Meditation: December 28

“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” Proverb 1:5

It is a mark of wisdom to listen attentively rather than talking. It is the meditations of the heart that will adhere to the soul. Only then will wisdom become a part of you. Otherwise, the information will merely pass through the head and become information used to impress others, Questions asked reveal interest. It is wise to be aware that there is much to be learned in light of the little that is known. The disciple will seek out wisdom where it may be found. Then there can be a foundation laid for more truth to be attached.”For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”(Luke 8:18). The learner is wise enough to learn. The fool is content with what he thinks he already knows. Listen well with an open heart to truth, and the Spirit of God will give you understanding. 

Meditation: January 21

“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

God anticipates the call or the cry of His children. He readily and hastily responds to the sincere heart with the very best remedy to their deepest needs. They are the ones who are full of questions in need of answers. Most of their questions are too difficult to effectively communicate in words; but God is not looking for the articulate, He seeks out the sincere. He looks into the far distant future while a prayer is in the formative stage and releases from heaven the answer that reaches him on schedule. He does not wait for him to intellectually grasp the concepts allowing him to plow his own way out of the ditch of confusion. No! He listens to his thoughts that are connected to his heart. What He hears is what they intend, rather than merely say. While they were yet speaking, the Lord stops them in the middle of their sentences and calms their anxieties and fears, by letting them know that He understands. His listening ear is the result of His understanding heart. The Lord will hear the call those whose hearts are perfect towards Him.

Meditation: August 6

He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; (3) and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.  Matthew 16:2-3

The corporate decisions made by both our spiritual and civic leaders are the uneasy breathing of this generation gasping for lack of spiritual air. The deficiencies reflect a climate of desperation, but without the knowledge of the Savior. The world has resorted to measures which are appeasing to the fallen masses, pacifying their appeals for pleasure thus taking the path of least resistance. Many Church leaders have relented to providing blind leadership by getting in front of the parade of fools. They hold the office and gain the attention, accolades, and allegiance of the people by giving them what they want and taking them where they desire to go.

Where discernment is lacking, all things appear to be right. Every person is right in his own eyes because the King is absent from the consciousness of those who decide for us. These things are not just happening. There is a plan behind the fallout. The Deceiver is accelerating his activity because he knows that his time is short. Any degree of falsehood or hypocrisy cam be appealed to and magnified by him. It is high time to awaken out of a state of slumber and be alert and aware of the times in which we live. If it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived by him. But God stands above the fray with what we need. Only those who have been given ears to hear and use them accordingly will hear the voice of reason leading them through the destructive landmines of enemy.

Meditation: January 27

“What wonderful advice you’ve given to a mixed-up man! What amazing insights you’ve provided!” Job 26:3 (MSG)

We need advice that can straighten out the crooked places in our lives. We cannot allow the advice of those who may have abused their liberties, by spewing out carnal and worldly advice, to close us off and draw us in too closely to ourselves. Yes, there are some who have not explored deeply into the reasons behind the actions and hurt more than help the situation. But then, there are others who have been sent by God to speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort. When we turn a deaf ear to all counsel because we cannot trust anything that may come our way, we rob ourselves of one of God’s greatest gifts. It is in a multitude of counselors that safety dwells. Somewhere hidden beneath criticisms and encouragements, lies the insights we so desperately need. God has so equipped us to be sensitive to the human touch and our ears are attuned to human voices. Even among the hypercritical, we must examine if there is even a small element of truth contained in their criticism. As we listen to both God through man and God through much prayer, we will develop into becoming the wiser.

Meditation: October 30

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” 1 Timothy 1:12

The challenges of ministry are constant. There are always important things to do and areas of significance in need of being addressed. It is too easy to take the path of least resistance and say what would be pleasing to the masses and tickling to the ear. But the call of God is a call to faithfulness and dedication to a cause that is greater than any man. It is that call to which we must be faithful. Our efforts are not to be carried out as others who would place professionalism over character. If we are to most effectively carry out the call that is upon our lives, we must first be faithful to the God who has called us. He is the Great Teacher who will make known both His Word and His ways. It requires the discipline of character so that we are able to listen to Him first before we speak. Then our lives become of message and we live a message and not just speak one.

We do not merely choose this path, but follow after what has be both chosen for us along with the grace to walk as no other. Sometimes alone, and at other times with companions who see with us the significance of what God has given us for themselves. I thank God for His placements, and preservation of the greatest gift one could ever receive, His Son who ministers through us. May He continue to receive the honor and glory that He so richly deserve!

Meditation: October 5

“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”2 Chronicles 7:1

The prayer of King Solomon in the dedication of the Temple was heard in heaven. He had listened to God in completing the task to which he was assigned. He was chosen by God as King of Israel, and now prayed a prayer of dedication for what the Lord had allowed him to participate in doing. It is a glorious thing to be a part of God’s work and attentive enough to listen fully to His instructions. He did not add nor take away from the specific instructions of God. His obedience to God provided for him the opportunity to place a sacrifice upon the altar. Many things may be offered to God with the intent of warranting His acceptance. But God only answers with fire that which is acceptable to Him. Are we placing sacrifices on the altar of God without giving Him His proper honor? We must do what He has assigned us to do. Then we can place on His altar our sacrifice. The consuming fire of God will be His response to us that we have given Him, not the speckled or the defiled, but what He is willing to accept.

Meditation: August 19

“And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Isa 30:20-21

The departure from the Way is the root cause of the adversity that comes from the Lord. There are challenges that come as result of obedience and challenges that are rooted in rebellion. The difference between the two is the adherence on the part of the challenged to hear the instructions that come from the Lord. He is available to deliver us from all of our trouble, but do we listen to His voice before us to lead or have we left what He has to say to us behind? Their teachers were sidelined and replaced with guides who misguided them. They listened to falsehoods as blind guides led them into pits. But God did not abandon them even though they had abandoned Him. From behind His voice could still be heard. From the rear, the places inhabited and celebrated was the voice of God speaking to them in order for them to return to the old landmarks and to walk in the tried and proven Way. What foundation was the Lord building within you and what is being built upon it now? The wood, hay, and stubble of worldliness are of a different quality from the gold, silver, and precious stones of righteousness, holiness, and sanctification. Though your heart may desire many things, God will often calls us to go back rather than forward in order to revisit what we have left and be restored to the spiritual state we were once in. Those who were there are still there, but the question is, where are you? Can you in this state of mind and heart receive or has the hardness set in so that the journey is determined by feelings rather than faith? God says, “This is the Way, walk in it.”

Meditation: January 27

“What wonderful advice you’ve given to a mixed-up man! What amazing insights you’ve provided!” Job 26:3 (MSG)

We need advice that can straighten out the crooked places in our lives. We cannot allow the advice of those who may have abused their liberties, by spewing out carnal and worldly advice, to close us off and draw us in too closely to ourselves. Yes, there are some who have not explored deeply into the reasons behind the actions and hurt more than help the situation. But then, there are others who have been sent by God to speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort. When we turn a deaf ear to all counsel because we cannot trust anything that may come our way, we rob ourselves of one of God’s greatest gifts. It is in a multitude of counselors that safety dwells. Somewhere hidden beneath criticisms and encouragements, lies the insights we so desperately need. God has so equipped us to be sensitive to the human touch and our ears are attuned to human voices. Even among the hypercritical, we must examine if there is even a small element of truth contained in their criticism. As we listen to both God through man and God through much prayer, we will develop into becoming the wiser.