When we pray we talk to God.  We praise Him, confess our sin, thank Him for our blessings, and bring our needs and wants to Him.  We talk and then say amen and that is the end of our prayer.  Or is it?

Are we talking to ourselves or are we talking to God?  Is prayer only talking or is it talking with Someone?  When we talk with someone we talk and they listen then they talk while we listen.  Is it not the same with God?   Does it not stand to reason that when He listens to us He thinks about what we are saying and may have a response?

There is a place in prayer for us to listen to God’s voice.  This may be the harder part of prayer…listening.  Let us not be like the Israelites who, when at Mount Sinai, were afraid to hear God speak and said to Moses,

“Speak to us yourself and we will listen.  But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
Exodus 20:19 niv

If we are indeed His people we listen to His voice.  Because He is God we can know that He actively listens and will respond.  We can expect to hear His voice.  But do we want to hear it?

What if He says something we do not expect or like?  Maybe He has a reprimand to give us.  He may tell us to go when we want to stay or stay when we want to go.  Perhaps he will tell us to do something new that frightens us or to continue doing something that has become uncomfortable.  What He has to say to us may be disappointing because it is not what we want to hear.  His words are hard at times because He will not be compromised.

We can be certain that whatever we hear from Him is spoken in love, mercy, righteousness, compassion, and truth.  What we hear from Him can only be good, though, we do not always understand the message or see the good in it.  However, we can trust that there is only goodness in Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 niv

We may hear words of discipline, words of affirmation, or words of guidance. Whatever the words they are meant to be heard and heeded.  Jesus said,

“My sheep listen to my voice.  I know them and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28 niv

We are blessed to have a Good Shepherd who in His love for us speaks so we will know His will, follow Him, and have eternal life.

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I wonder, with my endless chatter and quick amen, what awesome words of His I miss.

Just wondering…

Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, members of the Court of Areopagus, the judicial body with authority over civil and religious life in Athens, were interested in what Paul had to say.  These men spent most of their time talking about or listening to new ideas and took Paul to a meeting of the Areopagus because he was speaking of things “strange to their ears and they wanted to know what they meant”.

This was the perfect opportunity for Paul to tell them about the one true and sovereign God.  In Athens there was an altar to an “unknown god” so Paul began to tell them about this unknown god, who He is and what He has done.  He told them about the God “who made the world and everything in it…that He gives to all people life and breath and every thing”.  Paul told them God puts each person in the place they need to be when they need to be there “so they would seek God in the hope that they would feel their way toward Him and find Him”.  And he told them “Yet, He is not far from each one of us”.

It is interesting that Paul tells these men, philosophers, who study and ponder, discuss and debate, everything with everyone, that what they are doing is part of a plan, God’s plan.  They are just where they need to be at just the right time so in their searching for answers to life’s questions they will find those answers by finding God.  And he tells them that God is not in some far off place or time but near them.

What Paul said to the men of the Areopagus he says to us today. When we are looking for God going from place to place, teacher to teacher, study to study, discipline to discipline, maybe what we need to do is be still and quiet where we are for a time.

…and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:26b-27 niv

God is everywhere. Not just the desert or mountain top, forest or seaside, classroom or church.  He is where we are all the time.

I wonder at all the time I spent going to places and events  looking for God, when all along He was right there with me…waiting.

Just wondering…

Moses wanted them to think about all that had happened that they witnessed or had been told about. He wanted them to remember all God had done. It was important that they remember, and acknowledge, all the miracles that had occurred, how God protected them and provided for them. They needed to be reminded that even when they wandered away from God, He never left them. 

Moses also reminded the people of the commandments, decrees, and laws of God.  Ignorance would be no excuse.  They were told and knew what was expected of them.

This very day God, your God, commands you to follow these rules and regulations, to live them out with everything you have in you.

Deuteronomy 26:16 msg

The people listened to Moses and they agreed to do as the Lord commanded.

You’ve renewed your vows today that God is your God, that you’ll live the way He shows you; do what He tells you in the rules, regulations, and commandments, and listen obediently to Him.

Deuteronomy 26:17 msg

In making this declaration, renewing their vows, the Israelites promised God that they would listen to His voice and do as He commands, and they would be obedient. Like the Israelites preparing to enter the Promised Land we make promises and declarations when we become followers of Christ. We promise that we will walk in His ways and listen obediently to Him. And like the Israelites we are given the commandments, decrees, and laws. We have His Holy Word and His Spirit to remind us. Perhaps because of this we have even less excuse for our wayward ways.

And today God has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure as He promised, a people entrusted with keeping His commandments, a people set high above all other nations that He’s made, high in praise, fame, and honor: you’re a people holy to God, your God. That’s what He promised.

Deuteronomy 26:18-19 msg

And like the Israelites we are His treasured possession; but we can know this more assuredly because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. We are a holy people of God, our God. What God promised has been delivered!

~~~~~~~~

Is it not a wonder that we are not just some silly knick-knack in God’s house, we are a treasured possession.

I wonder if when the Lord looks at me if He thinks I am taking good care of His treasure?

I wonder, where is my dust cloth and polish? I know for certain there are dust bunnies and cobwebs…

Just wondering…

Filed under: Uncategorized ]]> http://patriciawonders.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/not-just-knickknacks/feed/ 4 Patricia http://patriciawonders.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/what-and-how-am-i-to-give/ http://patriciawonders.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/what-and-how-am-i-to-give/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:58:51 +0000 Patricia https://patriciawonders.wordpress.com/?p=361 ]]> When you think about giving what comes to mind?  When you are asked to give your fair share what do you think is being asked of you?

Most think of money, the amount payable on the check they write.  And, of course, money is needed. The church and charities need money to provide services to the saints in need and the community’s poor, and to pay salaries, rent, utilities, all the basic expenses incurred.

Then there is the question of how much we are expected to give.  If everyone gave a tithe of ten percent of what we have then we would all be giving basically the same.  We would be giving the same percentage of what is in our pockets.

We may, also, think of things we can give.  Food to a food bank; blankets, clothes, and toiletries to a homeless shelter; clothes, diapers, formula, toys and books to a women and children crisis center; pet supplies and food to an animal shelter.  Many, if not most, of us have more than we need or will ever really use and giving to the less fortunate is not a great sacrifice.

There is, I believe, another way we are to give.  When we receive the Holy Spirit we are given His gifts.  We are all blessed with these gifts but not all are given the same portion of each gift.  Some could be strongly gifted in one area such as teaching or mercy and less in discernment or hospitality, others may be largely gifted in healing or service and less in leadership.  We are all blessed the same and yet, differently.

If we are to give to others part of what we are blessed with then is it not reasonable that we are to give a portion of our spiritual gifts to others?

The Lord thinks so:

…giving a freewill offering in proportion the blessings the Lord your God has given you.

Deuteronomy 16:10 niv

The church in Macedonia understood, it is a privilege to give of what we have be it money or things or spiritual gifts.

….they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

2 Corinthians 8:4 niv

How we give of what we have is as important as the sharing of our blessings.  We are to give not just because we are commanded to do this but that we have decided in our heart to do so, willingly, without guilt or outside pressure, and not reluctantly, but cheerfully.

…make up your own mind what you will give.  That will protect you against sob stories and arm twisting.  God loves it when the giver delights in giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 niv

This is what pleases God.

I wonder if I have ever “urgently pleaded” to share what I have?

I wonder what gifts, in particular spiritual gifts, I have been stingy with?

Just wondering…

With God the majority does not, has not, and never will, rule.  He alone is Sovereign.  For many what they do not understand they refuse to accept as real.  They can accept television, cell phones, computers, and myriads of other complicated, highly technical, and sometimes outrageous things without understanding how and why they work;  because they can see things they know they are real.

It is different with God.  When we look around we can see the evidence of Him but we cannot actually see or touch Him.  Even when looking around us we need to look with eyes of faith.  Otherwise, what we see we may believe to be just random particles a big bang accidentally threw together that amazingly is beautiful, complex, and life-sustaining.

It is not enough to know about God, we must know Him personally.  Once we begin to know God understanding will come.  Occasionally, it will come in a big exciting powerful way.  Sometimes  through others, preacher’s sermons, teacher’s lectures, reading books, and conversations with friends.  More often, it will come in quiet moments of reflection, meditation, and prayer.

Over the years I have found that I often do not understand something because I am not ready for the insight or revelation.  Because God is faithful He will not give us understanding or insight if the revelation is too much for us.  Sometimes we need  nurturing and time to grow and mature before we are given understanding in an area or on a particular subject.

And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God–what a gift!–and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  This Jesus is both True God and Real Life.  Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.

1 John 5:21-22 msg

I really do not wonder that I do not understand everything about God and His Ways.

But I do wonder that He does understand everything about me…and loves me anyway.

Just wondering…

What we think directs who we become. Who we become determines who we belong to. Who we belong to defines who we are. Who we are shows everyone Who we worship.  It all starts with what we think, our thoughts.

The battle is a fight for our will.  It is fought silently.  Sometimes overtly but usually subtly.  On the outside the fight is through our senses; what we see, hear, smell, feel, all influence what we think.  Within our minds thoughts begin to develop.  How they develop depends largely on which of the armies has the designs or characteristics or qualities most attractive to us.

Here is where we decide what is truth and what is lies, what is faithful and what is folly.  This is where we choose to follow wisdom or fools.  In this place we acknowledge and proclaim our God…or gods.

Though we cannot see the battles being fought we can see the results.  Some of the results are seen or felt only within ourselves; calm or quarrels, forgiveness or desire for retaliation, peace or pandemonium.  But much is seen and felt by others; love or hatred, warmth or coldness of heart, service or slavery, kindness and compassion or selfishness and cruelty.

If we do not admit to ourselves that there is a spiritual war taking place, a war with constant fighting and hostility we will be vulnerable.  Our defenses will be weak and not at the ready when the assaults come.  And they will come, this is war!

But remember, this is spiritual warfare being fought by spiritual forces.  We are not the ones actively engaged in fighting the war. Still, we are not to be passive onlookers.  The battles are being fought for the possession of our thoughts.  We are to do what we can to protect our minds, our thoughts, during this warfare.

We must know what the deceptions are and recognize the arguments against the truth.  When we see the lies and foolishness we are not to entertain them!  We must sweep them up and lock them away.  We are to capture and imprison all thoughts and things that raise themselves above God until the time they acknowledge Christ and are obedient to Him…and only to Him.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 kjv

My mind may be the battlefield but it is a comfort, to me, that I am  not assigned as one of the soldiers fighting the war.  My assignment, in God’s army, is to be a guard.  Keeping the disobedient thoughts captive until they see the light, bend their knees, and bow down to the Victor, Christ.

I wonder how good a guard I am?  Sometimes one, or more, of those captives do seem to escape on occasion and have to be captured again…and again…

Just wondering…