I'm Listening!

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1

ATTENTION ALL WHO BELIEVED A LIE AND FOLLOWED A MOCKER!

When we listen to God and know He speaks to us because we understand His Word, we avoid falling into the snares and pits plotted for us by those who choose to lie and make a mockery out of those things we hold dear and sacred.

Traditions--established to maintain continuity and stability--especially in how our nation functions--should not be abandoned for the sake of ego. Now we see the consequences daily of ignoring traditions and respecting those which keep us safe from harm.

Those in the White House have disrespected its purpose, its honor, and the history of maintaining order so all Americans can feel safe.

There is no order or stability in the midst of chaos.

There is no honor or integrity in lying and mocking the most important position of the land--governing the people--who will not tolerate a dictator.

I do pray that all the Republicans and Evangelicals, who are about to see how The Lord reveals truth and exposes wickedness thought hidden, can handle the repercussions of promoting a pathological liar whose only desire in obtaining access to the White House was to assuage his ego and to humiliate President Obama and all he tried to do for the benefit of all Americans. No true Believer would have taken part in this mockery of justice and who we are in Christ.

I am a true Believer and I'm listening to God and watching and warning! If people choose not to listen--that's their prerogative and they will have to deal with the consequences of not listening.

It's time for a change--a change in this country's views and actions that can only led by an Everyday American who understands--what all need to survive and thrive in this nation.

Listen From Within!

Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. See, they will come from afar— some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan. Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:1-13 NIV

Many people "hear" things and other people, but how many people "listen" from within--blocking out all the noise around them?

There is noise all around us--the sound of hate and bigotry, the sound of war and anger, the sound of pride and arrogance, the clanging, the whistling, the shouts, the moans and groans, the sounds of victory and defeat, the sounds--bombarding us, sometimes, making us cover our ears because of the deafening loudness. We hear all the noise from the outside that keeps us from hearing The Lord speak to our hearts--when we are unable to listen!

In times past--hundreds of years ago--the chosen prophets were the messengers of God and now--for all who are filled with Holy Spirit--and listen to Him, we are the messengers of God. But what message are we providing to the people? Is it our message or His message? If we are hearing the outside noises to the degree we cannot listen to Him, the message we deliver may not be His, but ours.

How do we know when we are delivering God's message and not our own? If what we are saying is based upon His Word and we have spent time with Him--in a position to hear and listen to Him, we can be assured that the message He has given us to share --is indeed, His message and not our own.

If we learn to listen--to Him--and tune out all the noise around us--we will always know the message is one of God's truths, not our own and the message will encourage all to seek Him and develop a right relationship with Him, not people. For if our relationship with God is right, He will give us favor with men and when we demonstrate the love He has poured into us with others, we will generate an environment of love--not hate, peace--not war, joy--not sadness; if we learn to listen from within!

Lord,
Unstop our spiritual ears that we may hear You above the noise and listen--intently to all You have to say and then stir up our hearts, renew our courage and boldness to obey You in all things whether others understand it or not. For it is to You and You alone we give glory and honor, for You are the only One worthy of our praise. Thank You for hearing and answering our call--always and for guiding us in doing the right thing at all times. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

Are We Willing To Listen To God!

Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Psalm 85:4-8 NIV

How many times must we ask God to restore us, revive us, renew us, and when He does, we turn away from hearing Him and do what we want to do--time after time?

Every time people repented--turned away from living in opposition to God--they called upon God and He responded to their cries. And every time He granted them restoration, revival and renewal of their spirits, they soon forgot and turned away from Him again, refusing to listen to Him.

Most people recognize the syndrome recorded in the Old Testament and even in the letters penned by those God called to preach the Good News. More than 2000 years ago, He proved how much He loved us and is yet responding to our pleas, but are we listening to Him in order to stop back-peddling, falling into the same traps from which we were delivered?

From what I've observed in others and in myself, we're falling short of acting in wisdom in all things. If we seek His wisdom before we do anything we would not have to keep requesting the same thing--restore us, revive us, renew us--over and over again. We complain about what's going on in the world, but have we paid attention to what's going on within each of us? If we're not willing to pay attention to what we do, how can we expect the world to change? If we're not listening to God--seeking solutions for all the problems we see--why should people listen to us--those who say we Believe?

Until Believers--no matter the denominational banner upheld--begin to seek God and hear Him when He speaks and obey, we're going to remain in this quagmire of sin--stinking up the heavens without disobedience--and we'll have no one to blame, but us.

It's past time, Saints for us to listen to what God is saying to us and obey. He sees, He hears, He knows and He is yet speaking to our hearts, but are we willing to listen?

Why Listening Matters!

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:1-5, 10, 11 NIV

There is so much more to be said about this passage, but space limitations in order to engage others must be considered. I encourage all to read and re-read, and re-read Proverbs--at any time, at all times because wisdom for all situations resides within these pages.

However, if we choose not to be wise then our fate is determined by our actions and choices. A person would have to be a complete fool to misunderstand what Solomon is saying--void of any desire to succeed according to the knowledge of God.

Not that most of us have not been foolish at one time or another. Like the time we didn't listen to parents because we thought they were simply being mean--not understanding that their rules were established to protect us. Or the time we ignored the teachers who were trying to guide us in accessing information that would help us later in life. Or the true friends who tried to warn us about an affiliation with those who were headed in the wrong direction and like lint clinging to wool--we clung to our rebellion and landed in the pits of despair. And don't forget the preacher--who may not have been living right, but preached The Word--and because we could see through them by looking at their lives--we chose not to listen.

Throughout Proverbs Solomon pleads for us to listen, hear and obey God's Word. If we dare to listen and obey--we'll see the kind of success that God has designed for us and stay away from those who only want to see us fail.

We have to learn to tune-out the naysayers and doubters and the frustrated and rebellious. They are bitter because they would not listen to Wisdom when they heard it and don't want us to listen either. It's time we cleaned out our ears--both physically and spiritually--and listen (not just hear) to what The Lord has to say to us. Are we listening yet?

Throughout Proverbs we are warned about wickedness, rebellion, adulterous behavior and laziness and encouraged to reap the benefits of listening to Wisdom and accepting the knowledge of God, understanding how He wants us to live. Will we heed the warnings and reap all the Good or will we ignore Wisdom and sink to the depths of wicked? The choice is ours and we must make it now for tomorrow is not promised and we may never get another chance to re-do anything!

Why There Is Power In These Seven!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. I Thessalonians 5:16-22 NKJV

I have seen a number of blog posts, articles, essays dealing with numbers and or promoting numbered steps to achieve anything. Usually, I avoid these simply because each numbered step may or may not work for everyone. But as I read this passage of scripture today, I realized there is indeed a methodology to seeing the power of God at work in our lives.

Rejoice always--the phrase, "don't worry, be happy" comes to mind. No matter what happens in our lives-the good, the bad, the happy, the sad, we can find something to rejoice about if we think about it. There are a number of jokes out there that would be applicable, but I want to bring this point with clarity. When someone loses a house in a fire or storm, we can rejoice when there is no loss of life. Things can be replaced--people cannot. Job managed to find peace within himself until he started listening to his friends. He had lost much. When we don't get the job we want--we can rejoice in the knowledge that there is something better waiting for us. We have to be like the battery bunny--know how to keep going, and going, and going.

Pray without ceasing--continuing to talk to God no matter what happens. This does not mean we keep saying the same thing over and over again; it means we keep communicating with Him who can change our circumstances in an instant. Most people only talk to God with they're in need, but we should always talk to Him and listen to Him on a daily basis. Prayer is not just asking--or petitioning God--it is communicating--talking to Him like we talk to one another. Think about it--if we're saying the same thing to people every time we talk to them, soon we stop listening because it becomes boring to hear. What makes us think that God doesn't hear what we say the first time? He's not forgetful and He's certainly not deaf.

In everything give thanks--for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. We need to thank God for the opportunities we have to learn from our mistakes and not just for the things we do well or what we receive. In sickness--give thanks for the strength to endure to the end. In poverty--give thanks for the will to rise above it. In turmoil--give thanks for His peace residing within. Now, notice this scripture says, "in everything" not for everything. There is a difference. When people do not know how to "rightly divide" The Word, they often lead people astray. In all of our circumstances we give thanks to God in whom we can count on to bring us out.

Do not quench the spirit--the Spirit of the Living God who resides within us, speaks to us--when we're willing to hear Him, guiding us at all times. Hear Him! Don't try to squelch His commands in order to fulfill the lust of the flesh. Heed what He has to say at all times!
Do not despise prophecies--from those we can ascertain are speaking God's Truth because we know God's Truth. When we know The Word, we know when someone who purports to being a prophet is actually hearing from God for what they say, will line up with The Word.

Test all things, holding fast to that which is good--by exercising the spirit of discernment we can determine if something is right or wrong for us. When things we do or want are not in opposition to God's Word, we maintain our integrity to keeping God's Word. If a person proclaims to be something and yet there is no evidence of it, disregard what they say. If the evidence is present, they have proven their credibility. This is almost like testing water temperature before we step into it. Water too hot will scald and too cold will chill.

Abstain from every form of evil--keeping away from all things that could be construed as evil or out of the will of God. This covers so much territory that I cannot begin to enumerate all of the facets of evil to which this would apply. There is an adage, "Birds of a feather flock together" that applies. If we hang out with the wrong folks, people will assume we are like the people with whom we associate. If they are liars, we'll be labeled a liar. If they are thieves, we'll be labeled a thief. This is why we should be careful in our associations with people.

IF--we can do these seven things--always keeping them in the forefront of our thinking, we will see the power of God working in our lives like never before and we can rest in His peace.

Why Jesus Said, "You Can't Hear God If You Don't Belong."

"Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:47 NIV)

When a mother hears her baby cry, in a room full of babies, she knows which one belongs to her. The same is true about children--for the most part. When they hear a parent call them in a crowded situation, they know their parent's voice. Why? The relationship established between child and parent is a strong bond, one that causes people to become "used" to hearing the voice pattern and tones.

When we have a relationship with God, a strong bond established by knowing His Word, we know when He is speaking and when He's not, because we know the intent of His Word as it pertains to our lives.

On the other hand, Satan has specific voice patterns and tones, too. He speaks the opposite of what God says and his purpose and intent for our lives is to kill, steal and destroy. He is a master of deception and the father of liars. How do we know? God says so in His Word and if we know His Word, we know who is speaking to us at all times. Let's listen to the conversation Jesus had with the Jews who disputed the claim of kinship--whose children were whose.

John 8:42-46

v. 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

v.43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

v.44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

v.45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

v.46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

If we meditate on what Jesus is saying, and think about all we have heard and from whom, we can determine who everyone's spiritual father is based upon God's Word. If we belong to God, we hear Him and obey because we know it's Him speaking to our hearts. If we encourage living in opposition to God's Word, manipulating God's Truth to entice people to lie, steal, kill or sin by any other means, we are saying Satan is our father. There are no blurred lines about this truth, no middle ground or gray area. Either we belong to God or we belong to Satan and anyone with a discerning ear, can tell who we are by what we say and do.

Remember when Jesus was baptized by John and spent forty days in the desert? Tired and hungry, He would have been vulnerable to Satan's attack had He not been who He was. When Satan manipulated The Word trying to deceive Jesus, Jesus simply spoke the Word, by saying, "It is written..." And when we know we are under attack by Satan, our response should be, "It is written" and say what God has already said. If we don't know what God has said, we cannot say what He says, and the enemy will use our lack of knowledge to manipulate and deceive--just as he is doing right now.

Satan has fooled and deceived many nations to the point where some civilizations no longer exist because people did not hear God, but listened to Satan's lies.

Know God's Word for yourself and when the devil raises his ugly head trying to deceive, speak what God said, but the only way that will happen is when you know God and belong to Him.

My Father is God, my Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit resides within me, reminding me daily of God's love and His Word so I won't sin against God or people. That's because I belong to Him and my relationship with Him is cemented by His Word. Since He is not a respecter of persons, and I am not an only child, all who have a relationship with Him will hear Him and obey and ignore Satan's voice of deception because we know-- our Father's voice.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

When Wisdom Speaks, We Should Listen!

"Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:20,33)

From verse 21-thru verse 32--we see the results of what happens when we will not listen to Wisdom. Solomon--who is considered the wisest man who ever lived, by God--chooses to reference Wisdom with the pronoun--she--indicating a female gender. Perhaps, it is because of the all the females he had in his life--700 wives and 300 concubines--that he has finally seen the light and the lessons he learns from his associations with these women (out of disobedience).

We all learn lessons when we disobey--any of the rules, policies, laws established.  When we ignore posted speed limits and get a ticket--we should learn to pay attention adhere to the speed limit. When we disregard policies established on jobs and get fire--we should pay attention at the next job. When we text while driving and cause accidents--if we're not killed--we should learn a lesson and if we are, those around us should learn a lesson and not attempt to text and drive. There are always consequences for our actions and we are the only ones who can determine what consequence we'll face--whether positive or negative--by what we do.

When are we going to heed Wisdom's sound advice? When are we going to pay attention to God's Word and His messengers--who speak loudly and boldly from public venues, on social mediums, and everywhere we find a forum? The consequence for not listening is found in the verses --not listed--but important. We can move into a place where our blatant disregard of God's Word and His messengers puts us in position to "not be heard when we cry unto The Lord" to save us from our calamities. We will seek Him and won't find Him. We will call out to Him in pain and anguish because of all the horrible things happening around us and He will not respond. Are we there yet?

We cannot continue to scorn God's Word or His messengers who try to remind us that we must obey Him rather than man; we must seek Him for wisdom and wise counsel, rather than man. We must determine within ourselves that we will do all He has required us do--in order for mankind to be saved. Are we ready yet?

When Wisdom speaks--those who speak God's Word and it aligns with His Word, we should listen so He will listen to us and respond to our cries--of repentance and save us, now!

Are We Listening?

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7 NLT)

To whom is John referring? Certainly he is not referring to those who have "physical ears" because just about everyone has physical ears, but he said, "anyone" with ears. The anyone he references is those who have "spiritual ears" so they can hear what the Spirit of God is saying. If one does not have access to Holy Spirit living within, they will not have spiritual discernment to understand those things that occur in the spirit realm.

For those who do have Holy Spirit living within, the message then, is for them. They must listen and understand what He is saying to the churches (every body of Believers).

For those who disparage God's Word--they do so out a lack of knowledge. They are ignorant to how God operates and so naturally, they tend to denigrate anyone who claims to know and understand His Word. Ignorance--of anything--will always lead to doubt and scorn. Until these people are ready to acknowledge God, His Word is not meant for them, but for those who already profess knowledge of His Word and relationship with Him. This is why, He tells John that the church at Ephesus needs to repent and "turn back to Him" because they no longer love Him or one another. Are we yet, the Ephesus Church--no longer loving God and one another?

This turning back to God is a theme repeated throughout Old Testament scriptures and is still relevant today. The Word going forth from many is that it is time for us to "return to God and His ways" for surely His ways are better than ours. Whenever we "attempt to live" without Godly direction, we miss the mark and chaos ensues.

We have missed the mark and chaos is reigning throughout the land--in America, and across every body of water--unrest resides in the hearts of people and destruction becomes inevitable.

Are we listening to Holy Spirit? Is His message getting through to us? Are we ready to repent and turn back to God so we can be victorious in all things?

If we, as Believers, refuse to listen to Holy Spirit, how can we expect the unbelieving to hear us? Is our message the same as God's message or are we creating our own to draw people to us, instead of Him?

Believers must hear Holy Spirit and do what He says if we ever expect to see peace and love in the land. We must do things God's Way and be quick to tell those who do not understand God that we "agree with God" and lead by example--all to come to know Jesus!

Are we listening?

Search Me, O God!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139: 23,24 NLT)

How many people are willing to submit to microscopic inspection by anyone? Probably not too many. The greater issue is that God knows all and sees all and when He tells us what He sees--are we willing to listen and adjust?

In our society, many people are more concerned about what people think of them and as a result--they adjust--their opinions, what they say and what they do--to win the favor of people! They do not consider--God and His thoughts towards them; nor do they hear Him when He speaks and they certainly do not make adjustments to please Him because after all--He's God--He's not that important to them. That's the impression we get from the actions of "some people." What our attitude should be towards God is to please Him, not people, because people are too fickle and unstable. And then--people--do not have a heaven or hell for us--therefore, people should be the least of our concerns.

And this is why we hear the psalmist say, "Search me, O God...and point out anything in me that offends you." If we want to get living right for God--we have to be willing for Him to point out areas in our lives that need work and then we must be willing to hear and adjust. It is the hearing and adjusting that many simply do not want to do because any adjustment on their part would mean not giving into fleshly desire.

Who is God that we should listen to Him?

Every individual needs to answer this question for themselves. As for me and my house--we will serve Him, and listen and adjust to please Him--since He is the only wise God, Creator of all that was ever created, the One who loves me in spite of me, and has a place prepared for me--for all eternity--to be with Him--where peace and love abide. So, cut away O Lord, everything in me that is not of You and offends You, that I might live my life, pleasing You!

Dare--to ask God to search you, point out areas that need work and then listen and adjust. Move pride aside and submit to His inspection in order to please Him and watch how He works things out in your life.

Has He Spoken to You?

"On that day I will gather you together
and bring you home again.
I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,
among all the nations of the earth,
as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Zephaniah 3:20 NIV)

The true prophets spent a great deal of time encouraging, admonishing, and attempting to motivate the Children of Israel--always ready to speak what God spoke to (and through) them. When we understand the role of a prophet--we know that a prophet does not speak according to their flesh, but according to The Word of God as God speaks it. And we know--that God's Word is true and whatever He says, will come to pass--in His timing, not ours.

That was then. Now, we can hear directly from God through Holy Spirit and confirm that it is Him speaking when we know the Word. God is yet speaking to the hearts of His children and when we are in relationship with Him, we know it is Him speaking and we can count on whatever He tells us--it will happen--when He has designed it to happen.

Don't despair over the timing of things that God has spoken to your heart. He will do it and we know this because He is not a man that He should lie.

At the same time--don't listen to every person proclaiming to be a prophet. Many speak according to their flesh based upon the situation--they lie--attempting to convince and will say whatever they think someone wants to hear. And even though they attempt to manipulate The Word to make what they "sound" good, if what they say doesn't line up with The Word--don't listen. When a prophet speaks what God says (and He is still using some as prophets today) and it can be confirmed and aligned with The Word--meditate on what they say and go directly to the throne of God for yourself--before doing anything! When we hear a prophetic Word that is meant for us, it should be confirmation of something He has already spoken to us--not something new. strange, or bizarre.

Knowing The Word for ourselves will save us time and aggravation--and puts us in position not to be misled by those who would seek to misguide by their ability to manipulate the Word and prey upon a person's emotions. Know when God is speaking to you. If He has not spoken to you yet, keep listening and keep studying The Word. Chances are-He has spoken and you may not have known that it was Him!

Speak Lord--Your children are listening and ready to obey!

Can You Hear Him?

Shhh!

Can you hear Him?

Shhh!

Listen closely!

He speaks in a whisper,

In the roar of a storm

Or the quiet of night,

From beyond the natural,

Into the Spiritual realm—

Love flows and overwhelms

As He speaks—

Words of comfort

Words of encouragement

Words of instruction

Words that give life

Words that speak volumes,

In various translations

And languages of all nations,

To the remnant

Who will listen

And obey His voice.

Shhh!

Can you hear Him?

He’s speaking to

Our hearts—even now!

“My sheep know my voice and

Another they will not follow!”

“Love me with all your heart,

Soul and mind, Love your neighbor

As you love yourself.”

“You can do all things

Through Him who loves you

And is always with you!”

“Greater is He—Holy Spirit—

Who is in you than he—the adversary—

Who is in the world!”

“Did you not know?

Did you not hear?

I am not a man

That I should lie.”

“I am The Lord,

Your God; and I

Do not change my mind

Like fickle, unstable man!”

Shhh!

Can you hear Him?

He speaks what is already written

All we have to do is study

To show ourselves approved

Unto Him, teaching His truth

And not our own,

As we promote the Gospel,

The Good News to everyone

With an ear to hear!

Shhh!

Can you hear Him?

© 2014 Mary M. Hall-Rayford

What Does The Lord Say?

"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:7 NIV)

Solomon's instructions to his son have endured for the benefit of all mankind. The real question is--are we listening?

We listen to everyone who has something to say for just about everything--we know the lyrics of songs that do nothing to honor women or promote respect for others; we listen to naysayers who refute and oppose everything God says; we listen to those who attempt to change God's Word to support their fleshly desires that do nothing to benefit them or anyone else; we listen to the news media who seldom report anything good; we listen to family and friends who do not have a relationship with God and then they advise us; we listen to children telling us how unfair we are and given into their childish demands instead of parenting them; we listen--to just about everyone but The Lord.

If someone asks us what the Lord says about things--we stutter and stammer--trying to remember, but if someone asks us about an athlete or celebrity--we have a ready answer on our tongues. The real problem is-nothing the athletes or celebrities or anyone else has to say will pave the way into heaven--unless they are saying what the Lord says!

Getting into heaven is simple--we discover what The Lord says and do it. He has established a path for us and He is a shield for those who live right--according to His Word. Success on earth is guaranteed for those who hear what The Lord says. What does The Lord say? "If we keep His commands, then everything we put our hands to will have good success." (Joshua 1:7,8) Love--the ultimate obedience to keeping His commands--Him and others--for if we do this--we would not sin against Him or others and especially not our own bodies.

What do you hear The Lord saying to you?

Can You Hear Me Now?

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2 NIV).

Are we listening to God through His Word, when His spirit speaks to us or are we bombarded by the chaos that reigns in the midst of confusion and disobedience? I can only imagine what  God might be thinking about what is happening in the land, He created for our good.

"Good morning, children," God said.

"I have much to say to you concerning this world."

"On this planet, I had devised the means for your survival and even for you to prosper in it."

"On this planet, I had determined my purposes for your lives if you would surrender your all to me."

"Over and over again, I have sustained a remnant of people who will obey and do what I have asked them to do."

"Throughout the generations, I have loved you, warned you, and even sacrificed myself for you, yet you do not hear me."

"You have not heeded my warnings or learned from your past mistakes, and even when I attempt to correct you, you turn from me."

"You have defiled yourselves in all manner of abominations and turned what I have said is evil to good--for your own selfish purposes--to appease your flesh."

"You have ignored my teachings so your children will be upstanding, productive people and now instead they are whore-mongers, warmongers, and haters of self and parents, and me."

"You care more about what people think that what I have said and you constantly change your views to adapt to people, but you constantly ignore what I have said that does not change."

"You attempt to talk to me when things go south and then you expect me to act on your behalf as though I am a magician."

"You refuse to obey me, but you get angry when the consequences of your actions are made known to all."

"When I am attempting to talk to you about your behavior, you tune-me out or try to justify your actions."

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? I Am God and I change not, nor do my purposes for you change."

"Nevertheless, since you insist on doing things your way, I will abide by my word and remove my hand from your lives and allow the consequences to fall upon the just and the unjust."

"There is no more need to seek me for direction, when you refuse to hear me.  I will not hear you because you do not listen to those I have appointed and anointed for such a time as this."

"And when you hear the sounds of war knocking at your borders, do not wonder why.  You know why.  Do not point fingers at others until you have realized your part in all of the world's undoing."

"Know that I love you, but I will not tolerate your blatant disregard of my people, my Word, or those I purposed to serve your needs."

"Since you love the praise of men more than your relationship with me, and will praise others more than you praise me, I will leave you to serve what you desire and you will hear from me--no more!"

"C A N  Y O U  H E A R   M E   N O W?"

What is your response? O God, I hear and ask for Your abiding love to sustain us against evil and that You will create in us a heart to hear, a will to do, the courage to speak out against evil and a determination to get it all done, to Your glory! Cut away everything in our lives that keeps us from true repentance, so we may honor You with our lives!