Sunday, June 22, 2025
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Hearers Interpret What They Hear in Terms of their own Mindset!
Next time someone accuses you of saying something in a mean way when you did not, just quote scripture to them.
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
Friday, June 20, 2025
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
We have become so accustomed to "doing something" to appear to be worshiping that many cannot wrap their mind around worshiping in "Spirit and Truh."
Worship, after Christ left this earth, was not about physical acts of worship as it was in the Old Testament days. Worship is now something that happens in the hearts of those who belong to Him.
We edify one another to build up the faith of one another. Edification is to speak to one another about Christ and to agree with one another.
John 4:24
"24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”"
Hosea 6:6
"6 For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Psalm 51:16-17
"For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
These attitudes toward God are not about outward acts of worship but the inner heart of worship that we carry with us everywhere we go, which demonstrates our loyalty to God.
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."
Our mandate from God is to have an attitude of worship in our heart that presents itself in obedience to HIm and edification toward one another.
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Worship does not involve routine rituals expected every week by others who tell the congregation what to say, what to sing. When we gather to edify one another, each one will ask for a song, prayer and expound on the word as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
To edify one another in this way we are worshiping as God commanded.
Psalm 40:3-4 " 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.…"
To edify one another is to encourage the hearts of those in the gathering to focus on Christ in all they do and say. It is not ritual actions or ritual words that are the worship; it is the heart reaching up to God in love toward Him, agreeing with Him!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore, encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."
When we gather together to agree about Christ, we will leave the gathering equipped to go into the world sharing the gospel and encouraging others believers we meet to keep looking to Jesus Christ.
Worship, after Christ left this earth, was not about physical acts of worship as it was in the Old Testament days. Worship is now something that happens in the hearts of those who belong to Him.
We edify one another to build up the faith of one another. Edification is to speak to one another about Christ and to agree with one another.
John 4:24
"24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”"
Hosea 6:6
"6 For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Psalm 51:16-17
"For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
These attitudes toward God are not about outward acts of worship but the inner heart of worship that we carry with us everywhere we go, which demonstrates our loyalty to God.
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."
Our mandate from God is to have an attitude of worship in our heart that presents itself in obedience to HIm and edification toward one another.
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Worship does not involve routine rituals expected every week by others who tell the congregation what to say, what to sing. When we gather to edify one another, each one will ask for a song, prayer and expound on the word as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
To edify one another in this way we are worshiping as God commanded.
Psalm 40:3-4 " 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.…"
To edify one another is to encourage the hearts of those in the gathering to focus on Christ in all they do and say. It is not ritual actions or ritual words that are the worship; it is the heart reaching up to God in love toward Him, agreeing with Him!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore, encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."
When we gather together to agree about Christ, we will leave the gathering equipped to go into the world sharing the gospel and encouraging others believers we meet to keep looking to Jesus Christ.
Christ Should be the Focus
When we are more concerned about people liking us than we are about truth, then Christ is not the focus....we are the focus. We are more concerned about people liking us than we are about truth, then Christ is not the focus... we are the focus.
Christ First and Only
No one is greater than Jesus Christ Who lives in the born-again believer. He is called the Counselor, the Teacher, the Savior, the Bread of Life, and many more descriptions of what He does for us!
Christ saves us, leads us, trains us, and is our sustenance; no human being can be any of this for us.
No person can teach us better, help us better, or protect us better than Jesus Christ.
God NEVER said: "Trust in a leader with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God did say, "Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in Christ always is His mandate to us, each and every born-again believer! We hear teachers, we evaluate them according to the bible but we do not allow them to dictate anything to us, they can never usurp Jesus Christ Who lives in us.
Listening to teachers is associated with the mandate to edify one another in the Word; it is not associated with authority over us any more than we have authority over any other believer.
Follow Christ alone!!!!
Christ saves us, leads us, trains us, and is our sustenance; no human being can be any of this for us.
No person can teach us better, help us better, or protect us better than Jesus Christ.
God NEVER said: "Trust in a leader with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God did say, "Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in Christ always is His mandate to us, each and every born-again believer! We hear teachers, we evaluate them according to the bible but we do not allow them to dictate anything to us, they can never usurp Jesus Christ Who lives in us.
Listening to teachers is associated with the mandate to edify one another in the Word; it is not associated with authority over us any more than we have authority over any other believer.
Follow Christ alone!!!!
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