:  “Sometimes you have to lose the signal to get the message.”  (“Rose Is Rose”)

So let’s tune into to God and tune out the voices, noises, in the world that are keeping us from receiving the message, the truth, which is in God so we can live the life that God has ordained for us and follow the path that He is leading us on and not let the world be the loudest voice that we hear!

CONSOLATION

                                                             CONSOLATION

The following words are words that I believe I received from the Lord at different times during a season of trials.  They are words of encouragement and words of love that I believe are for others who need these words at this time.

God is so loving and He speaks to us in many ways guiding and giving us strength through difficult seasons.   He gives us encouragement and He is always there to uplift us.  The Holy Spirit is the Comforter Who will always whisper the love of the Father to you and will be your counselor and consoler.  All we need to do is be still and listen.

May 10, 2014  “My child, you are a masterpiece; a work of the Potter’s hand.  For I molded, shaped and formed you in your mother’s womb for a purpose.  Kindled in the fire of adversity and fashioned with the Potter’s hand, you are a masterpiece; My masterpiece.  The fires of adversity, the fires of pain, the fires of rejection are a kindling used for My purpose.  Stretch forth your hand in acceptance of My will.  A pot needs to go into the fire; needs to be fired, before it is ready (to be used).  You are ready.”

March 13, 2016  “Child of mine, tragedy springs forth in beauty, restoration and joy.  There is a new season springing forth.  The cross that I was crucified on was dead but resurrection brings beauty, joy, and restoration.  A seed when it falls to the ground is dead but the rain and the sun spring it forth and it is made new again.  Morning, evening, dusk, dawn.  Life is a cycle and there are seasons for joy and seasons for pain.  Come into the new season of joy ever after and peace ever after.  As the dew lilts on the greenery, so My Spirit lilts on your soul giving it refreshment and peace.”

I hope and pray that the following scriptures will encourage you and give you strength and peace:

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9  (NIV)

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28  (NIV)

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8  (NIV)

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  II Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.  Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

KEEPING GOD IN A BOX

KEEPING GOD IN A BOX

Have you ever heard the expression, “keeping God in a box”?  It is a familiar expression but it is a very disturbing one.  How can anyone contain the God of the universe?  Psalm 139:7-10 says, “Where could I go from Your Spirit?  Or where could I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead) behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

In Job 38:4-6 says, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Declare to Me, if you have and know understanding.  Who determined the measures of the earth, if you know?  Or who stretched the measuring line upon it?  Upon what were the foundations of it fastened, or who laid its cornerstone.”

It is obvious from these scriptures that God is omnipotent and omnipresent which means that He is powerful and He is in existence everywhere at once.  God also goes where He wants in the person of the Holy Spirit.  John 3:8 says, “The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

A box is a container.  It is confined by its dimensions.  Has the Church, the Body of Christ been confined to the four walls of the Church buildings?  I think so.  Christianity is not about religion.  Religion is man’s way of reaching God and Christianity is God reaching out to us through His Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Religious leaders did not recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.  They had their own concept of Who the Messiah would be ignoring the scriptures that pointed to Jesus and Who He is.  They essentially put God in a box.  They thought He would be an earthly King, someone of renown but He came in humility.

Do we put God in a box?  In many ways, unfortunately, we do.  How many churches, denominations allow the manifestation of the Holy Spirit?  Some are afraid that if they do, they will lose some of their congregation.  Why are they afraid to lose people?  I think in many instances it is financial.  The Almighty Dollar becomes their god.

In our own lives, we have witnessed this.  We were the worship leaders in a healing ministry that was supposed to be Charismatic.  The reason I say supposed to be is that the gifts were not really encouraged.  Other things took priority.  Many times before the service we would be getting to high praise and someone would stop the praise and worship and start making announcements.  We left when the priest said to only sing songs that were going to be sung during Mass.

Another example about putting God in a box was when we had to walk away from our Praise and Worship ministry within another ministry because they started controlling what we would sing and not sing.  They would approve the songs.  Their reasoning was that people have to know the songs.  It was very disappointing because at the last gathering we sang songs that God through the Holy Spirit had chosen for us to sing and it was one of the most powerful Praise and Worship that we had ever experienced in our ministry but it was brought to task.  The Holy Spirit told us very definitively to leave because there was a controlling spirit.

When is the Body of Christ going to wake up and let the Holy Spirit do what He wants to do?  He needs to have full reign.  The Holy Spirit will only go where He is welcomed.  We need to welcome Him and let Him have His way.  If we did this I believe you would see the Book of Acts in a mighty way.  We need to move towards this way of thinking.  Someone recently said that the latter reign of the Holy Spirit before Jesus comes back is “the book of Acts on steroids!”

Jesus preached in the synagogue but He was not confined to the four walls of it.  He went out to the people and where they were.  We, as the Church, need to reach out beyond the four walls of the Church.  Yes, there are many churches that do this but I believe there needs to be more.  We need to live our faith in the work place, in the city or area that we live, among our friends and relatives and in our very homes.  Doing this is bringing the love of God to others.  And by the way, it also means to stand for our beliefs even if it means losing friends or even a job.  We need to count the cost.  People are looking for God and we need to be a living Gospel to others.

Let’s not wait for the right time.  The right time is now.  I think so many of us think that we need to wait on God, when God is waiting on us.  After the apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, they could have just kept the experience to themselves but they were on fire; an unquenchable fire that could not be contained.  The Holy Spirit is an unquenchable fire that cannot be contained.  Don’t let the world or even the church dictate what you can and cannot do if you are seeking the manifestation of God here on the earth.  Why do you think so many people were drawn to Jesus?  They saw the miracles and signs of God’s love and because of this, many came into the Kingdom of God.   Lord set a fire in our souls that is unquenchable!!

WHAT IS REST?

 

                                                                         WHAT IS REST?

What is rest?  According to the dictionary it means, “The act or state of ceasing from work, activity, or motion; quiet.”  It also means, “peace, ease or refreshment.”

The following are scriptures about rest:

And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.  Genesis 2:3

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. ~Psalm 62:1-2

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ~Psalm 91:1

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. ~Psalm 116:7

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil    people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.  Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”  Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)

On August 10, 2016 the Lord gave me the following words:  “Child of mine, rehearsing the future is futile.  Rely and rest and be content in Me moment by moment.  Refresh your spirit in My Word each day.  Rest in Me.  Live in Me.  Be filled with My peace and directions from My Word and My presence will precede you.  Watch, pray, and rest in Me for I am the author and finisher of Your faith. (Hebrews 12:2)  Watch, trust, rest for in so doing My Shekinah Glory will be made manifest in you and through you.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”

Some have said that when we work, God rests.  When we rest (in God) God works!!  Why did God rest after He had created everything?  I believe because He was finished and He wanted to enjoy His creation.  After a painter paints a masterpiece, would he or she not stop and admire the beautiful painting?

When we completely surrender to God, He will do what only He can do.  Yes, we need to do our part for the most part depending on the need, but when we rest in God, He takes over and does it His way.  I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed to the Lord about something and I have said these words, “Lord, I rest in You,” and the problem many times worked out without any intervention on my part.  Sometimes it was a small problem and sometimes it was a much bigger problem.

 So don’t be restless when you encounter a problem.  If you rest, less, in Him, then you won’t find true rest.  In other words, resting in God means that you trust Him completely and you will find peace and strength to carry any burden that you are carrying.  Remember the scripture,
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:30 (KJV) 

A Prayer for Rest by Rachel Wojo

Dear Father,

This world seems to move faster and faster
And I’m trying to keep up.
But God, in the whirlwind,
Instead I get caught up.
Like an unbeatable force it pulls me in
But I know eventually I cannot win.
I must learn to rest in your perfect peace
And though good, let all endeavors cease.
Oh that my feet would mimic your pace.
So your joy would be set on my face.
Help me, Jesus, to slow down when you would.
Help me, Lord, to rest as I should.
Thank you for loving me just as I am;
Thank you that rest is part of your plan.
Amen.

Rest From Anxiety by Ashley Nicole

Father, I pray that You fill me with Your presence in this moment as I put aside worries, anxieties, and striving and pick up Your rest. I pray that You would grant me Your peace as I stop wondering about the how’s and why’s of life. Help me to remain focused solely on Your goodness. I seek after You and You alone. I surrender my heart and soul to You. I surrender my plans and my goals and my aspirations and lay them at the altar. I choose to seek those things that You place before me. I choose to seek Your kingdom. I know that You will provide everything I need to do Your will. Amen