listen Archives – Sonshine's Journal

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Are you listening?

Matt 11 Mercy not Sacrifice

Over and over, Jesus is gracious, but when the Pharisees continue to berate him, He speaks out and acts out for He is gracious. Why did Matthew paint such a contrast picture for his Jewish audience but to show them their heart. God sent His Son to save them but instead they reject Him. As it was then, it is today, nothing has changed when the heart is not changed. Matthew shows us the true heart of the Pharisees as a point to show us where our true heart is. Jeremiah wrote: “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked,” [Jer 17:9]

Jesus graciously reveals His power to save when he heals and instead of rejoicing, these Pharisees condemn and plot to kill him. They are like King Arab who was given the promise of saving himself and his kingdom, but chose to ignore Elijah and in the end he was killed on the battlefield. God desires mercy, not sacrifice, but like the Pharisees we want to “earn” our salvation and reject the beautiful words of peace by our Savior.

Today, listen and heed the word of the Lord and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. What are you and I listening to; the voice of the enemy or the voice of the Lord?

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023

Beware of the Red Flags

Numbers 25: I have been thinking more about the story of Balaam and what God is teaching me through this story. It seems that God placed this story here to remind us/me of the ways of our arch-enemy, Satan, in contrast to the man of Psalm 1. In Psalm 1, God lays out the plan for His blessing. The King of Moab is that ungodly man. He knew that God was blessing the Israelites because they were more in number than his own nation, so he sought a way to curse them.

Red Flag #1: We must listen and obey the still, small voice of the Spirit of God. We must have ears to hear and discern so we can decline the enemy’s voice. How often do we compromise by saying I will just stand here and listen, just as Balaam did? God is not the author of confusion. He will never speak words that are against His character.

Red Flag #2: Where will you stand? Balaam went and stood in the king’s presence. Like him, when we make this choice, it is getting harder for the Spirit of God to speak to our hearts.

Red Flag #3: Balaam sat in the presence of the King rather than moving away. Each time, Balaam was making it harder for the Spirit of God to guide him in righteous ways. And when we have reached that last flag, it makes it harder for the Spirit to speak and harder for us to listen.

Today we must choose the way of the Psalm 1 man model so that God can bless us and we can bring forth fruit. Beware of the red flags.

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023

Be Still to hear God’s Voice

Numbers 7 Over two thousand times in the scriptures, we find the words “listen” and “hear.” A hymn writer Emily Crawford captured those truths as she wrote: “Speak, Lord in the stillness while I wait on Thee;” Moses and Samuel are examples of men who heeded that counsel. God clearly marked Moses as his chosen leader and spoke to him audibly. Do we experience this on a daily basis? In Num. 7:89, we read, “Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.” In addition, later, the priest Eli told Samuel when he heard God speaking, he was to answer: “Speak for your servant is listening.” [1 Sam 3:10]

As you sit down to read each day, quiet your heart so you can hear the voice of the Lord speaking.

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

How to be discerning

Jer 21-23 Today we hear many voices. They sound right, legitimate, and pleasant, but are they? One of the challenges we face and the people in Jeremiah’s day faced is discerning whether the messages were from God or not. They had to, and we have to sift between what is true and false. The only difference between the time of Jeremiah and now is that we have the completed Word of God, 🙂 which is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. [2Tim 3:16] The Apostle John’s advice to his flock was to ‘test the spirits to see if they are of God.’ [1Jn 4:1] Ask: Has what he has said in the past come true? Has his life been exemplary?

Long ago, people mostly listened and had to determine if the speaker came from God or not. So God gave them three ways: (1) prophets to speak for God to the people; (2) priests to speak for the people to God and (3) a king to help them adhere to the covenant.

Today, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who speaks to us through the completed Word of God. Therefore, we must know the Word to discern and to do that, we must “store up His Words in our heart” [Ps 119:11] which means we must make every effort to memorize it. It is our reasonable service, as Paul said. [Rom 12:1]

Today as you listen to the many preaching, speaking, and writing, be sure to apply James 1:5 “if deficient in wisdom, ask God.”

July 13, 2020

Can we know the right path to follow?

Prov 8/9 Are you a people watcher as you walk down the path of life? Solomon must have been. He pondered and realized there are two tracks of life (foolish and wise) and he personifies both. Solomon has observed: Vs. 32: Blessed are those who keep my [God’s] ways. Vs. 34 Blessed is the one who listens, watches, and waits.

As Solomon observed, he saw the contrast. The foolish follow Dame Harlot, as Solomon calls her. [Proverbs 7: 27] Followers of Dame Harlot find that “Her house is the way to the grave, going down to death’s chambers.”The wise are pursuing Lady Wisdom. The path of Dame Harlot leads to deception and darkness. The way of Lady Wisdom leads to honesty and light.

Learn from Solomon. Observe people’s decision-making process. Those who choose to follow and heed Lady Wisdom find that her path leads to blessings, and life eternal. ” I will love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” [Proverbs 8:17] Lady Wisdom says: “For the one who finds me (wisdom) find life and receives favor from the Lord. But the one who does not find me brings harm to himself;” [Prov 8:35]

It could not be any clearer: Prov 1:7 “Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 “The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.” Thus as Dr. Constable notes:

“Wisdom and godliness are practically synonymous.”

Beloved, Are you following Dame Harlot or Lady Wisdom?

April 25, 2019

What voice do you listen to ?

You are in a situation where a decision must be made. What do you do? Some say one thing, some say another, whose voice is right?

2chron 10 listen to voice2a

2Chron 10 Voices can be misleading or they can lead to the truth. We are bombarded with voices from the tempter, the world, and the flesh. We must be “discerning regarding truth and error;…and “listen to the voice of the Spirit.” (Heb 5 & 3)

Rehoboam is presented to us as a foolish king who listened not to the Spirit but to two groups of men; the first his father’s former advisors and his boyhood friends. He chose the latter and as the tale unfolded disaster came about because he forsook wisdom for folly, righteousness for power. The kingdom experienced a divorce a magnitude never before was seen. God hates divorce and He hated that His beloved kingdom would suffer over a foolish decision.

Rehoboam might have avoided this had he sought the counsel of God as his grandfather David had done. The disasters in our life such as separation and divorce come about when we listen to the voices of the Tempter; it would be easier if…(you fill in the blank).

But, what if we seek the counsel of God instead? God is not a man that changes his mind. He is ever and always wise and discerning to counsel us aright and the Holy Spirit as part of the triune God would never contradict God’s Word.

The wisest and most blessed man/woman is the one who listens to the voice of the Spirit speaking the words of God. But also, you cannot hear the voice of the Spirit unless you are Spirit-filled.

Have you experienced the indwelling Spirit of God?

March 26, 2019

I am Tamar; Hear My Voice!

2 Sam 13 As we read this tragedy we are confronted with the sin of David being replicated in his firstborn son Amnon but more so is the innocence of his daughter Tamar. How many of our daughters have had to face similar circumstances and only hear the silence of those who should stand up and call sin sin. How many have heard their brothers say “be quiet; don’t take it so seriously.” We want to scream, cry and join our hearts with Tamar whose virginity was slain. We want to not let her voice go unnoticed as she cries out from the grave; learn from my naiveté and my trusting innocence when I should have seen and stopped the charade in its tracks. Girls take heed!

2sam 13 protectiona

Tamar was raped plain and simple and she was silenced. Her voice cries out from the pages of scripture. Scripture says keep away from sexual immorality but our culture says it won’t happen to you. Scripture says possess your own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion but our culture says just be silent. Tamar was caught in a catch 22 situation and her father was too naïve to think his only son would take sexual advantage of his sister. Fathers, listen and put hedges of protection around your daughters.

What can we learn from Tamar? Satan is diabolical and crafty and uses men like Jonadab and Amnon so we must be wise and discerning. Tamar is saying don’t be foolish; sin is about to happen. Tamar is crying out from the grave; listen to me; learn from me. No means no.

Tamar cries out: Fathers; put hedges of protection around your daughters; rebuke the sin and the sinner. Daughters, when you sense danger leave because Satan is more powerful than you are!

October 24, 2015

1John 4 “Walking in a Maze”

This chapter has two definite sections: vs 1-6 warnings about those who are false and vs 7-21 living out the faith in love. We must remember that John was called the “son of thunder” by Jesus for a reason. He was headstrong, impulsive and quick to make judgments. He learned from the Savior how to be discerning and now wants his “friends” and “children” to also be wise and discerning. The author of Hebrews tells us that only those who are mature in the Word are able to distinguish or discern truth from error. John is saying to his beloved followers and to us there are several ways you can discern who is a true follower/teacher/prophet and one who is false.

Often when we are faced with discernment it seems like we are walking in a maze. Distinguish truth by words, not works. What is said when you ask “Who is Jesus.” Is he is “the” Christ come in the flesh; lived, died and rose again according to the scriptures (1Cor 15); the one who atoned for sin? Listen with a discerning ear.

The second say is to distinguish by their life. Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and observe their life. “The love of God displayed in His people is the strongest apologetic that God has in the world.” [Bruce].

The Holy Spirit will not lead you astray; love is the end of this maze.

Photo: azcoloring.com/printable-coloring + author’s phrasing

October 15, 2015

Sacred Moments

Yesterday I had one of those sacred moments. It was not in a time alone in my closet, but I had prepared my heart so when the time came for me to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit I was ready. It was an awesome experience, one I will treasure as a lesson in heart preparation for the unexpected. Have you had one of those “aha moments” when you realize that it is not your inner voice speaking but the true Holy Spirit? In some ways, it sends chills up our spine and it should for this is the God of the universe through the Holy Spirit speaking!

These become our sacred moments; moments in which God has chosen to converse with the one he loves. Sacred moments happen when we are so in tune with the Holy Spirit that we are overwhelmed with His love, His tenderness, His breath, His whispers. It is in these times that the Holy Spirit quietly speaks to our heart so we hear him whisper to us: “This is the correct way, walk in it…” [Isaiah 30:21]

As Paul was writing to the Corinthians he shared that he experienced a time so sacred that he wrote I “heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak.” [2Corinthians 12] That is why Paul understood when the Holy Spirit said: “my grace is sufficient for you.” Have you experienced a time like this?

We can have those sacred moments when the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our walk with Him. He speaks to us regarding sin and the need to seek forgiveness; about righteousness affirming our standing before God. Other times He speaks and directs our steps lest we stumble. However He speaks we know that “he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment –concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness.”

Take time to step apart from the hurry of your day; listen for the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit.

October 19, 2013

Am I Wise? Prov 24

I like to think I am wise because of the many years under my belt, but Proverbs always checks my stride to show areas where I am faltering. Prov 24 is one of those chapters!

I hold in my hands the most marvelous treasure of all, God’s Word. Hidden within are the jewels of wisdom that God will refine so that I will shine as His light in a dark world. The book of Proverbs is God’s treasure box which is filled with His gems which if read, pondered, and applied are the gems God uses to fill my crown that shows I am His child of royal standing. 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Proverbs Gleanings:

Vs 1, 7, 8, 19 Observe those who are unrighteous, listen to how they converse. Their lips reveal that upon which they dwell in their thoughts. They lack restraint where judicial matters are concerned, are schemers and scoffers. They are the people who belong to the “loose lips” club; avoid them. Am I avoiding them or encouraging them in their foolish ways by listening to them?

Vs 11-12 Today the news is filled with horror of human trafficking, genocide, infanticide and more. We shudder but are we assisting to help alleviate the problem or are we ignoring it? During WWII many knew but did nothing. “We have a responsibility to help such people. If we claim ignorance of their condition as a reason for not helping them, we need to remember that God knows the true condition of our heart and will requite us accordingly. We are responsible to rescue those who are in mortal danger. This includes warning and teaching those who are hastening to destruction.” [Toy] What am I doing? I am involved in a “holy huddle” Bible Study but on Thursdays I enter the halls of a local elementary school and share the Good News with children who are often unchurched. What are you doing?

Vs 13-14 Just as honey is nourishing to the physical body, so wisdom is the honey for the soul. If we neglect feeding the body it begins to decline, if we neglect reading, meditating and applying the principles in the Word of God our spiritual body declines. “OUCH”!!!

Vs 17-18, 23-26, 28-29 O you who say you are wise, when I see your “works” what do I discern? If I rejoice over an enemy’s stumbling what does that say about my heart and spiritual attitude? If I am prejudiced what does that say about my understanding of the truth that we are all made in the image of God? If I hide my light under a bushel and do not share the gospel when God provides a divine opportunity what does it say about what I know and believe about the message of salvation? When I bear false witness what does it say about my understanding of God’s moral law which Jesus obeyed?

Vs. 30-34/6:6-11 Observe your daily work. Remember the parable about the ant and the grasshopper and I need to ask myself: Are you more like the ant that was diligent to prepare for winter or more like the grasshopper who slept in the heat of summer but went begging for food in the winter? I am either diligent or I am a sluggard. Principle: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” [2Thess 3]

Wise thoughts to glean and determine my steps. Pro 16:9 A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.

What is God teaching you?

crown image: credit firstcovers.com