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The Ways God Speaks to Us – Rick Bagwell
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DELIVERANCE OF THE ABUSED & HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD
MANY SEX CRIMES CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE CRIMINAL BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR OWN LIVES. THIS DOOR FROM WHICH THAT SPIRIT CAME IN TO THEM, COULD HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR THIS DEMON TO SURFACE AND START WORKNG, THROUGH A GENERATIONAL PROCESS, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN INVITED IN BY THEIR OWN LUST.
PARENTS, OPEN YOUR EYES, CHILDREN EXPERIMENT WITH THEIR BODIES. THEY KNOW TOO MUCH, TOO SOON.
THEY ARE AROUND OLDER CHILDREN WHO EXPOSE THEM TO EXPERIMENTATION, AND THEN THEY TAKE FROM THERE.
BEGIN TO QUESTION YOUR CHILDREN. QUIT BEING AFRAID TO BE CALLED ‘NOSEY.’ BE NOSEY, ASK QUESTIONS, SEARCH THEIR ROOM PERIODICALLY. LOOK FOR SIGNS LIKE: BED-WETTING, CHANGE IN ATTITUDE, EXTREME SHYNESS, UNUSUAL CRYING, POOR SELF- IMAGE, AND THERE ARE MORE.
DON’T LET THE CHILD CONTINUE TO SILENTLY HURT INSIDE; FEEL TORMENTED WITH THE MEMORIES; AND THE ANGER BE SHOWN ON THE OUTSIDE.
GIRLS SEEM TO HURT MORE INSIDE, AND BOYS SEEM TO SHOW IT MORE ON THE OUTSIDE.
WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS GROWING UP WE HAD AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY. I NEVER ALLOWED HER FRIENDS OR FAMILY VISITORS TO ENTER A ROOM AND CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND THEM. IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, CHILDREN CAN BEGIN A LIFE OF HURT THAT WILL FOLLOW THEM: SOME FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
BE NOSEY, PARENTS! TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD WOUNDS AND SCARS MOST OF HER LIFE.
IT HAS AEFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY IN WAYS THAT ARE INDESCRIBABLE.
HOW DID I GET RID OF IT?: THROUGH FORGIVING THE ABUSER AND KNOWING THAT THE REAL ABUSER WAS THE DEMON IN OPERATION THROUGH THAT PERSON OR PERSONS.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN ABUSER: HE OR SHE IS USALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS A PASSION FOR CHILDREN THAT IS NOT NORMAL. MY HUSBAND NOTICED AN OLDER MAN WHO CAME INTO THE CHURCH THAT ACTED STRANGE TOWARD SMALL BOYS. THIS MAN SELECTED ONE SMALL CHILD AND GAVE HIM A LOT OF ATTENTION. WE WARNED THE PARENTS WHO TURNED AGAINST US BECAUSE HE APPEARED TO THEM A LOVING, CARING, ELDERLY MAN WHO MEANT NO HARM.
STILL, SEEING HIS POSESSIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARD THIS CHILD, MY HUSBAND ALERTED THE MEN OF THE CHURCH AND HE WAS BEING WATCHED FROM ALL SIDES. WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE THE MAN AND FOUND OUT HE HAD ALREADY SERVED TIME FOR MESSING WITH LITTLE BOYS IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BY CALLING THEM ON HIS PHONE AND SAYING SEXUAL THINGS TO THEM. WE ALERTED THE FAMILY WHO STILL DOESN’T BELIEVE US, AND THEY LEFT THE CHURCH, THINKING WE HAD JUDGED HIM UNFAIRLY.
IT’S EVEN HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO ACCEPT, IF IT IS A FAMILY MEMBER, BECAUSE EITHER THEY DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE IT, OR THEY DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. IT’S MORE PAINFUL WHEN IT’S FAMILY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
HOW DO I GET MY CHILDREN TO TALK? – THIS IS THE HARDEST PART. THE CHILDREN SOMETIMES LOOK-UP-TO, AND CONFIDE IN THAT PERSON. THEY GIVE THEM A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION; BUY THEM GIFTS; TAKE THEM PLACES; SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM, PERSONALLY.
IN MY CASE, AS A SMALL CHILD, IT WAS THE PROMISE OF A BRIDE DOLL; ALONG WITH A THREAT OF MY DADDY KILLING MY GRANDFATHER AND GOING TO JAIL. — THIS IS VERY PERSUASIVE FOR A SMALL CHILD. A CHILD’S IMAGINATION SOMETIMES MAGNIFIES THE THREAT. THE ABUSER WILL SOMETIMES TELL THE CHILD, “I’M AN ADULT, AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO YOU. THEY WON’T BELIEVE YOU.”
I NEVER TOLD UNTIL MY GRANDFATHER DIED. I WAS A YOUNG ADULT WITH A CHILD OF MY OWN, AND CARRIED THE SECRET AROUND WITH ME MOST OF MY LIFE AND ALSO, IT TORMENTED ME ALMOST DAILY. IT AFFECTED EVERY PART OF MY LIFE.
ONCE I HEARD A DISCUSSION BY PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCOLOGISTS WHO SAID IT WAS GOOD FOR A CHILD TO HAVE SEX WITH AN ADULT: IT PREPARES THEM FOR THEIR SEXUAL ADULTHOOD.
EITHER THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, OR THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH SOME SORT OF UNHEALTHY AND UNGODLY SEXUAL ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES.
SOME ARE SO DEVASTATED: THEY COMIT SUICIDE. AND OTHERS WHOM WE HAVE DEALT WITH, ARE SERVING TIME FOR THINGS THEY GOT INVOLVED WITH TO SOOTHE THEIR EMOTIONAL PAIN: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL; AND SOME BECAME PROSTITUTES BECAUSE THEY BECAME ADDICTED OR THE LUST SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG THEY COULD NOT BE SATISFIED.
IS THERE DELIVERANCE FOR THE ABUSED? – YES. IT TAKES TIME, AND IT TAKES PRAYER, BUT THE FIRST STEP, IS TO TELL.
WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THE ABUSERS AND PRAY FOR THEM, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES, OR THOSE OF WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE BACK IN THE SAME PLACE TO BE ABUSED AGAIN.
TEACH THEM TO PRAY; AND ASK GOD TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, NATIONWIDE, AND AROUND THE WORLD.
A HEALTHY CHILDHOOD IS A PRICELESS INVESTMENT.
LISTEN – PART II
LISTEN WITH UNDERSTANDING:
NEHEMIAH 8:2 – AND EZRA THE PRIEST BROUGHT THE LAW BEFORE THE CONGREGATION BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, AND ALL THAT COULD HEAR WITH UNDERSTANDING…
SO WHEN WE LISTEN TO HEAR, WE CAN DO IT WITH UNDERSTANDING. TO UNDERSTAND, MEANS TO COMPREHAND OR DISCERN.
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO GOD:
GOD DOESN’T HIDE ANYTHING FROM US.
MARK 4:22-25 – FOR THERE IS NOTHING HID, WHICH SHALL NOT BE MANIFESTED; NEITHER WAS ANYTHING KEPT SECRET, BUT THAT IT SHOULD COME ABROAD.
IF ANY MAN HAVE EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR.
AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, TAKE HEED WHAT MEASURE YE MEET, IT SHALL BE MEASURED TO YOU: AND UNTO YOU THAT HEAR SHALL MORE BE GIVEN.
FOR HE THAT HATH, TO HIM SHALL BE GIVEN: AND HE THAT HATH NOT, FROM HIM SHALL BE TAKEN EVEN THAT HE HATH.
GOD DESIRES FOR US TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY TO US.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HEAR FROM GOD IS TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM IN OUR SECRET PLACE, READ HIS WORD, AND MEDITATE ON IT, AND LISTEN FOR THAT STILL SMALL VOICE.
THE MORE WE HEAR FROM GOD, THE MORE WE WANT TO HEAR.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL OPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OR COMPREHENSION OF WHAT HE IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO US IF WE WILL ONLY LISTEN.
I’M SURE THAT THOSE WHO HAD GOOD PARENTS: WISH THEY HAD LISTENED MORE TO THE ADVISE THEIR PARENTS GAVE THEM WHILE GROWING UP. WE WOULD HAVE MISSED SOME OF THE TROUBLES AND HEARTACHES WE WENT THROUGH, HAD WE LISTENED.
YOU ARE PROBABLY THINKING OF SOME OF THEM RIGHT NOW.
WELL, LISTENING TO WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVEN WHAT OUR PARENTS HAVE TO SAY.
HUMAN BEINGS CAN ONLY REALLY KNOW BY EXPERIENCE; BUT GOD KNOWS THE FRONT, BACK, AND IN-BETWEEN OF EVERYTHING.
HE IS OMNISCIENCE, ALL KNOWING:
I JOHN 3:20b – GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART, AND KNOWETH ALL THINGS.
GOD HAS FOREKNOWLEDGE:
ISAIAH 48:3,5 – I HAVE DECLARED THE FORMER THINGS FROM THE BEGINNING; AND THEY WENT FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH, AND I SHOWED THEM; I DID THEM SUDDENLY, AND THEY CAME TO PASS.
I HAVE EVEN FROM THE BEGINNING DECLARED IT TO THEE; BEFORE IT CAME TO PASS I SHOWED IT THEE: LEST THOU SHOULDEST SAY, MINE IDOL HATH DONE THEM, AND MINE GRAVEN IMAGE, AND MINE MOULTON IMAGE, HATH COMMANDED THEM.
GOD DESIRES US TO LISTEN TO HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE KNOWN TO US HIS PLANS FOR US. THE WORLD DOES NOT HAVE THE ANSWERS.
VERSE 17 – THUS SAYETH THE LORD, THY REDEEMER, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL; I AM THE LORD THY GOD WHICH TEACHETH THEE TO PROFIT (GAIN), WHICH LEADETH THEE BY THE WAY THAT THOU SHOULDEST GO. THIS IS JESUS SPEAKING THROUGH ISAIAH.
GOD WILL LISTEN TO US:
DAVID PRAYED TO GOD IN PSALM 4:1,3 – HEAR ME WHEN I CALL, O GOD OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS: THOU HAST ENLARGED ME WHEN I WAS IN DISTRESS; HAVE MERCY ON ME, AND HEAR MY PRAYER.
BUT KNOW THAT THE LORD HATH SET APART HIM THAT IS GODLY FOR HIMSELF: THE LORD WILL HEAR WHEN I CALL UNTO HIM.
ISN’T IT WONDERFUL THAT THE SUPREME BEING, ALMIGHTY GOD, WILL LISTEN TO US WHEN WE CALL. DAVID IS SAYING, THE LORD HEARD HIM WHEN HE PRAYED, AND HAS RELIEVED HIM FROM HIS DISTRESS.
3 STEPS TO DEATH
MARK 5:1,2 – AND THEYCAME OVER UNTO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEA, INTO THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES.
AND WHEN HE WAS COME OUT OF THE SHIP, IMMEDIATELY THERE MET HIM OUT OF THE TOMBS A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT.
HERE WE HAVE A MAN WITH AN LIFECLEAN SPIRIT. A MAN WHO HAS COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF HIS LIFE.
THERE ARE 3 STAGES OF DEMONIC ACTIVITY: OPRESSION,OBSESSION, POSESSION.
THIS MAN IS IN THE LAST STAGES OF DEMONIC ACTVITY, HE IS POSESSED.
HIS WILL HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT. SOMEWHERE IN HIS LIFE HE OPENED THE DOOR FOR DEMONIC ACTIVITY.
THIS MAN LIVED IN TOMBS. HE LIVED AMONG THE DEAD.
THE DEVIL COMES TO KILL, STEAL, AND DESTROY.
THIS MAN HAD A GODGIVEN PURPOSE. GOD HAD A PLAN FOR HIS LIFE. THE DEVIL WAS TRYING TO KILL THAT PURPOSE: HE WAS STEALING TIME FROM THIS MAN.
EVERY MINUTE THE DEVIL CAN STEAL: MOMENTS, DAYS, WEEKS, AND YEARS FROM A PERSON’S LIFE, HE IS STEALING FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD’
THE DEVIL DESIRES TO DESTROY GOD’S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES.
THIS MAN WAS TORMENTED, LOST, AND ON HIS WAY TO HELL.
HE WAS TRAPPED, AND THE DEVIL WAS EATING UP TIME; HE WAS DELAYING PURPOSE AND TRYING TO KILL THIS MAN.
JESUS CAME TO THIS MAN. THIS MAN DIDN’T CROSS THE SEA TO FIND JESUS. JESUS CROSSED THE SEA AND CAME TO WHERE THIS MAN WAS: TO DELIVER HIM.
JESUS GAVE HIM HIS ASSIGNMENT.
THIS MAN WANTED TO TRAVEL WITH JESUS, BUT THAT WASN’T GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIM. JESUS TOLD HIM TO GO HOME AND TELL HIS FRIENDS.
TELL THEM WHAT? ….WHAT GREAT THINGS GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU AND HAS HAD COMPASSION ON YOU.
WHAT A MESSAGE!!!
THE LORD WANTS TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR US AND BLESS US WITH COMPASSION SO WE CAN GO AND TELL OUR FRIENDS ABOUT JESUS AND LISTEN FOR HIM TO GUIDE US TO HIS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES.
THE PREACHER THAT QUIT
I KINGS 19:1-4
AND AHAB TOLD JEZEBEL ALL THAT ELIJAH HAD DONE, AND WITHAL HOW HE HAD SLAIN ALL THE PROPHETS WITH THE SWORD.
THEN JEZEBEL SENT A MESSENGER UNTO ELIJAH SAYING. SO LET THE gODS DO TO ME, AND MORE ALSO, IF I MAKE NOT THY LIFE AS THE LIFE OF ONE OF THEM BY TOMORROW ABOUT THIS TIME.
AND WHEN HE SAW THAT, HE AROSE, AND WENT FOR HIS LIFE, AND CAME TO BEER-SHEBA TO JUDAH, AND LEFT HIS SERVANT THERE.
BUT HE HIMSELF WENT A DAY’S JOURNEY INTO THE WILDERNESS, AND CAME AND SAT DOWN UNDER A JUNIPER TREE: AND HE REQUESTED FOR HIMSELF THAT HE MIGHT DIE; AND SAID IT IS ENOUGH; NOW, O LORD, TAKE AWAY MY LIFE; FOR I AM NO BETTER THAN MY FATHERS.
ELIJAH THE PROPHET WHO HAD CHALLENGED THE PROPHETS OF BAAL, CALLED FIRE DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN, KILLED THE PROPHETS OF BAAL, PRAYED DOWN RAIN OUT OF HEAVEN. WHAT A VICTORY.
JEZEBEL THREATENS HIS LIFE, FEAR GRIPES THE MIND OF ELIJAH. ELIJAH HAD BEEN SO BOLD WITH GREAT FAITH, BUT KNOW HE HAS FORGOTTEN THE POWERFUL RELEASE OF GODS POWER INTO HIS LIFE.
THIS SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL BROUGHT FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT AND CONFUSION UPON HIS MIND. ELIJAH LOST HIS VISION, HIS PURPOSE WAS FORGOTTEN. HE RAN FROM GOD, HE RAN FROM MINISTRY, HE RAN FROM JEZEBEL. HIS PURPOSE AS GODS MAN DIDN’T MATTER ANYMORE.
HE WAS FEARFUL, DEPRESSED, DISCOURAGED, DISILLUSIONED, FULL OF SELF PITY. HE LEFT HIS SERVANT BEHIND AND TOOK OFF.
THROUGH THIS EXAMPLE OF THE ATTACK ON ELIJAH’S MIND, I UNDERSTAND THE WAY SATAN ATTACKS AFTER GREAT SPIRITUAL VICTORIES.
DISCOURAGEMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE DEMONS IN THESE LAST DAYS. FEAR IS ITS SISTER.
I HUMBLY TELL YOU, I HAVE FELL UNDER THIS ATTACK MANY TIMES, AFTER GREAT VICTORIES COME ATTACKS. DRY SPELLS AND ATTACKS AGAINEST THE MIND.
I HAVE LEARNED TO REST, AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN I MINISTER TO OTHERS AND GIVE OUT THE ANOINTING ON MY LIFE, THAT I MUST PULL AWAY FROM MINISTRY AND BUILD UP MY INNER MAN THROUGH PRAYER, WORSHIP AND THE WORD OF GOD. READ A CHRISTIAN BOOK, LISTEN TO TAPES OR CD’S ON FAITH. SERVE THE MASTER AS A GOOD SERVANT IN HIS PRESENCE. THE WAR WE ARE IN IS A SPIRITUAL WAR AND MUST BE FOUGHT WITH THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. I AM CONVINCED ELIJAH FELT COLD SPIRITUALLY, HE FELT LIKE GOD HAD DESERTED HIM. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE ANOINTING THAT WAS ON ELIJAH WHEN HE CALLED THE FIRE OF GOD DOWN ON THE SACRIFICE. HOW HE FELT WHEN HE PRAYED DOWN RAIN. NOW ELIJAH FEELS NOTHING. DEMONS ATTACK HIS MIND, HE FEELS DESERTED BY GOD, HE THINKS HE’S THE ONLY ONE SERVING GOD. DESERTED BY GOD HE TURNS TAIL AND RUNS, HE QUITS. HE HAD NO FAITH OPERATING, I HAVE BEEN THERE, CRYING OUT ACCUSING GOD OF NOT CARING. WE LEARN BY OUR MISTAKES. WE MUST KEEP THE FAITH AND CLAIM VICTORY REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE SEE OR HEAR.
ELIJAH COULD SEE THE PROPHETS OF BAAL BUT COULDN’T SEE THE DEMON’S ATACKING HIS FAITH.
AFTER GREAT SPRITUAL VICTORIES WE NEED TO REST OUR MIND AND BODIES, YOUR SPIRIT CAN BE STRONG AND YOUR BODY TIRED, THIS WILL MAKE YOU WEARY IN WELL DOING.
JESUS PULLED AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE TO PRAY AND SEEK THE FATHER, HE RESTED AT TIMES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER. HE WAS IN A HUMAN BODY HE COULD GROW TIRED.
MARK 6:31
AND HE SAIN UNTO THEM, COME YE YOURSELVES APART INTO A DESERT PLACE, AND REST A WHILE FOR THERE WERE MANY COMING AND GOING, AND THEY HAD NO LEISURE SO MUCH AS TO EAT.
ELIJAH HEARD THE STILL SMALL VOICE OF GOD ON A SECLUDED MOUNTAIN.
ELIJAH’S MINISTRY IS NOT OVER YET. HE AND MOSES CAME DOWN ON A MOUNTAIN IN ISRAEL AND TALKED TO JESUS ABOUT HIS SUFFERING IN JERUSALEM. ELIJAH WILL BE ONE OF THE PROPHETS THAT WILL PREACH ON THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM IN THE 1ST PART OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS HE WILL PREACH THAT JESUS IS THE JEWISH MESSIAH WHO CAME AND WAS CRUCIFIED FOR THEIR SIN. HE WILL PREACH JESUS CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED. AND THAT HE IS COMING AGAIN TO SET UP HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH. HE WILL DO MIRACLES AND CALL DOWN FIRE OUT OF HEAVEN. 144,000 JEWS WILL BE SAVED AND PREACH THE GOSPEL. ELIJAH WILL BE THE FORERUNNER OF THE RETURN OF KING JESUS TO JERUSALEM. THE MINISTRY OF ELIJAH WILL BE SEEN AROUND THE WORLD BY TELEVISION AND INTERNET, PREACHING THE GOSPEL.
DOESN’T SOUND LIKE THIS PREACHER STAYED QUIT. NO ELIJAH IS STILL IN THE MINISTRY WAITING FOR HIS PULPIT AGAIN, TO PROPHESY TO KINGS AND PREIST AND TO ALL THE LOST THE KING IS COMING, KING JESUS.
CAN I TELL YOU THAT YOUR MINISTRY IS NOT OVER EITHER, YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU. THE GIFTS AND CALLING OF GOD IS WITHOUT REPENTANCE. STIR UP THAT POWER THAT IS INSIDE OF YOU, LET THE ANOINTING OF GOD REFRESH YOU AND GIVE YOU NEW VISION.
WORDS PART III
EPHESIANS 4:13 – LET NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING (OR BUILDING UP), THAT IT MAY MINISTER GRACE TO THE HEARERS.
ALL OF US NEED TO BE BUILT-UP OR EDIFIED. OUR FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO HEAR WORDS COMING FROM OUR MOUTH’S THAT ARE BLESSINGS AND NOT CURSES.
TIMOTHY IS PAUL’S SON IN THE SPIRIT. LISTEN HOW HE BUILDS TIMOTHY UP.
II TIMOTHY 1:13 – HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS, WHICH THOU HAST HEARD OF ME, IN FAITH AND LOVE, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.
TO TIMOTHY, MY DEAR BELOVED SON: GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE, FROM GOD THE FATHER AND CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
FAITH, BEING THE POSITIVE, OR BLESSINGS; AND FEAR BEING THE NEGATIVE, OR CURSES: LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING VERSES:
II TIMOTHY 1:3-5 – I THANK GOD, WHOM I SERVE FROM MY FOREFATHERS WITH A PURE CONSCIENCE, THAT WITHOUT CEASING I HAVE REMEMBRANCE OF THEE IN MY PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY;
GREATLY DESIRING TO SEE THEE, BEING MINDFUL OF THY TEARS, THAT I MAY BE FILLED WITH JOY:
WHEN I CALL TO REMEMBRANCE THE UNFEIGNED LOVE THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH DWELT FIRST IN THY GRANDMOTHER LOIS, AND THY MOTHER EUNICE; AND I AM PERSUADED THAT IN THEE ALSO.
TIMOTHY HAD A GRANDMOTHER AND A MOTHER, WHO LOVED HIM, AND INFLUENCED HIS LIFE.
THAT PERSON THAT IS PRAYING FOR YOU AND INFLUENCING YOUR LIFE, TO SERVE GOD, AND HIS PURPOSE FOR YOUR FUTURE.
MAYBE THEY ARE PRAYING, “DON’T GIVE-UP ON HER, LORD: MAKE HER SWEET, JUST LIKE JESUS.”
SOME OF YOU ARE REALLY HURTING BECAUSE OF THE THINGS SPOKEN OVER YOU IN YOUR PAST, AND EVEN NOW, YOU STILL HEAR THOSE WORDS, FOLLOWING YOU, AND SCREAMING OUT AT YOU.
THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO DO, IS GIVE IT ALL TO GOD; AND THE NEXT STEP IS TO FORGIVE THAT ONE WHO HAS HURT YOU WITH THEIR WORDS OR IN ANY WAY.
THIS MAY SEEM STRANGE TO YOU, BUT TO BE FREE, THIS HAS TO TAKE PLACE.
YOU MAY EVEN NEED TO FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR THOSE CURSES YOU HAVE SPOKEN OVER YOURSELF OTHERS.
MAYBE, YOU MAY NEED TO ASK THEM TO FORGIVE YOU, AND THAT FROM NOW ON, YOUR WORDS TO THEM ARE LIFE, AND BLESSINGS.
DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE… PROVERBS 18:21
WE SEE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
MANY TIMES WE HAVE A MIND-SET ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE WHEN WE LOOK. IF WE ARE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO SEES EVIL IN EVERYTHING, WE WILL FIND IT; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD, WE WILL FIND IT. OUR GAS TANK CAN BE HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY.
IF WE FEEL INSECURE AROUND PEOPLE, WHEN WE ARE WITH MORE THAN ONE, WE FEEL INTIMIDATED, THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAINST US EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT. WE CAN SAY TO OURSELVES, “THEY ARE FRIENDS, BUT THEY DON’T LIKE ME,” OR WE COULD TELL OURSELVES, “I DON’T LIKE THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS TOGETHER.
THESE FEELINGS USUSALLY COME FROM A BAD PAST EXPERIENCE, OR THEY COME FROM A COMPETITIVE NATURE YOU HAVE DEVELOPED BY WANTING TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.
THIS TYPE OF PERSON IS MISERABLE AND DOESN’T EVEN LIKE BEING AROUND THEMSELVES. THIS KIND OF THINKING USUALLY COMES FROM CHILDHOOD, WHERE WE WERE AT ONE POINT, THE CENTER OF ATTENTION; AND WHEN SOMEONE ELSE STEPPED INTO THE SPOTLIGHT, WE FELT LEFT OUT. I CALL THESE PEOPLE “CENTER-STAGE” PEOPLE. THEY ARE MISERABLE WITHIN AND WE DON’T LIKE BEING IN THEIR COMPANY, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO “POUT”; OR IF THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO TARE DOWN THAT PERSON THEY FEEL COMPETITIVE WITH. OR MAYBE THEY WILL EVEN CAUSE A SCENE JUST TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
SOMETIMES THAY WILL JUST AVOID YOU SO YOU WILL SEEK THEM OUT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG. THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU OR THEM.
I HEARD A PASTOR SAY ON TV TODAY, THAT AFTER HE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE LOST THAT FEELING OF HAVING TO BE RECOGNIZED.
WHEN THIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE IS DEVELOPED IN US, IT IS HARD TO BREAK. MOST OF THE TIME, THE WAY YOU SEE IT, IS THE PROBLEM. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN OF CONCERN ALSO IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES.
PHILIPPIANS 2:4 – LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS, BUT EVERY MAN ALSO ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS. THE WAY THE WORLD IS——“PUSH YOURSELF FORWARD. BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.” BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT JESUS TAUGHT, NOR LIVED. VERSES 5-8 – LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS: WHO BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, THOUGHT IT NOT ROBBERY TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD: BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION AND TOOK UPON HIM THE FORM OF A SERVANT, AND WAS MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN: AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF…
PAUL POINTS OUT HERE THE CAUSES OF DIVISIONS WHICH EXISTS AMONG CHRISTIANS, ONE OF WHICH IS VAIN GLORY: PERSONAL VANITY; THE DESIRE TO BE NOTICED, AND THE HATRED OF OWNING-UP TO BEING WRONG. WE CALL THIS SELFISHNESS OR SELF-CENTEREDNESS. A SELF-CENTERED PERSON IS THE WORSE OF THE TWO. A SELFISH PERSON IS ONE WHO WANT EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF: BUT A SELF-CENTERED PERSON THINKS OF NO ONE BUT HIMSELF; AND THINKS THE WORLD SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND HIM.
SELF-CENTEREDNESS MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THOUGHT, FEELINGS, AND ACTIONS.
ALL OF US ARE A LITTLE SELFISH BY NATURE. WE ARE THE ONE THAT LIVES IN OUR BODY. IT’S INTERESTING TO ME, THOUGH, THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES IN, HE BEGINS TO REVEAL TO US ALL TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES AND OUR MOTIVES: IN ALL WE SAY AND DO.
WHY NOT ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO BE RIGHT FOR A CHANGE?
WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING?
IT’S BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE COUNTED WRONG. THERE IS A SAYING THAT BARES REPEATING: “I COULD BE WRONG, BUT I THINK I’M RIGHT.”
THIS WOULD STOP A LOT OF BICKERING BACK AND FORTH IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. WHO KNOWS? IN SOME THINGS THEY COULD BE RIGHT!
THE REASON WE HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM OF LOOKING ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS MORE THAN OUR OWN, IS BECAUSE WE WERE BORN WITH A SIN-NATURE. WE HAVE TO ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE US. WE NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST TO PUT-ON TRUE CHRISTIANITY. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
IT’S EASY FOR US AS MORE MATURE CHRISTIANS TO DEVELOPE A DISLIKE AND DISTRUST FOR A CERTAIN PERSON; AND WHEN THEY COME INTO THE ROOM WHERE WE ARE, WE FREEZE-UP ON THEM, SOMETIMES WE JUST MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA BECAUSE WE JUST CAN’T STAND BEING AROUND THEM.
I FIND THIS MORE IN SPIRITUALLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE, WHO DISCERN DEMONIC OPERATION IN THAT PERSON.
THEY JUDGE THE PERSON, AND NEVER PRAY FOR THEM OR TRY TO FIND SOME GOOD IN THEM.
IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO ASK GOD FOR WHAT IS IN OPERATION THERE AND GO OUR KNEES IN PRAYER AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO WILL LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE FOUND OUT, —– OR THINK WE SUSPICIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT THEM.
WE SHOULD GO TO OUR KNEES AND BIND UP THAT SPIRIT SO THAT PERSON CAN BE FREE.
THEN, WE NEED TO CHECK OURSELVES WITH THE BOOK OF JAMES TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN US WE NEED TO BE FREED FROM.
PAUL GAVE GREST ADVICE IN PHILLIPPIANS 2:2, WHERE HE SAYS, —-THEN MAKE ME TRUELY HAPPY BY LOVING EACH OTHER, WORKING TOGETHER, WITH ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE PURPOSE.
LISTEN
MANY OF US HAVE MUCH TO SAY; SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.
WE WANT TO BE HEARD.
LORD, HELP US TO LISTEN; HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING TO US, AND REALLY HEAR WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY.
WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SHARE THEIR HEART WITH US, WE SOMETIMES RATTLE-ON, GIVING ADVICE, WHEN WE ARE NOT REALLY HEARING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.
GUILTY? WELL, SO AM I.
WE WANT TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS FOR THEM.
IN COUNSELING, WE ARE TOLD NOT TO MAKE A QUICK JUDGMENT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE DISCUSSES THEIR PROBLEMS WITH US. LET THEM HAVE TIME TO HEAR THEMSELVES SPEAK IT OUT.
SOMETIMES, WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THEIR OWN MOUTH SOUNDS SILLY TO THEM AFTER THEY PUT IT IN WORDS. OCCASIONALLY, THEY SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEM BY WHAT THEY HEAR.
WE ARE TO LISTEN, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR HEART IN WHAT THEY ARE REALLY WANTING TO SAY WITHOUT STATING IT.
SOMETIMES, IT IS SO HARD TO SPEAK IT OUT.
A LISTENING EAR IS OF GREATER IMPORTANCE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS UTTERED TO THE PERSON DESIRING COUNSELING.
IF WE LISTEN, WE WILL HEAR.
EVERONE NEEDS A LISTENING EAR AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE.
I BELIEVE IF PARENTS WOULD LISTEN INSTEAD OF LECTURING THEIR TEEN, THEY WOULD LEARN A GREAT DEAL FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOT SAYING. THEY WILL BEGIN TO OPEN-UP AND SHARE THEIR HEART, AND FEARS WITH YOU.
DON’T GET SO BUSY THAT YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM. IF THEY OPEN-UP TO YOU, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GUIDE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
TEENS REALLY DO WANT THEIR PARENT’S APPROVAL; AND EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY DON’T WANT ATTENTION, THEY ARE ACTUALLY SAYING TO YOU, “I WONT ASK FOR IT, BUT I WILL DO ANYTHING I HAVE TO DO TO GET IT!”
MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A MATTER; THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN.
AT TIMES, THEY HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE THEY GET THERE, THEY JUST WANT TO SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE.
WHAT THEY ARE WANTING TO SAY, COMES OUT AFTER A WHILE, OR AFTER A FEW TIMES OF TALKING ABOUT IT. THEY START TO FEEL AT EASE WITH YOU AND SHARE WHAT IS ON THEIR HEART.
HAVING SOMEONE TO LISTEN IS OF GREAT VALUE TO A TROUBLED SOUL. IT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE COMMITTING SUICIDE, AND NOT COMMITTING SUICIDE
WE JUST DON’T KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LISTEN.
TRY THIS EXPERIMENT: WHILE CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE; STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN.
THE WORD LISTEN IS USED ONLY ONCE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, IN ISAIAH 49:1. IT IS A HEBREW WORD: SHAMA (SHAW-MAH’), WHICH MEANS TO HEAR INTELLIGENTLY, CAREFULLY, ATTENTIVELY. IT ALSO IMPLIES OBEDIENCE.
IN FIRST KINGS 8:30 – SOLOMON ASKED GOD, …AND HARKEN THOU TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND THY PEOPLE, ISRAEL, WHEN THEY SHALL PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE: AND HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE: AND WHEN THOU HEAREST, FORGIVE. SOLOMON USED: HEARKEN, HEAR,HEAREST.
ALL THREE WORDS ARE DEFINED THE SAME AS THE WORD, LISTEN: TO HEAR CAREFULLY, INTELLIGENTLY, AND ATTENTIVELY. SO, LISTEN AND HEAR MEAN THE SAME IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS OUR MODERN LANGUAGE.
SO STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN, AND YOU WILL SEE GREAT RESULTS.
