Do we talk too much? When we notice that others are looking around more than at us while we talk, that is a clue that we are loosing them. They may be hoping for a break between words to be able to get away to visit with someone else.
Do we continue to talk while they are trying to interrupt to be a part of the conversation?
Or do we talk so long that they cannot interject at any point, making the conversation completely one sided.
If we notice others running away from us when they see us coming, perhaps we should evaluate our speech or how long we talk! It might be good to become aware of the eyes and micro-reactions that people are exhibiting to more fully learn how they are feeling about the conversation, to be considerate of others. Is the visit a discussion with two people participating? Or, are we the only ones talking continually.
Not everything we say and do is interesting to others. Knowing our friends and family would help us in discerning what would interest them, rather than attempting to impress them with what we think is interesting, blabbering on and on with meaningless details that make no difference to the story, we ought to be discerning in what would interest those listening.
It is rude to continue to talk when the person we are speaking to is showing discomfort at our prattle.
May the Lord make us sensitive to the needs of others in conversation, and help us to be willing to listen more than we talk, unless others are asking us questions to know more. Silence can be golden, for others.
James 1:19 "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;"
Sunday, August 10, 2014
What Does The Menorah Teach Us?
There are seven candles on the Menorah, each one represents a spirit.
The center candle is the Holy Spirit, on one side stand the candles of wisdom, understanding and Counsel. On the other side there are the spirits of Might, Knowledge and Humility (fear of God).
Isaiah 11:1-2
"Isaiah 11:1-2
"11 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
When we walk with God we should have all of these characteristics if we are to be useful to God.
We may have knowledge but without wisdom, counsel or humility, knowledge produces arrogance;
Proverbs 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Proverbs 2:2-5 "Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 15:22 "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed."
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."
When "might" is present without wisdom and humility we have tyranny.
Ephesians 5:15-17 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
James 3:17 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
We must have understanding to be able to rightly discern what is useful to God in our Christian walk. We must also not exercise partiality in the body, based on financial conditions, outward beauty or personalities.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Proverbs 3:13-18 "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Often we think it is enough to know that we need all these elements as depicted in the Menorah, but we fail to flesh them out in our walk each day. Knowing them is of no value if we do not pray that God would make them paramount in all that we are and do.
It might be good to meditate on each one that God may reveal to us those that we are lacking. If we see ourselves as being perfected in each and every one, then we may be suffering from pride. No one can say they have not failed in one of these if not all of them. May the Lord open our eyes to that which we lack, that we might become the person He wants us to be, useful for the kingdom and fervent and diligent concerning what God will do in us.
The center candle is the Holy Spirit, on one side stand the candles of wisdom, understanding and Counsel. On the other side there are the spirits of Might, Knowledge and Humility (fear of God).
Isaiah 11:1-2
"Isaiah 11:1-2
"11 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
When we walk with God we should have all of these characteristics if we are to be useful to God.
We may have knowledge but without wisdom, counsel or humility, knowledge produces arrogance;
Proverbs 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Proverbs 2:2-5 "Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 15:22 "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed."
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."
When "might" is present without wisdom and humility we have tyranny.
Ephesians 5:15-17 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
James 3:17 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
We must have understanding to be able to rightly discern what is useful to God in our Christian walk. We must also not exercise partiality in the body, based on financial conditions, outward beauty or personalities.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Proverbs 3:13-18 "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Often we think it is enough to know that we need all these elements as depicted in the Menorah, but we fail to flesh them out in our walk each day. Knowing them is of no value if we do not pray that God would make them paramount in all that we are and do.
It might be good to meditate on each one that God may reveal to us those that we are lacking. If we see ourselves as being perfected in each and every one, then we may be suffering from pride. No one can say they have not failed in one of these if not all of them. May the Lord open our eyes to that which we lack, that we might become the person He wants us to be, useful for the kingdom and fervent and diligent concerning what God will do in us.
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