by David Brenneman
Reading the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation and over and over we read "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".
Even if written to whom and for whom...we're are told we're blessed in a special way if we do read the book of Revelation. A question to consider is in your daily life...are you at all listening to what the Spirit is saying to you? Don't you realize He's with you always, should you be a Believer in Jesus Christ?
My reading also takes me to Ephesians. We often take what our eyes see and our physical ears hear as what is reality when Biblically speaking it's not.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore..." Ephesians 6:12 NASB and the first word of verse 13. That therefore is there for a reason. As taught, a therefore is there for you to look back at what was just said in order to know what to do with what's coming next.
The Spirit is talking...are you listening?
Life takes on a different feel and look when you realize what you're really up against. From the challenges in the home to the challenges in the world to the challenges in your job.
In my 20+ years I have faced vast criticism over my employment history. As a noun criticism is: the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. What people do not realize is how much prayer went into those decisions. What Godly counsel that was sought out before making such decisions. Not everything is as it seems.
As I was taught perception is everything. What you perceive becomes your reality. Which is why it's important for a Believer in Jesus Christ to have HIS perspective and His perception by way of His Spirit in our lives.
Life, for the most part, isn't about what we get out of it for ourselves. We were created, originally, to worship our Creator God and live in His peace and His harmony with Him in His perfect world. Adam and Eve certainly botched that up. The relationship was broken by sin and wrong perceptions about control and about life exist because of sin.
We cannot see the world as it is without it being explained by the Spirit. God's Word says who knows the hearts of men and women. 1 Samuel 16:7 makes mention of the Lord looking at the heart. In the Gospels Jesus says plainly He did not trust Himself to man because He knew what was in the heart of man.
Would you be wiling to be searched? Spiritually that is?
Psalm 139:23-24 NASB "Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
Would you be that honest with you today? Would you be willing to admit you're wrong about what's been your plans for your life?
Would you be willing to hear what the Spirit says to you and to obey?
Would you be willing to literally shut up and listen to God? He's not a Genie or a Butler. He's not "the man upstairs". Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He's the Creator God. He's the Alpha and the Omega. The First and the Last. The Everlasting One. He's...well let's list what is on this poster I keep in my study.
And He Shall Be Called:
Advocate, Lamb of God, The Resurrection & the Life, Shepherd & Bishop of Souls, Judge, Lord of Lords, Man of Sorrows, Head of the Church, Master, Faithful & True Witness, Rock, High Priest, The Door, Living Water, Bread of Life, Rose of Sharon, Alpha and Omega, True Vine, Messiah, Teacher, Holy One, Mediator, The Beloved, Branch, Carpenter, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Image of the Invisible God, the Word, Chief Cornerstone, Savior, Servant, Author & Finisher of Our Faith, The Almighty, Everlasting Father, Shiloh, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, I AM, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Bridegroom, Only Begotten Son, Wonderful Counselor, Immanuel, Son of Man, Dayspring, The Amen, King of the Jews, Prophet, Redeemer, Anchor, Bright Morning Star, The Way, The Truth, The Life...Jesus Christ.
There's verses for every description I just transcribed. Telling you exactly where every name of Jesus is found. Are you listening?
Is your world so consuming you, is it so engulfed you that you've not considered just who it is we who are in Christ serve or are to be serving?
Are you so consumed and so engulfed in this world's offerings that you have yet to dust off your Bible and get into that particular love letter written for your benefit and the benefit of others through you?
Are you so consumed with success and being comfortable, to avoiding conflict, that you're staying away from the life in Christ that you're to be living?
Are you listening to the Spirit? Do you have Spiritual ears that are open to hearing? Are you putting your life in Christ in it's proper perspective?
He or She who has ears to hear...let them hear what the Spirit says...
We will lie to ourselves and we will avoid those people whom God will use to remind us of our true selves. We will convince ourselves of just being too busy. We will convince ourselves that we're on track for success and some sacrifices will have to be made. Just remember the millions every day whom God uses a split second to alter their lives forever in order to bring them back to Himself. Your life, as the Scriptures clearly state, is not your own, you were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
I've had people avoiding me for years over things that really do not matter in light of eternity. I've had people avoiding me because of where I am now in Christ to be blunt. That's on them...because I move on. I've got a life to live in Christ and will do so to the best of my ability. I have physical and mental limitations but I've seen God use me in ways I never dreamed when I put Him first. Power is perfected in weakness and as Paul said, I will boast in my weaknesses in Christ.
Our battles in this life are indeed battles. They are not with whom we see nor are they where we think they are if our perspective isn't on what God says it should be. Are you at all listening to what the Spirit is trying to say to you? Indeed you may not be happy at your home life or at your work life...but are you praying about it? Have you been seriously bringing those things to the feet of Jesus? Have you been laying your burdens at His feet? Jesus didn't seek out the most elequant of people, the most learned, the most popular. He was directed by the Spirit to choose 12 ordinary men. We are all of the ordinary.
Are you listening to what the Spirit wants to tell you or are you still bent on living your 'dreams' that are not what God has in mind for you?
Are you listening to the Spirit or are you telling Him what or how it's going to be? The Spirit is "of another kind" as the Lord Jesus Christ. He's 3rd it the Trinity. He is as much God as the Father and the Son. Disrespecting Him, lying to Him is the same as lying to the Father and the Son.
Scripture says also very clearly "do not be deceived, God is not mocked". We are experts at self-deception. That's what sin can do. But the power of Christ Jesus is greater.
Are you listening to the Spirit? Have you ears to hear? Eyes to see? Oh may the Lord Jesus Christ give you ears to hear and eyes to see as He intended for you.
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