listening Archives – Sonshine's Journal

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025

Numbers 7 God Speaks

Moses recounts his interaction with God with this famous verse: “Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the atonement lid that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim. Thus he spoke to him.” [Num 7:89]

The fact that Moses heard God’s voice speaking to him from the most holy place indicates God’s acceptance of these gifts (v. 89). Moses, as the representative of the nation, and God enjoyed a close relationship because of this sacrifice of worship. This is not the first time God spoke audibly to Moses, but it is the first time when God spoke to Moses from above the atonement lid. As we continue our reading we will find that Moses recorded the words of God in the next chapter.

Have you heard God speak? He now speaks through the written Word and the Holy Spirit. Sit quietly and listen for His still, small voice. The Apostle John wrote, “Joh 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Are we listening for His voice?

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

12.3.24. How is your hearing?

Revelation 3 Listening?

To each church, Jesus has said: he who has an ear had better listen. What should they listen for and what are we to be listening for?

To the church at Sardis they should listen to the warning Jesus has for them. The society around them thinks they are alive in their Christian faith, but Jesus says they are dead. What is dead in that church? It is their deeds. They look like they are serving God but in reality they are grumbling, backbiting, lying and other sins. Jesus says wake up! Make your deeds worth something in my eyes. All is not lost however as there are some there who are dressed in white symbolizing purity.

In contrast the church at Philadelphia has no condemnation. Jesus had given them an open door to go and minister and no one can shut it. One of the marks of this church is their steadfastness under duress. But,Jesus reminds them to persevere lest they lose that purity and their crown.

And then there is the church at Laodicea which is dead dead dead. However, they don’t realize that this their case. They think they have done all they need to do and have all the requirements necessary. Jesus says, come and buy gold from me so you can stand strong in times of persecution. Are they listening? Seems not! Jesus reminds them that He is coming soon and they need to be ready when He knocks at their door.

Are we listening? Are we prepared?

October 12, 2024October 12, 2024

10.12.24. Deaf Ears

2 Cor 9 Repetitive words

How often do we hear a parent repeat an instruction until the recipient blocks their ears to hear. Sometimes we fall into this trap and repeat and repeat our instructions and then wonder why someone does not respond! They have literally turned a deaf ear to our words! Paul didn’t want to fall into that trap, but it seems that he has because he notes: “But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them.“ [ 2 Cor 9:3] Paul is saying, I have been broadcasting your obedience, so don’t let me down. That is a subtle warning to remind them that they were eager, but He reminded them that eagerness is only as good as one’s preparation. He is asking; are they now prepared to share their gift with the collectors?

Lesson for us is your actions speak louder than your words and my words fall far from the mark if my listeners do not obey.

April 21, 2015

The World is Watching and Listening

Peter continues to reveal to the beloved Christ followers how they can live, behave and react to those who live in a darkened world. Our walk with Christ begins in the home and moves on to those beyond to the entire world.

The home is the foundation and what is done there is revealed in how one lives in the church and in the marketplace. Family members must exhibit behavior that will turn the hearts of unbelievers to the Lord. Our walk and talk inside the home prepares us for our walk and talk outside the home. The home is where our lifestyle of harmony, sympathy, brotherly kindness, kindheartedness, humility, forgiveness and blessing will be noted by outsiders. The family is the preparation ground for how we are to answer anyone who asks about the hope we possess. And when and if we are accused and or slandered remember this principle: “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.” [Rom 12:20] for in doing so we are following the principle found in the first chapter: Be ye holy as I am holy. That is the imperative that will win others to Him.

Today, is your home a sanctuary where you are living out a lifestyle that will turn the hearts of unbelievers? If they should ask why you live, behave and respond as you do what would be your answer?

Photo courtesy of truthforlife.org

April 3, 2014

Are you just hearing or are you listening?

Jesus taught the listening audience with parables which are like illustrations that reveal the heart and spiritual truths. Wiersbe wrote: A parable begins innocently as a picture that arrests our attention and arouses our interest. But as we study the picture, it becomes a mirror in which we suddenly see ourselves. If we continue to look by faith, the mirror becomes a window through which we see God and His truth. How we respond to that truth will determine what further truth God will teach us.” As Jesus presented the parable of the soils many heads were nodding yet later the disciples asked for clarification. Jesus asked them: “Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable?” And perhaps he is asking you and I the same questions.

“Listen!” This parable is about the three enemies: the “god” of hardness, the “god” of shallowness, the “god” of the crowded life. As the sower cast his seed some fell along the hardened path. This is a reflection of a hardened heart much like the religious leaders who watched with purpose to accuse and assassinate him. Their “god” is intellectualism and man-made rules even though Jesus provided the heavenly evidence of a withered hand restored. Some seed fell among the rocky ground. This is the “god” of the shallow heart that lacks hunger or thirst for the deep meanings of God. The Word does not penetrate their will or their way of life. These are unable to discern truth from error and thus are led away into false theology. The seed that fell among the thorns reflects the heart that is crowded by calendars and the clock—no time to read, study or meditate. These are satisfied with a “ticket punch” and not the deep truths that God offers those who seek Him. In sharp contrast is the seed that fell on the good soil/heart which reflects the hungering and thirsting heart that searches the Word to see if what is said is true. These are the Bereans that Paul commended. These are the ones whose seed sprouts, then a stalk appears, then the head and finally the fruit ready for harvest.

Jesus said: “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!” In other words: Listen with your ears but hear with your heart.

Photo credit: moazmodernvinyl.com