Pay attention

“Hear instruction and pay attention to know understanding for I give you good teaching, forsake it not” (Proverbs 4:1-2).

Turning to those words in Proverbs 4:1-2, I laughed, for I knew GOD was answering my question, “must I stop reading so soon and write the warning YOU just gave me?”  Understanding came from Proverbs 4 that the LORD was prompting me to share a tidbit from 2 Chronicles 35 for it wasn’t just for me, I put down my bible and opened up my computer.

Just a little background is needed for you to catch the impact of what happened. Josiah became King of Judah when he was only 8 years old (2 Chronicles 34:1).  When Josiah was only 16, he began to earnestly seek the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, when he was 20, he began purging idol worship from Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 34:3.  HE did many good things and when he turned 26, Josiah required the Levites to repair the house of the LORD and they found GOD’s word as they worked.  When GOD’s word with its prophesies and warnings was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes in grief and sent to the prophets to inquire of the LORD about what should be done because of the sins of the people (2 Chronicles 34:21). It was at that time GOD gave Josiah the promise I wrote about yesterday (2 Chronicles 34:28).  He continued not just to seek the LORD but to lead the priests and Levites and all the people to seek the LORD and instituted a amazing Passover celebration when he was 36.  So, you can see young Josiah was a very good and godly king. 

When Josiah was 39 years old however, King Necho of Egypt went to war against Carchemish the king of Assyria and Josiah, king of Judah, came out against Necho.

Necho said to Josiah, “…I come not against you this day, but against the house wherein I have war.  GOD has commanded me… forbear from meddling with GOD, who is with me that HE does not destroy you.’ But Josiah would not turn…  he did not hearken to the word of Necho from the mouth of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 35:21-22) and young King Josiah was killed in battle.

I asked the LORD, “What am I to learn?”

Although we don’t understand it at all, we do find in Scripture GOD often did use wicked nations to punish others and some unsaved to give out GOD’s message (John 11:49-50).

I found what I was to learn from this story of Josiah and Necho is that regardless of who the one is speaking and warning or criticizing me, I need to listen carefully and check with the LORD and HIS word to see if there is any validity to what is said.

In this way I will obey 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. ^“Quench not the SPIRIT (HE may be speaking to me through them).Despise not prophesyings (speaking forth a message).Prove (test) all things (Ask GOD about what is said and expect HIS to show you and check the word of GOD); hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Hugs

Sharon

Seek and you will find

Have you ever been in the place when you are sharing something important, something you are excited about and the person you are speaking with looks bored or turn to look at something, or someone else?  To me that says, “I don’t care about what you are saying”.

Body language has power and speaks loudly. For by how we hold our body we give clues as to what we are feeling and thinking.  When you like someone, you want to get closer to him/her, it’s just that simple.  When someone is telling you about something you think is valuable you want to catch every word.  The closer you get to the speaker, the more interest you show. Hence, leaning forward, especially when combined with nodding and smiling, is the most noticeable way to silently say, “ Yes, I care and I’m listening to you.”

The great I AM-YAHWEH is our GOD.  Isaiah 55:8-9 tells is that GOD is so high above us in position, and power, and knowledge that by ourselves it is impossible to know what HE is like.  HE is infinite/ unlimited and HIS thoughts and ways are said to be as high above ours as the heaven is above the earth.  Simple mathematics tells us if we started running at the moment we are born at the rate of 1 mile every 4 minutes (no breaks) we would be 700 years old before we reached our sun;  we would be 182 million years old before we reached the nearest star… and that is just the beginning of the heavens.  So, you see, understanding GOD is nigh on impossible to the human mind. 

Through HIS amazing creation (the stars, and flowers, and seasons of the year, through light and darkness, thunder and lightning, colors and sounds, mosquitos and bees and on and on) we can catch glimpses of things true about GOD (Romans 1:19-20).  Things like GOD’s power, imagination, wisdom, humor, organization and love of color and sounds… I could go on and on.  

Then to the ones who believe in JESUS CHRIST and call on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) is given a tremendous gift-GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is sent to live within us (John 7:38-39).  HE is our teacher, our helper, HE interprets GOD’s heart and mind to us, reminds us and explains how the WORD of GOD applies to us, convicts us when we do wrong, and nudges us to do what GOD wants us to do.  To help us to grasp things too wonderful for us to know/understand, The HOLY SPIRIT uses illustrations we can understand.

Therefore, HE who hears prayers is a name assigned to our GOD (Psalm 65:2).  If you go to the Hebrew word for that verse you will find it means: one who in reality is continually leaning forward in order to intensely and attentively listen to what we have to say. So, when GOD calls HIMSELF, HE who hears prayers we can know HE cares about us and is interested in what we have to say.   

We know GOD the Father and our LORD JESUS CHRIST already know all things (John 6:30) but GOD desires for us come to HIM about EVERYTHING so HE can show us HIS perspective and get HIS directions (Proverbs 3:5-7, 2 Corinthians 10:5).  HIS attention to us opens us up to lean in and listen to HIS voice.  It also puts us in the place where HE can give us assignments so we can co-labor with HIM in achieving HIS purposes.

GOD intently listens to those who seek HIM in truth (Proverbs 8:17), do we follow HIS example and listen to those GOD places in our path?

Hugs

Sharon

In just a moment

When my son John was just a little guy we lived in a tiny trailer.  He loved zooming around so keeping him in his walker when I was busy was the easiest and safest thing to do. That was back in the day before there was a circular tray around the seat of a toddler’s walker. On a day when I was baking some bread, repeatedly he headed toward the kitchen area where I was.  I kept blocking his way and telling him “NO! you will get hurt.” But the second I’d turned around to grab something, there was a terrible scream.  In that instant John had zoomed over in his walker and touched the forbidden oven door and seared his little fingers.  I can still see those crocodile tears rolling down his tiny face.

GOD is love and HIS plans for man are good.  GOD made us for eternal (immortal) life (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).  GOD never wanted/desired that men die (Ezekiel 18:30-32). 

If GOD had wanted us to die HE would never have told Adam and Eve “Don’t eat of that tree of the knowledge of good and evil or you will die.” 

But they, like my little John didn’t listen, and we still experience the results of their action. You and I are still following their example when we demand to do what is right in our own eyes instead of listening to GOD’s warnings.

A look at Russia and the Ukraine right now is a vivid example of the effect of man doing what is right in his own eyes.

But GOD is love and HIS steadfast love and mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23).  GOD has made a way. “GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them (2 Corinthians 5:19) and if we come to HIM and call on the name of the LORD there is forgiveness (Romans 10:13).

GOD’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, vastly beyond our ability to comprehend Isaiah 55:8-9).  You might ask, “If HIS plans for us are really good then why does HE allow wars and pain and sickness?”  They are a result of men’s choices. Sin brings spiritual death and leads to physical death.

GOD is just and must punish sin.  But because GOD loved the world and wanted people to live and not die, HE sent JESUS to die for us in our place (John 3:16) and not only that but GOD the FATHER was in CHRIST (JESUS) reconciling the world to HIMSELF and does not hold sin against any who believe in JESUS (2 Corinthians 5:19). 

Due to JESUS payment for all sin on the cross, GOD can be just (fair) when HE declares believers in the cleansing work of JESUS’ blood justified (just as if I’d never sinned) Romans 3:26, 5:9 and they are kept from the wrath to come.

What an amazing plan, what an amazing GOD.  Do you know HIM?

Hugs

Sharon

For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) should not perish, but have everlasting life John 3:16

Stop and listen

Isn’t it amazing that the LORD of heaven and earth stops and listen to whatever I say to HIM?

I love the LORD because HE listens to my prayers for help.  HE pays attention to me so I will call upon HIM as long as I live (Psalm 116:1-2).

But it doesn’t stop there.  I call on HIM and then I stop and listen.

Many years ago my sister Carol sent me a birthday card and said, “This picture looks just like you did when you were a young girl.  I like it especially since she is listening to the sea shell.  It reminds me of you listening to GOD.” 

That statement was so convicting to me that I keep the picture on my dresser to remind me to always stop and listen to what the LORD GOD Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth wants to tell me.

For it is so easy to just go lay our requests at GOD’s feet and then get busy doing other things.  GOD wants to direct my steps and words and more.  HE wants me to acknowledge HIM in everything and tell me HIS secrets.  HE  yearn for me to talk to HIM about everything big and small and then do what HE impresses on me to do (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Do you stop and listen and go with those nudges HE gives?

Hugs,

Sharon

Are you listening?

How do you feel when people don’t take what you say seriously? Do you become frustrated or does it make you mad?

How do you think GOD, the Creator of the heavens and earth feels when people don’t take HIM seriously?

Remember GOD says “…for them that honor ME I will honor and they that despise ME will be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30).

Isaiah 58 begins: “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.Declare to MY people their rebellion … their sins. For day after day they seek ME out;they SEEM eager to know MY ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its GOD.  They ask ME for just decisions and seem eager for GOD to come near them. (but it is just words) (Isaiah 58:1-2).

Isaiah 58 ends: honor HIM (GOD), not doing your own ways (do HIS), nor finding your own pleasure (do what GOD wants), nor speaking your own words (but speak HIS Word):  Then shalt you delight yourself in the LORD… (Isaiah 58:13b-14a)

We may mouth the words- but do you, do I ,take GOD seriously when HE speaks something we don’t like?  Do we obey HIS command to trust and acknowledge HIM (talk to HIM concerning how we feel) in everything? (Proverbs 3:5-7). Or, are we wise in our own eyes and lean on our own understanding?

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to prayerfully consider these things and may the good LORD show you anything you personally need to think through and give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from all deception (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10). 

It is unquestionably guaranteed that if you listen to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY with a readiness to comply (as HE speaks in HIS Word and in your heart), that the LORD HIMSELF will guide you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthen you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enable you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16).

Now may the GOD of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT” (Romans 15:13). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

Seeing is NOT believing

Seeing is never believing for we interpret what we see in the light of what we believe” / Oswald Chambers.

What we believe is determined by who we choose to listen to. 

The world lies in the arms (or is under control) of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Among other things that means we follow the devil’s/ the world’s way of thinking.  This is shown clearly when JESUS “said unto Peter, ‘Get thee behind ME, Satan: thou art an offence unto ME: not setting your mind on things of GOD, but on things of man’” (Matthew 16:23 AMP).

On the other hand, faith (believing the truth) comes by hearing (listening to) the Word of CHRIST (Romans 10:17).  The Greek for Word here is NOT “logos” which is the written Word of GOD but is “rhema” that is a spoken word for a specific situation.  The Greek word for hearing speaks of paying attention to what is heard or listening.

When the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 2:10-12) confirms what is being said or read by whispering to us in our heart that some scripture or word spoken by a believer is true that is a rhema of CHRIST.

Faith is born when we ACCEPT that whisper of the HOLY SPIRIT as truth.  We can REFUSE the whispered truth and SUPPRESS what we initially know is true by DENYING or neglecting the truth (Romans 1:18-20).  It is up to us to RECEIVE the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Who are you, who am I listening to?

Hugs

Sharon