Author: Dale

On the first day of kindergarten, a little boy was asked by his teacher to tell everyone his name.  He immediately said, “Listen!”  He had heard his father say, “Listen,” so many times to him that he thought it was his name.

How well do you listen when God speaks to you?

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:47)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Tuesday’s post, How Do You Listen? has caused me to ask myself, “Do I listen to God?”  And then to go one more step, “Do I listen to God for understanding?” God speaks to us every time we open His Word, if we will listen.  Speaking about Israel, God said, “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!” (Psalm 81:8, 13).  Our Heavenly Father longs to speak to us, and He wants us to slow down, stop and listen.  The God of this universe, of eternity, the Transcendent One, Absolute Truth, has something to say to us. We cannot hear His voice if we just read Scripture to “check off a box” or read a brief devotional of mostly man’s words.

How do I listen to His voice?

1. Prepare your heart to listen by prayer and worshipful singing.

• Ask God to speak to you and be ready to respond like Samuel, Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears (1 Samuel 3:9-10).
• Ask God to help you understand. Pray Scripture. Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works (Psalm 119:27).  Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments (119:73).  I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies (119:125).

2. Read through Scripture at a pace you can hear God speak. Being a good listener demands patience and no distractions.
3. Write in your journal what God says to you; that passage of Scripture that stands out to you.
4. Don’t argue with God; be a humble listener. Obey without doubt.
5. Meditate at that moment on what God has said to you. Pray over it. Recite it back to Him. Then throughout the day mediate on that truth as God will continue to speak to you through that passage giving you fuller understanding.
6. Ask God about words or thoughts from the passage you do not understand. Then be still and wait on Him to reply.
7. Talk with Him throughout the day, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Carry on a conversation with God and stop talking at various intervals to hear Him speak to you in the still small voice.
8. Remember, God never speaks or leads contrary to His Word. He is faithful and true to His character or He ceases to be God.

Have you heard Him say to you today, “Listen to Me” (Isaiah 46:12)?

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:23)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

Before you read on, please stop and really consider this quote.  When it appeared on my Instagram feed yesterday, I had to share it immediately with my wife.

Do you listen to understand or . . . to reply?  This quote became a reality to Denise and me yesterday.  We both have been extremely busy in all areas of life and needed a breather.  So I suggested a place for lunch and planned a bike ride which would include a time of uninterrupted, focused conversation on one of the many benches along the bike trail.  For a good while, we shared tidbits, observations, and blessings from our past few days.  We were not in any hurry. After reading a marriage devotional and some selected Scripture passages, we had prayer together. How sweet to meet at the Throne of Grace as a couple.  Then I shared some deep things from my heart with Denise.  I asked her questions and listened.  What a special time we shared together listening to each other and not being quick to answer.

I struggle at being a good listener.  My wife and my girls, and I’m sure, my friends and congregation would say the same thing.  The fact that my hearing is not good does not help matters, but it is not an excuse. Too often, I listen to reply.  This quote along with the connection of Scripture has stirred me to realize that I must not be quick to answer, but slow to hear, to listen, to understand.  For all whom I have offended in this way, please forgive me.  I must slow down and listen for understanding, compassion and clarity.

Husbands and fathers, may I strongly urge you to listen to your wife and children with the goal of understanding.  Don’t interrupt. Listen. Your wife and children will appreciate you more, and they will be willing to share their heart with you if you will listen to understand and not to reply or fix it.

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:30)

Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding. (Proverbs 2:2)

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (James 1:19-20)

Whitewater rafting! Screaming down the first hill of a roller coaster! Going through the gears of a Grabber Orange Mustang GT! Hiking the AT!  Listening to Fiddlin’ Carson Peters wear it out on Orange Blossom Special!  These are some things I have been able to enjoy in my life and to respond with great excitement and a hearty “YEEEESSSSSS!”

But, you want a genuine, heart-pumping thrill?  Sit down for two hours in a local coffee shop and be engaged in discipleship with an individual who is hungry to grow in Christ!  WOW!!!  That is one awesome privilege and super abundant joy! How thrilling to watch the “light bulbs” come on as the Word is taught, questions are biblically answered, connections are made and next-step application is anticipated!  What a joy to see the passion for more!  How cool to see honesty and transparency followed up with “I want to change!”

Yes, all those things I mentioned in the first paragraph will cause me to flat get excited, but to participate in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is shoutin’ ground, praiseworthy, awe-inspiring, and a thrill to my soul!!

If you aren’t engaged in obedience to Christ’s final command to the Church, you are missing out on real adventure that has eternal dividends.  Who knows, you might even get a bit happy, want to shout, and/or shed some joyful tears, all for God’s glory!

Colossians 1:27-29           To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect (complete) in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

2 Timothy 2:2                     The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 3:16-17            All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Why are these statements, “You can’t mix religion and politics,” and “You can’t talk about religion and politics” false?  What does God’s Word have to say about it?

Religion as defined by Merriam-Webster is “the belief in a god or in a group of gods; an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.”   Scripture takes care of that definition. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).  Religion may be defined by the world as many gods, but the Truth is, there is only one God, and Jehovah is His name.   There is only one way to God and that is through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

With that being established, let’s restate by saying, “You can’t mix God and politics.”   Once again, politics is defined by Merriam-Webster as “activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government; the work or job of people (such as elected officials) who are part of a government.”  Since politics and government are synonymous, let’s take our statement one step farther and say, “You can’t mix God and government.”

Who created government?  Once again, let’s have God’s Word answer this question:

Jesus answered [Pilate], “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11)

There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1b)

Truth is, if you do not speak of government in the context of Jehovah, then you have bypassed the Originator of government and the very One Who is over all government.   Even corrupt, sinful governments can and are used by God to accomplish His plan.

Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD, and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction, and make them a horror, a hissing, and an everlasting desolation. (Jeremiah 25:8-9)

Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you [God] anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (Acts 4:27-28)

Furthermore, to leave God, the originator of government out of any political discussion is to always arrive at the wrong conclusion.  Hence, you better talk about religion and politics, but always from a biblical viewpoint.

Lastly, one day, religion and politics will be joined together at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)

No matter the issue, the correct question to ask is always, “What does God’s Word say about it?”

For further insight into today’s political and religious scene, I strongly encourage you to listen to the following message by Dr. Adrian Rogers:  The Leadership Crisis in America