Matthew 11:15:

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Revelations 3:22:

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

1John 4:5-6:

“5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

By definition, to hear is to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something).

To hear is an activity that requires total participation. Our hearing must be exercised daily so it can be sharpened. Just because a person has fully functioning ears does not mean they hear (or perceive) what is being said or even going on around them.

Can you hear?

Truthfully, how many times have you been in conversation with some who totally did not hear (understand) what you were saying. When they recounted the information back to you it was almost opposite of what you actually said?

Hearing is a skill that we all must work at to perfect.

The same is so when it comes to hearing God. The Bible says the spirit speaks expressly or clearly (1Timothy 4:1). Yes, Gods speaks to us so clearly that there is no opportunity to misunderstand. However, in this same verse, the Bible also explains how we miss what is being said:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

When we depart from the faith (or our totally committed walk with God), we open ourselves up to ideology that opposes God. This now clouds our ability to hear what the spirit of God is saying to us.

Can you hear?

The ability to hear is crucial for the believer because Gods words are spirit and life (John6:63). It is this word that frames and guides our life. It is our foundation and strength. To hear them are our life’s blood.

If you are at the point where you feel you are not hearing from God, it is time to spiritually clean your ears. It is time to turn off distractions and focus back on God exclusively. It is time to set a rigid schedule. Read and meditate on the holy word of God. Fast and pray. Then settle your self to hear. Set an atmosphere of praise and worship – listen to what God is saying.

Once your spiritual ears are clear and hearing properly again. Ask God to show you how to organically include this same atmosphere in your daily routine. You can lose the rigid schedule, but maintain what you have gained.

Now, you can hear!

God is always speaking. He gives us our daily bread. The problem was most of the time our ears were clogged to his voice.

John 10:27: “My sheep (children) hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

We must be able to hear God to follow him effectively.

We must be able to hear God so that we can identify when someone is saying things that oppose God.

Now, you can hear and identify what is NOT God!

These are false prophets. 1John 4:5-6 let’s us know that these people are out there and they have a huge audience and they speak loudly. Sadly enough – the world hears them, and pays attention.

We must guard ourselves that we do not get caught up in their foolishness. We must always stand on the true word of God. Even when it is not popular or when it seems people do not want to hear it.

Happy hearing! Have a blessed day!

1 John 3:22-23

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

God is an amazing God, who loves us and desires to bless us abundantly!

We talked previously of obedience and God requires that from us above all. Including any gift or sacrifice we would bring him. To obey God’s word, to keep his commandments is the biggest indicator of our love toward him. Beyond that is to love his people, or all those that he loves and those for whom he died. It is safe to say this includes everyone.

Because God knows his children, he understands it is challenging to love some. He is also faithful to us. Obedience affords us answered prayers. It is not payment it is a benefit. It is about our character.

The child of God, who walks according to his word, can have the assurance that whatsoever he/she asks of God will be received.

It’s about spiritual growth. Just as Solomon prayed before God asking for wisdom to govern his people Israel. Because his request was not selfishly for riches, God gave him both. It was the character of Solomon that pleased God.

For us, as we walk with God exercising obedience, faith and love, God is also working on us. He is molding, shaping, and pruning us. The things we go through on this journey is purging character flaws from us along the way. Because we are becoming better, our heart and intentions are lining up with God’s will. Therefore the things that we ask will reflect this new man.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This newness translates into new wants and desires. If we examine ourselves and see who we are now after having time walking with God, versus the old man; that person we used to be. Hopefully we will see a huge godly change.

This is a benefit of serving God!

True change is possible. But to be honest, it is only through God that it is lasting.

We can change on our own for a time. But generally speaking when a challenge comes to test if the change is real, we tend to revert to old ways. How many times have we seen people try quit smoking, lose weight, stop being mean, stop lying, or other character flaws on their own. Only to revert back, gain more weight, or just get even worse in general?

However, when God does it, the change is everlasting and can withstand the test of time and any challenge that comes against it

It is the “in God” aspect that causes us to become new. Only then does the old man pass away. This includes the make up or character of that old man. This is true change!

This is the benefit of serving God!

So, come to God and be new. Come to God, serve him, please him, and receive whatsoever you ask. The new man will ask for things that will please and glorify God.

Have a blessed day!

1 John 3:18

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth

Contrary to popular opinion love is hard.

It requires us to care about someone else’s needs, comfort, well-being, and happiness over our own. Love is selfless. It requires forgiveness – over and over again.

Love encourages us to look beyond current circumstances and see the potential.

Love is challenging to say the least. But love is also well worth the effort it requires.

Love is not lazy! It is action. To “talk” love is easy. However, true love is seen in action.

Love in action is not just seeing the sick, the hungry, or the homeless. Love is working to meet help each of those needs. Love is forgiving those who have sinned against you. Love is praying for those who use and persecute you.

Love is hard and requires a lot from us all. But because a thing is hard, does not mean that thing is impossible. What it does mean, on the other side of that thing, there is victory, and spiritual growth!

Showing love exhibits God to those who may not know him, or know him to the level they need. As we show love we put God on a platform for people to see. Remember, we are the only view of God people may ever see. Our life in action should exemplify God’s love.

For this reason, as we work on God’s behalf, we are also changed. We grow and increase as we exercise the love of God that is in us. God prepares us for this duty. He must prune and shape us. This is spiritual growth – allowing the love of God to have center stage in our life.

Love is hard because it often opens us to pain. But just as the pain of the cross did not deter Jesus from dying for the world, we must not be moved either. We must sometimes endure pain to let love flow.

Yes, we could walk away and give up. But where is the victory in that? Where is the growth?

If it is of God, it is well worth the temporary pain.

True spiritual growth is all about love. Stay in the race and grow!

Have a blessed day.

Our reactions to the randomness of life shows us who we are. Sometimes we react well, sometimes poorly.

In our attempt to remain Godly consistent is to follow God’s instruction – always start from a standpoint of love.

Love will have you do things differently – better even. Love will help us handle, and guide us through, the randomness of life.

So, as we travel into this weekend let us practice love.

Love is an action word. It requires conscious effort on our part. It’s a decision we must make – to choose love instead of hate. Love will make us treat people better. Love will make us pray for people, and not to retaliate against them for the things they have said or done.

So here’s to love! Have a great and blessed weekend!

Jeremiah 29:32

“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.”

Rebellion, by definition is an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler. The action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention.

Spiritual Rebellion is knowingly going against or causing others go against God’s will, purpose, plan, or rule. It is false representation of God. It involves dressing a lie up as truth, and encouraging others to buy into it. It is an attempt to over throw God.

God so hates rebellion that he equates it to witchcraft.

1 Samuel 15:23, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

Rebellion will always carry a stiff penalty from God. It caused Saul to be rejected as King. It caused death of false prophets and to end of male babies from an entire blood line.

Rebellion is extreme disobedience. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” – James 4:17.

Our flesh will have us believe that if we go against God, we can off him a sacrifice or gift in an attempt to cover our guilt. But God says, in 1 Samuel 15:22, that our obedience is better than any sacrifice we could offer him. In other words there is nothing that we can offer to God that will take the place of our obedience to him. Nothing else will do!

We live in a time where the prevailing thought is to please yourself. To live your best life, and so on. But in all of our “living” we cannot forget God.

We have responsibilities that God is expecting us to accomplish. We have people who are depending on us to do things the right way (God’s way). Our life is to be an example to a lost and dying world. If we do just as badly as they, where is the hope?

God cannot afford to allow us to consistently live below his standards. We must live up to the call on our lives.

Any sacrifice we must make toward this goal is well worth it. Some things are hard to hear, but are so very needful for our success.

Have a successful and blessed day!