If we aren't being bombarded from noise coming from the outside, we are probably being violated by the noises we hear coming from within. It's so hard to maintain peace and quiet in our lives. People will use these distractions as an excuse not to hear the things they should be listening for. If we don't want to hear the phone, we'll turn up the radio. It's just noise at best, we aren't being fed anything important. For the bearer who has something important to say, this can be most aggravating. I don't think there's a wife out there who can say that her own husband has actually heard what she has told him, or her children for that matter. I believe the same goes for anyone who teaches and preaches the Word of God. God can speak something very profound through the speaker to deliver and the reaction of the people hearing it is as if they haven't heard a word that was said. But, if there's gossip involved, then everyone's ears seem to perk right up. Why is this? When we don't listen for direction in our lives, we will forever remain lost. I feel this is obvious when watching most television commercials today. They portray people as simpletons who need a shove in a certain direction or else they haven't got a clue. I don't know about you, but I think this is a sad thing about our society. Like stupid sheep, we just go in the direction we're pointed, never asking why. Have we sunk to the level that whatever is popular and right in everyone else's eyes must be ok? I think this kind of reasoning is causing a lot of havoc on society as a whole. God tried to talk with His people before Christ came along. He chose certain prophets to tell the people what He expected from them. God was very specific with His commands. People listened for a little while but then someone would always come along and instill doubt. It's funny how one person can cause many to fall away. Today there are a lot of people who just go with the flow, never even questioning if it's right or not. God talked to Moses as a friend, He told Moses everything so the people would hear what He had to say. He even proved Himself to them time and time again. The only trouble was, it was short lived and they soon started doing things their way. This behavior was repeated all through Old Testament times. In the time of Judges, every man did as he saw right in his own eyes. They didn't want to listen to God, they wanted to follow human leaders. God finally pulled away and let them do what they wanted until they found out, they really wanted Him. God was always speaking to certain prophets who would listen, but even when they warned others of God's demands, they just wouldn't listen. No wonder God just pulled back. But He always had a close eye on His people and He kept speaking to those who would listen. When He speaks to us today, are we refusing to hear Him or are we paying any attention to what He has promised us? Seeing what a handful He had, He made Himself very clear when Jesus walked among the people. Since He was a man of flesh and blood, He did command the attention of His followers. When Jesus spoke, people listened! But, it was God's plan that when Jesus was murdered and resurrected, His voice would be heard much more through the Holy Spirit. Everyone who has been born again has received this inner voice. But not everyone is listening. Our heavenly Father has been very patient and still remains that way today, but one day He is going to pull the plug on all of us. If you have listened to His Word then this may come as no surprise, but for those who can't take the time to hear His pleas, will be left wondering who shut out the lights. The end times are a promise that has yet to be fulfilled. No matter what we believe or how we reason, the end is coming. When, no one knows but the Lord God Almighty. Just know that He is giving everyone a chance to be prepared. It's kind of like the story about the ants and the grasshoppers. The ants are always busy preparing for a long winter so they will always have food. But the grasshoppers continue wasting time and playing all summer that they are caught off guard when winter comes. We are much like that today. So many people keep thinking that they have all the time in the world but what they don't realize is, they may not have another tomorrow in which to get ready. This is God's message for us and we just aren't listening. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." Heb. 1:1-2 All through Christ's ministry on earth, He told parables to people who could hear what He was saying. His whole message was just to let your heart be like fertile soil and let the words He spoke grow into faith. He warned that if we don't heed His Father's instructions, we would all fall away into death and sin and hell. He told everyone who had the ears to hear exactly what they had to do in order to maintain the peace of this world and the one to come. Nothing has changed. People are still as stubborn now as they were back then. When was the last time you really listened to what God was saying to you? How do you react when He does? Do you casually turn and go about your business or do you do something about it? Being a teacher of God's Word, I can see how people treat it. They go on living their lives exactly the way they want to. Some things may have changed, but for the most part it's all about compromise. To be honest, I don't want to take that chance. I'm not perfect in all my ways by no means, but I do make an honest effort to get quiet and listen for His leading. If I continue to do what He tells me, then I have nothing to worry about. If you only believed that God loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for your sins, then you should give Him all the honor and praise that is due Him by obeying Him because it's for your own good. Don't get caught off guard when the enemy comes to kill and steal and destroy. Satan is on the rampage and being exposed through every media and we are just like sitting ducks because we haven't listened to God and aren't aware of the protection He promises to give us. It's never too late to listen to Him. I'm sure He's going to get tired of repeating Himself one day. Give Him your undivided attention right now. It's not what He can do for you, but rather what you can do for Him. If you yield to God, you won't give in to sin. |
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