Author: kezha1

The biggest communication problem we have is we don’t listen to understand – we listen to reply. We listen, but we’re already formulating our answer in our mind as they’re speaking…waiting for them to take a breath so we can jump right in with our opinion, our story, our feelings, or our judgment. But Proverbs 10:19 warns us that, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” There will be times you’ll be privileged enough to have someone confide in you. And this is the time for active, purposeful, and deliberate listening…a time of putting aside yourself and rather giving them and their words validation. It’s a time of giving this person your undivided attention… not to spew advice at them, but to allow them to express pent-up emotions, fears, and worries as you simply listen. For many times frankly, you have no control over the situation…only God does. But non-judgmental listening and just being there can still make a huge difference in that person’s life because they have been heard.

This quote should be the prayer of every Believer for themselves and their walk with the Lord. First, our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ coming to earth to die in our place and to secure our redemption & eternal life must be fierce & rock solid. Or as Paul wrote to Timothy, “I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able…” (II Timothy 1:12) Next, our love & devotion for the Lord must be sincere, pure, and wholehearted…not allowing anything or one to usurp His throne or take His place in our hearts. (II Corinthians 11:3) Finally, we should always serve the Lord with enthusiastic zeal and fervor, eagerly desiring to do His Will. (Romans 12:11)

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, was called the Wonderful Counselor…but when our plans don’t work out as we wanted them to, we have a hard time admitting they weren’t meant to be. ..and that God’s plans & purposes are far better. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” That’s because God’s Divine Will is unchangeable, and no power on heaven or earth can stand against or subvert it… thus we must be confident that His Sovereign plan & purpose for our life will only bring about good.

God wants us to grow. He wants us to develop Spiritually, mature in our relationship with Him, and become what He has designed for us to be. And as we grow & gain more wisdom, we are to imitate God’s character to others…so that they may see His love & forgiveness in action. But with any growth there will be growing pains, especially when our growth is brought about by the stresses & strains of suffering, pain, and loss. But ultimately, God wants us to grow in the ever-deepening experience & relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, that we might thrive and not become stagnant.

King Manasseh’s reign was 55 years long, and for much of it he did evil in the eyes of God. It tells us that the spiritual depravity in Judah had digressed to such a low point that the people gave no heed to God’s warnings of enemy invasion. And so the Assyrian army struck & exiled Manasseh as a prisoner briefly. It was during that time that Manasseh humbly repented & begged for mercy… finally realizing his disobedience to God. And God listened and graciously responded…allowing Manasseh to return to Jerusalem and his kingdom, where he mended his ways. Manasseh had come to the stark realization that it was only through God’s gracious retribution that he was saved & restored at all. And so we need to remember this…we can never be so far from God that His hand can’t reach us…for He is always waiting to respond to our heart-felt prayer of repentance.

Many places in the Book of Acts the Disciples were encouraging & exhorting the people to continue in the grace of God & remain faithful to Him. And this also applies to us presently, because as a Christian in the world today we should expect suffering along life’s path. And while others may speak a Word of encouragement into your life…you’ll find many times you’ll have to be your own best cheerleader. We all go through times of silent discouragement, deeply personal despair, overwhelming gloom, and melancholy that no one else sees. But if we seek the Lord for hope, courage, and comfort, He will give generously…allowing us to forge ahead with purpose, resolute, and devotion.

The Apostle Paul was urging the Church, and us today, not to break under the pressure of opposition, but to instead exert pressure of our own to boldly proclaim the Gospel Message we believe in, and to live a lifestyle in a manner worthy of it. Much like today, there where false teachers subtlety twisting the Truth and spinning the Gospel Message in a more humanistic/worldly way. Jude, Jesus’ half-brother, made it very plain in verse 3, “Contend for the faith.” In other words, we need to study, learn, believe, and defend the Truth of the Gospel Message as we lead a life of good works while standing, fighting, and obedient to the faith we believe in… so that the true Word of God can be spread around the world.

This verse addresses the very practical side of giving. For at first glance, throwing bread (or your hard earned money) onto the water sounds very foolish, but your giving to the needy isn’t about how much you give but rather the attitude you give it in. It also shows the obedience of sending your aid out of sight and more importantly out of your control as the waves wash the bread out to sea. None of us have the foreknowledge of the future and how our giving will matter to others but we do know this…”Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love.” (Hosea 10:12) That’s because whenever we sow what is right and good it will bring a harvest of blessing from the Lord.

Before you get all worked up about this big word of sanctification…it simply means holiness or righteousness…something of which isn’t found in us unless we also have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. For without the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t be able to, “Be holy as I am holy.” For the Holy Spirit sets us apart and purifies us for God’s service…pushing & urging us to become more like Jesus day by day. But our sanctification has to be a cooperative venture…we must work with the Holy Spirit in order to grow. For just like we were once slaves to sin, we are now slaves to righteousness & holy living which will lead us down the path to sanctification. (Romans 6:19)

Each one of us must count the cost of being a Follower of Jesus Christ. For a true disciple of His recognizes and acknowledges the sacrifice, work, and suffering for the Gospel it takes to be called a Christian. This commitment is not for the wishy-washy or weak in Spirit, for we need to consider how the consequences of this decision will affect our everyday life…and it may require a giving up of everything near and dear to us. That’s because, anything that holds value to us, but distracts us from following Jesus with all our heart, soul, and strength, renders us unworthy of the Gospel in His eyes.