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Sometimes, It's Best To Be Quiet!

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Proverbs 15:14 NIV

I'm sure most of us have had opportunities in which we have listened to someone talking, trying to make a point, but strayed so far from the point, people who were listening forgot why they were listening.

When I've encountered this situation (and I have a lot lately), I often wonder if people are listening to themselves.

First of all, The Word tells us, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks," (Matthew 12:34), if a person's mouth keeps speaking do we not see what's in their heart?

Then there are those who love the sound of their voice and forget that others are not that crazy about "their voice" but they're so wrapped up in themselves, they don't recognize when people start squirming and looking at watches.

Moving onto those who--when speaking to a new audience--make certain erroneous assumptions about the crowd to whom they're speaking. This is where the rubber meets the road and the speaker is found guilty of presuming--having no knowledge--thinking they are the only one "in the know."

Personally, based upon my experience in various environments, I've learned that any time a person has to tell me they are, "God-fearing" or a "Christian" they are not telling the whole truth. I'm more convinced by a person's actions as to who they are than I am by their words. And if your actions don't demonstrate what your words say--I'm not interested in anything else you have to say.

Okay, I won't bore you any longer with this diatribe, but I wanted to remind anyone interested--when speaking before people you've never met--don't try to impress them with a lot of talking,--just get to the point and sit down. Let your audience lead your speaking with their questions.

Everything Serves a Purpose!

I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.  Ecclesiastes 1:13-18 NIV

Some days, no matter how much we want to see the "point" of what we do, it simply escapes us.
After a great start on a rainy day, yesterday, the enemy made himself known and though I retained my composure and restrained from reacting to a situation until I could get a better handle on it, I understand--some things that happen are just meaningless and have no point.

Therefore, I will attempt to search deeper to find the meaning that I am obviously missing since I don't believe that things happen for no reason. Actually, I know exactly why things happened the way they did--it was the written proclamation and exhortation to prayer so we might all see changes in our society.

And just like that--it occurs to me that what I wrote yesterday frightened the enemy into action, hoping to silence me. Well, not a chance!

Thank You, Holy Spirit for revealing understanding even though I thought there was no point in what happened. There is always a point--some meaning--sometimes hidden, but worth seeking.
Hallelujah! I'm on the right track or the enemy wouldn't bother putting obstacles in my way.

Now, I understand and will continue this journey with gladness--no frowns, just smiles, and joy in my heart for the peace I have been given in order to keep moving forward. This just proves that even when we think--the events in our lives are meaningless--when we seek God, He shows us just how relevant everything that happens to us--really is.

My help comes from The Lord and nothing the enemy ever does will stop me from proclaiming God's goodness--from the rooftops and the valleys--in the streets and in the classroom, wherever I go, He goes and when I allow Him to show out--He does! Glory!

No weapon formed against us shall ever prosper and though we may feel defeated for the moment, victory in Jesus is still ours! Looking to Jesus for all we need!

When The Enemy Attacks, We Say What God Says!

"Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father."(I John 2:22-24 NIV) 

Just as John wrote to the churches, reminding them of who they are in Christ and His promise of eternal life because the enemy was trying to lead them astray (v.26), so too, do I write. My daily writings are reminders to those who Believe and Know God for themselves and understand that our relationship with Him, is supposed to be an intimate, individual relationship that is binds us together by love.

We cannot claim to know and love one--Jesus or The Father--without loving the other since they are One--in purpose and intent--to provide us eternal life with them.

There is only one reason that I can think of that confuses people about the relationship between Jesus and The Father. Very simply put, misunderstanding or no comprehension of John's relationship with Jesus to know that what He tells us is God's Truth and not his own. God is a Spirit--and we who worship must worship Him in spirit and truth. He loves us so much He came down from in the likeness of flesh--called Himself Jesus (He told Mary what to name the baby), lived among men and understood temptation as we know it, yet did not sin. He didn't cave or give into sin and whenever the devil tried to tempt Him, He stood on The Word of The Father by reminding the devil, "It is written..." Now, I want people to note that when Jesus told the devil that it was written (He said what God said), He wasn't concerned with chapter and verse, but the content of the chapter and verse.

Sometimes people get so caught up with "quoting" chapter and verse they forget the intent of the content for which they're quoting. If a person has no understanding of the intent of the content, knowing the chapter and verse where it's found is pointless. The Word--purpose and intent of the content--should be so engrained in Believers that we can say what God says every time the enemy attempts to say anything to us. We are to be living letters--by our conduct and behavior and treatment of others--as to the intent and purpose of who God called us to be. We are His children--children of the Light, not the darkness, and it's time we acted like it by saying what Our Father says.

If we say what He says, people will be offended and convicted of sin for that is the purpose of The Word, along with encouraging us to live a life that pleases God. We do not have to trade barbs with either the unbelieving or those who claim to believe, but don't know The Word.

If they want to belittle us or demean us when we say what God says--tell them thanks and move on--shaking the dust from our feet. Some will hear us and some won't. We are not responsible for whether people receive what we say when we say what God says. They are. We are responsible for telling people what God says. And when we love others as we are told, we want others to know the truth and not be deceived by the enemy's lies.

Perseverance In Faith Just To Hear, "Well Done!"

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6,7 NIV)

When we're feeling a little put upon with the burdens of the world, persecuted for our faith in God and what He says, we can review what Peter is saying to the new Christians and know our suffering is not in vain. Now, according to Peter, the trials come to establish and prove our genuine faith--a faith worth more than gold--in all God says and we stand firm on The Word. When Jesus returns--there will be a celebration of our determination to stand firm in our faith, resulting in praise, glory, and honor--standing before Him and hearing--"Well done my faithful servant." I can hear Him now! Hallelujah!

All that I've done will be judged and just the thought of knowing I can hear those words, makes me want to do and be better about everything I do in the name of The Lord! I can look forward to seeing Him--face-to-face--without fear of what He's going to say. What a wonderful feeling! Knowing that I will eventually hear--well done--makes dealing with the trials of life more palatable.

Here is an answer for the naysayers about the "whys" of God. He has a purpose for everything that Believers go through and within His purpose, grace and mercy will abound and see us through the trials so we will praise Him. Jesus told us--The Believers--that in the world, we would have trials and persecutions, but not to worry because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Being an overcomer is not necessarily an easy task, but it is a worthwhile venture. We are all overcomers--we stand in faith upon what God says and will not be deterred by popular opinion or political correctness--and because of our stance, many will deride and belittle our faith, but glory to God, let them--they too shall have their just reward. Thank You, Lord for helping us to stay in position for victory, no matter how tiresome or weary the battle is for we know--we are more than conquerors in all things and You have already defeated the enemy who influences those who are slaves to their flesh. Hallelujah!

Keep Away!

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV).

Considering the work that needs to be done, promoting the Gospel, there is no time for believers to remain idle--doing nothing. Paul understands the temptation that accompanies idleness. Idle hands are tools for the devil to conspire to do evil. Even when we think there is nothing more to do, we should pray--without ceasing--for others and for self. If we cannot think of anything else to do, our thoughts should focus on those who need encouragement or a helping hand. We may not have anything to do for ourselves, but there is always a brother or sister who needs help, doing just about anything.

For this reason, Paul admonishes those who are doing what is right to stay away from those who are doing nothing but creating problems. When people have nothing else to do--they complain and murmur and start vicious rumors and conspire to influence hatred and dissent. Paul understands that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines and a little disgruntlement when ignited by bitterness flows like molten lava, destroying everything in its path.

Realistically, every believer who will do, is doing, and looking for more to do. True believers understand that our work is never finished because Jesus has not returned. True believers reach out to others to encourage and admonish. True believers will pray for someone at in a heartbeat, when requested, or even when there is no request. True believers look forward to each day, eagerly waiting to see what God will have them do. True believers live with purpose and are always trying to fulfill the purpose. True believers understand that laziness does not create value or worth. True believers--know how to hear and obey God--and therefore never have time to be idle.

Even when imprisoned, Paul did not stop promoting the gospel, interceding for others, encouraging others, to remain faithful to the Lord and to adhere to God's Word. He understood that every waking moment was an opportunity to bring others in the knowledge of Christ and used every opportunity to do just that. We must work while it is day (have an opportunity) for when night comes (the deeds of darkness prevail), success at anything becomes difficult.

If success is what every believer wants to see--we must stay away from those who claim to believe God, but are too lazy to study His Word for themselves and know His purpose for their lives and seek fulfillment. Keep away from those who would influence you to become as they are--idle believers.