God Speaks 12/17/2015

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

'I am young in years,
    and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’
But it is the spirit in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
It is not only the old who are wise,    not only the aged who understand what is right.'" Job 32:6-9 ^"

It was on the legendary occasion of Job losing all he had that he entered into a conversation with a couple of old friends.  The conversation ended up being a contentious one in which they unsuccessfully challenged much of what Job said.  Elihu, having sat quietly and listened to the older men converse, offered a perspective as well as accurate points his elders failed to make regarding Job's error.  In effect, he spoke with and as the spirit of God and was not contradicted or chastised when God later spoke Himself as were the older men.
 

Beloved, God communicates with His own in so many ways.  In fact we should all pray for a spirit of wisdom and discernment that we may hear His voice despite its vehicle.  Most often, He speaks through those with whom we come into contact.  It was Nathan who caused David to realize his error with Bathsheba.  It was Joshua and Caleb who, against overwhelming opposition by God's own people, warned against their faithlessness.  It was even a donkey who chastised Balaam on the occasion of his wicked mission.
 

Rather than being skeptical, critical and suspicious of the things we are sometimes told, particularly as it relates to our own words and deeds, we must examine the things that are being said for God's truth.  Defensiveness may cause us to miss a message meant for us.  If we would give God sovereignty over our lives and acknowledge that He is not limited in the ways He communicates with us, we will come to understand that the source of the counsel is not nearly as important its content.  Let us seek wisdom outside of our own selves and be attentive to the voice of God, Prov12:15.

 

Increasing in faith,

 

Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eternal Ramifications of Discernment 3/27/13

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal." John 12:22

There are many things that our Lord said that require discernment.  Because there have been people throughout history who have opposed him based simply on his claims and what he stood for, things that need not have been controversial have indeed become so.  This is of course said with full realization that many things he said were indeed controversial because it challenged the then current (and present) understanding of life, religion, God, love, service and even himself.  As a result, for example, an exhortation to simply set aside a portion of a common meal to remember him and his sacrifice for all mankind became a charge that Christians were cannibals.  Because he cast out demons, he himself was called a devil.

Beloved it is important that we look deeper into the word that is the man Jesus and discern the truth and spirit of what he is still saying to us.  A casual listen to any empaneled talk/news program or a perusal of any on-line story with comments enabled, even Facebook, will prove that everyone has an opinion and not all opinions are rooted in facts.  Often we are predisposed to a position without looking into the particulars of any given subject.  Even within and perhaps especially including religion, controversy rages.  Is baptism necessary?  Should women hold leadership positions?  What is the "churchs'" position on homosexuality?  What about divorce and remarriage?  To be sure, there are answers to these questions, but if they do not fit our preconceived notions and heartfelt position, cases are made to support them and whole religious movements are built around them.

Each of us will one day stand in judgment for the things we have done, lived and believed.  The word of the Lord will be the standard and Almighty God will be the judge.  It is critical that each of us develop our own understanding of who Jesus is and what he had to say.  Marriage to our earthly based opinions can be fatal.  A heavenly perspective can extend life forever.

Committed,

Lee